540is

[trr18 0]

Hi all,

I've been bitten by the E39 bug after coming across one when I was looking at commodores... I never thought I'd be looking at BMW's for my budget (~$15-17.5k), anyway... I've spent the last few weeks looking through listings and reading through forums, but would really appreciate some direct advice.

I have organised a test drive of this for Monday:

1998 540i NZ New

That particular car was mentioned in another thread about a month ago, is there anything I should be on the lookout for in the service history or during the test drive?

Also, how do the 98's compare with a slightly newer 2001 such as:

2001 540i Imported

I have been in touch with the dealer of the '01, he sent me a bunch of high res pics, the car looks in pretty good nick, but the k's are highish..

Hmm, hopefully not a TLDNR situation...

Cheers

[Mark 178]

Hi there

Download this article, it will tell you all you need to know.

Ultimate E39 guide

[trr18 0]

Hi there

Download this article, it will tell you all you need to know.

Ultimate E39 guide

Thank you

[kiwi535 538]

the later one looks good value get a lot of extra for a couple grand,not the leat being hid and tv(satelite nav upgrade??) pity neither of em have sports seats

Edited September 18, 2010 by kiwi535

[allan 295]

+1 on the Ultimate Guide.

Both the vehicles mentioned are reasonable price wise for the age and k's traveled are you set on the 540?.The reason I ask is that the 530 gets a better write up for weight balance/handling than the 540. The 540 sure has that extra umff if that is what you are after but it comes at a cost. If not mentioned in the guide the e39 range has a few weak points.

The cooling system with all the plasic components used these degrade with time and as the k's climb.

The headlights can and do fog up the vents need to be clear to allow air circulation.

Instrument cluster pixels drop out as do the radio unit one's a common fault.

The front seat side bolsters collapse over time putting pressure on the plastic housing below and these brake.

They do have that typical BMW handling and are a nice car to drive long distances in when you have to. Do your home work and get it checked over by a BMW specialist first. As a back up get yourself a warranty on it should anything go wrong. Best of luck and let use know how it all goes

[trr18 0]

kiwi - Yeah, the newer one is tempting, so shiny! The wheels on the 98 are super hot in person though...

allan - I did have my heart set on the big V8 540, but after reading the article I figure I should at least consider the 530. I found a couple at dealers not far from work, I will go and have a drive so I can see for myself what the difference is. I have read about the potential problems with these cars, but it sounds like if you treat them right they're pretty reliable. A pre-purchase inspection will be a must, Jeff Gray BMW or Kevin Burt in Christchurch perhaps, can anyone recommend someone in Auckland?

Trying hard not to get too excited and blow my wad (of cash) prematurely, as it were...

Thanks for the replies

[kiwi535 538]

kiwi - Yeah, the newer one is tempting, so shiny! The wheels on the 98 are super hot in person though...

allan - I did have my heart set on the big V8 540, but after reading the article I figure I should at least consider the 530. I found a couple at dealers not far from work, I will go and have a drive so I can see for myself what the difference is. I have read about the potential problems with these cars, but it sounds like if you treat them right they're pretty reliable. A pre-purchase inspection will be a must, Jeff Gray BMW or Kevin Burt in Christchurch perhaps, can anyone recommend someone in Auckland?

Trying hard not to get too excited and blow my wad (of cash) prematurely, as it were...

Thanks for the replies

bmw dealers do a thorough check over

[camera doctor 25]

540i vs 530i

At the moment I own one of each

The pull of the V8 is addictive - but the 530 seems to be 'tighter' and more controllable.

Maybe it is just my 530i is newer ( even though it has higher k's ) but it definatley is more 'chuckable'

So you get the the corners faster in the 540i , but feel more confident to corner faster in the 530i !

Personally, I'd go for a facelift with the factory HID headlights, as the car looks more modern and the headlights work 1726175217 % better on dip than the pre-facelift !!

Facelift will also give you niceities like 16:9 screen, Tiptronic that goes the right way etc etc

16:9 screen is much better if you are considering updating to NZ GPS Navigation - see my thread re doing this to my 530i

Either way, I am sure you will be more than happy with a E39 over any Aussie Tank

[Mike 1]

bmw dealers do a thorough check over

sort of - the dealers in chch picked up some really minor stuff but also missed things like A/C not blowing cold, broken interior trim + more I cant remeber so definately check the car out yourself before you buy

16:9 screen in nice too, the 4:3 screen in pre f/l's looks ugly and I'd prefer one without the screen

[JaseNZ 53]

Kevin Burt is pretty good, Just tell him you want an inside and out inspection and he will see you right, Or even grab a member off of here to have a look at a car with you, An extra set of eyes when looking can make all the difference in picking up the small things.

I had the e46 inspected by Jeff Gray and they did a pretty good job, Pick up a couple of really small items but none that I was worried about.

[trr18 0]

540i vs 530i

At the moment I own one of each

The pull of the V8 is addictive - but the 530 seems to be 'tighter' and more controllable.

