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Mr. Red · 01-07-2008, 07:17 PM

I know this isn't the best place to ask(being an oldschool forum) but does anyone have any experience with these cars? I don't know if anyone has seen it but there's one for sale right at the bottom of the Cypress Bowl Road,
97 540i/6 with 60k miles Black on Black leather, sport pack, sunroof, basically loaded. It is an Washington import as it still has its US plates on, which makes me wonder if it has been imported, is ready to go, but do you guys think this is a good deal? I've been told that the maintenace can be killer but I can do some of the smaller stuff myself. Also, has anyone done a Pre-purchase Inspection and where did you get it done? I want to eventually move up to something a bit bigger but would be keeping both cars for the moment.

Mark D. · 01-07-2008, 07:23 PM

Be careful, the M62 engine had problems. Google Alusil/Nikasil as one of those engines were recalled due to abnormal wear.

Lots of information on the internet regarding the 4.0 V8 problems

Mr. Red · 01-07-2008, 07:39 PM

Originally Posted by Mark D.

Be careful, the M62 engine had problems. Google Alusil/Nikasil as one of those engines were recalled due to abnormal wear.

Lots of information on the internet regarding the 4.0 V8 problems

It is a 4.4 V8 btw The Nikasil issues plagued the 4.0 V8 in the E34 540i among a few other models, so this is not an issue if I have my facts straight.

Mark D. · 01-07-2008, 08:15 PM

Yup sorry I was wrong, heres a snippet from one of the 540i boards

""it was fitted to all the E34 530i and 540i V8 cars. It was not fitted to the earlier E28 5-series or the later E39 5-series. Also the early E34 3.0 cars (pre-1991) were M30 6-cylinder cars and were not affected. ""

Mr. Red · 01-07-2008, 08:17 PM

Appreciate the effort Mark, I was wondering if anyone has any first hand experience with these cars. I am willing to pay a bit more for maintanence but don't wanna be shelling out thousands per year to keep it on the road.

kowalski · 01-07-2008, 09:38 PM

my dad had a 95 540i which was pretty reliable. he had the nickasil problem, but it was replaced under bmw's dime.

Bob Balbirnie · 01-07-2008, 10:53 PM

Victor has one of these so he will be able to tell you first hand what the maintenance costs are like.

I think there are a few standard items that go, the V8 had an issue with the oil pump bolts working loose and I know the rads are a weak point (some people replace them at 80k km just to be on the safe side) and the catalytic converters are very expensive to replace and do fail. Other than these specifics I am not up to speed on them.

They are a great looking car and any rides I have had were enjoyable.

Cheers, Bob

M635 · 01-08-2008, 06:23 PM

I've been in a freind of mine's '97 540i. Pretty big motor, and are quite strong cars, I think he's mentioned something about nickasil problem. BMW did replace it.

Bimmerhead · 01-08-2008, 10:51 PM

Hi Mr. Red

I own a 1997 540i/6 with a 250,000 KM and the car is a blast to drive with the 4.4L V8. check out www.540i6.com and this website will show you all the problems that are asscociated with this car...

Mr. Red · 01-08-2008, 11:06 PM

thanks bimmerhead..I have been over to that site a few times and have gone through the checklist of parts that routinely need looking after. I called and left this person a message but will try again tommorow.

M635 · 01-09-2008, 06:19 PM

You know what I think as of this moment? I think hell with the 540i, and get yourself a E39 535i... Not worth bringing a headache to yourself.

'nuf said.

Mr. Red · 01-09-2008, 09:57 PM

there's no such thing as an e39 535i and i'm not a big fan of the e34 body style.

M635 · 01-09-2008, 11:38 PM

Oh whoops, yes I meant E34 535i. But I'm saying, there are like the E39 530i's, 528i's (I think the 2.8's are too small) But I'd go for anything thats an I6. You obviously know its much mroe relaible than the V8's. They have problems, and when something has issues, why would you go and buy it?

The only V8's that I would ever buy from BMW, are the V8 in the E39 M5, or the 4.8IS X5. But I know I'd probably end up with issues.

...Maybe

redhatpat · 01-10-2008, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by M635

Oh whoops, yes I meant E34 535i. But I'm saying, there are like the E39 530i's, 528i's (I think the 2.8's are too small) But I'd go for anything thats an I6. You obviously know its much mroe relaible than the V8's. They have problems, and when something has issues, why would you go and buy it?

The only V8's that I would ever buy from BMW, are the V8 in the E39 M5, or the 4.8IS X5. But I know I'd probably end up with issues.

...Maybe

It's too bad Mr. Red doesnt like the e34 body style. I think the e34 535i is a perfect combination. Great engine, solid and enough power with a reliable car around it. Oh well.

rottenal · 01-10-2008, 01:57 PM

The first question I would ask is,why does it still have U.S. plates on it?
There are several hurtles that need to be taken care of if the car is less than 15 years old before it can be registered in B.C.
So I would think it prudent to have the owner prove it can/is registered here first before proceeding.
Better safe than sorry. http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=813438

01-07-2008, 07:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mr. Red Senior Member Name: Steve Joined: May 2006 From: West Vancouver Posts: 946 iTrader: 0 Thanks: 22 13 Times in 12 Posts Mr. Red's pictures '97 BMW M3	FS: E39 540i I know this isn't the best place to ask(being an oldschool forum) but does anyone have any experience with these cars? I don't know if anyone has seen it but there's one for sale right at the bottom of the Cypress Bowl Road, 97 540i/6 with 60k miles Black on Black leather, sport pack, sunroof, basically loaded. It is an Washington import as it still has its US plates on, which makes me wonder if it has been imported, is ready to go, but do you guys think this is a good deal? I've been told that the maintenace can be killer but I can do some of the smaller stuff myself. Also, has anyone done a Pre-purchase Inspection and where did you get it done? I want to eventually move up to something a bit bigger but would be keeping both cars for the moment.

