Anyone have one or had one ? Helping a family member with possibly buying one since prices have tanked over the past several months on these 8 cylinder beasts.

I have seen low mileage (less then 50k) ones selling for only $ 13,000- 18,000 these days. These cars had MSRP's of over $50,000 when they were new.

Other than the cooling system and pixel issues, what else is a problem with these cars ?

How is handling in snow (NYC) with quality all-season tires ?

 

Friend of mine has a 540i. Almost all of his lights are on..check engine, oil, etc. The radio/cd player buttons don't light up either.

 

Can't help you with the snow thing being that we moved from NY to NC about 4.5 years ago... but a neighbor of ours has a 2003 540i (manual) and he loves it. No problems and he's around 62k miles if my memory serves me correct.

He has some kind of extended warranty on it as well, so that may make a huge difference as maintenance on something like that can get costly. But yeah, he loves it.

 

I don't think apart the issues you mentionned, there were many other problems. The pixel issues for the dashboard was always present, from the beginning until the last year of production in 03. I just wish you guys would be looking at a manual, the 540i/6 is an absolute hoot to drive.

As far as snow is concerned, I think with proper winter tires and safe and preventive driving from the owner (understanding you're driving a powerful RWD) you'll be fine to go, if my E39 M5 was able to make it through the canadian winter then you should be good to go as well.

Just make sure you have some sort of aftermarket or extended warranty for peace of mind.

 

I would have to think twice before buying an older automatic transmission BMW. Didn't they start that "lifetime" transmission fluid crap shortly before that year? I'd have to question how long that tranny would last with the expected amount of mileage for it's age. Replacement or rebuild > selling a kidney.

x1000 on the 6 speed...

 

Have to agree 1000%.

If you really want an automatic... I'd say look into a 525 or 530 and save some coin b/c the 540i should really only be had in manual

 

love those cars. great catch at around 15k too

 

I have a 2003 540iT (wagon) with Sport package (M Sport bumpers, black moldings, etc). Very rare car as only 59 or 69 made it onto the US soil that year.

I love this car. I bought it with 45k miles last year and it has 59k miles now. Zero issues except a leaking expansion tank earlier this month. The interior holds up very nicely. Transmission exhibits 0 irregularities.

Cooling system is the weak point of these cars but the problems are usually just minor leak and unlikely to leave you stranded. If you like working on your car, most of the parts are easily replaced in your own garage at your spare time. OEM parts are not that expensive.

Pixels are indeed problematic, but my 03 doesn't show any dead ones and according to the records, the IP and radio are the originals.

 

 

I used to work at a Used Car Lot for a few years where we sold high end European cars.

The 540i is an amazing machine, especially when matched with a sport package and a 6 speed transmission. I've driven quite a few of them and between the sound of the engine and the adrenalin rush you get from pushing on the gas, you are lost in a beautiful world.

Most common issues I've seen with 5 series;

-In cold weather, some of the V8's have had an "oil separator" issue where the oil kind of tends to freeze, this only happens in extremely cold temperatures and is a pretty rare occurrence. I've seen it happen mostly on X5's, but have seen it in the 5 series a few times as well. Google up on it.

-pixels in the mileage/dashboard, it was a problem in 5 and 7 series from 97-03 (on the 5 series)

-We have pretty shi**y roads, so I've seen a few come in with suspension issues, mostly control arms, but that's what happens when cars are beat up by the road for 80K miles..

-Some window regulator issues.

The interiors hold up really nice, the seats can take a lot, the car is super fun to drive and has an awesome look. Only thing I can say is make sure you get a sport package and good luck!

My buddy has a 02 525i (auto) with sport package, rear window shades, xenons, parking sensors, premium package and cold weather package. Rare car, sold it to him right before I quit


I love your car too....so jealous

Have never seen tranny problems on 5 series.....not even once. I've driven hundreds of them.

 

True. I recently drove a 98 528i with 160k miles and the transmission still shifts normally. This is with the original from the factory so-called lifetime fluid.

 

I think my dad's 98 740 has 208k miles on the "lifetime fluid", but I have seen transmission failure before 100k mentioned in various e38 forums from time to time.

I'm actually going to borrow that car to go to Canada next month.

 

Another friend of mine has a 97 528i, drives about 140 miles a day for work; he got it with 150K on it, now it's at 210K. Hasn't had an issue.

 

Thanks for the replies. I will be taking a look at a 540iA this weekend with less than 50k miles. The car has Dinan and Schnitzer mods on it.

 

Look at the car real closely. Dinan has a lot of go fast bits, so there may be some abuse.

Either way, always have a mechanic check out the car before you buy it. Preferably one you know, not the owners mechanic.

 

540 have some issues but in general they are pretty reliable. I'm a BMW tech and I work on plenty of 540/530/525s that are out of warrenty. I've also owned an E39 530 and M5 so I have some experience with these cars.

The most common issues are generally the cooling systems. It should be treated like a maintnence item since they will break, it just a question of when and you don't want to find out on a long trip. The problem is the cooling system is all plastic (plastic ends on the hoses, platsic exspansion tank, plasting end tanks on the radiator).

Dead pixels is a problem like has been said. Depending on when they go, sometimes BMW will help you with the issue such as paying for the part, and you pay the labor. This is only on clusters though. If the radio display goes they generally won't be much help on those.

These engines do like to leak oil a bit. Valve cover gaskets leaking is kinda common as the mileage gets up there. The 540 doesn't have the oil seperator issue that the 525/530s have, or even the older v8 X5s.