Maybe it is just my 530i is newer ( even though it has higher k's ) but it definatley is more 'chuckable'

So you get the the corners faster in the 540i , but feel more confident to corner faster in the 530i !

Personally, I'd go for a facelift with the factory HID headlights, as the car looks more modern and the headlights work 1726175217 % better on dip than the pre-facelift !!

Facelift will also give you niceities like 16:9 screen, Tiptronic that goes the right way etc etc

16:9 screen is much better if you are considering updating to NZ GPS Navigation - see my thread re doing this to my 530i

Either way, I am sure you will be more than happy with a E39 over any Aussie Tank

Cheers for the reply... I'm guessing the 530 still pulls pretty good? I haven't driven one of those yet.

I just got back from test driving the '98 540 I linked to in the OP, it was pretty awesome. I took it up the port hills, wow, I'm not sure I'm responsible enough to own a car that drives like that... It was pretty smooth, I did feel a little more road noise/vibration coming through the wheel than I expected, but I probably only noticed because I'd read about the E39 shimmy. Some of the pixels in the console displays seemed dull rather than gone, as if the back light had faded. It also smelt a little weird, but poppin the sunroof and cranking ZZ Tops Lowrider fixed that . All in all it was sweet, but I'm going to be patient and check out a facelift/newer model and see how the 530's go.

For anyone interested, I was quoted $150.00 for a "90 minute check including diagnostic,Mechanical and paint work etc" at Jerry Clayton BMW in Takapuna (for the '01 I was looking at).

Thanks for all the advice so far, this board is great!

[camera doctor 25]

Yea, the 530i is no slouch, but definatley down on power from the 540i in a seat of the pants test

Still, as I said earlier, I think my 530i corners better, so overall it creates more smiles

BTW - That black one seems a bit steep in price??

Sold my 540i today with 112k's for $8000 cash

I would definatley hold out for a facelift one if I was you.

[trr18 0]

Yea, the 530i is no slouch, but definatley down on power from the 540i in a seat of the pants test

Still, as I said earlier, I think my 530i corners better, so overall it creates more smiles

BTW - That black one seems a bit steep in price??

Sold my 540i today with 112k's for $8000 cash

I would definatley hold out for a facelift one if I was you.

Thanks... Do you mean the '98 is a bit steep? Both the cars I linked are black. I have this on my radar now too:

2001 530i

Off topic for a mo - how's the '61 EK treating you? I had a '66 HR Premiere (186 with the 3-speed manual) while I was in Uni, loved the car, the gas bill not so much.

Cheers

[allan 295]

Hi some info I found on that 530i.

2001 530i Black DTM 266 has had other plates RNAV8R, CUP15

Rego in NZ August 17th 2005

Japan Jan 2001

Assembled 10/2000

Has the fold back wing mirrors, exhaust has been alterd good or bad not sure

No rear PDC can be a real pain when reversing with out it sometimes

By the look it has the Xenon lights

Black is that your colour? they look very nice but show every bit of dirt

Good hunting

[camera doctor 25]

Thanks... Do you mean the '98 is a bit steep? Both the cars I linked are black. I have this on my radar now too:

Yea, sorry I was referring to the '98 one

2001 530i

Off topic for a mo - how's the '61 EK treating you? I had a '66 HR Premiere (186 with the 3-speed manual) while I was in Uni, loved the car, the gas bill not so much.

Cheers

The EK is a 'Garage Project' !! Totally complete, but 1/2 way through rust removal. Unfortunatley it seems to be well down the list of projects at the moment, but I'll get there .....

[camera doctor 25]

Hi some info I found on that 530i.

No rear PDC can be a real pain when reversing with out it sometimes

Easy enough to add a reverse camera - did my 530i Touring a couple of weekends ago - great for parallel parking

[deeveus 81]

I'm surprised that first black E39 is still there. That thing looks brilliant, the second one isn't even better, but those wheels on the first are hot.

[trr18 0]

The EK is a 'Garage Project' !! Totally complete, but 1/2 way through rust removal. Unfortunatley it seems to be well down the list of projects at the moment, but I'll get there .....

Nice, the paint and chrome look in pretty good nick from what I can see - the white roof was always the hardest to keep in shape on my HR. Gotta love how much room there is under those bonnets for a hand and a wrench. Get some white walls on that thing and it will look sweet

[trr18 0]

Hi some info I found on that 530i.

2001 530i Black DTM 266 has had other plates RNAV8R, CUP15

Rego in NZ August 17th 2005

Japan Jan 2001

Assembled 10/2000

Has the fold back wing mirrors, exhaust has been alterd good or bad not sure

No rear PDC can be a real pain when reversing with out it sometimes

By the look it has the Xenon lights

Black is that your colour? they look very nice but show every bit of dirt

Good hunting

Interesting, thanks for the info. PDC would be handy, but I don't think it's a deal breaker; early days yet anyway - the right one is out there somewhere. It pretty much has to be black, yeah. I'm currently driving a black legacy, so I know they can be a pain to keep shiny, but damn they look good when they are.

Cheers