Hello all. This is my very first post on here, so please excuse any ignorance. I am an avid VW enthusiast who is looking to take my passion for cars to the next level. What I am looking for is any advice that you all could provide that would aid my search for a used 540i. What years are better than others? What options do I want / need? What should I look out for?
As you can see, I have a LOT to learn, but after reading through some of this forum, I see that there is a vast resource of people to teach me. My first car and first love was a limited run 1984 320i that I was given when I was 16... and I feel it's time for me to get back to my roots.
Any advice you all could give me would me most appreciate. Thanks in advance! :thumbs
I'll provide the small amount of knowledge I know.
The 540i began in 1994 (E34). Then in 1995, it came with a six speed manual transmission. There was no 1996 540i, but in the second half of 1996, they released the 1997 BMW 5-series (E39). It came with more bells and whistles, and the 4.0 litre block was now 4.4 litre. I think they put out the same horsepower, but the 4.4 block has more torque.
I prefer the body styling of the E34 to the E39, so I'm in the process of buying a 1995 540i with the six speed manual. Good luck.
Oh, and some other things -- some of the 4.0 blocks in the 94-95 540is were bad blocks. The best way to tell is to start the engine, and see the doors shake violently. It has something to do with sulfur, I believe. I'm sure someone can provide a link to an article about it.
The 95 came stock with H-rated tires. I'm sure that's not a problem now because a car -- hopefully -- that old would have its tires replaced.
Well, that's a hell of a lot more than I know. Thanks for the reply!
I actually remember reading about that block issue. There was a mass recall because the cylider walls were a cheap metal, which was very suseptable(sp?) to sulfer erosion as a byproduct of combustion not being hot enough. BMW's fix was to "chip" the car to make it run hotter if I believe.
Does anyone know what I SHOULD pay for say, a 99 540i Sport, w/ 6 pd Manual? I see everything from $18K - $25K and mileage ranging from 60K to 100+.
Originally posted by Der Kommissar+Sep 30 2004, 03:59 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Der Kommissar @ Sep 30 2004, 03:59 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-Johnathan_Hess@Sep 30 2004, 05:47 PM And that's all I know.
Well, that's a hell of a lot more than I know. Thanks for the reply!
I actually remember reading about that block issue. There was a mass recall because the cylider walls were a cheap metal, which was very suseptable(sp?) to sulfer erosion as a byproduct of combustion not being hot enough. BMW's fix was to "chip" the car to make it run hotter if I believe.
Does anyone know what I SHOULD pay for say, a 99 540i Sport, w/ 6 pd Manual? I see everything from $18K - $25K and mileage ranging from 60K to 100+.
Man these cars are so beautiful.
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I'm paying 10 for the 95 540i with the six speed, if that's any help.
18K to 25K sounds about right for that model year... The 6 six speed costs more than the automatic model... The 2001 models go for 37k plus in Calif...
Becareful on earlier models (under 97)... Do a search on "NIKASIL" on this forum. I believe there is a write up on this subject under "general car FAQ's"... and by the way, it was not cheap metal on the cylinder walls!!!!
Originally posted by LOS@Oct 1 2004, 10:24 AM Der K...
18K to 25K sounds about right for that model year... The 6 six speed costs more than the automatic model... The 2001 models go for 37k plus in Calif...
Becareful on earlier models (under 97)... Do a search on "NIKASIL" on this forum. I believe there is a write up on this subject under "general car FAQ's"... and by the way, it was not cheap metal on the cylinder walls!!!!
Awesome reply. Thanks so far from everyone. This place is already starting to look better than the VWVortex.
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