Is 5k a good price for a 1999 540i 6spd with 170,000 miles?

[ill4noreason]

There is a 1999 e39 540i 6spd with 170,000 miles local there asking 5,000. It was a dealer trade in. I just want to know from guys who have them or know enough about them. The ad is very vague. black on black. Would you buy it without any service records?

[MikeDE]

There is a 1999 e39 540i 6spd with 170,000 miles local there asking 5,000. It was a dealer trade in...Would you buy it without any service records?

No and no. Dealer trade-in and no records are more than reason enough for me.

If you really have a hard on for an E34, look for a private owner/enthusiast-owned vehicle with service records.

[Dj Buttchug]

99 would be e39... which could be a decent price

[ill4noreason]

yea its a e39 and it sounds like a good price just one of those deals where you spend 5 and it cost 5 more to get it sorted out. My buddy has a spare motor that he will sell to me for 600.00. I want a modern bigger daily driver but still want a bmw and 6spd.

[Dj Buttchug]

the only real way to know is to stick your head underneath it and see whats up. we have a 6 540 in my family, very well taken care of. It recently just started leaking oil... from the rear timing case

FML.


just scope it out. then youll know if you should buy or not. fwiw i buy cars without or incomplete service records all the time. my last epic purchase was my e30. sight unseen off ebay lolol

[Fleksta]

Dealer near me had one marked $9995 when I drove by last week. $5k is a steal for one in good shape. Just take it for a drive (and arrange to stop by a shop for a PPI).

[Wh33lhop]

Do a PPI and do not expect everything to be hunky dory. Have some cash saved up for repairs, there is a good chance it will leak something and/or have a shoddy maintenance history.

[e30e]

Do you like doing maintenance?

Then no.

[naplesE30]

I would pass espc if its an auto. You will sink thousands into that car. Notorious for cooling issues, all bushing likely will need replacing etc. e39's are fantastic cars but not cheap to keep on the road in proper running order.

edit. just read 6spd, which helps but I would still pass, better spending 2k more for one with under 100k

[Rsully70sev]

170,000 miles is getting up there. Id definitly do a PPI. Although the M62 is a boss motor, it's the little expensive shit that's gunna go wrong. My dad has 215k on his 740i and 140k on my 740il, they are maintenance queens and VERY expensive if you aren't mechanically inclined.

[ill4noreason]

Well i've done everything from transmissions, differentials ,engine swaps, suspension work, brakes even wiring for swaps so I'm confident I can do all maintenance. I usually see them going for 8-12 and this is definitely the cheapest one yet. I like the simplicity of an e30 but think I need to dd something else for a while. Or I can take the money and do a s52 swap. I'm gonna go test drive it and look it over. I'll bring my compression gauges as well. I gotta find a shop with a lift so I can see underneath.