Looking at 540i

[andrewm 236]

As per title im looking to join the bmw ranks through a e39 1998 540i. Ive been reading buyers guides and whatnot but will still get it checked out, it is a japanese import (Editx2 - imported in 2003) with 113,000km, automatic (steptronic), is there any specific issues with jap import stuff? Is there any good places to get it checked in South Auckland, I imagine Glenn's place is mon-fri and i cant easily get time off.

Also the owner has de-catted it due to blocked cat, does this mean any o2 sensors need removed/replaced he said the garage didnt tell him anything about that.

Any additional handy hints would be great, unfortunately it has no service history pre import which is far from ideal.

Thanks

Edited January 25, 2010 by andrewm

[RvT 9]

Nice choice on e39 and the 4.0 motor has brilliant power etc. Others may chime in but, I would be spending the money and get BMW dealership to conduct a pre-purchase check. As they obviously do a lot of services on the 540s, they will know what the common issues are and be hopefully more aware of what to look for. Also having a report from them will add your negiotiating power with the seller in case anything is an issue. They should be able to get some data off the car via computor.

Only comment is that there should be a few around for sale so look for a high speced one. If you are unsure on what is important in specs, just give us a run down on what it has. The 1999 model changed the motor air intakes slightly. If you can get the M spec steering wheel, it is a nicer look IMO.

[andrewm 236]

Thanks, the car has msport alloys, tv steptronic, 6 airbags, heated memory seats, sunroof and is very close to home which is good, i am yet to see if it m62 or m62tu as i believe the change was 1998. Did the online report on it, im guessing the low km's the previous 2 nz owners did was due to it being costly to run or having a spouses car for longer trips.

I have done some reading around and will purchase the bentley manuals if i get this car as i am handy with tools, a spraygun and a mig welder.

I did run a search for my information especially on the cats but am was unable to find the information required so far.

Edited January 24, 2010 by andrewm

[RvT 9]

Mine was a UK import (did it myself) so cats were not an issue or rather nothing was disconected. There is a lot of info on setting up TV, if it is possible, in the section on this forum. Sounds like it has a lot of fruit except maybe an areo kit and PDC ?

I know the common faults that most of us e39ers experienced is replacing the radiator and resevior tank. I sold mine back in 2005 but it ended up here with another member. In this post he talks about the things that he did to it to "keep it on the road". These are the common issues if you read through the thread.

http://www.bimmersport.co.nz/forums/index....=1999++e39++540

While searching I also found this post on cats but may be e46 related but worth reading

http://www.bimmersport.co.nz/forums/index....20540&st=30

[RvT 9]

Also rear fold down seats are extremely useful option. It is not till you have something long in the car that won't fit in the boot, that you will appreciate this option.

[andrewm 236]

Cheers will investigate folding seats, as for PDC i thought i had read somewhere it was a 2001 onwards option. Will continue to comb old threads for info.

[BreakMyWindow 1870]

If it's a 2003 model, then it will definatley have the m62tu (4.4 litre, vanos on the intake cams, extra 20nm torque 300 or so rpm earlier, and 210kw made 300rpm earlier compared to non vanos m62). Have a listen to the engine idling, if it sounds similar to a diesel, or makes some odd noises coming from around the valve covers be very careful.. you don't want to pay 4k+ like i did. See my post about timing chain guide failure :- http://www.bimmersport.co.nz/forums/index....showtopic=27552

PDC was available prior to 2001, mines a Nov 98 model and has it as standard.

The kms seem good for a 2003, meaning its done roughly 18,000kms per year, and not spent most of its life cooking away in traffic jams. The radiator (if original) must be due for replacement soon, its a good opp. to change the hoses, water pump and thermo stat. Have the transmissions oil checked, and replace if recommended. Apart from that, it should be just run in.

[andrewm 236]

The 540i is a 1998, it was imported in 2003. Landed NZ in 2003 with 77,000km. As per wiki the end of 1998 was when the engines changed and im not sure its exact build date. Ok replace cooling system, i had heard there was problems. Would change all fluids immediately on purchase, I am one for preventative maintenance.

