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Read the WELCOME ALL BMWFANATICS post.
Just Purchased a 2003 E39 540i Sport Six Speed Manual
- Thread starter venterj
- Start date
nirvash
Well-known member
raise:i read through your thread and you are sitting on a real gem right there, congrats, such awesome cars, best bang for a buck on the market imo
your car looks like it just rolled of the showroom floor, perfect
hopefully will be joining the 6spd manual club this weekend..:fencelook:
p.s your consumption figures gave me confidence to consider these cars
venterj
Member
nirvash said:
i read through your thread and you are sitting on a real gem right there, congrats, such awesome cars, best bang for a buck on the market imo
your car looks like it just rolled of the showroom floor, perfect
hopefully will be joining the 6spd manual club this weekend..:fencelook:
p.s your consumption figures gave me confidence to consider these cars
Hey, thanks for those kind words. :ty:
I've been to three BMW events three weekends in a row :rollsmile: so I don't think my wife is going to be very impressed with me if I blow her off this weekend. :nonono:
nirvash
Well-known member
venterj said:nirvash said:
i read through your thread and you are sitting on a real gem right there, congrats, such awesome cars, best bang for a buck on the market imo
your car looks like it just rolled of the showroom floor, perfect
hopefully will be joining the 6spd manual club this weekend..:fencelook:
p.s your consumption figures gave me confidence to consider these cars
Hey, thanks for those kind words. :ty:
I've been to three BMW events three weekends in a row :rollsmile: so I don't think my wife is going to be very impressed with me if I blow her off this weekend. :nonono:
no problem, credit due where its deserved, what an awesome car,
by joining the club i meant new ownership of a 6spd manual:rollsmile:
got the car today:=):
OppositeLockMT
Active member
You 540i 6 guys are making me jealous. :fencelook:
venterj
Member
It certainly has been a while and not without some trials and tribulations along the way.
First the good news though, the car has recently been detailed by Mzansi Auto Finishers which you can read all about by clicking on the link. :ty:
http://www.sabeemer.co.za/mzansi-auto-finishers
The Silver Shadow has recently hit the 200k mark, having said that the drive is still great and still manages to put a smile on my face. :rollsmile:
Now for the bumps in the road – I thought I solved my battery problem with the bigger unit. Not so, after five days of not driving or two days of washing it, it still runs flat. :yuck:
Then I noticed that the aircon fan sounded rather load even if the vehicle was not switched on. Some investigating on the internet revealed a common culprit on the E39s is the fan speed resistor, hedgehog or final stage unit for BMW technical speak. So I got Hoosain ex-Tune Tech to replace it, like I have cash burning a hole in my pocket. :argh:
The fan still sounded load to me but Hoosain convinced me to persist for a week to see what happens. Long story short the drainage persisted and so did the sick feeling in my stomach every time I could not start the car.
And so the trial by elimination process continued with everyone and their dog screaming tracker.
In the meantime I also did the sensible thing and had a multimeter attached to the battery after full charge with the engine off and then with the motor running to confirm if the alternator was charging. After waiting for more than two weeks a technician arrived to establish if the tracker was draining the battery. It was a complete waste of time – 15 minutes of my life I will never get back as all he did was the multimeter test, which did actually show that while the car was switched off that current was being drawn, but he swore it was not the tracker, how he knew this by just standing there only he and the trackers Gods will know. He was quick to jump into the boot and let me close it to ensure the light went out. :flyfun:
Eventually I had, had enough and phoned Ross Duncan, this guys business is virtually printing money for him, you always have to wait in line and this time I could not wait for more than two weeks. As I have stated before I believe Ross does good work but getting in is a challenge. By this time the battery was not holding for more than two days, so I called Tune Tech and they were able to accommodate me within a few days. Last Thursday I disconnected the terminals and on Monday a friend was kind enough to fetch the battery and put it on a slow charge. :ty:
So on Tuesday I got up at sparrows fart and off to Tune Tech I went so I could be in-time for getting a lift back. And then that dreaded phone call eventually came – the fan speed resistor that was fitted was faulty, and a new ignition switched needed to be fitted. A second phone call came, how much more hemorrhaging could I take? After the new components were fitted, there was still current being drawn from the battery when the engine was off and according to the technician could only be the tracker. I get a distinct feeling Tune Tech has it in for tracking devices, the first thing the receptionist told me was how many tracking devices as she put they have cut out. The same thing with the technician, shall I cut it out? It took some convincing but eventually we agreed that my insurer will remove the unit, I will take the car back and they will test it. I am sincerely hoping that it is the tracker as I have only holes left in my pocket - the insurer will fit a new unit at no charge.
