what do you guys think of this

[nightdevils]

Yes BMW LA is a 5er ! Hells yeah to E39. I cant drive it, I am actually working at the body shop helping them out put my, yea my, car back together, and learning stuff at the same time I will try to take pics tho if I get time.. :-/

[Storamin]

Originally Posted by BMWLotAttendant

You should drive and see if you can tell the difference.

I just think the older e39s are much better. They handle better and look better.

Today I drove a 1999 540i and a 2001 525i sport. I would rather have the 2001 525i sport over that 99 540i. I just loved the stiffer suspension and a sportier ride. I dunno, that's just me.

Did you drive it?

As with any stock BMW, the suspension should be changed out ASAP for a custom coilover kit. Nuff said.

[dinan540]

^^^^Very True

[Antiburn]

With a V8 theres a few things that you check for. Ofcourse drive it first, then check for leaks.
Engine wise, valve cover gaskets, intake and valley pan gaskets. Also water pumps arnt very fun to do on V8's.

Bring a flashlight with you and theres one spot infront of the intake that you can see below it. If you see coolant, your gonging to need to change your valley pan, and intake gaskets. They arnt the best jobs for a back yard mechanic, more dealership like work since you have to remove the rear coolant duct and a hell of alot of wires from the engine harness.

If you get the chanch to put it up in the air, check all the suspensions, E39's are always getting suspension work, as do the E38's.

Other then engine and suspension everything else which goes wrong with E39's is mostly maintnence, brakes, tires oil changes ect.
17 grand isnt a bad price but Ive seen better, if its really what your looking for then.


ANd check this out, heres a little bit of the history from the dealership it was serviced from.

Vehicle Information
VIN: WBADN5348X GC93078
Model Code: 9953 DN53
Model Desc: 540i
Engineering Series: E39
Motor Type: M62
Color Code: 317 (Orient Blue Metallic)
Trim Code: N6SN (Sand Leather)
Production Date: 1999/05

Customer Name: MR. DAVID L BUTLER
Customer Address 11478 MUIRFIELD TRCE
FISHERS IN 46037-8227
UNITED STATES


BMW Assist Expiration Date: / /
TCU ESN: 0
Retail Dealer: 86416
Retail Date: 05/29/1999
Wholesale Dealer: 86416
Wholesale Date: 05/29/1999

NEW VEHICLE WARRANTY

No Coverage As Of: 05/29/2003
Expiration Miles: 50,000

Comments:




SCHEDULE MAINTENANCE 0036000
No Coverage As Of: 05/29/2002
Expiration Miles: 36,000


Vehicle Options
Code Description Code Description
0522 xenon headlights 0508 Park Distance Control
0648 100% OPTIONS 0494 heated front seats
0971 5 SERIES MATS 0609 navigation system
0465 fold down rear seats 0416 rear electric sunshade


Repair History
RO # Claim Repair Date Entry Date Mileage Dealer Service Code Location
209222 95475 06/13/2003 06/17/2003 63,172 27600 0012380100 01
94086 26801 06/13/2001 07/06/2001 34,935 86416 0023030100 01
26800 10320105SP
6131011400
85990092SP
84735 22331 09/14/2000 10/13/2000 23,044 86416 5220156500 01
80504 19150 04/03/2000 04/07/2000 15,395 86416 10320105SP
85990089SP 01
73967 15382 08/09/1999 09/01/1999 3,300 86416 6312097700 01

[BMWLotAttendant]

I asked today about the differences in the 1999 and 2001

A tech said that the 2001 has angels (halos), and rear tail lights are different, and some front bumper and side moldings...something like that. Minor face look changes, but overall...I think it looks alot better. I love the angels, soooo intimidating.

Sooo I think you should keep your 2001 530i and wait for a 2001-2003 540i SPORT!

Sport, sport, sport. Let me tell you. I love SPORT!


Anwho, that's my advice for this topic.

[Storamin]

Let me tell you what's more important than sport. MANUAL!

[nightdevils]

Originally Posted by BMWLotAttendant

Sooo I think you should keep your 2001 530i and wait for a 2001-2003 540i SPORT!

Yep I am going to wait before I get a new car... I was helping the guys put back together my car on thursday and friday and I fell in love with it again after seeing how beautiful it looks in brand new clear coat, and all fixed up pannels. Also forgot the hoses and the engine was sparkling new! Can't wait to get it back sometime next week..

[BMWLotAttendant]

Originally Posted by ghost

Yep I am going to wait before I get a new car... I was helping the guys put back together my car on thursday and friday and I fell in love with it again after seeing how beautiful it looks in brand new clear coat, and all fixed up pannels. Also forgot the hoses and the engine was sparkling new! Can't wait to get it back sometime next week..

I'm glad to hear that!

Soooo does that mean we are going to get to see some pictures of the completed process?

Which wheels do you have?

That just reminded me that we got a lease turned in....exactly what you want. 2003 540i Sport with 23K miles...under 25K. I'm pretty sure, low miles.

I should ask how much they want for it. 40 something I'm guessing.

[nightdevils]

Originally Posted by Antiburn

With a V8 theres a few things that you check for. Ofcourse drive it first, then check for leaks.
Engine wise, valve cover gaskets, intake and valley pan gaskets. Also water pumps arnt very fun to do on V8's.

Bring a flashlight with you and theres one spot infront of the intake that you can see below it. If you see coolant, your gonging to need to change your valley pan, and intake gaskets. They arnt the best jobs for a back yard mechanic, more dealership like work since you have to remove the rear coolant duct and a hell of alot of wires from the engine harness.

Does the valley pan check apply to all E39s or is that 540 specific. I would like to check that in my car as well. And thanks for the detailed info .. much appreciated.

[nightdevils]

Originally Posted by BMWLotAttendant

I'm glad to hear that!

Soooo does that mean we are going to get to see some pictures of the completed process?

Which wheels do you have?

That just reminded me that we got a lease turned in....exactly what you want. 2003 540i Sport with 23K miles...under 25K. I'm pretty sure, low miles.

I should ask how much they want for it. 40 something I'm guessing.

Haha yes of course there will be pics, I have been dying to do a photo shoot of the car ever since I bought it 2 months ago. I got the stock wheels...attached bmw owners circle pic. 40g is a bit too much money for me right now so sorry cant get the 03 540 yet

[witeshark]

Well, to me any BMW stock like a 1 series is a happy thing