Yuen

Going by the same logic, if you really loved your gf, you'd give her more than just 100 roses!

Bummer... I guess it's time to look at another car then!

Welcome!

High, low, and fogs are all H1 55W, city lights (first position on headlight switch) is a tiny bulb, I think called W5W.

Awesome. I like the pics so far... interior dash area could look a bit nicer but other than that it looks very cool.

Good luck with the offer Martyn. Also just to clarify - I didn't mean that you should DIY this, was implying that if people could DIY, professionals should be able to do it even better. The seats and doorpanels don't take long to rip out, the dashboard would be the most hassle.

LOL Yes perhaps the blue interior is a blessing in disguise, you may be able to get it cheaper than average even after a retrim. I second the brushed aluminium trim in the E39s, looks fantastic.

New bumpstops if they don't come with them, and if your bushings are in bad condition, would be a good time to sort that out and enjoy the new ride.

Many guys in the US have dyed their interiors black, I think it's possible to do - only the vent pieces (if they are blue right now) will probably need to be replaced with black units.

Better not be a fat baby! That is a nice car, looks mint.

Would agree if it was a 525 or 528, but seeing as this is a 540, I'd say 14k to 15k for a 97 model. Good stuff... One of the most informative posts I have seen on the board! I agree about the E39 being an awesome car, it's such a great cruiser. I have only driven the 523 and 528, 540 must be fast.

Nice car! And that's pretty good fuel consumption.

Seriously, the E34 is a great car for the money - especially the M535i (am referring to the looks, never drove an older E34 before). Only problem for the younger guys would be insurance I suppose. They can be modded to look so mean, and stock for stock is tougher looking than the E39.

Hey bravo, if the car was bought new with the 'Angel Eyes' headlights and the CELIS tails, then it's a 2001. The E39 is a very nice car but can have its share of electrical problems which can cost a lot. The ABS module crapping out is one. I've also read that the 540 cooling system can have problems and cost quite a bit. A mechanical warranty would be good for the electrical stuff - otherwise I'd make sure there's full service history.

Hey Jared, I have driven an E34 525i, around the 1994 model year. Had quite a lot of pep, better than an E36 320i for sure. No complaints by the owner - standard issues with M50tu engines such as the VANOS 'pebble rattle'. The body is quite solid really, and it's a very nice car and quite good value for money for what they go for nowadays. If compared to the E36 I'd expect more wear on the suspension and tyres due to it being heavier.

I would personally go at least 10mm higher but 90mm isn't as bad as I thought! Don't go any lower btw - remember this is the ultimate driving machine... the RCs are more suited to a 'race' look than 'pimped' (I am biased though - I hate 'pimped' BMWs). How's the handling Ashkan?

Hmm. The colour is indeed pretty hideous but the cloth itself looks better than the other cloth found in other E39s IMO - great to sit in too!

I believe the stock exhaust systems (eg: E36 325i here vs 325i there) are usually the same with the US E60 M5 being the exception.

How do US cars differ from the rest of the world? I can only think of fuel type, and the fact that they don't get the Euro M3. The chip could work - simple enough to copy a chip and just sell it for cheaper. The majority of costs you pay for a chip is for the software. Would be a risk though seeing as you don't know its source.

Awesome... wish I had a screen! We need pics guys!

On the E36 320i 91 causes a noticeable loss in power - minimum I go with is 95.

I usually go with 95 at Shell just because I can save some $ from using the fuel vouchers I get from shopping. But if I had a choice, I'd go with BP 98 - people have told me that they do get a little more mileage from 98. Personally haven't used it enough to make a conclusion.

I see. Cool!

LOL Anyway, that was one nice E46 M3.

Ah I see... very cool plate! I also just paid attention to the two chinese characters on the back of your car... 'monster' correct? It's a nice touch... different from the standard 'speed' chinese characters people usually use. Did you put them there or was it the previous owner?