540i Update

"deprecated account" (savethei4s)
11/17/2016 at 17:49 • Filed to: None

I heard back from the seller; hopefully I can go see it tomorrow with my dad. You guys sketched out by anything? Now to learn manual...

DISCUSSION (26)

Textured Soy Protein > deprecated account
11/17/2016 at 17:52

Mechanic’s lien = previous owner obviously spent more money on those terrible rims and headlights than maintenance

But hey it might be in alright shape?

Klaus Schmoll > deprecated account
11/17/2016 at 17:54

P/O bailed on it because of “minor repairs”. Can’t think of anything more sketchy this side of “got stolen and was found abandoned”.

Tripper > deprecated account
11/17/2016 at 17:58

I’m skeptical about the maintenance history because of the lein. However the price is right. Anywhere you can get a PPI, even a dealer? It will probably run you a couple hundred, but on a car like this it will be a definitive buy or don’t buy scenario.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > deprecated account
11/17/2016 at 17:58

The big question here is why did the owner never pick it up. Is it because there is something massively wrong with the car? Did he get arrested? Did he die?

E90M3 > Tripper
11/17/2016 at 18:01

It’s not like some BMW V8s burn oil or anything.

Matt Nichelson > deprecated account
11/17/2016 at 18:02

I didn’t even realize this car actually resided in my state (MS) for a couple years until after I sent that to you. Small world.

E90M3 > Textured Soy Protein
11/17/2016 at 18:04

What if those were the items the mechanic was installing and the owner couldn’t come up with the funds?

crowmolly > deprecated account
11/17/2016 at 18:10

7 owners?
What’s the story with the reported accident?

deprecated account > Textured Soy Protein
11/17/2016 at 18:21

Hopefully I’ll find out

deprecated account > Klaus Schmoll
11/17/2016 at 18:23

PO or seller seems sketchy?

deprecated account > Tripper
11/17/2016 at 18:24

Yeah. We’ve got a dealer and quite a few specialists in town.

deprecated account > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
11/17/2016 at 18:24

It’s Memphis, so the latter two aren’t unlikely, especially with those rims.

Roadster Man > deprecated account
11/17/2016 at 18:25

Seller, definitely. Could be a shady mechanic you’re dealing with.

deprecated account > Matt Nichelson
11/17/2016 at 18:26

Really appreciate it. I think the 4Runner lived in Jackson for a little while as well.

deprecated account > Roadster Man
11/17/2016 at 18:27

The fat that he mentions “basket style wheels” is reassuring though. That’s a common term in the community, right?

Matt Nichelson > deprecated account
11/17/2016 at 18:27

Not a problem. Maybe this one will be ok. Haha that’s cool.

deprecated account > crowmolly
11/17/2016 at 18:29

Hell if I know. One leased it, and it looks like PO had had it for awhile.

Roadster Man > deprecated account
11/17/2016 at 18:32

I know you want the car, but think about that for a second. You’re going to need to live with this car, are you really banking on a clean carfax and the fact that the guy said” basket style wheels?”

You’re better than that. And it’s “basket-weave” anyway, so he got the term wrong. Another ding against him in my book!

What I’m saying is: take it to a dealer and get it inspected. I had a nightmare of an ownership experience with my WRX and I could have avoided the whole thing by just getting an independent inspection. And I bought my WRX from a mechanic... Sometimes they are not to be trusted.

deprecated account > Roadster Man
11/17/2016 at 18:36

If I like it I’ll absolutely take it for a PPI, but I have to see it first. I’m not buying it immediately or anything.

Decay buys too many beaters > deprecated account
11/17/2016 at 18:43

Mine has been super reliable

Except all the times it isn’t

deprecated account > Decay buys too many beaters
11/17/2016 at 18:44

Lel

*crosses fingers*

Decay buys too many beaters > deprecated account
11/17/2016 at 18:50

But really, it’s been the most well rounded car I’ve ever owned. I’ve gone through a car a year the past 10 years (thanks to no sales tax and cheap registration in Oregon) the E39 is the first one I’m actually planning to keep (Sort of, it got hit and now I’m arranging everything I need to create a 540i manual wagon using my existing running gear)

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > crowmolly
11/17/2016 at 19:03

I find it kinda strange that there is an accident reported but the report also states that there is no damage on record.

Anthony Miller > deprecated account
11/17/2016 at 19:29

So this car isn’t particularly well optioned but it is the v8 so it came with a bunch of junk standard. BUT, it’s an early v8 too, so no DSC, not that you care.

Fact is, you’ll probably need new timing chain guides, a new radiator/water pump, suspension bushings, and my guess is the interior is probably rough. Oh, and you’re going to for sure delete the clutch delay valve. That thing makes the clutch really hard to get used too and causes premature wear.

I hope you’re getting this for something like $3000 because you’re going to spend a bunch more than that getting it fixed if you don’t do the work yourself.

Flynorcal: pilot, offshore sailor, car racer and panty thief > Roadster Man
11/17/2016 at 19:42

I’ve owned three 540i’s and I’m an enthusiast with very legit BMW CCA badges on the grill of my car and I’ve never heard the terms “basket weave” or “basket style” before. I’ve only gone by model name/number, ie ET30, ET20, or M-pars (short for M-style parallel).

A google search later I now know why. Those “basket weaves” are for 525i’s — 540i’s never wore them.

Makes sense now. Never mind.

Shift24 > deprecated account
11/17/2016 at 20:56

Again 100% do not use this as your only car as ITA97 said yesterday. The first month I had mine is couldn’t drive it due to a bad vacuum line, a bad rear intake manifold seal, and bad ignition coil. And this was coming from a well documented car that was taken care of.

Also with that many miles and non-Vanos, it’s a little high price wise. I’d say 4k is absolute max.

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/i-daily-my-540i-msport-with-almost-150k-on-it-and-100-1789063090