Former E30 enthusiast. Got a lot of help from this forum over the years, & and sold my E30 here, so thought I thought perhaps there might be some interest in another timeless BMW.
Schwarz II (Jet Black) / Black Dakota interior
Located in Los Angeles, CA.
104,000 mi
Asking $10,500
Contact me via forum message or: lightoff6 at yahoo dot com
Video here: https://youtu.be/V4P39tPQS14
Photos here:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/yj477k3k5...pvmDW-doa?dl=0
Those of you who know E39s know that the ’03 540i is the only car to carry the true “M-Sport” package, which added M5 bumpers and Style 37 “M-Parallel” wheels to the Sport package, itself composed of lowering springs and the high-stall torque converter option for the ZF 5HP24 transmission.
The reason I’m selling is that I have this disease where I have to start over every two years with a new car project, and it’s about that time again. I am the 3rd owner of the car. I purchased it from an exotic car dealership in Orange County.
Highlights
- Interior is in GREAT shape. Sport Seats in very good condition (A few scuffs, but I would still call it better than average wear-and-tear). More details below.
- Exterior is in pretty good shape. Few small scuffs here and there. Clear coat overall looks excellent.
- AVIN Avant3 Android 6 head unit w/ backup camera. Audio is factory DSP. The Android unit was a great upgrade, but it was a 100% plug & install so you can revert to stock if you want to (I have the original Business CD deck if you want it).
- Exhaust: a Dinan Free-Flow Muffler, center resonator replaced with a Vibrant resonator. “Tastefully loud.” Not loud enough to wake the neighbors, but it sounds fantastic when you get on it, subtle pops when you come off the gas. I tried a few combinations for exhaust, and this one was the best compromise of volume and character.
Maintenance
The car was very clean when I got it, and I’ve just kept that up, so I think it still speaks to a good pedigree. I don’t have any service records prior to my ownership, however my records are available upon request. I’ve had only minor issues during my ownership. Most service was performed by John Norris at GT International, who was highly respected locally and by the BMW CCA (John has recently retired) or by myself.
- New fan & OEM fan clutch
- Full set of new Bosch spark plugs
- Full set of new Bosch ignition coils
- New power steering pump, and two new hoses
- New chain tensioner (new design). Timing chain guide issues have been thoroughly investigated and dismissed. The car has an occasional rattle at start-up that lasts 1 sec. This was finally determined to be associated with old seals in the VANOS units, a problem that plagues basically 100% of M62tu engines but it’s a nuisance only. There is a little noise from the VANOS at idle but my trusted independent mech. said it was typical.
- New radiator thermostat and full coolant flush
- Radiator, hoses, and expansion tank are in excellent condition and may have been replaced by the P.O.
- Replaced all four window regulators with new components
- New gasket around driver's door opening
- New lower window seals in both front doors
- New brake hoses on the front
- New sway bar links on the front
- Recent transmission fluid service and filter. “Lifetime fluid” yadda yadda…I researched this one for a long time and decided that the case to perform this service was stronger than to let it go.
- New xenon ballasts and D2S bulbs in both headlights
- New trunk lid opener struts
Interior
VERY CLEAN. ALL power seat adjustments are working. Leather items are in very good shape. Rear seat looks like new, except for one 2-inch scuff. Front seats are in very good shape with a few tiny scuffs. Door cards are all like-new except for driver’s door which has a few tiny scratches near the handle.
I replaced all interior lights with a white LED set from ECS. Headliner is in great shape, not sagging. I replaced all A/B/C-pillar trim pieces because they were sagging. Replaced all floor mats. Rear deck was faded so I re-sprayed it with SEM fabric paint. I replaced the old wood grain trim with a set of vinyl-wrapped pieces in 3M Brushed Titanium for a modern appearance.
AVIN Avant3: This was an awesome upgrade that brings the dash into 2018…it’s a standalone Android device. It has its own data connection, so you can get a cheap prepaid SIM and never worry about burning through your data in the car, or use tethering to share data with your smartphone. All the basic car stuff will still work without a data line, i.e. FM radio, Bluetooth streaming, etc. Audio system is factory DSP, all speakers & factory sub. working fine. Another benefit of the Android unit is that you get to use the excellent "I-BUS BMW" app, which allows full control of all DSP effects and EQ, some coding options for lights, locks, windows, & mirrors, and the ability to continuously monitor certain OBD parameters. If you look at my photos, you'll see the coolant temp displayed on the MID in the cluster; this is a function of that app...it's brilliant. Also note the backup camera: the camera itself is a unit from eBay that replaces the trunk release handle, so there was no drilling or anything funny like that.
This car has the optional ski bag in the rear seat pass-through. It looks like it has never been used.
Exterior/Body
Pretty good shape. I count 3 small door dents with no paint damage, small scratches and tiny scuffs elsewhere. Front valence has some minor damage from an apparent road debris encounter. Exterior was just given a full detail…the paint polishes up very well and the clear coat has a ton of shine. The clear coat along the top of the rear bumper (by the trunk opening) is fading, but you will only notice this up close.
I added an OEM M5 lip spoiler, black kidney grills in the front.
Factory Style 37 "M-parallel" wheels are in decent shape. They all have the original finish in good condition, most have some curb rash. Tires are Goodyear Pilot Sport A/S 3.
