Might buy this 540, thoughts?

http://appleton.craigslist.org/cto/3405994268.html

So that's the add. I'm gonna be heading down to Florida soon for a couple months so she probably won't see snow yet....but it started today so we'll see. But I'm curious of your thoughts. My buddy bought a 540 M Sport for 10k this summer, havnt seen one under 6, so I'm guessing this is a steal.

I'm not sure what the prices are over there in the US for comparable 540i's so can't judge the price. You although mention that 6K is pretty much the standard price
Taking that in mind you should source what a new ABS module costs and how much it would cost to get it fit (unless you can tackle it yourself). Then the question is obviously, if this will cure the problem.
Furthermore the car has had a serious front end collision. You should weigh for yourself if all of the above makes up for the low price. If sourcing the parts and fitting them to get this back up in good condition comes close to the 6K you mention for others; i would pass.

Furthermore, the driver chooses to drive the car in the given state without fixing the issues at hand. That might insinuate that he cares little about any other things that might need doing but he's not sharing.

think about the saying "buy cheap, buy twice" before you leap into a pit
just my thoughts

Walk away from it.

Yes it is a steal, but who is getting robbed here? You get what you pay for. I suspect this car will keep you VERY BUSY, if you buy it. Good luck making it to FL.

Pass. Looks great. But looks aren't everything...

It has comfort seats so no... JK. I wouldn't even consider buying it at that price with a shot ABS module.

Run away as fast as you can go!

I read the whole ads and still have no idea what year is that E39.
By the look of it, early pre-facelift model. Re-built title is not good. ABS Module replacement could cost up to $1K. Ugly taillights and the //M badge

to what previous post said.

Let someone who loves M badges buy it!

This might have potential and be worth looking at:
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...31355512&Log=0

I'd walk away without even calling the seller.

Rebuilt title - Ok, you can deal with that at that price I suppose

Needs ABS - For me, if the thing really ONLY needed ABS, I'd fix it then sell it at a higher price. I have the feeling there's a lot more going on that what's noted in the post. Seller sounds like one of those individuals that let things slowly fail, then sells the vehicle once they get annoyed enough at looking at lights on the dash.

If you needed a project and could get it for under 4k or so... Then I'd think about it

As a car to get you 1500-2000 miles down the road without anything going nuts, I'd have to say no thanks.

So I talked to the guy, It's a 98 apparently it wasn't that bad of a hit. The previous owner took it to a dealer for repair. All he(current owner) has done is new front end parts. ABS module and and a window regulator. And to be honest i wouldn't be in a hurry to fix either one. My buddy has a 97 528 with a ABS module going. They do not really effect driveability. I will take it to a shop to check it out if it comes to that. I remember the module being expensive so well see.

I get the whole being in an accident thing. But I'm still Suprised that no one sided with the buy. I think it was well taken care of. I'm leaning toward it., I am very mechanically inclined, so I don't mind if it keeps me busy.

Why is everyone saying walk away... cause its modded? lol

Thank you lol, I don't see the big deal. The guy is younger but this isn't his first bimmer. And he seems to know that bimmers need to be well maintained and does so.

at that price, I say buy. If it sucks, part it out a year or two later. Just know that salvage title means tough resell.

Sounds like you might be pretty close to buying anyway - I'd have the CEL read as well just to verify O2 is actually the only code being thrown.

One just got posted in classifieds - I'd go for it if I were in a buying position, at least based on the description:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=654305

5500 bucks? DEAL!

Ask if there are any photos of the original damage, or the rebuild process.

Not gonna lie thats a good deal. But i don't wanna fly to ny. I think the ABS module scares me the most. I had my eyes on something else anyways.Thanks for the input tho guys.

ABS module is a $100 fix. Every E39 has this issue.

If the car was $8000, people would tell you it's a great deal.
If it's $4500, people tell you it's a disaster.
Just pay the seller $8000 and that's your final offer.

Originally Posted by LalaRay

Why is everyone saying walk away... cause its modded? lol

The biggest reason I would say to walk away is due to mods. Modifications indicate the car has been abused and driven hard.

I would never buy a used car that had any modifications on it...99% chances that the car has been beaten.

Look at the listing:

"Redline synthetic fluid every 20k"
-too long.

"Dinan exhaust- catless, o2 simulators- needs new o2s though=cel Serous inquiries will learn how to bypass emissions"

???

Looks some young guy who bought a beater to show off and drive hard, now its starting to show him issues and he is at least smart enough to get rid of it before he goes broke over it.

He bought it like that, all he did was put the lowering springs in. And yeah I'm with you. But it seemed like a good deal.

And Econobox, that was hilarious.