I first caught notice of this model when nicholaspea got his 540i last year. At the time I had worked on some e39 models and preferred them to the e36 cars. A couple of months back I started seriously eyeing them, but was not in the position to make a move on anything, then I noticed Ahmet had one for sale. I checked it out, and thought it over for a while and bought it a few days ago.

Its simply an amazing car. They are known for some common problems, but it appears Ahmet bought it from the original owner (lived in raleigh) who kept some great service records. I wont bother listing all the oil services and regular stuff.

08/08/97, 951mi, glovebox lock replaced
01/07/99, 33049mi, trunk lid lock actuator
06/22/99, 41533mi, cabin filter, transmission oil, differential oil, brake fluid flush, front brake pads/rotors, all drive belts
12/21/99, 52809mi, replace coin holder
03/10/00, 56526mi replace cupholder
06/06/00, 64307mi, replace wheel well plastic
09/26/00, 67749mi, replace front brake hoses
10/04/00, 68231mi, replace drivers inside door handle, RR wheel bearing, differential service
12/19/00, 72556mi, replace keyless transmitter button, passenger front lower seat belt, rear brake pads/rotors/emergency brake shoes
03/20/01, 75827mi, replaced radiator and lower oil pan gasket
06/06/01, 79690mi, fuel filter, cabin filter, plugs, valve cover gaskets
--
11/30/01, 89123mi, fuel filter, spark plugs, cabin filter, coolant level sensor, expansion tank, differential service
--
01/18/02, 90952mi, replace water pump and both drive belts
--
07/11/02, 100336mi, flush brake fluid, replace valve cover gaskets
02/06/03, 110214mi, replace power steering hose, replace rear cup holders, cabin filter
--
02/19/03, 112255mi, replace heater hose/outlet
--
05/05/03, 117258mi, replace battery
07/16/03, xxxxxxmi, replace front struts
11/20/03, 126002mi, replace rear ball joints, front control arm bushings, spark plugs, cabin filter, install redline gear oil in transmission
03/05/04, 131839mi, replace rear ball joints, rear cup holder, instrument cluster


So there you are, I am officially a BMW owner. Go figure.

6/10/2006 4:32:02 PM

wtf has happened to you? are you turning into a fucking metro or what?

dude goes from a pimped bonneville to a 545.

6/10/2006 4:36:57 PM

Its a v8, six speed in a 5 seater family sedan. Good for keeping the driving interesting while not trying to attract attention from the police.

6/10/2006 4:44:37 PM

So you bought Ahmet's ride?

They are incredible cars, however mine was afflicted with every possible E39 issue, and while it was the fastest, best handling car I have owned, it was also the most annoying car that I have ever owned, so I gave it up after a year.

Hit me up on IM if you want me to mail you a couple 540 - O2 sensors (they might be good, might not - I just replaced all 4 when I did them) and the front license plate molded trim, and two rear swaybar bushing clamps. (All free) Leftovers from my time with the e39.

6/10/2006 4:45:11 PM

Yeah I bought Ahmet's. Ill PM you, or better yet send me your AIM name.

6/10/2006 4:48:41 PM

well, damn. is my g/f pregnant?

6/10/2006 5:00:11 PM

no, but you might ought to get your wifey a test kit

6/10/2006 5:16:39 PM

it is an awesome car.

6/10/2006 6:04:03 PM

didn't realize you bought it, cool.

too bad I impregnated a mexican maid in the back seat of it.

ftl

I give this thread no more than 5 minutes before ben94gt comes in here talking shit about bmws. OMFG FOR WhAY DO PPL LIKE BMWS. THE OWNERS TALK WHAY TOO MUCH SHIT!

[Edited on June 10, 2006 at 6:50 PM. Reason : .]

6/10/2006 6:48:04 PM

all he needs to buy now is a peugot and he's got the euro-tour of a garage.

6/10/2006 6:54:51 PM

all i need to do now is sell the pontiac and the honda, and everything I own will be v8/leather.

