I'm driving cross-country to look at the only 540i Motorsport here.

"My citroen won't start" (lucasboechat)
03/31/2015 at 22:20 • Filed to: None

It is located in the capital of your wonderfully shitty country, Brasilia, and I'm driving there to look at it and schedule a PPI in a local BMW Expert. I might drive back in it, I might not. My only worry is the milage, 87k miles.

DISCUSSION (22)

No Prius Needed > My citroen won't start
03/31/2015 at 22:23

Kinja'd!!!

Get one of these. It's armored.

JGrabowMSt > My citroen won't start
03/31/2015 at 22:23

87k? That's it? The HEMIWagon is over 153k and the SL600 Sport has 99960 currently.

It's not the mileage, it's how you use it.

My citroen won't start > JGrabowMSt
03/31/2015 at 22:26

It looks very well looked after, but I've never owned a car with more than 60k miles.

itranthelasttimeiparkedit > My citroen won't start
03/31/2015 at 22:27

87k is nothing, mine is almost twice that and runs like a champ. Per my mechanic, the 540 motor is one of the most reliable bmw motors as long as you replace the vanos chain guides regularly

My citroen won't start > No Prius Needed
03/31/2015 at 22:27

So is this.

Kinja'd!!!

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > My citroen won't start
03/31/2015 at 22:35

That's half what my M3 has on it.. If it was well looked after that's nothing at all.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > My citroen won't start
03/31/2015 at 22:39

I've never owned a car with less than 60k miles.

My citroen won't start > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
03/31/2015 at 22:40

It it is great shape cosmetically, but I just do not trust anything with more than 60k miles.

My citroen won't start > itranthelasttimeiparkedit
03/31/2015 at 22:41

I'll definitely check on that, the Bmw Expert probably knows about it.

bob and john > My citroen won't start
03/31/2015 at 22:47

87K? LOL.

it will last for a looonngggg time (remember, this is from an era when the german new what they were doing...this would probably outlast both your citroens combined

My citroen won't start > bob and john
03/31/2015 at 23:29

I'm just worried, I have never owned a car with more than 60k miles. Especially because parts are really hard to find here.

bob and john > My citroen won't start
03/31/2015 at 23:32

your in....brazil, right?

My citroen won't start > bob and john
03/31/2015 at 23:33

Yes.

bob and john > My citroen won't start
03/31/2015 at 23:37

hmmm... yea, that might be a bit of a concern. I woudlnt worry about it too much though.

RallyWrench > My citroen won't start
03/31/2015 at 23:43

87k is low mileage in my world. Most of these have double that by now. Very good engines, but be ready for failed timing chain guides, and oil leaks everywhere. Front upper& lower timing covers, valve covers, rear crank seal, and oil pan are all leak prone.

Also be prepared to replace all the plastic cooling system parts, to include upper & lower radiator hoses, expansion tank, and the radiator.

If it's manuel, the clutch should be good for awhile unless it's been hammered. Should it need replacement, it may well need the dual-mass flywheel replaced as well, and they're quite expensive. The manuel box itself is very, very strong. If it's an auto, have it serviced right away if it's not been done. The ZF 5HP trans can last to 200k+ if cared for, but rarely makes it past 120 if not.

Have the suspension looked at thoroughly, as the front ball joints & bushings are usually worn by 80k & can badly affect alignment and tire wear. In the rear, the upper rear camber arms are weak points, and the lower knuckle pivot joints are often loose.

Check for water intrusion under the front carpets, which comes from plugged sunroof or windshield cowl drains, or compromised door moisture barriers. There's a extensive wiring & a power distribution bus under the passenger carpet that can develop serious corrosion if submerged, which leads to all kinds of problems.

Other issues are fairly minor by comparison, and include seat cables, pixellated cluster displays, flat lower seat bolsters causing broken seat trim or seat switches, blower regulators, melted light contacts, etc.

This may have made the E39 & 540 in particular seem like a bad car. It is not. I'd happily own one myself. But a Camry it is not, and it helps to know some things going in.

Good luck, let us know what you find.

AM3R shamefully returns > My citroen won't start
04/01/2015 at 02:04

87k is not much, my friend recently bought one with 120k on it running 100%.

My citroen won't start > AM3R shamefully returns
04/01/2015 at 11:45

I might not be, but 87k is that point where serious things might go wrong.

My citroen won't start > RallyWrench
04/01/2015 at 11:47

I can't thank you enough! I'm going to print this and create a check list.

What do you think is best, this 540i Motorsport or a normal 540i Protection with 37k miles?

RallyWrench > My citroen won't start
04/01/2015 at 12:14

I'd do the M-sport, because it's as close as you can get a 540i to an M5 in stock trim, and the Protection likely will be pretty dull dynamically due to the added weight & suspension changes. But, if you're planning to have people shoot at you, the choice is clear ;)

AM3R shamefully returns > My citroen won't start
04/01/2015 at 14:30

yes, between 75-100k is usually where a bmw requires a bit of maintenance (particularly the cooling system) but after that the car is very solid again for another 75-100k.

If the car is clean, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it.

Hermann > My citroen won't start
04/08/2015 at 16:31

The 2nd best E39 Msport I've found was in Moema, but the VANOS rattle was an issue and the seller refused to lower the price or fix it.

This one is apparently the best one currently for sale in Brazil. Some guys from bimmerbrasil have checked it out, as far as I remember. I'll look for the thread in the forum (if you haven't already).

My citroen won't start > Hermann
04/08/2015 at 16:53

I'm driving to brasilia to check one out (cheap/ looks ok), every single one I found in and around São Paulo look very tired/ badly modded/ not cared for.