Tavarish has infected me

"IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK" (idroveapickuptruck)
02/16/2015 at 19:13 • Filed to: None

So tomorrow I'm selling the FoST and buying a E39 540i. I love the FoST but it just isn't what I need anymore. I've put almost 30,000 miles on it in the 13 months I've owned it and it's been great, but with my new job I don't need the storage space of the hatchback and since my daily commute is only 5 miles each way the reliability aspect of having a new car is also less important to me. Also I'm starting a banking job where I wear a suit everyday so a black executive BMW will stand out less than a bright tangerine hot hatchback.

I'm really excited about the E39 though, it's a 2001 540i with the 6 speed manual, only 70,000 original miles and it's been adult owned the entire time. I test drove it yesterday and it was incredibly clean and a fantastic drive. I used to drive a E46 323i and I really regret selling it, I love BMWs of this era and I'm excited to get back into one. I've been reading up on the M62TUB44 V8 in this car and it sounds like if you take care of it then they can last a long time. I don't expect to be racking up miles the way I used to be so hopefully I won't have any reliability concerns. I think I might be assembling one of the most Jalop garages ever. E39, Karmann Ghia, Willys Jeep, Lemons car. I'm actually hoping with the purchase my vehicle turnover will slow down for a while, this will be the 12th different vehicle I've owned since the summer of 2013.

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DISCUSSION (36)

SaabE39 > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
02/16/2015 at 19:21

How ironic, I actually had one a few years ago and am test driving one tomorrow, so long as it doesn't snow. Just a heads up, make sure you do the cooling system and check the lower front control arms, otherwise you should be good. Mine was a pre-vanos 97 Auto with 200k when I sold it.

AM3R shamefully returns > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
02/16/2015 at 19:21

only a 5 mile commute? GET AN E39 M5!

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > AM3R shamefully returns
02/16/2015 at 19:22

I'm trying to not have a loan payment anymore

AM3R shamefully returns > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
02/16/2015 at 19:23

a FoST is definitely enough to cover an M5, but yeah the 540i will still be great.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > AM3R shamefully returns
02/16/2015 at 19:28

I have almost no equity in the FoST, I put $0 down and have put 30,000 miles on it in a year. I'm buying the 540i out of personal savings.

StoneCold > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
02/16/2015 at 19:30

Why settle?

7 Series is clearly the answer.

Shiftknob > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
02/16/2015 at 19:31

I envy you! Now I have a reason to sell my focus tdci, daily drive is around 15kms only.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > StoneCold
02/16/2015 at 19:31

6 speed manual, lighter weight, don't want a car that big... I don't consider this settling.

AM3R shamefully returns > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
02/16/2015 at 19:33

enjoy it, they are fantastic cars.

Axial > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
02/16/2015 at 19:38

Man, everybody who bought a FoST on here seems to be selling them for one reason or another.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > AM3R shamefully returns
02/16/2015 at 19:41

I'll do my best to

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Axial
02/16/2015 at 19:44

They're great cars, I just think they're a bit too much of a compromise car. I got it because I needed a new reliable car that I could haul a decent amount of stuff in, but was still fun. I recently changed jobs and moved and as such my needs have changed, it's not that there is anything wrong with the FoST, it's just that I don't need to make the same compromises now.

Cherry_man1 > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
02/16/2015 at 19:56

Also did you see the price?

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That price is a CP

(Typo?)

Manuél Ferrari > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
02/16/2015 at 19:58

Exactly. You can't beat a BMW with a 6MT. I had a few in the past and they were great.

And the shorter 5 series will be easier to park and still have enough rear legroom if you want to take a few people out to lunch.

I kind of feel like the 7 series only makes sense if you have a job where you are constantly taking out important clients to lunch and you go with the extended wheelbase version. Unless you need the biggest bimmer sedan why get it? And if you do need it then why not go all the way and get the IL to give the rear passengers ultimate legroom?

GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo > Axial
02/16/2015 at 20:00

Same with people who bought the toyobaru twins.

Joel Ness > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
02/16/2015 at 20:04

Ima little jealous, I got mine for $6k. It has some issues I'll have to sort out but it's clean. Doesn't sound like you are on the fence, but if you are: DO IT!

