aja540i

Or a 320d...

I'm thinking i might get a diesel when i grow up!!

By the time i get sick of the e39 there should be some seriously good diseasels around for reasonable money, mmmmm torque!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/540i/auction-698378830.htm

290k kms.

owner claims 12l/100 around town in Rangiora....

I'm pretty sure this would have sold by now if it wasn't brown inside!

You have massive, heavy feet though!

To be fair, it wouldn't take a genius to get better economy than you do . I know how oftern you buy tyres

True, but if i was worried about the fuel economy i would drive a 318is...

Allanw had all sorts of wierd stuff happening in his 525 and i think an ignition switch sorted it all, probably worth doing for the price of it!

I did my radiator last year and from memory it was just over 300 for an aftermarket radiator from Silverdale radiators.

lie!cross town about 14.5L/100km

My fuelly.com average is at 14.6 mostly city driving! (Of course i didn't buy it for the good economy!) same spec as the one in the listing, might even be the same colour!

I have heard some horror stories overseas about injector problems with the 4cyl direct injection motor, so a warranty is a really good idea, although by the sounds of it some of the issue is poor quality fuel. Have you considered a 320d? Not saying you should, just curious. I tried to get my Dad interested in a 320i, but he found the interior too cramped. They are a nice drive though, itook one to Mt Maunganui and back, not super fast, but pretty good ride etc and great on gas!!

Thats the oil filter housing withe the black plastic lid, it should get pretty hot if youve been driving for a while, maybe 80 degrees? Sounds like it needs scanning, but it could be something simple like a sad battery. Hope its nothing major!! Good luck!

Trans cooler is seperate but it is a heat exchanger that uses coolant from radiator. Apparently they can block if your trans oil is old and scummy!

I've done a bit of towing with my 540i touring and its the ducks nuts!! Towed an e34 on a braked trailer no problem! Didnt notice any issue with the trans overheating, they have a cooler (of sorts) as standard. Mine is m62tu, also the sls is great, try and get one with a factory towbar, theyre less likely to have wiring gremlins! Good luck!!

I failed a wof for no headlining in my city turbo once!!

Those alternators are scary expensive, are you sure you need a new one? I was told i needed a new one but it turned out the battery was knackered, much, much cheaper fix!!

I managed to get 1 through silverdale radiators about a year ago, they had to order it though!

Now wait just one f***ing second - what the hell did you put the EJ20 into????? The electronic throttle can probably be circumvented. With my extremely limited knowledge of stability systems I assume the ABS controller would communicate with the DME to reduce engine power in times of compromised traction. Would I be on the right track to assume there will be some sort of brake pedal sensor as well as the TPS & feedback from the potentiometer on the accelerator? What about integration with the speedo cluster? So many questions. And so many more I haven't even thought of yet!!

Also i believe there's a steering angle sensor in the mix, and would it be safe to assume the abs module is totally different in a dsc car?

Who buys BMW special tools anyway? most are way overpriced. I always use alt's or make your own up.

Oil servicing plays a big part im sure and maintaining correct chain tension to reduce wear. I know BMW were using 24,000km oil changes for the M62tu which i think is a a joke and they clearly trying to reduce their expenses at expensive of engine life.

Yes, servicing is important, but mine is a 15 year old car with 280k on the clock, and i had to replace all the plastic bits, i wasn't surprised or pissed off, its something i expected when i bought the car. Yes bmw could have used unobtanium for the cam chain guides but no one would have been able to afford a 540i!! You have to be a bit realistic when looking at a car like this, and allow for some preventative maintenance imo. they are worth the effort!,

Shiaaat that's a lot I think I'd epic DIY attempt it

Plan on spending a grand on the tool to hold the cams etc, lots of scope to cock it up!! Im usually pretty keen to diy, but taking the motor out and putting it back in was as far as i wanted to go into an m62tu!!

What was the cost of having the guides done if you don't mind me asking? Maybe I better weigh up wether the v8 is worth getting, I do quite a few k's in a year, and it seems thats a pretty bad flaw

I did them at the same time as a whole lot of other stuff, spent about 7k mostly labour, but that was new timing chain, check bearings and rings, major sort of stuff!! Engine was out of car for about 5 weeks, but i plan on having it for a while so good to know whats been done.

Are you ABSOLUTELY sure it has plenty of coolant in there?? Keep in mind that with a leak in the system it wont suck any coolant back from the overflow tank as it cools down, so you may have a bit of air in the system. Wouldnt hurt to fill it and bleed it, but if you are getting a new radiator tomorrow just dont drive it till then!!

Yeah I havn't actually heard it, as I tried the car out when it was warm and were no signs of ticking or knocking at all, was tight as a nun. He just told me that it can sometimes do it on cold start for 2-3 seconds, when I stated that I would like to try the car from cold start. Heard too many horror stories about chain guides falling to bits in the M62tu. Was an extensively well serviced car looking at the books and reciepts, no more than 10k between oil services and had all cooling etc + its 100k service all on time. So I'm hopeful its just a hydraulic tensioner or something if anything. Suppose pre purchase would be wise

Sounds like noisy vanos, mine is exactly the same, has been for a year or so, has 280k on it and the chain guides have been done.

Climb inside it and pull the emergency release!!

Just a couple of things to note for anyone else doing this, DO NOT acid dip the rocker covers!!!! They are magnesium and will dissolve:( sandblasting is the only option.

DO NOT powdercoat the inside of the covers, one loose flake of powder coating is enough to block an oil gallery and seriously ruin your day.

I got mine blasted and spray bombed them with high temp silver, doesn't look the best but miles better than they did.

The covers dont touch the heads so not much point really, as long as the gasket goes into the groove you should be ok.

I'd debate that bit - or is the 'have to' new.............

Thats what i was told by my local friendly policeman, while he was writing up a careless driving charge!!

A bit late now, but if you have an accident and no one is hurt, and the only property damaged is your own you are not legally required to call the police, IF THE POLICE ATTEND A VEHICLE ACCIDENT THEY HAVE TO CHARGE SOMEONE!!!

I found that out the hard way as well, plead not quilty, or get diversions. Talk to a lawyer.

As for the speed limit, break it if you want / need to ( i do), but its the law, dont complain when you get a ticket!!

i used to own a nz new 99 e39 540i touring ,front floated like a boat and kicked in the rear like a goat.

i dont like the way the airbag suspension works.

one of the reasons i sold it.

e34 is a much nicer more involving ride , as long as you sort all the worn out bits etc

New rear subframe bushes made a BIG difference, and the shocks were all poked!! On its way to being pretty good now!