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I need advice. I may purchase a 1997 BMW 540i (built in 1996) with 71000k. It seems to be a standard version with no sports package. I ran a carfax, no evidence of damages. I will be the fourth owner. I think this is a good deal...not a steal..but good. Do you recommend it or not! Should I look at certain parts that are prone to problems? HELP please.
Well, a big factor on how good of a deal this is is the price, which you didn't mention. As for the car itself, that's pretty much the same age/mileage as I purchased mine with, and as long as it was well maintained and you can get a good price it'll be a great car. I would take it to a dealer or a trusted mechanic that can work on German cars and ask them to give it a once-over and tell you if they see anything wrong.
__________________ Anyone who ever buys used cars online, anyone even THINKING of starting a "Is this deal too good to be true?" thread, anyone who wants to be more educated about protecting themselves must <a href='http://www.carbuyingtips.com/fraud.htm' target='_blank'>read this</a>.
personally i dont like the idea that you will be the 4th owner, thats a good signal that this car has serious problems. in only 7 years, think about it.. 3 ppl wanted to get rid of it. i know some ppl who buy new cars replace them within 3 years, but usually the 2nd owner wouldve kept it for a while. add another owner to that! it starts getting iffy. if youre very serious about this car, have your mechanic take a look at it, and order a carfax report! theyre extremely helpful and well worth the 20 bucks or w/e
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<span style='font-family:Arial'><span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>T-Mac</span>
95' BMW 325is Jet Black, 5 speed
Xtec 6000k HID kit, DDE Enhanced, Euro Ellipsoids, M3 Front Bumper, Color-matched rear,
Alpine Mp3/CD, 20% tint, M3 Contour Rims, Smoked Corners, front lip
Clear Side markers, K&N Performance Filter, Debaffle, Color-matched side skirts</span>
What is the price on the car ?
71000 clicks on the speedo isnt alot.the car should be ok.
Get someone to do a compression test,get it up on a hoist and see if there are any signs of oil leaks etc around the trans,and most of all take it for a good hard drive and see how it feels.
My 540 has 112,000clicks on it now and runs great.The only money I have had to spend on repairs is on the water-pump.
4 owners...........good be lots of reasons why.
I have 77k miles in mine (97)... no problems except for regular maintenance. The only problem I see is the dash board display information panel (LED lights). Mine started to go out but had fixed with the help of BMWNA.... I spoke to some people at the dealer and they say these lights go out around 50 to 80k. The price in Calif. is around $700 to get it fix. I've been lucky with my car
LOS not usually keen on white e39's but your's looks damn fine with those
schnitzers on - just goes to show a minor enhancement can change a car's looks totally.
Thanks, I'm impress, you know your wheels! I'm getting my windows tinted this weekend and I'll be upgrading my lights to Xenon w/angel eyes (By the way, the price $1600. Does that make me rich??)) Just f-ing with you Beelzibub...
Cool - seen my wish list??? not sure whether to go for 18" or 17" though - Also have been looking at tinting this week but have found it's illegal to add a tint to the front driver and passenger windows which doesn't let in at least 70% light in the UK. So I'm well Pi***d off at that. Oh well I guess I'll just have to be illegal won't I.
They are currently arming the traffic police with tint guns, so when they stop you they zap your glass and it gives them a tint reading - 65% - 70% most likely let off
50% - 65% fined & issued with a removal warning and must show up at a police station within 10 days to prove removal, less than 50% light, fined and your car is deemed not usable on a public highway - you must arrange for it to be towed to your property or a garage where the tints can be removed then show up at a police station within 10 days to prove removal.
Bit harsh I think!
PS
The reason I'm dithering around 17" or 18" is the harshness of the ride - how do you find it with 18"'s ???
The ride is fine, nothing harsh... I think 18" is the max you want to go. Anything bigger than this will affect your alignment (really bad) based on stories from the BMW dealer....
As for window tinting... DANG!
Thanks for the input...the price is 15.5K. Good deal or not. I am having it checked by a mechanic. If anyone is in Baltimore...let me know maybe you can look at it for me.....but don't be a ?? and buy it underneath me.
I bought my 97 540i with 110,000mi on it...the car was in great shape, now its got 160k+, but still, i still havent had a major problem, the most expensive fix was to replace 1 catalytic converter, besides that....nothing....in 2001 i bought this car for $20K - no buyers remorse...
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