RallyWrench > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
02/16/2015 at 20:23

Great car. Be prepared to do the timing chain guides, but other than that, with the manual you shouldn't have much to worry about if it's been well kept.

jmedarts > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
02/16/2015 at 20:30

You'll need a radiator & expansion tank every 70k miles or so. If you're in for the long haul, there are aluminum units out there.

You'll love the car, it's like weaponized luxury.

Aaron Paul: Oppo's Resident Fake British Actor > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
02/16/2015 at 20:33

I approve of this move. Congrats on the new car!

No Prius Needed > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
02/16/2015 at 20:54

Kinja'd!!!

Put these on it pls

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Cherry_man1
02/16/2015 at 20:56

I don't know why he listed that price. I'm paying $9800

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Joel Ness
02/16/2015 at 20:58

Not on the fence at all. I'm paying $9800, which is a lot for a 14 year old car but this one is low mileage and really clean.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > No Prius Needed
02/16/2015 at 20:59

Won't be happening, I've never understood the obsession with changing out wheels. The one's it's coming with are perfectly fine.

VonBelmont > Manuél Ferrari
02/16/2015 at 21:01

That exactly why my dad bought his 7 series back in the '90s-you can't do networking and power-lunching in an Acura Integra.

Ironically, after he landed the cushy executive job, he bought a TL (and later on, a 5 series).

No Prius Needed > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
02/16/2015 at 21:04

Each to their own. Anyway, congrats on the car!

Manuél Ferrari > VonBelmont
02/16/2015 at 21:07

Funny how in the early 90s the 7 series was probably smaller than the 5 series is today.

5 is the new 7 and 3 is the new 5 and 2 is the new 3

I guess 7 is the new Rolls Lite

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > No Prius Needed
02/16/2015 at 21:09

Thanks, and sorry if I came off snarky. I just legitimately don't really get it, I mean there are some wheels I definitely like more than others, but wheels are just one of the last things I would upgrade.

VonBelmont > Manuél Ferrari
02/16/2015 at 21:24

Dingdingding!

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > jmedarts
02/16/2015 at 21:35

Yeah I've read about the expansion tank and radiator. That's going to be the first thing I'm going to check, along with the thermostat housing.

itranthelasttimeiparkedit > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
02/16/2015 at 21:53

haha I wear a suit to work too (well most days,) and feel so executive-y in me e39

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > itranthelasttimeiparkedit
02/16/2015 at 21:55

It's a weird thing for me. At my old job I wore coveralls and steel toes, now it's suits and wing tips.

itranthelasttimeiparkedit > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
02/16/2015 at 22:27

I still get to rock cargo shorts and no sleeves on the days I'm not in front of customers, can't completely sell out

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > jmedarts
02/17/2015 at 17:35

I heavily second this. I was a short time owner of a 1999 540i and its cooling system failed almost immediately after I purchased it. I think I drove the damn thing twice before it blew a heater hose off, and when my dad brought it to his mechanic to have it diagnosed (he has no faith in me or the power of forums) they ran it until it overheated and spun a main bearing. Possibly the most expensive 3 weeks of my life.

The Real Dacia Sandero > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
02/17/2015 at 20:38

It's big, but the E38 7 series does have a "I can make a few calls and have you disappear" vibe to it. I've been in one topped out on the highway. If I hadn't known, I'd have guessed we were doing around 80-90. At least drive one. It's not a handling monster, but it has a solid commanding feel to it. Heavy steering, truly vault like doors, and a wonderfully timeless interior. It's the anthesis of the Karmann Ghia.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > The Real Dacia Sandero
02/17/2015 at 21:31

Already bought the 540i and I couldn't be happier with it. Honestly the lack of a manual transmission in the 7-series is a deal breaker for me. I've considered E38s before, and I agree that they are fantastic cars but they just aren't for me.

The Real Dacia Sandero > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
02/17/2015 at 22:51

Yeah, the 540i is no slouch. If it were my money, I'd be buying an e39 too, because of the third pedal. The e38 really is something special though.