Soldato
- Joined
- 2 Mar 2004
- Posts
- 11,919
- Location
- SE England
What does 500 quid get you these days? A nice watch? A computer? A set of tires?
How about this?
It's a 1994 540i, one of the rare 6-speed manuals. It's done, staggeringly, a shade under 180,000 miles but has full service history and a mountain of previous paperwork - it's even got an MOT until January, recently been serviced, had new cats, two new front tires and a new BMW battery!
It hasn't seen polish, nor a decent clean, for years - it's photographed just as it rolled off the transporter (and after drifting up and down our dirt track for a bit) - so is rather unkempt looking to say the least.
Inside is dirty, but serviceable:
Both driver and passenger leathers are, remarkably, relatively unworn - there's no rips or tears but they are quite creased with age so will need some TLC. Some of the minor trim needs some fettling too and I think, ideally, the driver's carpet could do with replacing. No biggy, though.
Armrest is unworn which is, again, quite remarkable.
Under the bonnet isn't bad either:
.......although the engine top cover is missing - it's in the boot. It's recently had the PCV system overhauled which is why the cover was off. This 4.0 is an Alusil replacement so doesn't suffer the corrosion issues of the earlier Nikasil engines.
Specs are a relatively healthy 290BHP, 300ft.lb and 0-60 in 6.2 seconds for the manual - not overtly rapid but then it does weigh 1600kg+.
Amongst other things, this 540 has throwing star alloys off the M5 (although I'm not sure if they're genuine), clear indicators all round, stability control, air con (needs a condensor but works), cruise, ABS, PAS, traction control, total closure, a Thatcham alarm system, M-Technics suspension (lower and stiffer), the upgraded interior light package, vented and dotted discs, heated headlight washers, one touch windows and sunroof, on-board computer and more.
It reputedly has an LSD as well but I've not established that yet - although I have found it's been chipped and has a K&N filter. Rather alarmingly there's no limiter so it spools up and over 8k with ease.
The 540 only arrived yesterday - so I've yet to really go through it with a fine tooth comb. So far on the list of things requiring attention are:
- Lower front track rod ends need replacing
- Passenger front electric window stuck
- On board computer needs new backlights
- Dash needs switching to correct manual one (in the boot)
- Air con needs a new condensor
- Some light cosmetic rust to front edge of bonnet, rear edge of boot and front wheel arch corners
- Fuel lines by tank aren't too clever (new, but incorrectly fitted so rubbing)
- Whole car needs a damned good clean
The only other thing that I really need to look into is the clutch - it's very heavy and the biting point is quite high, which may just be down to the fact that it's old and wearing out. It still grabs, however, and drives just fine - It doesn't matter too much, as with all the torque on tap you just drop the clutch at idle and it picks up and goes, so doesn't require much concentration or effort.
Other than that, it runs and drives very well and even rides nicely without ominous clonking or groans. There's no overheating, even when sat for ages, no oil or coolant contamination, and it feels like all 300ft.lb are there - you can get into 6th just rolling along at 10mph and it'll just burble down the road.
My first port of call is just to give it a thorough clean and check everything over. What I'm going to do is either patch it up and make sure it's presentable, and either keep it or sell it on - or, unfortunately, break it for parts.
These cars are, for the most part, worth more in component form than as a going concern which is a shame - but quite often the case. Depending on what needs doing, this may be the route I tread - as I'd really quite like some parts (the OBC, the wheels maybe, the lights) for my 525i and I could split the rest up and cash in on it.
............and that means I could keep the engine and box for something much, much more interesting and replace the clutch (if needed, may just need bleeding or be a hydraulic issue) out of the car........
I will post up some more pictures and details later as I start to dig a little deeper, to see what's what. A good wash, polish, hoover, feed and a little TLC will no doubt have it looking a million times better.
How about this?
It's a 1994 540i, one of the rare 6-speed manuals. It's done, staggeringly, a shade under 180,000 miles but has full service history and a mountain of previous paperwork - it's even got an MOT until January, recently been serviced, had new cats, two new front tires and a new BMW battery!
It hasn't seen polish, nor a decent clean, for years - it's photographed just as it rolled off the transporter (and after drifting up and down our dirt track for a bit) - so is rather unkempt looking to say the least.
Inside is dirty, but serviceable:
Both driver and passenger leathers are, remarkably, relatively unworn - there's no rips or tears but they are quite creased with age so will need some TLC. Some of the minor trim needs some fettling too and I think, ideally, the driver's carpet could do with replacing. No biggy, though.
Armrest is unworn which is, again, quite remarkable.
Under the bonnet isn't bad either:
.......although the engine top cover is missing - it's in the boot. It's recently had the PCV system overhauled which is why the cover was off. This 4.0 is an Alusil replacement so doesn't suffer the corrosion issues of the earlier Nikasil engines.
Specs are a relatively healthy 290BHP, 300ft.lb and 0-60 in 6.2 seconds for the manual - not overtly rapid but then it does weigh 1600kg+.
Amongst other things, this 540 has throwing star alloys off the M5 (although I'm not sure if they're genuine), clear indicators all round, stability control, air con (needs a condensor but works), cruise, ABS, PAS, traction control, total closure, a Thatcham alarm system, M-Technics suspension (lower and stiffer), the upgraded interior light package, vented and dotted discs, heated headlight washers, one touch windows and sunroof, on-board computer and more.
It reputedly has an LSD as well but I've not established that yet - although I have found it's been chipped and has a K&N filter. Rather alarmingly there's no limiter so it spools up and over 8k with ease.
The 540 only arrived yesterday - so I've yet to really go through it with a fine tooth comb. So far on the list of things requiring attention are:
- Lower front track rod ends need replacing
- Passenger front electric window stuck
- On board computer needs new backlights
- Dash needs switching to correct manual one (in the boot)
- Air con needs a new condensor
- Some light cosmetic rust to front edge of bonnet, rear edge of boot and front wheel arch corners
- Fuel lines by tank aren't too clever (new, but incorrectly fitted so rubbing)
- Whole car needs a damned good clean
The only other thing that I really need to look into is the clutch - it's very heavy and the biting point is quite high, which may just be down to the fact that it's old and wearing out. It still grabs, however, and drives just fine - It doesn't matter too much, as with all the torque on tap you just drop the clutch at idle and it picks up and goes, so doesn't require much concentration or effort.
Other than that, it runs and drives very well and even rides nicely without ominous clonking or groans. There's no overheating, even when sat for ages, no oil or coolant contamination, and it feels like all 300ft.lb are there - you can get into 6th just rolling along at 10mph and it'll just burble down the road.
My first port of call is just to give it a thorough clean and check everything over. What I'm going to do is either patch it up and make sure it's presentable, and either keep it or sell it on - or, unfortunately, break it for parts.
These cars are, for the most part, worth more in component form than as a going concern which is a shame - but quite often the case. Depending on what needs doing, this may be the route I tread - as I'd really quite like some parts (the OBC, the wheels maybe, the lights) for my 525i and I could split the rest up and cash in on it.
............and that means I could keep the engine and box for something much, much more interesting and replace the clutch (if needed, may just need bleeding or be a hydraulic issue) out of the car........
I will post up some more pictures and details later as I start to dig a little deeper, to see what's what. A good wash, polish, hoover, feed and a little TLC will no doubt have it looking a million times better.
Last edited:
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