The other thing is the suspension bushings wear out. Usually as the mileage starts getting up towards 100k though.

Where are the cars your family member is looking at as you mentioned NYC? I work for an independent BMW repair shop in ELizabeth and if you want, we could do a pre purchase inspection on the car your family member may be interested in.

 

Thanks for the reply. The car was checked out on Saturday by an independent shop in Long Island. The car came out fine...just some maintenance required to bring it up to tip top condition.

 

Anyone else on here have any opinions on 540i's ?

I am looking to get one anywhere from 1998-2003's.

Only issues I have heard of have been the cooling system and the control arms, both of which don't seem too hard to get taken care of.

I've heard that these cars are pretty reliable "bullet proof" and I was surprised to hear this considering how much trash talk there is on AZ about BMW's problems.

 

My father had a loaded '02 540iA. Amazing car. No problems in the 4 years that he owned it. But it was absolutley useless in the snow. Granted it had the 17" M spokes with dunlop SP 9000s.

On the test drive he had it fishtailing on an offramp. awesome

 

hah yeaa it doesnt snow where i live so thats definitely not a concern

 

You can take an Evo or Sti with summer tires and be all over the place in the cold and snow. Summer tires are like hockey pucks in anything below about 40 degrees fahrenheit.

A decent set of snow tires for the winter and you will be fine. I will be running my M5 this winter with a good set of snow tires and doubt I'll have any problems even living on the side of a huge hill. I know a few M5 guys in my area who drive their cars in the snow with no problem and those cars have a lot more power than a 540.

 

Hence the word granted.

 

I highly doubt your M5 is anything more than acceptable in snowy conditions with snow tires. Maybe in NJ.

 

Snow? What's that?






















actually I shouldn't be laughing, since I can't afford an E39 M5 I want one badly though.

 

Never heard of such a thing. Please post pics if you have, I'd love to see it. One of my favorite wagons.

 

Anyone else know someone that owns a 540i ?

 

bump

 

^Have you driven one vikas to see weither or not it was something for you?

 

It used to be my fav. sports sedan, but lately I'm a bit concerned about the long term reliability factor, so that kept me away from getting one ... did test drove a few & loved the handling & perf.

 

Yes sir, I sure have, and I love them. Pretty decent power, and I can deal with the gas mileage, the maintenance won't be that bad. I just need to either find one with a overhauled cooling system, or factor that into the price if it hasnt been done along with a few other minor things.

They seem to be pretty reliable compared to the 525, 528, and the 530...

 

Well, consider your sources. Acura fans on an Acura site where a majority of members get their panties in a bunch if praise is given to any other manufacturer... especially German ones. Do a search of some of my replies regarding Audi's. We've owned two over the last 3 years or so and both have been as good or better then any Acura I've owned yet people still argue that I'm wrong... even if it's my personal experience And this isn't just me... it's when most people say good things about Audi. Same with BMW, they both HAD a reputation, but over the years (and with certain models), it has changed.



Then there's your answer. Go for it! When you find one you like, bring it to a BMW dealer for an inspection, and if it comes back clean, make a move

 

Cousin just bought an 01' with 75k on it. No problems at all+it's a salvage and still problem free. On the other hand SNOW will be a huge issue, my friend has a 740i, with over 90% thread on his tires and with the tap of the gas he is already slipping, once he hit the gas to hard when it was damp and made a complete 180 on accident. So yeah snow will be hard but I'd still get one imo.

 

^ Cola, SC (near Columbia, SC) doesn't really see much snow... so it shouldn't be an issue for thevikas... but yeah, Dannyboy would not be having too much fun in the white stuff...

 

Here is a TL racing a 540:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-uTsn0HUaE

 

^ What is the relevance of that? Are you trying to say that just b/c that TL barely beat that BMW in that race in a straight line he should consider the last gen TL over a 540i?

 

For the price of a 540, you can get a 3G TL which is more reliable, cheaper to maintain, newer, gets better fuel economy, AND is faster, as my video shows. So why would anyone get a 540?

 

I have to agree with u 100%. My cousins 540 is a ton better then my 2G TL-P but I would NEVER buy it over a 3G. The V8 it in is a huge gas guzzler and the car is EXTREMELY heavy, if TL is considered a boat then the 540 is the freaking Titanic.

 

Faster in a straight-line does not mean much. The 540 is much more of a driver's car... even with the extra weight. Plus, most people who are looking for a BMW 540 are not looking into an Acura... they are likely cross-shopping it with a Lexus GS (or possibly even LS), Audi A6 or A8, or Mercedes E class... all of which are higher level cars then a 3G TL. Can't even compare them IMO. I'm not saying the 3G TL isn't a good deal, but it's apples and oranges.

Oh and for the record... your original reply did not say ANY of that. It simply said: which provides zero information other then showing two cars dragging...

 

US EPA: 17 MPG City, 21 MPG Highway for the 2003 BMW 540i Sport

US EPA: 18 MPG City, 26 MPG Higway for the 2004 Acura TL


....Not enough of a difference in the city MPG for me which is where I mostly do my driving...Also I think they 540i compensates for its heavy weight better than the TL does in terms of handling..once again comparing apples to oranges cause one is FWD and the other is RWD

 

wow this is the dumbest logic ever. Why would anyone get a 3G TL when a civic can do? ppl buy cars that they like, I am sure no one is gonna go out and but a 540 because they wanna save money on gas. I wish I could have found a 540 6MT when I was looking for one. I couldnt find one so I looked else where. I love those cars, e39 is my favorite 5 series ever.