In between I bought a door actuator from MD House Motors (BMW scrap-yard) for R550 versus R3500 from a dealer. When I bought the car I realised that the driver door had to be pulled slightly harder than all the others to shut it. On closer inspection I saw a small kink in the window frame section of the door close to where the horizontal part of the frame meets the vertical section. I used a vice grip and put some very soft cloth on the kink before using the pliers to straighten it, avoiding scratching the high gloss black finish. The closing improved but did not solve the problem entirely, so I popped into Lyndhurst Auto Body who checked it and told me that the door lock needed replacing. I’ve live with it but noticed that the mock-wood panel in the door-car started coming loose and so has the door-car. I will tackle this on my own soon enough and just hope that I have no nasty surprises along the way.
I also got some very small bits from Ireland of all places and the States which I will photograph and show you next time.
First the good news though, the car has recently been detailed by Mzansi Auto Finishers which you can read all about by clicking on the link. :ty:
http://www.sabeemer.co.za/mzansi-auto-finishers
The Silver Shadow has recently hit the 200k mark, having said that the drive is still great and still manages to put a smile on my face. :rollsmile:
Now for the bumps in the road – I thought I solved my battery problem with the bigger unit. Not so, after five days of not driving or two days of washing it, it still runs flat. :yuck:
Then I noticed that the aircon fan sounded rather load even if the vehicle was not switched on. Some investigating on the internet revealed a common culprit on the E39s is the fan speed resistor, hedgehog or final stage unit for BMW technical speak. So I got Hoosain ex-Tune Tech to replace it, like I have cash burning a hole in my pocket. :argh:
The fan still sounded load to me but Hoosain convinced me to persist for a week to see what happens. Long story short the drainage persisted and so did the sick feeling in my stomach every time I could not start the car.
And so the trial by elimination process continued with everyone and their dog screaming tracker.
In the meantime I also did the sensible thing and had a multimeter attached to the battery after full charge with the engine off and then with the motor running to confirm if the alternator was charging. After waiting for more than two weeks a technician arrived to establish if the tracker was draining the battery. It was a complete waste of time – 15 minutes of my life I will never get back as all he did was the multimeter test, which did actually show that while the car was switched off that current was being drawn, but he swore it was not the tracker, how he knew this by just standing there only he and the trackers Gods will know. He was quick to jump into the boot and let me close it to ensure the light went out. :flyfun:
Eventually I had, had enough and phoned Ross Duncan, this guys business is virtually printing money for him, you always have to wait in line and this time I could not wait for more than two weeks. As I have stated before I believe Ross does good work but getting in is a challenge. By this time the battery was not holding for more than two days, so I called Tune Tech and they were able to accommodate me within a few days. Last Thursday I disconnected the terminals and on Monday a friend was kind enough to fetch the battery and put it on a slow charge. :ty:
So on Tuesday I got up at sparrows fart and off to Tune Tech I went so I could be in-time for getting a lift back. And then that dreaded phone call eventually came – the fan speed resistor that was fitted was faulty, and a new ignition switched needed to be fitted. A second phone call came, how much more hemorrhaging could I take? After the new components were fitted, there was still current being drawn from the battery when the engine was off and according to the technician could only be the tracker. I get a distinct feeling Tune Tech has it in for tracking devices, the first thing the receptionist told me was how many tracking devices as she put they have cut out. The same thing with the technician, shall I cut it out? It took some convincing but eventually we agreed that my insurer will remove the unit, I will take the car back and they will test it. I am sincerely hoping that it is the tracker as I have only holes left in my pocket - the insurer will fit a new unit at no charge.
In between I bought a door actuator from MD House Motors (BMW scrap-yard) for R550 versus R3500 from a dealer. When I bought the car I realised that the driver door had to be pulled slightly harder than all the others to shut it. On closer inspection I saw a small kink in the window frame section of the door close to where the horizontal part of the frame meets the vertical section. I used a vice grip and put some very soft cloth on the kink before using the pliers to straighten it, avoiding scratching the high gloss black finish. The closing improved but did not solve the problem entirely, so I popped into Lyndhurst Auto Body who checked it and told me that the door lock needed replacing. I’ve live with it but noticed that the mock-wood panel in the door-car started coming loose and so has the door-car. I will tackle this on my own soon enough and just hope that I have no nasty surprises along the way.
