Finally bought my dream car

I finally bought my dream e39 although I wanted it in 6 speed but I am satisfied with what I got
2002 BMW 540i-m sport with navigation and sport seats sport steering wheel. 120k miles black on black, Everything is awesome in the car untill I go to the engine bay and I hear some knocking noise I called the previous owner he told me his mechanic said its a tensioner that needs to be replaced. Now I go and scan the codes on the car I get so many codes , camshaft sensor, vacuum leak, o2 sensor. I check and I realized that the cam shaft sensor was disconnected and the hose that goes to the big boot was broken so I fixed all that and replaced all the plugs which they were really bad and did an oil change, the car runs and drives so much better now but I still hear that knocking noise

The later V8s tend to be noisy. Find a BMW specialist for a diagnosis.

It goes w/o saying that you should have paid for a pre-purchase inspection. Sounds like that thing was rid hard, and put away wet.

Hope you got it cheap.

I just did the same, changed the cam sensor and all my codes went away!

Check you timing chain tensioner

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1233696

In case you may be in over your head, get a pre purchase inspection anyway. This way you will know what lies ahead of you with this purchase.

Save your pennies.

welcome to the 'dream'

I paid 3500$

This is it

WOW!
$3500?
This is a new low for a 540 w/ a 6MT.
At that price, why would anyone want to look at buying a
used 525/528 or 530?

Fantastic find for such a nice set of wheels

agreed! 3500 is a steal. nice car!

Originally Posted by E39project

I finally bought my dream e39 although I wanted it in 6 speed but I am satisfied with what I got 2002 BMW 540i-m sport with navigation and sport seats sport steering wheel. 120k miles black on black, Everything is awesome in the car untill I go to the engine bay and I hear some knocking noise I called the previous owner he told me his mechanic said its a tensioner that needs to be replaced. Now I go and scan the codes on the car I get so many codes , camshaft sensor, vacuum leak, o2 sensor. I check and I realized that the cam shaft sensor was disconnected and the hose that goes to the big boot was broken so I fixed all that and replaced all the plugs which they were really bad and did an oil change, the car runs and drives so much better now but I still hear that knocking noise

I don't think it's a 6MT. Still a good find BTW.

Interior

I don't know where to start?
Engine knocking or m5 kit?

"M5 kit" should be item 11 on your top 10 list of things to do...........

Originally Posted by E39project

I don't know where to start?
Engine knocking or m5 kit?

Maintenance first!! Aesthetics aren't going to save your hide from costly repairs and a broken down BMW on the side of the road.

I am enjoying it too much! My mechanic told me it needs water pump and the noise will go away.. Does it make any sense ?

Great buy!! I wouldn't worry too much about the knocking noise, mine has been making a slight knocking noise for 200,000+ mi. that Beisan Systems says it's the vanos. They now offer a kit to rebuild them but I'm pushing 300,000 mi. now so I'm not going to bother with it. Still love this car but next summer I'll be replacing it.

Originally Posted by TemporarySanity

Great buy!! I wouldn't worry too much about the knocking noise, mine has been making a slight knocking noise for 200,000+ mi. that Beisan Systems says it's the vanos. They now offer a kit to rebuild them but I'm pushing 300,000 mi. now so I'm not going to bother with it. Still love this car but next summer I'll be replacing it.

I am kind of worried if its a tensioner and one day the chain jumps and I ruin the engine

Originally Posted by DHoang

WOW!
$3500?
This is a new low for a 540 w/ a 6MT.
At that price, why would anyone want to look at buying a
used 525/528 or 530?

Fantastic find for such a nice set of wheels

Price had little to do with my purchase. The 530i is a fantastic car. Never needed the extra power the 540i has.

E39's are definitely at their rock bottom price these days. Even the mighty M5 is a very affordable ride now.

Originally Posted by AnotherGeezer

Price had little to do with my purchase. The 530i is a fantastic car. Never needed the extra power the 540i has.

E39's are definitely at their rock bottom price these days. Even the mighty M5 is a very affordable ride now.

That's because it's already 2 generations behind and it was mass produced

Originally Posted by E39project

That's because it's already 2 generations behind and it was mass produced

Still a good deal if you're into owning one of the finest sedans ever produced. You just need deeper pockets than someone piloting a Taurus.

Originally Posted by AnotherGeezer

Still a good deal if you're into owning one of the finest sedans ever produced. You just need deeper pockets than someone piloting a Taurus.

Before I decide what I'm going to do with it I'm going legit and taking it to BMW dealership for a diagnose. If its the tenioners than I am selling it if it's water pump or some other related to vanos I will keep it.

Originally Posted by E39project

Before I decide what I'm going to do with it I'm going legit and taking it to BMW dealership for a diagnose. If its the tenioners than I am selling it if it's water pump or some other related to vanos I will keep it.

It will probably be a lot more than the tensioners, both commonly replaced items during a cooling system overhaul.

Other parts include fan and fan clutch, all hoses, thermostat, water pump, temp sensors, etc.

And that's just the cooling system. Suspension parts are the next most replaced maintenance item for the E39.

Then you have chain guides, valley pan gasket, OFH, power steering pump and filter housing.

I'd estimate you'll be into the car for twice the purchase price before you have a true, worry-free runner. I've got over 22k into mine including the 10k purchase price.

Originally Posted by AnotherGeezer

It will probably be a lot more than the tensioners, both commonly replaced items during a cooling system overhaul.

Other parts include fan and fan clutch, all hoses, thermostat, water pump, temp sensors, etc.

And that's just the cooling system. Suspension parts are the next most replaced maintenance item for the E39.

Then you have chain guides, valley pan gasket, OFH, power steering pump and filter housing.

I'd estimate you'll be into the car for twice the purchase price before you have a true, worry-free runner. I've got over 22k into mine including the 10k purchase price.

You know my advantage is that I'm in a parts business I have a lot of E39 parts they sitting there I can always swap the easy things my only concern is internal engine parts which are going to cost me a lot of labor. I am mechanicly inclined I own a shop where we part out bmws but I won't try and mess with the tensioners I will also need to set it on timing.

Here are the list of things I've done my self so far.

1.spark plugs and coils.
2.Fan clutch and blade.
3.Valve cover gasket.
4.Replaced the boot that goes to the throttle body.
I also replaced the air box intake into a cold air intake I kinda feel like putting back the original but the noise that one makes is so cool growls when I give it gas.

Originally Posted by E39project

You know my advantage is that I'm in a parts business I have a lot of E39 parts they sitting there I can always swap the easy things my only concern is internal engine parts which are going to cost me a lot of labor. I am mechanicly inclined I own a shop where we part out bmws but I won't try and mess with the tensioners I will also need to set it on timing.

Here are the list of things I've done my self so far.

1.spark plugs and coils.
2.Fan clutch and blade.
3.Valve cover gasket.
4.Replaced the boot that goes to the throttle body.
I also replaced the air box intake into a cold air intake I kinda feel like putting back the original but the noise that one makes is so cool growls when I give it gas.

You're ahead of the curve for sure but like most will suggest, get the mechanical bugs out of the way before the appearance mods and then you'll have a real keeper.