6/10/2006 6:56:42 PM

pics or ban

6/10/2006 6:57:33 PM

but but i need to wash it first

6/10/2006 7:00:36 PM

I'm glad you're enjoying it. I sure miss it, and this is only amplified by the last 3 'deals' I thought I'd worked out falling through.
Ahmet

6/10/2006 7:12:54 PM

Quote :

"06/06/01, 79690mi, fuel filter, cabin filter, plugs, valve cover gaskets -- 11/30/01, 89123mi, fuel filter, spark plugs, cabin filter, coolant level sensor, expansion tank, differential service"

wtf? fuel filter twice in 10K, and the car got driven 10K in 5 months



[Edited on June 10, 2006 at 7:42 PM. Reason : j/k thats a sweet car]

6/10/2006 7:41:58 PM

the -- indicated that the original owner switched shops from one record to the next. the only 3 places that I have records of this car ever being worked on is the dealer (performance BMW in chapel hill), first class automotive here in raleigh, and a place in Louisana called moss motors.

6/10/2006 7:59:13 PM

double

[Edited on June 10, 2006 at 8:03 PM. Reason : ahmet has a PM]

6/10/2006 8:01:46 PM

nice choice. post some pic later on. i also considered one for a long time and im still partial to them. maybe when m3 gets old, ill get one eventually.

6/10/2006 8:21:07 PM

i had to finish washing it

6/10/2006 8:45:53 PM

nice car man, enjoy it

6/10/2006 9:38:19 PM

damn bmw fags

6/10/2006 10:27:54 PM

compare and contrast: 540 vs bonneville

6/10/2006 10:58:28 PM

nice ride, those are some deep rims

6/10/2006 11:40:40 PM

put that piece on track (road course)

6/11/2006 12:53:35 AM

congrats e39s are where its at. i love my 540.

6/11/2006 2:21:36 AM

nice car


how much did you pay

6/11/2006 2:35:45 AM

^^ traitor

6/11/2006 6:55:22 AM

congrats on the car. my 04 530i is running strong with no problems after owning it for 3 months.

6/11/2006 9:59:34 AM

Quote :

"I'm glad you're enjoying it. I sure miss it, and this is only amplified by the last 3 'deals' I thought I'd worked out falling through. Ahmet"

FS:

6/11/2006 12:05:41 PM

PM Sent.
Ahmet

6/11/2006 12:58:24 PM

DAMN BMW FAGS

6/11/2006 1:41:57 PM

*sigh*

if only I fit in these little sports cars

6/11/2006 2:54:18 PM

the 540 is quite spacious

6/11/2006 3:59:33 PM

damn BMW FAGS

6/11/2006 8:28:20 PM

didn't realize that those rims were deep dished. pimpin

6/12/2006 4:51:52 AM

nice ride man. i always loved the 540!

6/12/2006 8:57:40 AM

I think the last model 5 series is probably one of the best looking sedans to come out of the auto industry. Its aged very well.

6/12/2006 10:03:56 AM

I meant the S2k

6/12/2006 10:42:57 AM

^^ agreed

i would love to get my hands on an m series of the same model.

6/12/2006 10:45:23 AM

e39 m5 is not worth it over the 540i.

6/12/2006 10:50:37 AM

Quote :

"e39 m5 is not worth it over the 540i. "

6/12/2006 4:22:27 PM

^have you driven E39 M5 for more than a day?

6/12/2006 4:26:28 PM

have you?

6/12/2006 6:29:19 PM

have not?

6/12/2006 7:19:15 PM

^^have not. you see me comment on it?

6/12/2006 9:06:29 PM

radiator

8/5/2006 2:58:34 PM

what happened? busted?

[Edited on August 5, 2006 at 3:21 PM. Reason : j]

8/5/2006 3:21:39 PM

i have been a little leery of the fan clutch since i checked it last week and now i am pretty sure its a goner. it did the good old 'blow the neck off the radiator' routine. ill have a new behr one monday morning, $165.

8/5/2006 8:07:54 PM

radiator, thermostat, bleed screw, replaced. coolant flushed and replaced with bmw.
cam position sensor, oil/filter change, cold air intake
removed clutch delay and intake silencer

17-19mpg

150000

8/14/2006 8:23:06 PM

I wanna hear it...
Ahmet

8/14/2006 8:41:28 PM