Replacement barge. Looking at E39 540...

The 8 cylinder E39 doesn't handle as well as the 6 cylinder E39 for two reasons - firstly it doesnt have quite the same weight distribution as the 6 pot and secondly as mentioned previously because of packaging reasons the 8 cylinder has an old-style recirculating ball steering system which lacks the feel of the rack and pinnion setup in the 6 cylinder models. This is actually true of the M5 as well - it's not as bad on the M5 because they have a different steering box (Which 540i owners sometimes retrofit) and standard fit Servotronic but even the M5's steering isn't as sharp as that on the 6 cylinder. However the M5 is sufficiently better in almost every other way that nobody buys a 6 pot instead purely on steering feel.

If you just want a point and squirt uber-auto-barge this probably isn't a big deal.

Forum wise I find the American forums can be a good place to hang out to get technical info etc. They seem a lot more hands on.

If you find an online resource for brochures and detailed spec listings please let me know as I've been after such a thing for some time!
 
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My 540i is still working, got it way back in 2006 ;-)

It is a '97 with 230,000 miles and granted it is not a daily driver - still gets through MOT's :-)

Stuff I have had to do:

*Blocked cat.
*Water pump.
*Whole cooling system inc. rad (still leaking somewhere) - As Fox says it is made of cheese!
*Steering lock broke - removed it.
*Rocker cover gaskets - totally shot and sparkplug wells were swimming in oil!

All of these have been DIY jobs. I am no mechanic but it is fairly simple to work on - it is also non VANOS.

I think that is it off the top of my head. Still a great car and goes like stink - even though I never thrash it as it will fall apart.

Oh yeah, I gave it a face lift with new alloys, sport front bumper, lights front and rear. I will never get round to doing the back bumper ;-) It really needed a new look up front as the '97 OEM was well... a bit crap.
 
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Oh great! I thought leaking rocker cover gaskets leading to oil in the plug wells might have been a unique feature of Vauxhall Omegas :(. Does the smoke of oil burning off in the plug wells then get sucked into the cabin through the fans whenever you pull up to a stop? Yipeee :)
 
Liampope said:
Oh great! I thought leaking rocker cover gaskets leading to oil in the plug wells might have been a unique feature of Vauxhall Omegas :(. Does the smoke of oil burning off in the plug wells then get sucked into the cabin through the fans whenever you pull up to a stop? Yipeee :)
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It sure does! Well, it does on the I6 anyway. Got that t-shirt too :D
 
Ha ha :)

Out of interest, regarding the audio, I know you like to spend some time doing your research, but why so long? :) Are you considering many more alternatives than the two devices you sought opinions on in your thread?
 
[TW]Fox;21183989 said:
Depending on what sort of drive you are after you might consider a 7 Series. It's more waft and less sport than the E39, but many aspects are very similar and it's more of a cruiser-barge. And you can get your rear heated seats, too. However you choose to run an E39 or an e38 it will at many times resemble a big hole in which to hurl vast quantities of cash, but IMHO its SO worth it. Just don't buy a £5k one because you've only got £5k. Buy a £5k one because you want one and they happen to cost £5k, if that makes sense.

Oh, and they do 15mpg around town and 28ish on the Motorway :p
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As a former e38 owner & current e39 owner, I'd concur 100% with this, especially with regard to the costs of buying one and running it.

e38 740i for me next, please! :)

http://www.tcsdanbury.co.uk/vehicles/vehicleDetails.aspx?vehicleId=307
BMW 740i V8 Saloon Automatic
Make BMW
Model 740i V8
Version Saloon Automatic
Date Registered 18 April 1997
Plate 97/P
Colour Calypso Red metallic
Trim Sand Beige leather
Mileage 27,000
Owners 1
Price £ 6,995

Specification
A genuine TCS treasure find! - an amazing condition '97 BMW 740i V8 done just 27,000 miles from new with a full BMW service history (15 BMW stamps). *Rescued by the crack TCS buying team from the exotic Isle of Man! Full spec: Calypso Red metallic Red with full Sand Beige leather Steptronic auto gearbox Heated front seats F&R Park distance control Electric sunroof Climate & Cruise control Dark Burr walnut wood dashboard cappings Headlamp wash Electric seats with drivers memory Radio cassette & Multiplay CD system Multi functional steering wheel Trip computer Coin holders Sliding Front arm rest Rear head restraints x4 airbags Cross-spoke alloy wheels Rain sensor wipers ABS PAS BMW overcarpet mats. Vehicle details: One owner from new! BMW UK supplied from Mann Autohaus IoM (now Buchanan BMW) Full BMW service history with a fully stamped booklet/invoices (We lost count at £10K of invoices!). Supplied by TCS with a brand new MOT certificate and tax disc. We have x4 original BMW keys Full owners manual book pack Brand new unused spare wheel & tyre Tool kit unused 1st aid kit unsed BMW torch unused Non-smoker/pet owner Rear seats and boot look unused! Would ideally suit a prestige car collector or classic car show enthusiast. This is not your normal supermarket shopping car!
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If only it was a Sport with a better colour combo! (disregarding the price!)
 
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Latest Total BMW has a 5 pager article on the auto boxes, do you know which is in the 540? is it 5 speed or 6 speed with Mechatronics?
 
Bullet points

5 speed ZF

- Reverse gear failure
- Front clutch pack
- Radial rollers between B&C clutch breaks up results in massive end float and the box hammering itself to death
- Dodgy battery will create a gearbox error message and enter limp home

5 speed GM

- solenoid failure
- lock up clutch solenoid failure (car will feel like it has a misfire before totalling the box)
- These are General Motor boxes and replacing the solenoids as preventative maintenance is recommended

6 speed

- ECU internal to box and can fail
- valve body failure due to a sealant rather than a gasket
- distorted and leaking plastic finned sump

Both GM and 6 speed have 'lifetime' fluid and there is much debate over if it's worth changing, replacing the filter and topping up seems to be the proffered option.
 
maccapacca said:
Latest Total BMW has a 5 pager article on the auto boxes, do you know which is in the 540? is it 5 speed or 6 speed with Mechatronics?
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I'd imagine it'll be riddled with inaccuracies then :p


maccapacca said:
Both GM and 6 speed have 'lifetime' fluid and there is much debate over if it's worth changing, replacing the filter and topping up seems to be the proffered option.
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The 5 speed ZF boxes have 'lifetime fluid' as well.

maccapacca said:
http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/Tranny/chart.htm

Look like its just the ZF for the 540 the GM went > 530
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The GM box was mostly fitted to the diesels. The petrols were almost all ZF - a 5HP24 for the V8's and a 5HP19 for the Inline Sixes.
 
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