There is nothing more expensive than a cheap luxury car...

"Decay buys too many beaters" (decay) 07/14/2015 at 13:02 • Filed to: Cheap E39

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We’ll see I guess!

Just picked up my new beater (not sure if I’m allowed to call it that) it’s a 2000 BMW 540i manual. Got it ridiculously cheap due to a crack in the radiator and some mild clear coat peeling. She’s a little bit dirty and rough around the edges, but has relatively low mileage and a stack of service records dating back to 2005.

I’m excited, never owned a BMW ...or a V8 ...or a car with power seats!

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > Decay buys too many beaters 07/14/2015 at 13:06

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Many of the jealouses

rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S > Decay buys too many beaters 07/14/2015 at 13:07

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One of the most bulletproof cars ever made by BMW in I6 form, and the V8 is apparently pretty robust as well. Nice find with the manual.

My citroen won't start > Decay buys too many beaters 07/14/2015 at 13:08

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Two things you need to do, get matching wheels and OEM headlights, enjoy!

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > Decay buys too many beaters 07/14/2015 at 13:08

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Awesome! And cheap luxury cars can be expensive. But treat them well and they’ll be fine.

Source: Three-time owner of cheap (Japanese) luxury cars.

Tripper > Decay buys too many beaters 07/14/2015 at 13:08

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Congrats!

Party-vi > Decay buys too many beaters 07/14/2015 at 13:09

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RIP your wallet

iSureWilll > Decay buys too many beaters 07/14/2015 at 13:09

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Keep an eye out for a valley pan leak under the intake manifold. It’s a big job when it goes. Not a lot of money, but we used to charge 11 hours for them. I could do them in roughly 7 if memory serves right.

Decay buys too many beaters > My citroen won't start 07/14/2015 at 13:10

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I have the matching wheel, it’s got a flat tire and it’s in the trunk :)

Decay buys too many beaters > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe 07/14/2015 at 13:11

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Yeah, I figure since I do all the work myself it can’t really be all THAT different from any other car.

My citroen won't start > Decay buys too many beaters 07/14/2015 at 13:11

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Then nice buy! Those are great cars, I was searching for a 540i M-Sport a few months ago.

Decay buys too many beaters > Party-vi 07/14/2015 at 13:13

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Definitely, if I wanted it to be perfect! But for a commuter and the occasional rally-cross I think I can keep it running fairly cheap. From what I’ve seen part prices aren’t bad either.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe 07/14/2015 at 13:14

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Japanese is the key word there.

Party-vi > Decay buys too many beaters 07/14/2015 at 13:14

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“I think I can keep it running fairly cheap”

~Famous last words of Decay

Decay buys too many beaters > iSureWilll 07/14/2015 at 13:16

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ooo, there’s one I hadn’t heard of yet. Well I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it, thanks for the heads up!

Bunch of special tools required? Or just sockets, screwdrivers, and time?

iSureWilll > Decay buys too many beaters 07/14/2015 at 13:25

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Mostly sockets, screwdrivers, and torx bits. It’s a little easier of a job when you do the water pump with it. Its right under the intake manifold. You should be able to see it if you get a little flashlight action under there.

EDIT: Forgot to mention, The valley pan usually leaks slowly for a long long time before it starts spewing fluid. You should be able to see/smell the leak way before it happens.

Valve cover gaskets go on these often as well. They leak oil down into the spark plug hole and then it runs like shit.

Decay buys too many beaters > iSureWilll 07/14/2015 at 13:30

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Groovy, I’ll have a look when I replace the radiator, should be able to get a nearly direct line sight.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Decay buys too many beaters 07/14/2015 at 13:49

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If you don't mind me asking, how cheap was it?

finn's arm > Decay buys too many beaters 07/14/2015 at 13:58

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Stahlblau metallic?

Decay buys too many beaters > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 07/14/2015 at 13:58

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$1500.

Decay buys too many beaters > finn's arm 07/14/2015 at 14:01

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I wish! (have a thing for blue cars)

She’s anthrazit metallic

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Decay buys too many beaters 07/14/2015 at 14:05

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Wow. That's a great deal even if it has all sorts of gremlins.

Decay buys too many beaters > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 07/14/2015 at 14:10

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Yep, that’s the price range where my pre-purchase inspection typically consists of

Starts up? Check

Drives? Check

No stored ECU Codes? Check

I was super happy to receive all the service records! Gives me a good idea what’s new-ish under there (like a new clutch 20K miles ago)

finn's arm > Decay buys too many beaters 07/14/2015 at 14:50

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Shes a beaut! You’ll do well with her, I’m sure.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Party-vi 07/14/2015 at 16:21

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Hey I’ve had mine for 8 months and I’m still financially solvent.

Party-vi > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/14/2015 at 16:25

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Yeah, but how many miles.

*looks at box of $500 brake parts*

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Party-vi 07/14/2015 at 16:26

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240k

Party-vi > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/14/2015 at 16:28

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Ah so you’ve already replaced everything that went wrong :3

Schaefft > Decay buys too many beaters 07/14/2015 at 17:02

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1500$ is insanely cheap for a 540i 6-speed! Please don’t treat it like a 1500$ car, a lot of people would love to own one of these and I wouldn’t be surprised if they are starting to appreciate with the M5 now.

Decay buys too many beaters > Schaefft 07/14/2015 at 17:22

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My plan is the same for this as it is for all my past beaters, buy it, fix it, drive it for a year, polish and wax, sell for profit, repeat.

I’m like Tavarish, only cheaper, less skilled and less eloquent.