turboray82 1 Report post Posted December 9, 2024 The red seats gave it away. Was this a HELLBM or BM WORLD build from a few years back? If i recall it had the interior, wheels and rear diff from a crashed M5? Does anyone have the link to the post? i cant find it. https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/listing/5060637462?utm_source=tmm-savedsearch&utm_medium=email&bof=5WAWfhmT Ray Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
E30 325i Rag-Top 2963 Report post Posted December 9, 2024 That is glorious!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turboray82 1 Report post Posted December 9, 2024 Yup if its got the Diff like i remember its a great buy. Love to find the old post Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harper 559 Report post Posted December 9, 2024 Saw this come up for sale. What a bargain. Good one to manual convert. If I had more time, space, and money... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turboray82 1 Report post Posted December 9, 2024 27 minutes ago, Harper said: Saw this come up for sale. What a bargain. Good one to manual convert. If I had more time, space, and money... Yes, manual conversion. Thats what i was thinking. If it wasn't already getting one project car on the road right now.. Need to find a way Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kees 605 Report post Posted December 9, 2024 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turboray82 1 Report post Posted December 9, 2024 Defiantly the same one. Still looking good. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ssbmw 223 Report post Posted December 9, 2024 Yes the original M5 was a 99’ South African import. Came unstuck in an accident- written off. Hell BM did the conversion from what was salvaged. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turboray82 1 Report post Posted December 9, 2024 @HELLBM what does a manual conversion cost? Not something sitting on a pallet just laying around? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Goose 44 Report post Posted December 9, 2024 10 minutes ago, turboray82 said: @HELLBM what does a manual conversion cost? Not something sitting on a pallet just laying around? Lots....... I am in the process of doing this with my e39 540 sedan (although tempted to abort that and buy this!) I'm up to about 5.5k in parts already and I haven't started the job yet. I have pretty much everything I need to get started, 420g 6speed gearbox, shafts, sub-frame, pedal box, D/M flywheel, clutch, bunch of consumables etc. but I'm sure there will be other bits I come across during the job. I wouldn't expect much change out of 7k by the time your done. Parts availability isn't super challenging, however expect to be buying a lot from overseas and paying a lot for freight. Kinda tempted, but the red doesn't do it for me.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turboray82 1 Report post Posted December 9, 2024 2 minutes ago, Goose said: Lots....... I am in the process of doing this with my e39 540 sedan (although tempted to abort that and buy this!) I'm up to about 5.5k in parts already and I haven't started the job yet. I have pretty much everything I need to get started, 420g 6speed gearbox, shafts, sub-frame, pedal box, D/M flywheel, clutch, bunch of consumables etc. but I'm sure there will be other bits I come across during the job. I wouldn't expect much change out of 7k by the time your done. Parts availability isn't super challenging, however expect to be buying a lot from overseas and paying a lot for freight. Kinda tempted, but the red doesn't do it for me.... Thank you, thats sort of what i was thinking PS yeah dont like the red myself. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kiwi_BMW 90 Report post Posted December 26, 2024 A better trans swap would be a 8hp70, it would probably cost less than a manual swap Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
balancerider 785 Report post Posted December 26, 2024 On 12/10/2024 at 12:51 PM, Goose said: Kinda tempted, but the red doesn't do it for me.... Me either. Presumably the M5 bits could be removed and car taken back to stock apart from manual conversion (which would be cool). Guessing they'd sell easily in US / UK / Europe but a pretty small market here with only ~45 E39 M5's in the country. Really want a big engined wagon in an interesting colour - Oxford green E39 540iT would be cool. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deedub 44 Report post Posted December 30, 2024 Is this a good deal? K's seem high. Though based on the 2019 thread, it looks like there was a new M62 swapped in at 120k? Are there any advantages to the engine being pre-vanos? What else would you need to look out for with these older models (pre-vanos)? Genuinely interested in this. Finally decided recently that my next car would be a black E34 540i or black E39 540i (and eventually sitting on M Parallels). Had my mind set on another E30 as a daily. But need something more suited to family duties. Not that a V8 is all that practical for driving the kids around or cheap on petrol (but it has the space, looks and sound). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treone 651 Report post Posted December 30, 2024 40 minutes ago, deedub said: Though based on the 2019 thread, it looks like there was a new M62 swapped in at 120k? My read of the thread is that a motor and trans with 120kms was installed (along with the M5 goodies) in 2019 - the car had travelled 270kms at the time of the swap. So, lower km engine/trans than what the chassis is. Was really impressed with this build back in 2019 and still am, other than the red interior :-(. e39 540i Tourings don't come up that often either! Non-vanos = probably one less thing to fix haha! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1683 Report post Posted December 30, 2024 8 hours ago, deedub said: Are there any advantages to the engine being pre-vanos? More powerful, more reliable\less things to go wrong. M62tu its a technical downgrade, no reason you'd pick it over the non vanos. 9 hours ago, deedub said: What else would you need to look out for with these older models (pre-vanos)? Some of PFL modules\electronics probably arent quite a reliable as facelift cars eg LKM and ABS Touring's have their own little issues due to trunk\boot\tailgate and sunroof IMO the biggest weak point by far with all E39 540i autos is the 5HP24 transmission, over 1\2 the price of that car if you have to rebuild it 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deedub 44 Report post Posted January 2 (edited) Having never owned an E39 540i before (or even an E39 at all)... Did a quick search on timing chain (chain/guides/tensioner) replacement and it sounds pretty full on. What are the main signs that the timing chain needs replacing? Has anyone here done the replacement on a M62 before? (I'm assuming there would be a little more involved with the TU version). Edited January 2 by deedub Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1683 Report post Posted January 3 2 hours ago, deedub said: Having never owned an E39 540i before (or even an E39 at all)... Did a quick search on timing chain (chain/guides/tensioner) replacement and it sounds pretty full on. What are the main signs that the timing chain needs replacing? Has anyone here done the replacement on a M62 before? (I'm assuming there would be a little more involved with the TU version). The timing chains themselves are usually reusable in most cases, failed chain guides the will cause an obvious rattle. Tensioners also go bad and a loss of pressure\rattle at cold start which accelerates the wear. You usually do the guides etc as preventative maintenance. Not too hard with the correct tools @hqstu has the tools and has done a few of them. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deedub 44 Report post Posted January 4 Thanks for all the info @Eagle. Called the seller Friday. Nice guy and transparent about everything. Realised this is more in the project territory than I'd like. Lack of history is a big factor for me. Was ready to move forward but not the right car at the right time for me. Still trying to get time on the weekends to finish off some work on my E30... Another BMW has caught my eye for a daily and has full service history for peace of mind. Beautiful car and with more time to work on it I would definitely get it. Gutted, but I can't take on another project right now. Seller is sorting out brakes and something to do with one of the doors for the WOF (can't remember exactly what now). Hopefully someone here gets it. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deedub 44 Report post Posted January 4 ... and he mentioned the cruise control isn't working. He's not sure why... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
