matrox2nz 0 Report post Posted November 12, 2008 Hi All Seen as tho i have only owned "japenese" cars im looking at something a bit different. So i am trading up my '96 Nissan Skyline Turbo and going to be buying my first ever bmw! - most likely a 1997-1999 E39 540i. Just before i do buy one however i would like to know what to look out for as far as common "problems" and how much i should be paying for something with less than 100,000km. There are a few about so i would like to find a good one before making that final decision. Cheers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jordyboy2 0 Report post Posted November 12, 2008 There is no doubt that you will find alotta help here dude. Welcome to the dark side xD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apex 693 Report post Posted November 12, 2008 (edited) Welcome to Bimmersport Maybe, 15-20k I would say go NZ new with a service record from very low km’s if not new, these cars had a few recalls and these are easier to track if the car is NZ new, you will have to pay a lot more but its worth it if you want a nice car and want to save money in the long run. I have a E39 phobia so im not the best to ask I had a Japanese 528i that I had to write off it would have cost more to get it up to scratch then what it was worth, everything had failed before 100,000km. Things to look out for on a unmaintained car. This is what happened to mine. All rubber seals corroded leaving the car smelling musky due to water getting in. Car overheated various times due to cooling system eventually wrecking the engine Steering become very lose and sloppy and shocked were gone Boot switch broke twice Widow regulators failed constantly TV and radio both failed and were repaired twice before I gave up Cup holders broke Sunroof broke (wouldn’t close when sliding forwarded) Headlights corroded Fog lights constantly blew Check cat over heat constantly lit up Check air bags constantly lit up There are more so I’ll update hen I remember. Apparently the pixels go on the read out but this never happened to me. Edited November 12, 2008 by Apex Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bravo 34 Report post Posted November 12, 2008 e39's themselves are excellent cars. The problem as Apex says is unmaintained examples. They are more costly to maintain than your average jappa, and hence, now they are cheap enough for all and sundry to own, maintenance is often skimped on. Get a pre-purchase inspection from a BMW specialist and you should end up with a great car. Welcome to the forum. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwi535 538 Report post Posted November 12, 2008 (edited) cooling system(radiator,hoses water pump and thermostat),front control arm bushings,squeaky door seals,pixels fail in cluster display.Coil packs fail ussually from leaking valve cover gaskets(oil fills up spark plug holes),misfires can be caused by failed cats(BMW price 2500 per side).. lots of info on the web,but you can often get the wrong impression...only the cars that have problem are seen .,not the thousands and thousnads that dont Edited November 12, 2008 by kiwi535 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matrox2nz 0 Report post Posted November 12, 2008 Thanks for the quick replies and tips guys.. ill be sure to post some pics up when i get my new baby Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1rotty 40 Report post Posted November 13, 2008 Welcome!! Absolutely get a full inspection by a BMW specialist & you wont regret moving to the dark side. E39 540's are sex on wheels-no disrepect to the e30 boys. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mash 0 Report post Posted November 13, 2008 I got my e39 checked by bmw. Was around $120. Worth it, and came out with flying colors and got the car for GREAT price! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matrox2nz 0 Report post Posted December 9, 2008 Finally got my car and am very happy with it. Nothing like the sound of a V8 The best part is i couldn't believe it when i got 550 k's out of a tank driving around town! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
3 SERIES 92 Report post Posted December 9, 2008 Very Nice! Looks to be extreamly tidy. Where did you pick it up from? A dealer or private sale? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotwire 352 Report post Posted December 9, 2008 Bloody nice E39 - looks great (although I am biased) Good on you! I see it's Jap origin, what milage, any service history? Assuming good to start with - make sure you maintain as required & it should serve you well. I assume it has TV/Jap nav? - If so - can be converted to work in NZ. I have done many Welcome to the site Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cale 36 Report post Posted December 9, 2008 Very nice car mate! Welcome to the dark side and BimmerSport. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apex 693 Report post Posted December 9, 2008 Well done. Looks nice and shiny. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