01-07-2008, 07:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mark D. Senior Member Name: Mark Joined: Oct 2005 From: N.Vancouver Posts: 1,468 iTrader: 1 Thanks: 0 1 Time in 1 Post	Be careful, the M62 engine had problems. Google Alusil/Nikasil as one of those engines were recalled due to abnormal wear. Lots of information on the internet regarding the 4.0 V8 problems __________________ 1991 318is X 2 1988 E28 M5

01-07-2008, 08:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mark D. Senior Member Name: Mark Joined: Oct 2005 From: N.Vancouver Posts: 1,468 iTrader: 1 Thanks: 0 1 Time in 1 Post	Yup sorry I was wrong, heres a snippet from one of the 540i boards ""it was fitted to all the E34 530i and 540i V8 cars. It was not fitted to the earlier E28 5-series or the later E39 5-series. Also the early E34 3.0 cars (pre-1991) were M30 6-cylinder cars and were not affected. "" __________________ 1991 318is X 2 1988 E28 M5

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01-07-2008, 08:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mr. Red Senior Member Name: Steve Joined: May 2006 From: West Vancouver Posts: 946 iTrader: 0 Thanks: 22 13 Times in 12 Posts Mr. Red's pictures '97 BMW M3	Appreciate the effort Mark, I was wondering if anyone has any first hand experience with these cars. I am willing to pay a bit more for maintanence but don't wanna be shelling out thousands per year to keep it on the road.

01-07-2008, 09:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
kowalski Senior Member Name: Mike Joined: Feb 2005 From: White Rock Posts: 2,125 iTrader: 0 Thanks: 2 18 Times in 11 Posts kowalski's pictures	my dad had a 95 540i which was pretty reliable. he had the nickasil problem, but it was replaced under bmw's dime.

01-07-2008, 10:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
Bob Balbirnie Senior Member Supporting Member Joined: Dec 2007 From: Surrey Posts: 126 iTrader: 0 Thanks: 0 0 Times in 0 Posts	Victor has one of these so he will be able to tell you first hand what the maintenance costs are like. I think there are a few standard items that go, the V8 had an issue with the oil pump bolts working loose and I know the rads are a weak point (some people replace them at 80k km just to be on the safe side) and the catalytic converters are very expensive to replace and do fail. Other than these specifics I am not up to speed on them. They are a great looking car and any rides I have had were enjoyable. Cheers, Bob

01-08-2008, 06:23 PM	#8 (permalink)
M635 Senior Member Name: Gregory Joined: Dec 2007 From: Vancouver Posts: 1,016 iTrader: 0 Thanks: 0 3 Times in 3 Posts M635's pictures	I've been in a freind of mine's '97 540i. Pretty big motor, and are quite strong cars, I think he's mentioned something about nickasil problem. BMW did replace it.

01-08-2008, 10:51 PM	#9 (permalink)
Bimmerhead Senior Member Joined: Sep 2007 From: Surrey Posts: 120 iTrader: 0 Thanks: 0 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Mr. Red I own a 1997 540i/6 with a 250,000 KM and the car is a blast to drive with the 4.4L V8. check out www.540i6.com and this website will show you all the problems that are asscociated with this car...

01-08-2008, 11:06 PM	#10 (permalink)
Mr. Red Senior Member Name: Steve Joined: May 2006 From: West Vancouver Posts: 946 iTrader: 0 Thanks: 22 13 Times in 12 Posts Mr. Red's pictures '97 BMW M3	thanks bimmerhead..I have been over to that site a few times and have gone through the checklist of parts that routinely need looking after. I called and left this person a message but will try again tommorow.

01-09-2008, 06:19 PM	#11 (permalink)
M635 Senior Member Name: Gregory Joined: Dec 2007 From: Vancouver Posts: 1,016 iTrader: 0 Thanks: 0 3 Times in 3 Posts M635's pictures	You know what I think as of this moment? I think hell with the 540i, and get yourself a E39 535i... Not worth bringing a headache to yourself. 'nuf said.

01-09-2008, 09:57 PM	#12 (permalink)
Mr. Red Senior Member Name: Steve Joined: May 2006 From: West Vancouver Posts: 946 iTrader: 0 Thanks: 22 13 Times in 12 Posts Mr. Red's pictures '97 BMW M3	there's no such thing as an e39 535i and i'm not a big fan of the e34 body style.

01-09-2008, 11:38 PM	#13 (permalink)
M635 Senior Member Name: Gregory Joined: Dec 2007 From: Vancouver Posts: 1,016 iTrader: 0 Thanks: 0 3 Times in 3 Posts M635's pictures	Oh whoops, yes I meant E34 535i. But I'm saying, there are like the E39 530i's, 528i's (I think the 2.8's are too small) But I'd go for anything thats an I6. You obviously know its much mroe relaible than the V8's. They have problems, and when something has issues, why would you go and buy it? The only V8's that I would ever buy from BMW, are the V8 in the E39 M5, or the 4.8IS X5. But I know I'd probably end up with issues. ...Maybe

01-10-2008, 01:57 PM	#15 (permalink)
rottenal Senior Member Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 239 iTrader: 0 Thanks: 1 1 Time in 1 Post rottenal's pictures	The first question I would ask is,why does it still have U.S. plates on it? There are several hurtles that need to be taken care of if the car is less than 15 years old before it can be registered in B.C. So I would think it prudent to have the owner prove it can/is registered here first before proceeding. Better safe than sorry. http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=813438

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FS: E39 540i