Schwarz II (Jet Black) / Black Dakota interior
Located in Los Angeles, CA.
104,000 mi
Asking $10,500
Contact me via forum message or: lightoff6 at yahoo dot com
Video here: https://youtu.be/V4P39tPQS14
Photos here:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/yj477k3k5...pvmDW-doa?dl=0
Those of you who know E39s know that the ’03 540i is the only car to carry the true “M-Sport” package, which added M5 bumpers and Style 37 “M-Parallel” wheels to the Sport package, itself composed of lowering springs and the high-stall torque converter option for the ZF 5HP24 transmission.
The reason I’m selling is that I have this disease where I have to start over every two years with a new car project, and it’s about that time again. I am the 3rd owner of the car. I purchased it from an exotic car dealership in Orange County.
Highlights
- Interior is in GREAT shape. Sport Seats in very good condition (A few scuffs, but I would still call it better than average wear-and-tear). More details below.
- Exterior is in pretty good shape. Few small scuffs here and there. Clear coat overall looks excellent.
- AVIN Avant3 Android 6 head unit w/ backup camera. Audio is factory DSP. The Android unit was a great upgrade, but it was a 100% plug & install so you can revert to stock if you want to (I have the original Business CD deck if you want it).
- Exhaust: a Dinan Free-Flow Muffler, center resonator replaced with a Vibrant resonator. “Tastefully loud.” Not loud enough to wake the neighbors, but it sounds fantastic when you get on it, subtle pops when you come off the gas. I tried a few combinations for exhaust, and this one was the best compromise of volume and character.
Maintenance
The car was very clean when I got it, and I’ve just kept that up, so I think it still speaks to a good pedigree. I don’t have any service records prior to my ownership, however my records are available upon request. I’ve had only minor issues during my ownership. Most service was performed by John Norris at GT International, who was highly respected locally and by the BMW CCA (John has recently retired) or by myself.
- New fan & OEM fan clutch
- Full set of new Bosch spark plugs
- Full set of new Bosch ignition coils
- New power steering pump, and two new hoses
- New chain tensioner (new design). Timing chain guide issues have been thoroughly investigated and dismissed. The car has an occasional rattle at start-up that lasts 1 sec. This was finally determined to be associated with old seals in the VANOS units, a problem that plagues basically 100% of M62tu engines but it’s a nuisance only. There is a little noise from the VANOS at idle but my trusted independent mech. said it was typical.
- New radiator thermostat and full coolant flush
- Radiator, hoses, and expansion tank are in excellent condition and may have been replaced by the P.O.
- Replaced all four window regulators with new components
- New gasket around driver's door opening
- New lower window seals in both front doors
- New brake hoses on the front
- New sway bar links on the front
- Recent transmission fluid service and filter. “Lifetime fluid” yadda yadda…I researched this one for a long time and decided that the case to perform this service was stronger than to let it go.
- New xenon ballasts and D2S bulbs in both headlights
- New trunk lid opener struts
Interior
VERY CLEAN. ALL power seat adjustments are working. Leather items are in very good shape. Rear seat looks like new, except for one 2-inch scuff. Front seats are in very good shape with a few tiny scuffs. Door cards are all like-new except for driver’s door which has a few tiny scratches near the handle.
I replaced all interior lights with a white LED set from ECS. Headliner is in great shape, not sagging. I replaced all A/B/C-pillar trim pieces because they were sagging. Replaced all floor mats. Rear deck was faded so I re-sprayed it with SEM fabric paint. I replaced the old wood grain trim with a set of vinyl-wrapped pieces in 3M Brushed Titanium for a modern appearance.
AVIN Avant3: This was an awesome upgrade that brings the dash into 2018…it’s a standalone Android device. It has its own data connection, so you can get a cheap prepaid SIM and never worry about burning through your data in the car, or use tethering to share data with your smartphone. All the basic car stuff will still work without a data line, i.e. FM radio, Bluetooth streaming, etc. Audio system is factory DSP, all speakers & factory sub. working fine. Another benefit of the Android unit is that you get to use the excellent "I-BUS BMW" app, which allows full control of all DSP effects and EQ, some coding options for lights, locks, windows, & mirrors, and the ability to continuously monitor certain OBD parameters. If you look at my photos, you'll see the coolant temp displayed on the MID in the cluster; this is a function of that app...it's brilliant. Also note the backup camera: the camera itself is a unit from eBay that replaces the trunk release handle, so there was no drilling or anything funny like that.
This car has the optional ski bag in the rear seat pass-through. It looks like it has never been used.
Exterior/Body
Pretty good shape. I count 3 small door dents with no paint damage, small scratches and tiny scuffs elsewhere. Front valence has some minor damage from an apparent road debris encounter. Exterior was just given a full detail…the paint polishes up very well and the clear coat has a ton of shine. The clear coat along the top of the rear bumper (by the trunk opening) is fading, but you will only notice this up close.
I added an OEM M5 lip spoiler, black kidney grills in the front.
Factory Style 37 "M-parallel" wheels are in decent shape. They all have the original finish in good condition, most have some curb rash. Tires are Goodyear Pilot Sport A/S 3.
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