E39 540i Manual

[dergside]

The only downsides I’m aware of is that the sat nav is the Japanese version but can be changed over easily enough, and the square reg plate on the rear.

Many have the double din sat nav unit replaced with aftermarket units, not sure why, but it does mean it’s worth checking that the ICE is actually in a given car.

They also often have a diffferent interior mirror with some kind of a card slot, possibly something to do with tolling, and it’s possible that there is a difference in other function usually in the mirror, such as the alarm beacon and maybe dimming function.

[dergside]

There were some suggestions that Japan market cars weren’t as well protected from rust as euro spec. Climate should mean that’s not an issue with the condition of cars, by and large, but it would be worth considering some under sealing when it gets here.

Also some small spec differences, depending on model, e.g. not all have MFSW and cruise control, but on the other hand many have ESR, leccy seats, xenons, etc that we’re options on this side.

[Peter-E36]

@dergside: thanks a million Diarmuid, incredibly knowledgeable and helpful as always! That dealer looks really promising and I also have a couple of “backup” examples in mind so hopefully things work out.

@kdevitt: thanks Ken, a manual would be nice but I’ve no problem with an auto at all, in fact it probably makes more sense seeing as it’ll be the daily/family car, not sure I could live with an SE though, feels like a completely different car.

@Ross: I’ve been looking at everything with a V8 including Mercs and in a moment of madness - a Maserati quattreporte - but nothing really “hits the spot” quite like an e39 V8, love the styling inside and out, it’s the right size, and those V8s are the best sounding IMO. On the BMW side, E38 is too big, X5 V8 would take away from the experience for me being a 4x4, e60 545i/550i is the next best thing but I’m not a fan of the interior - looks dated whereas the e39’s looks elegant and timeless (maybe it’s just me)... also with other owners’ struggles with random issues that aren’t even engines related, it’s kind of off putting, and while they’re more powerful V8s they don’t sound as good as the M62 engines, and that’s obviously a huge part of the reason I’m bending over and taking all the associated costs!

@ginoc: thanks for the offer! I’ve driven Dave’s M5, fantastic car but it’s out of my budget, and also might be more stressful to daily one as a family car if you know what I mean.

[JohnH]

I’ll leave this here
https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-540i-v8...&ul_noapp=true

[Curran]

I’ll leave this here

I'll return the favour....granted, not the 530i that you'd probably want!

http://www.goo-net-exchange.com/used...001/index.html



Damn it!! I think I need a Touring too!

[ecooney]

It’s an auto but looks clean




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[Ketron]

You could get an auto and convert to manual?

For example the below:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/E39-BMW-5....c100009.m1982

[Dave]

You could get an auto and convert to manual?

For example the below:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/E39-BMW-5....c100009.m1982

Foxhole Norman would disagree with you. The box is proving expensive to find.


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[Foxhole Norman]

Foxhole Norman would disagree with you. The box is proving expensive to find.


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Yep, finding a box has been hard to say the least, either unavailable in the EU or at prices I can't pay right now and I want to do it with the right box rather than a hatchet job with a 5 speed or the like.

[JordanCoupe]

You could get an auto and convert to manual?

Much easier said than done, the box itself is impossible to find but even then you need the flywheel, clutch set up etc. Unless you find a donor car the little bits and pieces rack up fast and make it crazy expensive.

I actually have a mate with one as a track toy in another chassis and to build the same car for myself we figure it would be cheaper to use a box off a 350z/530d/etc and machine up an adapter. Fine for a track car but not recommended for a road car.