I also got some very small bits from Ireland of all places and the States which I will photograph and show you next time.
Gregmeister
Member
Hey Johann. Nice writeup and pics on the detail! Looking good! raise: Sorry to hear about your woes. Hope you get sorted soon with that battery drainage issue. I too had to recently fork out for a new propshaft CV joint and centre bearing which knocked me back R4k. Even with me doing the job myself. I guess the maintainance comes with the territory. I still feel lucky though, as these old 5's are really the last of the 5's that are still reasonably serviceable. You just need them pennys ready from time to time. Keep us posted on how you get on. :thumbs:
raise: Sorry to hear about your woes. Hope you get sorted soon with that battery drainage issue. I too had to recently fork out for a new propshaft CV joint and centre bearing which knocked me back R4k. Even with me doing the job myself. I guess the maintainance comes with the territory. I still feel lucky though, as these old 5's are really the last of the 5's that are still reasonably serviceable. You just need them pennys ready from time to time. Keep us posted on how you get on. :thumbs:
venterj
Member
Gregmeister said:Hey Johann. Nice writeup and pics on the detail! Looking good!
Greg thanks for the kind words and encouragement as always. :ty:
As you would have seen I recently replaced the tie-rod ends and the centre drag-link. :yuck:
Best to maintain properly, even though painful, otherwise it all adds up and the some of the parts no longer make a whole. :biglol:
As I said just hit 200k and have one light before the service indicator comes on what would you advise I do for the next over and above the usual.
Thanks
Enjoy you car buddy .
I own my 540i for just about 5months and i never looked back i enjoy my car more then Turbo opel.
its just pure fun , just avoid water and check under your cabin filter in the engine bay your drain holes is clear and water can leak there out .:thumbs:
But super nice car I love the rear
I own my 540i for just about 5months and i never looked back i enjoy my car more then Turbo opel.
its just pure fun , just avoid water and check under your cabin filter in the engine bay your drain holes is clear and water can leak there out .:thumbs:
But super nice car I love the rear
Legacy
///Member
@venterj
You say you have just hit 200k'
I would recommend that you do chain tensioner-guide rails and chain deflection rail as the plastic is known to fail and then headaches set in if chain jumps a tooth or two.
That is about the weakest point on the M62TU.
The lot about R5k from agents plus labour of roughly 15-20 hours.
I am currently busy with one which had a catastrophic failure on the chain guide rails which went a lot deeper than cams and also smacked pistons and bearings.
You say you have just hit 200k'
I would recommend that you do chain tensioner-guide rails and chain deflection rail as the plastic is known to fail and then headaches set in if chain jumps a tooth or two.
That is about the weakest point on the M62TU.
The lot about R5k from agents plus labour of roughly 15-20 hours.
I am currently busy with one which had a catastrophic failure on the chain guide rails which went a lot deeper than cams and also smacked pistons and bearings.
RAArmstrong
///Member
What a BEAUTIFUL car!! :inlove::inlove:
Just stunning :bravo:raise:
Just stunning :bravo:
raise:
venterj
Member
RAArmstrong said:What a BEAUTIFUL car!! :inlove::inlove:
Just stunning :bravo:
I'll say it again, greatest BMW Forum in the World. :thumbs:
Thanks again for the wonderful words and excellent advice. :ty:
I think I am actually going to take Silver Shadow to Tune Tech from now onwards, Ross Duncan is great but further away and always a nightmare to get in. :flyfun:
With Tune Tech I can get a lift back and my wife can drop me the following day, they don't mind keeping the car for a day. With Ross that is not always possible.:yuck:
As I stated in my last update, the fun speed resistor aka hedgehog that was fitted by Hoosain was faulty. :thumbdo:
Big kudos to him for refunding all my money, no questions asked. :bravo:
Although Hoosain works from home he clearly knows his stuff, always very impressive cars that he is working on, saw a beuat of an E90 M3 four door. :inlove:
Personally the shortfall is getting back after dropping the car and secondly he is extremely busy.
