BMW 540i Opinions

[WDRacing]

I'm looking at a high mileage 99, 540i, 178k on the clock, V8 with the auto $4000. I've checked the carfax, climbed all over it and I can't "see" anything wrong with it. Carfax shows annual servicing and they changed out the trans in 05, recall issue with the ring gear.

I'd like some non-biased opinions. To me it appears nice and I could easily take this car into the 250,000 realm. AS far as maintenance goes I have full access to a hobby shop with lift and tools for all the repairs this car will need in the future. I understand that buying a used, high mileage, car comes with risk and there will be repairs. I'm prepped to fix them and have a reserve set aside for the first years worth of crap I find that needs fixing. However, I've never worked on a BMW. Are there going to be a lot of special tools required, things along those lines?

Anyone have any negative stories or opinions on the 540i? I love the car. When I opened the hood, I had an immediate feeling of, for lack of a better word, awe. It looks like a car that's actually engineered to drive.

Thoughts?

[Bubba1]

You didn't mention what year, which engine, or if it was an automatic or manual. I have a friend who had one but his was new. Nice well made cars in their day, but expensive to repair. As far as making it to 250K miles without major issues? If it was a single owner car with a complete maintenance history, it might be worth a shot. But if its a random car on a dealer lot, I wouldn't take the risk unless it was ridiculously cheap so you dump it when (not if) something big breaks.

[WDRacing]

I edited the OP, it's a 99, V8 auto for $4000. The only thing really big I probably wouldn't change myself would be the motor, unless I found a front clip or something.

[Bubba1]

I edited the OP, it's a 99, V8 auto for $4000. The only thing really big I probably wouldn't change myself would be the motor, unless I found a front clip or something.

FWIW, the price seems to fall along KBB.

[Jesda]

Price seems high to me by about $600, even if it falls in line with published values.

You'll be stuck with recirculating ball steering. The I6 got the rack and pinion.

[MinisterofDOOM]

The E39 is one of my very, very, VERY favorite cars. Gorgeous, great chassis, great powerplants, can be had with a clutch...

The E39 540i was the car Lincoln used as the benchmark for the LS8. Most Bimmer fans consider it the peak of the 5 series' evolution. The bangle E60 5 series was actually lighter, but was overteched and not as much of a driver's car. My neighbor has a red 540i and it has aged extremely gracefully. It still looks better than 99% of the cars on the street, 90% of which are far newer. Very timeless design.

I'd LOVE a manual 540i. Black or red.

[s0m3th1ngAZ]

I'm actually looking for an e39 right now. I dont even care what color it is because they are pretty hard to find with the v8 manual.

[WDRacing]

I pulled the trigger...and love it.

[Jesda]

My ideal E39 is the 528i.

The 528 gets rack and pinion steering, better front-rear weight balance, cheaper maintenance, slightly better fuel economy (16 combined V8 auto vs 21 combined I6 manual), an aluminum front subframe, less tendency to understeer, and is about 200lbs lighter.
But it's also a good bit slower in a straight line, the auto I6 is only 2mpg better, not MUCH cheaper to maintain, and not MUCH cheaper to insure.


The Cadillac guy in me prefers the 540 with a ZF automatic.
The Mazda guy in me prefers the 528 with a manual.



Either car would make me very happy. Congrats on the new ride.

[Eikon]

Should have bought an M5..

[Bubba1]

Should have bought a Dinan M5..

FTFY. Brutally fast luxo-barge.

Congrats on your purchase.

[WDRacing]

M5...slightly beyond my budget, but I agree.

I'll have her up on a lift this week so I can give her a good thorough inspection followed by a complete fluid/filter change. I'm gonna have to get my hands on a FSM, or whatever BMW calls it.

I'm going to take good care of her.

Did I mention it has brand new rubber all the way around? Brand new ZR Rated Good Years! At least I won't have that expense anytime soon. I doubt those dudes are as cheap as the usual ones I buy for the 240.

[elwesso]

Congrats Brian.. I'd be scared of an M5 unless it was either an E28, E34, or E39.. Newer ones scare me... not to mention, the same performance can be had in a cheaper package and cheaper to maintain in a CTS-V, just saying..

Still debating if I wanna bring the CTS-V or Q to carlisle.

[frapjap]

Congrats Brian.. I'd be scared of an M5 unless it was either an E28, E34, or E39.. Newer ones scare me... not to mention, the same performance can be had in a cheaper package and cheaper to maintain in a CTS-V, just saying..

Still debating if I wanna bring the CTS-V or Q to carlisle.

V! V! V! V!

[WDRacing]

You need to bring the CTS-V Wes.