|
|
|
Forum Guru
 
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 7:07:36 AM
Posts: 66,
Visits: 213
|
|
Hello All!
My name is Mike and I just purchased a 1999 540i. I used to have an '87 325iC and an '81 320i. I'd forgotten how sweet these autos really are.
What's funny is, when I drove off the lot from the purchase, I thought to myself... "I'm back in the saddle."
If anyone has any tips or gotchas with this model, please don't hesitate to let me know.
Thanks,
Michael Faris
http://mikefaris.blogspot.com
Mike...
Linux and Stuff
Twisted Thoughts
1999 540i
|
|
|
|
|
Supreme Being
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/12/2008 11:02:41 PM
Posts: 93,
Visits: 145
|
|
Welcome Mike. I currently have 3 V8 BMW's in the stable and am on my 3rd E39 fiver. Let me know how many miles are on your newest addition and if you know, what service or maintenance has been performed on it recently, and I will give you the run down of what to expect. Are you sure you want to know this infomation in advance?
Trent Cole
Lone Star Bavarian, inc
3800 West Vickery Blvd.Ft. Worth, Tx 76107
817-732-4888
www.bmwfxr.com
BMW CCA Tech Advisor, Lone Star Chapter
|
|
|
|
|
Supreme Being
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 5:05:10 PM
Posts: 490,
Visits: 2,343
|
|
Trent this is good timing. im loking at a 2000 540i-6 speed. it has 80k miles. + know i needs some powere stering hoses and valve cover gaskets. anything else I should look for? also are the covers a big job? I have done steering lines on the m3 and am pretty good with most projects. price is 10k. I have known the seller for many years. car has had standard dealer maointenance nothing majority
______________________________________________
Doug (BMWCCA DE Instructor)
1999 Titanium Silver M3 245 RWHP 227 ft/lb, Rev. tested to 7614 RPMWith Stuff
2000 540i 6 speed H&R Sports & Bilsteins, 545 shifter. Better than the 2006 325i it replaced
|
|
|
|
|
Supreme Being
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 5:18:50 PM
Posts: 522,
Visits: 2,101
|
|
| Count on needing a water pump, a radiator and hoses. Guaranteed at 80K
|
|
|
|
|
Supreme Being
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 5:05:10 PM
Posts: 490,
Visits: 2,343
|
|
| same garbage cooling system as the e36 eh? By the way, Welcom Mike 
______________________________________________
Doug (BMWCCA DE Instructor)
1999 Titanium Silver M3 245 RWHP 227 ft/lb, Rev. tested to 7614 RPMWith Stuff
2000 540i 6 speed H&R Sports & Bilsteins, 545 shifter. Better than the 2006 325i it replaced
|
|
|
|
|
Supreme Being
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 5:18:50 PM
Posts: 522,
Visits: 2,101
|
|
CA Bimmer (6/18/2008)
same garbage cooling system as the e36 eh?Yup. You can count on it failing.
|
|
|
|
|
Supreme Being
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 5:05:10 PM
Posts: 490,
Visits: 2,343
|
|
At least its cheap. The 2000 should have a metal waterpump anyway. My 99M3 did.
______________________________________________
Doug (BMWCCA DE Instructor)
1999 Titanium Silver M3 245 RWHP 227 ft/lb, Rev. tested to 7614 RPMWith Stuff
2000 540i 6 speed H&R Sports & Bilsteins, 545 shifter. Better than the 2006 325i it replaced
|
|
|
|
|
Supreme Being
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/12/2008 11:02:41 PM
Posts: 93,
Visits: 145
|
|
| Mike, Unless the price is a total steal, get a prepurchase on it so you can make sure the price is right and you are getting what you think you are. I have had 80k cars come in that needed 4 to 5k worth of maintenance and work and I have had them come in needing little or nothing. There are a lot of things that need to be checked out at this amount of miles. Where is the car in it maintenance? Has the tranny been serviced yet? What about the vacumme transducer, has it been replaced yet? At 8ok it is in need of a number of suspension components or will be shortly if they are all OE. The other members are correct, cooling systems on V8 cars are in their end days if original but these cars do give definite signs before out right failure. I could go on but suggest strongly that your first expense be to get it professionally checked so you don't make a mistake.
Trent Cole
Lone Star Bavarian, inc
3800 West Vickery Blvd. Ft. Worth, Tx 76107
817-732-4888
www.bmwfxr.com
BMW CCA Tech Advisor, Lone Star Chapter
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Guru
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 7:07:36 AM
Posts: 66,
Visits: 213
|
|
Hi Trent,
It has 108k and I've never seen a cleaner, all around machine before. Even the the batt compartment looks brand new. I know that looks can be deceiving, though. I don't know the maintenance schedule, but it came with a 1 year bumper to bumper 100%, even paid rental. I've put almost 600 miles on it so far. If it was maintained by BMW, can't I take the VIN to a dealer and have them look it up?
Thanks,
Mike...
Linux and Stuff
Twisted Thoughts
1999 540i
|
|
|
| | |