Keep em rolling.

[BreakMyWindow 1870]

Whoops misread that.

if you can get the last 7 characters of the chassis number, you can to bmwfans.info and check its build date there.

September 98 is when the m62tu was first installed.

[BM WORLD 1261]

engine pics ,

1st pic M62

2nd pic M62tu

m62tu has the buldge in the front cam covers .

also all the hoses are a crimp fit system rather than a hose clamp system.

different shape engine cover .

different types of air intake pipes

Edited January 25, 2010 by Brent HARTGE535i

[Driftit 1952]

Not sure it has been mentioned but being a 12 year old car with those Km's I would check the tamper dot. It is a little red dot that is displayed on the dash just after the Trip KM's in the bottom center.

If it is not there you should be ok.

If you are getting the car checked by a workshop some shops have the GT1 system that can talk to all the systems to determine if there is any KM mismatches.

[HELLBM 1530]

We have BMW GT1 and are more than happy to do a diagnostic scan afterhours if requested. (Small donation or Koha).

Most E39 parts avaliable at the lowest prices.

Regards Ray

0212435526

[Driftit 1952]

Half my E39 came from this Man. Haha. No doubt the other half will one day too.

[andrewm 236]

Region: Europe

Version: Right-hand drive

Transmission: Automatic

Date: '98, January

Ran my Vin and came up with this. If its a jap import shouldn't it say japan? Also being an Jan date is should be M62, cheers for the pics, will ensure this checks out.

Thanks HELLBM I like the sound of that offer, the difficulty will be convincing the owner as he came on the test drive and trying to take the car for a half day trip from Waiuku south auckland to the North Shore may be difficult.

I ordered the lemoncheck report which checked out fine, accurate kilometers but i dont know how good the guys on import are.

Thanks everyone so far.

[kiwi535 538]

Region: Europe

Version: Right-hand drive

Transmission: Automatic

Date: '98, January

Ran my Vin and came up with this. If its a jap import shouldn't it say japan? Also being an Jan date is should be M62, cheers for the pics, will ensure this checks out.

Thanks HELLBM I like the sound of that offer, the difficulty will be convincing the owner as he came on the test drive and trying to take the car for a half day trip from Waiuku south auckland to the North Shore may be difficult.

I ordered the lemoncheck report which checked out fine, accurate kilometers but i dont know how good the guys on import are.

Thanks everyone so far.

take the vin into a bmw dealer and ask nicely if they will give you a build sheet.Quite often that will say which market the car was built for...along with all the std and special options included

[BM WORLD 1261]

i make sept 98 onwards is m62b44tu

[Driftit 1952]

Oh and still make sure you check the tamper dot. Most of them get modified before they get exported to fetch more at auction. Quite common on SingaPOOR models. Not so much on Jap models anymore.

[RvT 9]

I would still be advocating taking it to a dealer for the official pre purchase inspection that way you have a document to negiotate a lower price to fix the issues ... For the cost of $150 (I think), you will have more piece of mind IMO

[andrewm 236]

Am definately taking it to a bmw specialist, will check the tamper light next time i see the car thanks guys. Hopefully the lack of vanos means one less thing to go wrong eh heh.

EDIT: Things wrong were worn front shocks and front "reaction arm bushes" and minor power steering pump leak. Had read on the net that a set of front bushes are prone to wear. After clear faults and a run and fault check again, none were found.

Edited January 27, 2010 by andrewm

[andrewm 236]

Took my offer and I will be taking ownership sometime next week, thanks all. Will be certain to post pictures.

[Driftit 1952]

For the reaction arm bushes BM Workshop in East Tamkai can do these for you without pulling all the suspension out. They have an on car tool to press them out and press the new ones in.

I am getting mine down very soon. Ray from Hell BM had his done in his E39 and it really did make a difference. Replace them with the X5 version.

BTW! Congrats on the purchase.

Edited January 27, 2010 by driftit