BreakMyWindow

Nz-new vanos model, done 226k and still going strong.

Looks like it has the genuine m5 wheels on it too! Just be extra cautious of the dodgy cooling systems these cars have.

I was reading on the us sites that the e39 m-sport models had revised automatic transmission logic i.e faster shift times, won't change gears till higher rpm compared to a non-sport e39... offcourse u cant believe everything u read on the net.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=165847890

clearance shouldnt be an issue, its if they will fit on an 8" wide rim that they may be a problem.. id suspect the wider 18" versions of my rim have a different offset to allow the wider tire to be fitted.

Yep! have seen that 255's are permitted for the e39 540.

Thanks! so in terms of looking odd.. the sidewalls of the 255's will not look perpindicular to the road when looking side on?

I have 235/45/17 tyres all round on my e39 540. I am wanting to fit 255 width tires on the back, but am not sure if they will fit. The rims are the same as the ones pictured 17"x8" size. Would I be able to fit 255 width tires on an 8" wide rim ?

E39 540 with non dsp 10 speaker amplified stereo system. When i turn on the rear window heater, the radio station i listen to becomes distorted (sounds like its not quite tuned in) This happens only sometimes, I can't quite determine what causes the rear window heater when turned on, to intefere with radio reception.. Any one had this problem? if so what the resolution? Any thoughts ?

so if u wack in the guts of an LSD from the models listed above and u have DSC turned on in say a e39 540i what happens? error? or would it just act as normal and cut torque supply?

i have an e39 540i and i've just replaced the twin rear muffler (well ones a resonator that was full of water) with a 3" inlet and outlet hi-flow muffler, got the guys at pistop to fab up a droopy outlet tip so it all looks nice and stock and hides under the bumper. Sound is good, quiet idle, no drone when cruising at 100, but when doing 60 - 80 in fifth there is a drone. Nice roar when u plant it. Cost me 280 all up. Thinking about getting the centre resonator swapped out (boomerang shaped thingy) with a hi flow resonator to open the sound up a bit. Note the inner diamater of the stock exhaust piping is 2.6" which is an odd size. I ended up using 2.5" to replace the small section attached to the new muffler. Didint notice any increase or decrease in performance.

Definatley should have came with an LSD as standard, but i guess that the majority of these cars were snapped up by exec. buffs... they wouldnt know what to do when both rear wheels loose traction and the rear end steps out.

depends what your used to. Driving a 540 after a 528 puts a smile on your dial.

agreed.

The yanks wank on about the pre vanos model being better up in the top end due to bigger sized inlet piping.

I'm looking to get a wheel/suspension alignment for my e39 540, and would like to know if there are places in the AKL region that u guys would recommend. Cheers.

Cheers, will do so what casues the torque conveter to go in and out of lock up mode, is it a software issue in the transmissions brain, worn out torque converter parts, or a combination of the two??

many thanks for the informative reply...

Howdy, The steptronic transmission in my 540 seems to be hunting between 4th and 5th gears under light load e.g puttering up to 60km/h from the lights, the car will engage 5th gear when reaching ~50km/h and then when pressing the accelerator pedal lightly the car will hunt between 4th and 5th gears. When going up hills and under light load the car will drop to 4th to maintain speed up the hill, but then go back in to 5th, and then realise sh*t i better go back in to 4th to maintain the speed.... When using steptronic and engaging 5th at ~60km/h the car will stay in 5th even when applying light load. I have been advised it may be a torque convertor problem, but has anyone else here had this kind of issue in their 540 and had it fixed? Can anyone offer any advice on the problem? Also at what rpm's should the engine in my 540i be when cruising at 100km/h in 5th. Thanks :-)

They are a pretty solid vehcle, my father had one for 10 years (520ia with M50) The only things i can think of to check apart from obvious old age car prolems is the steering box (play in the steering system) and the driveshaft uni joints. Transmissions are generally good but all depends on how its been treated.. id say avoid ones with tow bars.

an offer within good reason considered :-)

bollocks

i must be asking too much or something.. I would of thought this is a good buy being nz-new. It has high mileage, but they are capable of even higher, and it means that all the faults that occur with the cooling system at lower mileages has been rectified.

bmw owners that put a honda badge mounted old school mercedes style, christmas tree aftermarket integra lights, and mercedes benz clk front lights on their bmw's need bullets in their heads.

I have had the same problem happen to my e39.. went to open drivers door and what the f**k.. the handle is attached to my hand, but the door is not open lol To fix it it was pretty simple. Go to BMW and ask for a replacement, they will give you a new plastic replacement that is unpainted, should only cost 140 + gst Don't dare ask how much a painted one will cost, u will be surprised. I went to a panel beater and paid 40bux to have the handle painted. To install its easy as. Remove the inner door card, making sure not to break any clips. The handle just comes out once you move the sliding retention mechanism that holds the handle to the door skin. Put the new one in, and re-install airbag, door card, clips etc. Don't worry about the air bag, as long as u dont grab it by the cable it connects to and attempt to swing it it in to something rodeo style it will not deploy. The trickiest part is getting the inner door handle to connect to the outer handle.. its a nylon chord, and can be easily damaged if you butcher it. The power window unit has two connectors, slide the little handles u will see, and the connector will come right off. hope this helps :-D