E39 540i 2002 sport

[Car Addict]

Just wondering what everyones opinion is on the car. My dad is looking to buy one. Mainly just wondering about reliability, and common failures. Vehicle has 128,000 miles and has been well maintained. It is the 6 speed with nav and m-parrallels, if that means anything.

Thanks.

[call me jack]

there is some hilarious video floating around here, of hittler wanting to buy one... they have cooling system failures, from what i got from the video

[call me jack]

here it is

http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=188504&highlight=hitler+e39

[e30lov]

if the cooling system has not been overhauled by now, then your in for some hefty repair bills in the future. Their has also been issues with the front end suspension, if the car shakes at 55mph then you are in for some $$$ as well. Online companies like http://www.fcpgroton.com/ offer front end overhaul kits, which i would recommend Lemforder

[Car Addict]

By overhaul do you mean radiator, water pump, thermostat, and hoses. Or just water pump and thermostat.

We are going for a test drive tomorrow so we will find out about the shimmy and I will be sure to ask about the cooling system.

I have heard of people having problems with the power seat motors. Is this a common occurrence?

Thanks for al the replies already.

[RAYREY]

I have a 98 540i for 2 years now and all i can say is power and comfort all in 1...before i bought the car i had a buyers check from a local euro garage and they gave me 2 thumbs up,With all service records availble at hand and all dealer maintained thats why i bought it..Bottom line is you should yotally know the history of the cat or any car when buying used good luck!

[e30lov]

By overhaul do you mean radiator, water pump, thermostat, and hoses. Or just water pump and thermostat.

We are going for a test drive tomorrow so we will find out about the shimmy and I will be sure to ask about the cooling system.

I have heard of people having problems with the power seat motors. Is this a common occurrence?

Thanks for al the replies already.

expansion tank, rad, hoses, thermostat, and you might as well do the water pump. The valley pan gasket failed on my 540 m60, not sure if the m62 fails the same way (probably does)

Check to see if you notice any "seat twist", pretty easy fix if your good at diy stuff

[dnova89]

Get a 530i. Enough power for everyday, I even took mine on the track twice and it still had enough power. Steering rack instead of box, better gas mileage, tad more reliable, it's great. No navi but whatever, I got my GPS phone for that. I believe the navi is a direct fit into any e39 anyway so you could always put one in later.

Also make sure you check the ball joints in the rear, they're known to be really weak. Cooling system is a big one as others have mentioned.

It's a lot harder to find a manual 530i than a 540i manual though, so that could be an issue especially if you need to have history records and such. It would be wise to get a PPI.

[kishg]

first of all no matter what anyone says m5 > 540 > 530 in terms of pure performance. common issues are cooling system and front suspension. get a ppi.

[daniel]

if you don't care about gas mileage and having to repair a more complex motor, go for the 540 or M5. Otherwise, the 530i is THE E39 to get.

[kishg]

if you don't care about gas mileage and having to repair a more complex motor, go for the 540 or M5. Otherwise, the 530i is THE E39 to get.

lol.. yeah gas mileage is one of the foremost concerns of someone who wants to buy an e39

[naplesE30]

Cooling Cooling cooling issues. Be prepared to drop a lot of $$$ for routine maint, and fixes. If its been well maint look at the reciepts and add up the totals, should well be into the thousands. Then figure with the mileage it has you will be spending more then the previous owner did, to give you an idea. They are not cheap cars to keep on the road, but they are a perfect blend of sport and function.

[OOMPH!]

Everything mentioned about the cooling system in this thread is true. I had an E39 2002 540i for a year and a half. First thing that went was the reservoir tank (split in half lol). Second thing that went was the alternator (cost $600, just to buy the alternator!) Don't get me wrong, it was one of the most comfortable, beautiful, powerful cars I owned but you better have the pockets to fix it when she breaks.

Sooooo I bought another e30 as my daily driver...325is.