E39 V8 - Talk me out of it

[cort1977]

Not exactly shite but getting on a bit now so please enlighten me.   I thought these had been discussed on here before but had a search and couldn't find anything.

 

Nothing wrong with my current E36 325, just fancy a change really.   Criteria is a cheapish, mid-nineties to mid 2000s, wagon, V8, RWD and ideally a manual.   In the states I think that leaves the only options as a E39 540 or Mercedes E class.   Could go a 940/960 but haven't found a nice one within 1000 miles.   Not so keen on the Mercedes of that era so it boils down to a E39 540.        

 

I have seen this for $5000, 151k miles so a bit leggy but looks in good shape.  

 

http://www.uagdallas.com/web/1006/vehicle/1558944/2001-BMW-540i%20WAGON-XENONS,%20SPORT%20PKG,%20EXTRA%20CLEAN

 

WCPGW?   Understand cooling system and suspension are the issues on these with both prone to problems after 100k miles.   Think the Nikasil issue will be solved.   Clearly none of these are cheap to run but are there any major faults that should make me run away from a particular car?     

 

 

[carlo]

All I know about them is that that would be under $2000 over here!

[KruJoe]

You do know that one's an auto..?

 

Also, the door panel gaps look huge - but maybe it's protective rubber over the edges, I can't tell.

[cort1977]

Yep, finding a manual is hard enough, manual wagons don't exist here I think.   Ticks other boxes though.  

 

Cars here are cheap new but retain value better.   Once they go below $2-3000 they go to Mexico if a sensible Toyota or otherwise are broken for spares I would guess as no Mexicans are stupid enough to want something like a V8 BMW.

[DaveAspley]

Do it! I've got one and it's ace. Mine was only £600 so I've hacked the exhaust off and replaced it with 3 1/4" pipe, replaced all the rear upper links and bushes , serviced it and carried out a few cooling system mods. On eBay, a 4 core alloy racing spec radiator is only £190. Cheaper than an overheated motor!

[DaveAspley]

Mines on 178000 miles

[cort16]

They're pretty good cars. Make sure the gearbox changes smoothly (sealed for life my arse). And they do leak oil so take a torch and have a good look at the under tray from under the bonnet to make sure there's no caked on oil. It should be squeaky clean. Also normal 5 series stuff like look for 56mph shimy (they all do that) is annoying and can be quite hard to fix unless you want to spunk a load of cash on on new suspension parks. I think the estates have airbags on the rearso make sure that all works.

When you drive it and you floor it in sport mode when it kicks down it should give you the "GHAAAAAA OH HOLY FUCK IM GOING TO DIE" feeling. If it doesn't it's probably broken.

 

That seems to be fitted with the fungal infection green leather, which isn't very appealling. Spend a few $$$ on a nice sports interior and switch out the wooden trims for ebony or silver ones and it'll cheer it up no end.

[320touring]

My advice would be to buy a 540 e34.

 

The e39 is ok, but it suffers From A Fair Few electrical gremlins.

 

The v8 is good but autos can be ropey.

[Station]

Mark 'warrenTclaim' had a 2004 545 estate for sale, it was ridiculously rapid. I think 30mpg was achievable in them.

The rear suspension pump needed to be replaced, I think it was 250 for a non BMW one.

They look really modern, it didn't look like a 10 year old car.

[cort1977]

Yeah I had seen that it wasn't a sport with the 16" wheels but that's OK.   With the monster potholes round here a bit of sidewall is a good thing.

 

I wouldn't mind an E34 540 (had a 525 years ago) but they are getting on a bit and even fewer wagons around.

 

I must be colour blind, didn't notice the bonnet or the green leather seats, thought that was a light grey.

 

I think I will go and have a look at this one, thanks all.

[DS20]

Manuals are, IMHO, nicer than the automatics on these - and last longer, too. Check the condition of the airbags on the rear suspension (if it's an estate), as they deteriorate over time. The cooling system is a weak point in an otherwise mechanically-strong outfit, so it might be worth checking to see if the radiator is bowing and if the hoses look ok. I had a 528 estate, a 540 saloon, and an Alpina B10 3.2 - all great cars, in their different ways and with their different personalities.

[Pete-M]

I like them. Take a compatible code reader.

 

The 4.4 V8 is a lovely lump in one of these, not all that torque-laden but they like to rev. Smooth and they sound nice. Ok on fuel when cruising.

 

Watch out for worn bushes, there are lots of bushes under them. Steering isn't all that but it's not bad.

 

Check all the climate control works, and the dash computer isn't on the fritz. Cupholders will probably be broken.

 

Try the dash dimmer and headlamp aim adjuster (if it hasn't got self leveling or xenons). If it's got a webasto heater check that as well, and the cd changer. If they're misbehaving it can be an early sign of canbus issues. You don't want canbus issues.

 

Estates often have self leveling rear suspension. Take a tape measure or a stick and with the engine running measure the rear ride height, then get someone to sit in the loadspace and measure it again. It should level in under about 30 secs.

 

Listen for timing chain rattle and try to hear it start from cold. Make sure it's on all 8.

 

On manuals check the clutch always bites at the same point, BMW clutches can be annoying.

 

I used a 540 4.4 auto for a few months about 10 years ago. Great car.

[warren t claim]

 

The 4.4 V8 is a lovely lump in one of these, not all that torque-laden but they like to rev. Smooth and they sound nice. Ok on fuel when cruising.

 

Watch out for worn bushes, there are lots of bushes under them. Steering isn't all that but it's not bad.

 

Estates often have self leveling rear suspension. Take a tape measure or a stick and with the engine running measure the rear ride height, then get someone to sit in the loadspace and measure it again. It should level in under about 30 secs.

 

Listen for timing chain rattle and try to hear it start from cold. Make sure it's on all 8.

 

From the perspective of the newer E60/1 pretty much all the above is true. The 4.4 drinks heavily when thrashed but is capable of some astounding MPG figures when cruising just under the limit. A 50 mile motorway cruise in the WARCRAFT E61 at a steady 62 mph on the cruise control gave over 40 mpg! The V8 does like to rev but even at low revs still has more torque than a 523i. Autobox issues happen when the oil cooler fails, usually every 100,000 miles and can sometimes show their imminent demise by hanging onto a gear too long and the suddenly giving a loud clunk as it changes up. Air suspension problems can be caused by BMW not making the removal and scraping out of the rear undertray a service item even though it's a 15 minute job. Replacing the rear pipes and compressor only takes a couple of hours with a few simple tools and a replacement pump cost me £275 secondhand. 

[martybabes]

I has a E39 535 and I think it's the bees' blocks.  It's comfy, plenty quick enough and sounds gorgeous (muted but with more than a hint of the V8-ness within).

 

Go get yourself one - you're a long time dead.

[Guest Lord Sward]

Anything V8 FTW.

[RoadworkUK]

Fatha RWUK has an '03 540iA Sport and there's no way anything will tempt him out of it. It makes a nice contrast from the rust-held-together-by-dirt Ka my parents also have.

 

Plastic radiator let go at 60k, but that's about all the drama he's ever had.