540i 6-speed

I really want one in decent shape. If anyone knows of one for sale,please let me know. I can't find them at all whatsoever. Only question I have is how many miles should I buy one with?

Cant help you with leads on one, but dont get too caught up in the milage game. Having been living and breathing these cars for a number of years now, i would rather buy a 350,000km car with a full history than a 170,000km one with nothing.

Happy hunting!

Agreed. Don't be too worried about the miles. At 18 years or older, I doubt you'll find a low mileage one. Just try to get one that has been maintained well. You will be much happier in the long run.

So I don't have to be worried about a spun main bearing or rebuilding a tranny? I'm super pissed with myself for getting rid of mine. The tranny was about to go out and it was automatic. Only had 130k though. I want a 6-speed.

BMW manual boxes of this era are almost bullet proof. again, history though. a box with 350,000kms is fine if its oil has been replaced at the correct intervals etc

$hit man the gearbox on my 87 eta is bulletproof...

Agreed with the miles. look at my sig, these cars a daily. just maintain them...

I looked on and off for about a year before I found mine; It had 172k miles, but the engine had been replaced by BMW at 87k under the Nikasil recall. Good history, no accidents and the original paint had hardly any blemishes... The EDC shocks were shot, so all I really had to was to replace the suspension. Of course, since then I have gone completely overboard with it....


I found mine bimmerforums.com. Since then, there have been numerous 540i/6 cars that have gone for really cheap. Keep looking; you'll find your horse!

heres a few to check out;

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1926085

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1846489

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1911326

So coming from a 528i how much more fun is a 6-speed 540i? I bet I is a world of difference. The engines...any real troubles? Transmission are zf's right? Any problems there or a solid car? Trouble years for the 540i specifically the E39, but any will do.

Don't know how much you want to spend, but here is one in the Raleigh, NC area:

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/3584332731.html

Originally Posted by BMR_LVR

Don't know how much you want to spend, but here is one in the Raleigh, NC area:

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/3584332731.html

Haha, that last line is classic: "My heart is breaking, but I have to get something a little more practical. And slower. Sigh."

Oh the joys of fatherhood... That's a great car,but waaay over priced.

I saw this Red 540 in NC. Is this really overpriced? I know most of us aren't made of money, but to find a car that you dream about, that by all looks has been taken care of and is dependable to boot. Tell me what else you could drive for $8k that would preform like this.

To BMWManz2,

In trolling the E39 board, the '98 540 seems to be fairly trouble free, not to mention VANOS free.
They ARE the Winchester '73 of the 540's.

I love my 535, but the E39 540 Sport is pure ******

Good luck in your quest.

Tom

Thanks. I'm a college student and I had a 540i automatic. Loved everything about the car. Now I have to sell my car now, and get the 6-speed

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