Ownership Experience of Old BMWs

[Circa Surviven]

I can't believe I'm considering this, but anyone in LA near Azusa want to look at an apparently nice E39 540? I'm still suspicious of these circumstances, but he's been sending me pictures of shop receipts including $7k for the timing chains and "while you're in there" items. Primary hesitation is it's a salvage title that he says he claimed during rains from this winter then found out it was just an alternator? Pretty suspect, but everything else checks out so far.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1379082310921854?referralSurface=messenger_banner& referralCode=2&ref=messenger_banner

The first thing I look at within facebook marketplace is if it looks like a "burner account". Meaning recently opened (2020 in this example), used only for "business"/selling with no photos of themselves or family/collateral if they scam you. Sorry to be a debbie downer but adding a salvage title onto what I've already seen, I would implore you to keep looking IMO.

[tnord]

those are good things to watch for, but I also scrubbed my FB account of pretty much anything and everything a decade ago so I probably wouldn't pass your test either.

thinking about this more something doesn't add up with the insurance claim.

[Nate047]

recently opened (2020 in this example)

2020 was six years ago man.

[01SG]

RE: Timing chains

For what it's worth, my 540 didn't let go until 212,000 miles. It didn't bend the valves and the car was fixed afterwards too. I beat the living shit out of that car for about 100k of those miles, year round daily through snow and all. The rust was what made me get rid of it, not the chains. Just one data point, but I really would not worry about a low mileage car.

[tnord]

RE: Timing chains

For what it's worth, my 540 didn't let go until 212,000 miles. It didn't bend the valves and the car was fixed afterwards too. I beat the living shit out of that car for about 100k of those miles, year round daily through snow and all. The rust was what made me get rid of it, not the chains. Just one data point, but I really would not worry about a low mileage car.

from what I understand about the process, it seems like anytime there's a valley pan leak you might as well go ahead and do chains since you're over half way there.

If I'm reading this correctly, there's nothing about the LCI on the 540 that can't be retrofit onto the pre-LCI. Unlike the S62 which got things like piston rings to reduce oil consumption.

[George Hill]

Valley pan is under the intake, there isn't much overlap between it and chains labor wise.

[Circa Surviven]

2020 was six years ago man.

Oh dang, seems like yesterday! However, I was giving an example of what to look for, and what the date was in this example. The seller has two first names. "Bryan Bryan" and came up with a story on why a Salvage title was mistaken for just an alternator and priced it probably close to a Clean title vehicle.

[tnord]

FB name doesn't match name on the invoice provided, the invoice has $7k worth of work on it, but the same shop couldn't diagnose a failed alternator so insurance just wrote them a check for $20k?

it doesn't add up, I walked away.

[tnord]

C&B accepted my application to sell the F30. I'm still hesitant because it's such a low maintenance ownership, but continuing to move forward at this time.

There's a few E39s up for sale at the moment of interest.

This 540 should go for UNDER market in my opinion despite the mileage. noisy flywheel, manual swap, and it's been passed around like crazy in recent history. However, I see dealers (possibly one that owned the car before) are already involved so I'm guessing it's going to get a bigger number.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/9l4kEa4G/2002-bmw-540i-sedan

This 530 is pretty close to exactly what I would want. It'd be kinda cool to match my 2003 blk/blk M3 S54 with a 2003 blk/blk 530 M54. High-ish mileage, and doesn't have very extensive records, but the interior condition indicates this was a well cared for car. Given sales of some other vehicles recently I'm guessing this will get to somewhere around $10k.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2003-bmw-530i-79/

Which brings into question another 540, but this one is in Minneapolis, which I hate. Owner claims it was stored in winter, but I'll have to do some more investigation into ownership history because it got to 145k miles somewhere. Not as nice as the others, but the guy shows a spreadsheet with TCG done and a decent history. I'm guessing I could get it for $8500.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1047291591356951/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type =post&tracking=browse_serp%3Af634df24-0c9e-46cf-b8a4-bdea46e014b9

The 540 in Minneapolis seems like the best potential deal if the TCG are done and it's not all corroded (EDIT - there was paint bubbling on the gas cap and a spot of bubbles back by the bumper on the passenger side - EJECT). The 530 looks like it'd be the lowest maintenance ownership but also might command silly money for a non M Sport with 150k miles. The 540 with the manual swap I'd be interested in if it actually does go for under market, but I doubt it will.

[Obioban]

… I might have to bid on that 530i

[tnord]

yeah I’m going to, but I also could see it creeping up to like $13k.

the good news is someone just bought a 95k mile 530 5sp for $13k a week ago so I’m hoping this one will go a few grand less.

[stephen]

… I might have to bid on that 530i

I love the spec minus the exterior color. Manual 530i, sport package, xenons, DSP audio, no folding rear seats. Everything I’d want in a non-M E39.

[Hammerfang]

What is the seat twist issue mentioned on the 530?

[Obioban]

What is the seat twist issue mentioned on the 530?

On e39s, the backrest adjustment cable can come out of the backrest adjustment motor.

It’s a pretty easy fix.

[dannyzabolotny]

What is the seat twist issue mentioned on the 530?

It’s something that plagued every BMW 5- and 7-series from the E34/E32 generation through the E39/E38 generation. The plastic sheathing around the seat cable expands over time and forces the drive cable out of the motor, often on only one side, causing the seat to twist when it’s adjusted. It’s a super annoying problem but is thankfully fairly easy (if not tedious) to repair. You pull the seat out, get the cables out of the motors, cut the sheathing a bit, re-synchronize the seat adjustments, and put it all back together. It affects the seat back tilt and the seat height adjustment.

I’ve fixed more of these than I can count, you 3-series people are lucky you don’t have to deal with that nonsense. Thankfully, BMW eliminated that setup with the E60 and onwards.