This is topic opinions? 1999 bmw 540i in forum General Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by 9cobrasvt8 (Member # 11078) on :
 
What are your guys' thoughts on a 1999 bmw 540i with 160k miles? 6 speed, no problems right now, i dont know anything about beamers lol
 

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Posted by Black 02 SS (Member # 5939) on :
 
How much money have you set aside for "shit has now gone wrong" fund?

That should answer your question

Just like with any vehicle items will go wrong sporadically, but individual parts are quite a bit steeper compared to your more common DD.

[ 2015-03-11, 11:47 PM: Message edited by: Black 02 SS ]
 

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Posted by NEIGHT (Member # 8741) on :
 
I daily drive an '04 325i, shit can get expensive when shit goes wrong. So far everything is just under 3x the money for the same part on a Mustang. Car does pull and drive smooth as shit, I'm sure it can take out stock foxes with this inline 6.
 

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Posted by SydeWaySix (Member # 3596) on :
 
I've had two E39 Bimmers and all I can say is that if you don't have receipts for the service performed on it, DONT BUY IT! They have major cooling system issues that lead to cracked/warped heads. They turn into money pits. I'd recommend AGAINST buying one if it will be a daily driver/only car.
 

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Posted by Egocentric (Member # 9529) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by 9cobrasvt8:
What are your guys' thoughts on a 1999 bmw 540i with 160k miles? 6 speed, no problems right now, i dont know anything about beamers lol

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Going against the grain here, I daily drive an E39 540I M-Sport. I've had a few things go wrong but the PM (preventive maint.) has been done.

On these cars
Radiator, Hoses, Rear burst hose (Lower intake man to heads in the back) and coolant overflow were already done for me. Ive not had a problem with it overheating, or anything else. I had 209k when I bought it, I have it still at 233k with it running strong.

Those are the things you want to make sure you have taken care of before it should be driver daily. One other part to look at is the thrust arms (Lower control arm) bushings.
 

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Posted by 06ragtopgt_SOS (Member # 11327) on :
 
Does that car have the M62 V8? I don't know about the rest of the car, but I know that engine pretty well, I even made a coffee table out of one (I was a Land Rover tech for about 3.5 years, that envine powered the range rover 03-05) It likes to leak from the front cover (3 piece), the cam actuator seals, and the valve covers. It develops some of the nastiest sludge I have ever seen, and the coolant hoses don't hold up too well as they age. Also the timing chain guides are plastic and if they let go you usually have to replace the vanos units ($$$). That being said, maintenance records
are key, if you're prepared for pricey repairs, they run pretty decent.
 

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Posted by 9cobrasvt8 (Member # 11078) on :
 
I figured they would be pretty pricey and im not sure i want to have one without some of this key stuff already done. I will talk to the guy and see jf he has any records for it and what has already been done to it, thanks for the input fellas
 

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Posted by Bottle Fed (Member # 2686) on :
 
Don't do it, just sold my Buddys 2001 540i with 190k and all kinds of problems
 

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Posted by Boss 327 (Member # 9143) on :
 
Just make sure it's been taken care of and everything looks right. I have an e60 m5 and a e30 (which is for sale) both cars have been super reliable. Just keep on top of maintenance.
 

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Posted by 135.0 (Member # 4992) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Boss 327:
Just make sure it's been taken care of and everything looks right. I have an e60 m5 and a e30 (which is for sale) both cars have been super reliable. Just keep on top of maintenance.

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