Kiwi_BMW 89 Report post Posted December 1, 2022 I've not looked on TM for some time but I did a search for 540i today and found a couple of E39 over the 20k mark and the e60 and f10 prices seem to be dropping 8k is the cheapest E34 and E39's start at $6k the E34 tops out at $13k and the E39 at $30k with a reserve 2000 BMW 540i Motorsport | Trade Me Motors $6k down from $8.5k 1994 BMW 540i 540I | Trade Me Motors $8k 1993 BMW 540i | Trade Me Motors $10k with reserve 2000 BMW 540i E39-Fk | Trade Me Motors $11.5k 2002 BMW 540i 540Iase E39 | Trade Me Motors almost $13k 1995 BMW 540i 540I | Trade Me Motors $13k 1999 BMW 540i 540Iase E39 | Trade Me Motors $23.5k 1998 BMW 540i 540Is E39 | Trade Me Motors $30k with reserve and $36k buy now NZ new 6speed manual and 157500km Are prices really getting that high for a E39 I've seen a number of late model vehicles written off or sold to wreckers because repair costs are too high, at least the E39 is cheaper to repair than some late model cars and also last longer. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1678 Report post Posted December 1, 2022 None of those besides maybe the '00 E39 maybe would likely sell at those prices (a few of those have been on trademe for a very time). @hqstu for example sold his tidy 540i msport for 7k or 7.5k and it had most of the big ticket items done. They arent that popular and lots to choose from. Id value an average E39 Msport auto @ 4-6k. A good condition one with all major work done @ 8-12k and the equivalent manuals at 15-25k. The average E34 540iA has been listed in 4-8k mark for a long time, they haven't really changed price in any meaningful way in 10 years and suffer the same issue and the E39. They are much more reliable and cheaper to sort mechanically than an E39, but E39's certainly drive and handle much better. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treone 649 Report post Posted December 1, 2022 1 hour ago, Kiwi_BMW said: 2000 BMW 540i E39-Fk | Trade Me Motors $11.5k This would be my pick of the bunch - solely based on having seen and heard it from a distance a few times (sounds awesome!) 😎. Although I do have a soft spot for the e34… Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1678 Report post Posted December 1, 2022 I think its overpriced given its likely on heaps of original 22 year old parts. @hqstu will sell you his blue one for around that price and it will be in far better condition despite the milage. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treone 649 Report post Posted December 1, 2022 To be fair any e39 example from @hqstu will be far superior to any thing being sold publicly. If I was in the market for an e39 I wouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger on one of his! 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hqstu 780 Report post Posted December 1, 2022 Thanks Guys, I appreciate the kind words. Yes I'll have an oxford green 525i and a topas blue 540i msport coming up in next few weeks/months. And yes the timing chain guides have just been done on the 540, that and a fair bit else... it's currently still in paint shop for full strip and paint... 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kiwi_BMW 89 Report post Posted December 1, 2022 There are some good E39's around, finding them isn't easy, but occasionally I look and see what sellers are asking for them and today I was quite surprised by what I found. I'd be wanting around $25k for mine, but then I don't really want to sell it so the offer would have to be pretty tempting, I turned down $11k for my Subaru ute. Mine has gone through a refresh and is just such a joy to drive. 540is getting a refresh - Page 2 - Showroom - bimmersport.co.nz 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KwS 2429 Report post Posted December 2, 2022 2 hours ago, Kiwi_BMW said: I've not looked on TM for some time but I did a search for 540i today and found a couple of E39 over the 20k mark and the e60 and f10 prices seem to be dropping 8k is the cheapest E34 and E39's start at $6k the E34 tops out at $13k and the E39 at $30k with a reserve 2000 BMW 540i Motorsport | Trade Me Motors $6k down from $8.5k 1994 BMW 540i 540I | Trade Me Motors $8k 1993 BMW 540i | Trade Me Motors $10k with reserve 2000 BMW 540i E39-Fk | Trade Me Motors $11.5k 2002 BMW 540i 540Iase E39 | Trade Me Motors almost $13k 1995 BMW 540i 540I | Trade Me Motors $13k 1999 BMW 540i 540Iase E39 | Trade Me Motors $23.5k 1998 BMW 540i 540Is E39 | Trade Me Motors $30k with reserve and $36k buy now NZ new 6speed manual and 157500km Are prices really getting that high for a E39 I've seen a number of late model vehicles written off or sold to wreckers because repair costs are too high, at least the E39 is cheaper to repair than some late model cars and also last longer. Most of these have been for sale for ages, indicating that the market hasn't caught up with their advertised pricing yet. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sammo 2550 Report post Posted December 2, 2022 An E34 540i is one of the best value BMWs going IMO. 6 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Simca 49 Report post Posted December 2, 2022 I am planning on putting my e39 540 for sale relatively soon: Trying to keep myself grounded in price but hoping to get 6-7 for it. Got all the ACS kit (wheels and lip are reps), but it is a bit rough around the edges. Guess we'll see how it goes. