BMW 540i V8 6spd manual with several upgrades and updates
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
BMW 540i V8 6spd manual with several upgrades and updates
Here is some information about my 1997 540i/6. I am a BMW CCA member and this is my 11th BMW and 4th E39. As a result all the maintenance is up to date and all the typical issues have been addressed (control arms and bushings, thrust arms and bushings, cooling system, dashboard pixels, etc.) All fluids are fresh and all oils are synthetic (Redline in trans and diff and Mobil 1 in motor). 97 and 98 are the simplest V8 powered E39s in terms of maintenance as they do not have VANOS and as a result do not need the VANOS unit to be replaced. Subjectively I prefer the power delivery of the non VANOS motors as they have a much better high RPM performance. With that said, I have upgraded the car with the following:
> Bilstein Sport shocks and H&R springs
> Dinan Exhaust and CAI (CAI is a replica)
> Off road H pipe
> M3 short shifter
> M5 front bumper and mirrors
> M5 moldings
>
> ACS replica rear spoiler and pedals
> Aftermarket amp, subwoofer and speakers (Kicker,Polk Audio)
> Updated front and rear lights -looks like the later model car with 6K HID headlights and LED tails
> Staggered MK motorsports wheels- 18x8 and 18x10 with fresh tires
> Hardwired for Valentine 1
Newer engine with about 90K on it. This was a result of a burst oil line when my wife was driving the car. So the motor was replaced at a cost exceeding 5K (I have the receipt) While it was out I had all the maintainance associated with the M62 addressed- CCV, Valve cover gaskets, h20 pump, thermostat, fresh plugs, timing cover gaskets. 25K miles since the motor was replaced and no issues.
> Car has 146K miles on the clock and runs quite strongly- pulls hard and sounds amazing at full throttle, but still maintains a very quiet cruise volume and will return 26 MPG on the highway if driven responsibly.
>
Interior is black and in pretty good shape- I replaced all the wood trim, and replaced all the cup holders, and replaced the instrument cluster with a new OEM unit so all the pixels work. M5 shift knob adds a bit of class.
have replaced the typical stuff like window regulators, rubber door trim, gas flap grommet, trunk actuator, and similarly trivial items with OEM BMW parts. While this may seem like a minor detail, it is indicative of the attention that the car gets. As it is my daily driver and covers about 1K miles a week up and down the highway, I do not like leaving variables to chance. My local dealer, local indy wrench, and members of the local BMW community can all verify this
Here are some pics.
Flickr: g50carerra's Photostream
The black E39 is the one for sale.
Offered at a firm 8K. Feel free to check me out on bimmerforums and also the M5 board (user name ashirji). I have sold a few cars on the boards over the years and all the transactions have gone smoothly.
Please feel free to contact me if there is any further interest.
g50carerra@hotmail.com
Thanks for looking!
> Bilstein Sport shocks and H&R springs
> Dinan Exhaust and CAI (CAI is a replica)
> Off road H pipe
> M3 short shifter
> M5 front bumper and mirrors
> M5 moldings
>
> ACS replica rear spoiler and pedals
> Aftermarket amp, subwoofer and speakers (Kicker,Polk Audio)
> Updated front and rear lights -looks like the later model car with 6K HID headlights and LED tails
> Staggered MK motorsports wheels- 18x8 and 18x10 with fresh tires
> Hardwired for Valentine 1
Newer engine with about 90K on it. This was a result of a burst oil line when my wife was driving the car. So the motor was replaced at a cost exceeding 5K (I have the receipt) While it was out I had all the maintainance associated with the M62 addressed- CCV, Valve cover gaskets, h20 pump, thermostat, fresh plugs, timing cover gaskets. 25K miles since the motor was replaced and no issues.
> Car has 146K miles on the clock and runs quite strongly- pulls hard and sounds amazing at full throttle, but still maintains a very quiet cruise volume and will return 26 MPG on the highway if driven responsibly.
>
Interior is black and in pretty good shape- I replaced all the wood trim, and replaced all the cup holders, and replaced the instrument cluster with a new OEM unit so all the pixels work. M5 shift knob adds a bit of class.
have replaced the typical stuff like window regulators, rubber door trim, gas flap grommet, trunk actuator, and similarly trivial items with OEM BMW parts. While this may seem like a minor detail, it is indicative of the attention that the car gets. As it is my daily driver and covers about 1K miles a week up and down the highway, I do not like leaving variables to chance. My local dealer, local indy wrench, and members of the local BMW community can all verify this
Here are some pics.
Flickr: g50carerra's Photostream
The black E39 is the one for sale.
Offered at a firm 8K. Feel free to check me out on bimmerforums and also the M5 board (user name ashirji). I have sold a few cars on the boards over the years and all the transactions have gone smoothly.
Please feel free to contact me if there is any further interest.
g50carerra@hotmail.com
Thanks for looking!
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
Thank you. I appreciate it. If it makes a difference, the car is located in Melbourne FL, but I do travel to the Tampa area for business about once a month. I would be able to arrange a meeting with any interested parties at the eating/drinking establishment of their choice 
