Little Advice Needed E39 540i-6 sport

[GSXRYDER]

Hello,
I have been asking questions in the forum about a 99 540i -6 Sport that I am going to buy. I absolutely fell in love with this car on first drive. But, to be honest - the fact remains I really did not look at it all that closely. This car was such a wonderful drive and the people that are selling it live in an 'upscale' neighborhood with no kids to beat it, and a bunch of service records, so I figured I was kind of safe.

Well, to make a long story short looking for advice about this purchase, before I drop the cash. I realize these are opinion type questions so I am opening a can of worms. But, for those more experienced than I your input would be invaluable to me.

Should I get the compression checked...although it showed no signs of compression loss? Should I pull the wheels and inspect the brakes although looking at the rotors showed no signs of abnormal wear or grinding? How can I check the suspension linkage...or should I?

Any other components known to fail or regularly need service...radiator was replaced last year and all the electronics seem to work fine.

At $9.5K it seems like a Great Deal to me...I did the carfax...2 owners one accident with slight/moderate damage in 2005 and it has like 30K on it since the accident...


As I write this I am thinking since I loved the car so much maybe I should just 'suck it up' and pay for it and get what I get? WHAT A RIDE!

Thanks for any input,
GSXRYDER

[AlpineSixAndSeven]

where was it hit? compression test would be a good idea just to check the internals of the engine. yeah pull the wheels check the brake pads and rotors and also check
tierods
struts
control arms.
rear cv axles
sway bar links
check the area of the accedent and how well it was repaired
welds panels bondo(magnet)

[chinonca]

How many miles does the car have?? Test driving the car will pretty much tell you what your buying. How the car feels , breaking, cornering,acceleration,etc... if your not sure have your local mechanic take a look at the car and drive it befor you drop the dough on it! Good luck!!

[dvmotorsports]

valley pan gasket

[AlpineSixAndSeven]

^ yeah that thing is a PITA to replace.....

[GSXRYDER]

Pretty much know about all this stuff except how do I check the struts...ride is good and it has 137K. and last but not least What is a Valley pan gasket?

Thanks

[superdeadman]

any mantainance receipts?
check radiator hoses and plasitc connectors - if they go - DEATH
ohh thee is also a website hwere u can see common problems
its like jimmy540i or jimmys540i or jimmy540i6 . com
something along those lines - go therE!

[Teh Prof]

Originally Posted by GSXRYDER

ride is good and it has 137K. and last but not least What is a Valley pan gasket?

Thanks

In the "valley" of the V8 between the two banks of cylinders, there is a channel through which coolant flows. That channel is called the "valley pan." It has a gasket on the top to ensure that the coolant doesn't leak out. After about 120-140K miles, that gasket is toast. It costs about $1.2K to replace, depending on labor rates.

Frankly, it sounds to me like you're getting a great deal, and I'd go for it as long as it passed a qualified independent BMW mechanic's inspection.

[GSXRYDER]

Thanks for the response...just waitin on my check to come...as soon as it gets here I am pickin up this car...hopefully no one else does.