darkwolf 0 Report post Posted December 9, 2008 Nice to see another E39 owner. Enjoy finding out what all the buttons do. Don't read the manual until you've used every button and found out through personal experience what they do. Then read the manual and find out what you can do. Little hint when unlocking the car hold down the unlock button for about 5 seconds You won't be disappointed. It also works the other way by holding down lock. I still play with this one and I have owned it for just over a month now. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apex 693 Report post Posted December 9, 2008 Nice to see another E39 owner. Enjoy finding out what all the buttons do. Don't read the manual until you've used every button and found out through personal experience what they do. Then read the manual and find out what you can do. Little hint when unlocking the car hold down the unlock button for about 5 seconds You won't be disappointed. It also works the other way by holding down lock. I still play with this one and I have owned it for just over a month now. .. it is a cool party trick, impresses people with non Euro’s. Novelty is still there for me even after 10 years. It’s called total closure, has been on most euros for over well over 10 years now. Old VW’s, Audi’s and even Opel’s do it also only owners often don’t realise. It works with the rain sensors on newer cars. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
darkwolf 0 Report post Posted December 9, 2008 Best part was sitting in BP with a couple of mates. A group of dickheads walked over and started checking out the car. One even tried to stick his head in the car. So I held down the lock button. Was the funniest thing to watch all four of them jump back and just about sh*t themselves. I now do it every time I stop for a coffee just to try and do it again. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matrox2nz 0 Report post Posted December 9, 2008 Very Nice! Looks to be extreamly tidy. Where did you pick it up from? A dealer or private sale? From a dealer - i was very cautious not to look like i wanted one - got a 3 year warranty and a great trade-in for my old car so i was pretty happy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matrox2nz 0 Report post Posted December 9, 2008 Bloody nice E39 - looks great (although I am biased) Good on you! I see it's Jap origin, what milage, any service history? Assuming good to start with - make sure you maintain as required & it should serve you well. I assume it has TV/Jap nav? - If so - can be converted to work in NZ. I have done many Welcome to the site Thanks very much - its got 53,000 Kms on the clock however not much of a service history but it checked out fine. It does have jap nav with a tv yes Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matrox2nz 0 Report post Posted December 9, 2008 (edited) Nice to see another E39 owner. Enjoy finding out what all the buttons do. Don't read the manual until you've used every button and found out through personal experience what they do. Then read the manual and find out what you can do. Little hint when unlocking the car hold down the unlock button for about 5 seconds You won't be disappointed. It also works the other way by holding down lock. I still play with this one and I have owned it for just over a month now. Thats the only problem ive found so far - the button on the key doesn't unlock the doors at all the red light flashes on the remote but nothing happens - I have tried re-programming it several times as it says in the user manual with no luck. Checked the fuses in the boot but all are fine. Anyone got any ideas? Edited December 9, 2008 by MatRox2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
darkwolf 0 Report post Posted December 9, 2008 Thats the only problem ive found so far - the button on the key doesn't unlock the doors at all the red light flashes on the remote but nothing happens - I have tried re-programming it several times as it says in the user manual with no luck. Checked the fuses in the boot but all are fine. Anyone got any ideas? I had the same issue. Problem was I found it after I had locked my family in the car to show them that neat feature. You'll find that because it is IR instead of RF it will need to be pointed at the mirror. Give it a go. I'm assuming that will be the problem. I started to panic when it wouldn't work as well. Also there have been a couple of times where I haven't been able to get into the car, just make sure you are hitting the right button Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tonylauno1 7 Report post Posted January 3, 2009 Another feature is the window will wind back down should something get in the way, there's a sensor at the top of the window frame. With 540i, you only need to turn the key once and let go. Do not need to hold it there until the engine starts, it will do that for you Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cainchapman 0 Report post Posted January 3, 2009 You'll love the power and economy from the 540. Just don't switch the traction control off in the wet until you've had it a while! Take it for a road trip for a week-end, you'll love it even more. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
btccm3 1 Report post Posted January 4, 2009 very nice choice i had a hard time trying to decide between the car i now own and a e39 540 as soon as i can afford another nice car a 540 will be my daily. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