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bennyboy 200 Report post Posted December 3, 2022 This e34 is an interesting proposition: https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/530i/listing/3891518830 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KwS 2429 Report post Posted December 3, 2022 Love the spec on that one. Black with red leather, manual and big six. That wont be around long. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1678 Report post Posted December 3, 2022 Yeah not a bad project, you'd certainly want a 3.4L to replace the 3L.. Reverse\1st gear thing is could be an issue if all the usual replacement stuff doesnt improve it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herbmiester 931 Report post Posted December 5, 2022 Possible fixer upper, looks tidy. https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/540i/listing/3891841069 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1678 Report post Posted December 5, 2022 "Selling as is as I don’t want to good through the grief of repairing the trans" Translation: I dont want to fix the transmission because a transmission rebuild costs ~5k, which is what the car is worth. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kees 598 Report post Posted December 5, 2022 On 12/2/2022 at 10:13 AM, Kiwi_BMW said: 1994 BMW 540i 540I | Trade Me Motors $8k This one originally sold for $4.4K dollar reserve. Was immediately re-listed but has been for sale for ages. Does look like a nice car though. I feel a key issue for E34 540s is most of them have done “high ks” (250,000+) which turn away majority of people who are unaware how reliable the M60 B40 generally is. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1678 Report post Posted December 5, 2022 Yeah k's and\or age are a factor for sure but lack of popularity is the main reason for lower values. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herbmiester 931 Report post Posted December 6, 2022 On 12/5/2022 at 8:55 PM, Eagle said: Yeah k's and\or age are a factor for sure but lack of popularity is the main reason for lower values. If you look at Europe and to a slightly lesser extent E34's are on the rise. Not like E30's to be fair but certainly appreciating. I see it happening here as well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1678 Report post Posted December 7, 2022 (edited) Yeah no doubt, most good examples of older models do slowly increase. The 540iA is a decent car, but due to lack of manuals i think the 535iS manual is\will be the more sort after one, hence have more value. Edited December 7, 2022 by Eagle Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herbmiester 931 Report post Posted December 7, 2022 27 minutes ago, Eagle said: Yeah no doubt, most good examples of older models do slowly increase. The 540iA is a decent car, but due to lack of manuals i think the 535iS manual is\will be the more sort after one, hence have more value. The 540is is the one I think, but I am biased. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herbmiester 931 Report post Posted December 18, 2022 https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/535i/listing/3881557912 Looks reasonably straight. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kees 598 Report post Posted December 18, 2022 I’m surprised no one has nabbed this: https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-3835547289.htm Sure its not particularly powerful for a V8, but it’s still a V8 MANUAL for $5.5K. Doesn’t get much cheaper than that! Aside from the hideous wheels and the lowered suspension it looks fairly tidy and I think it would tidy up well with some M Sport salt sprinkled on it. Plus I’m guessing it would be quite easy to swap a bigger M62 in such as out of a 540i to give it some decent power. Surely the manual conversion alone would be worth more than half the asking price? If I didn’t already have way too many cars I would probably buy this. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
balancerider 778 Report post Posted December 19, 2022 @Kees that Montreal Blue looks nice, same colour as @BozzaFC's 328i I think. 170kw from a V8 is kind of pathetic though, even the M54 in an E34 had 145kw. Possibly ordered in the UK by/for an NZ buyer, the kph speedo being the giveaway 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treone 649 Report post Posted December 19, 2022 (edited) My first e39 was a 535i, NZ new. Really enjoyed it as it was very capable as an everyday driver, even in auto guise. Had a VR Senator at the same time and they were completely different cars although they had similar power figures. Found the 3.5 V8 was more refined with enough oomph for daily use, and even got it past 190kmh once haha (and got passed by an e63 M6!) I reckon this is bargain and huge bang for buck - very tempting and would be cool upgrading it to 'm-sport' spec! Wonder if this is the UK imported one that Angus & Burrell, in Wellington, sold a couple of times... Edited December 19, 2022 by treone 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1678 Report post Posted December 19, 2022 3 hours ago, treone said: Wonder if this is the UK imported one that Angus & Burrell, in Wellington, sold a couple of times... Yeah could be. Listed for around $3500 awhile ago iirc. Take the shitty wheels of it and it will go faster. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
