View Full Version : TD - Car for you
2000 540i/6. 67k miles. They are asking $28k. It's at an independant dealership near my parents' house (outside of Boston).
http://www.alphacars.com/car-pics-extra/2000_BMW_540i_C93307.2.jpg
http://www.alphacars.com/car-pics-extra/2000_BMW_540i_C93307.6.jpg
http://www.alphacars.com/car-pics-extra/2000_BMW_540i_C93307.7.jpg
The 540 is waaaay too soft.
He needs an M5.
The 540 is waaaay too soft.
He needs an M5.
TD is getting old. I thought he might like an "old man" car.
;)
Other than the price, I'm all over it.
I drove to work today in a car that is essentially that car's twin. My car is getting the spa treatment today (b-day present) so I took my dad's 2000 528i sport. Same colors, identical exterior except for the rims, identical interior except for the shifter itself. I love how it looks. And the power (or lack thereof) and the auto tranny are the only two things I'd want to change about that car.
But could I actually have a car essentially identical to my dad's?
And this car is closer and cheaper- http://www.roadfly.com/bmw/classifieds/cars/detview.php?view=31592
Other than the price, I'm all over it.
I drove to work today in a car that is essentially that car's twin. My car is getting the spa treatment today (b-day present) so I took my dad's 2000 528i sport. Same colors, identical exterior except for the rims, identical interior except for the shifter itself. I love how it looks. And the power (or lack thereof) and the auto tranny are the only two things I'd want to change about that car.
But could I actually have a car essentially identical to my dad's?
And this car is closer and cheaper- http://www.roadfly.com/bmw/classifieds/cars/detview.php?view=31592
I definitely like the black one better.
The 540 is waaaay too soft.
He needs an M5.
I am waaaay too poor to think about dropping $40K+ on a 2000 model year M5 (or much more on a newer copy).
Mid-$20Ks for a 2000/2001 540i sport is very do-able and leaves money to replace the shocks.
And this car is closer and cheaper- http://www.roadfly.com/bmw/classifieds/cars/detview.php?view=31592
Yum! Looks great! :drool:
I want an E39, either a 530 or a 540 with manual tranny.
The 540 is waaaay too soft.
He needs an M5.
I am waaaay too poor to think about dropping $40K+ on a 2000 model year M5 (or much more on a newer copy).
Mid-$20Ks for a 2000/2001 540i sport is very do-able and leaves money to replace the shocks.
Shocks would help a lot.
Whey my dad changed the OEMs to Konis, there was a dramatic improvement. It still feels pretty soft, though they are not set at full stiff.
If you accept it as a high speed cruiser, then you should be happy. The M5 is fantastic for high speed highway driving.
ohh get the black one. I like the rims better also. :)
Anyone getting an E39 and not getting the 18" M parallel polished wheels (you guys know what I am talking about) is nuts, IMO. Those wheels are gorgeous and seem easy to clean.
Anyone getting an E39 and not getting the 18" M parallel polished wheels (you guys know what I am talking about) is nuts, IMO. Those wheels are gorgeous and seem easy to clean.
They're mondo expensive, but they are the best looking wheels BMW has ever fitted to any car, IMHO.
Anyone getting an E39 and not getting the 18" M parallel polished wheels (you guys know what I am talking about) is nuts, IMO. Those wheels are gorgeous and seem easy to clean.
They're mondo expensive, but they are the best looking wheels BMW has ever fitted to any car, IMHO.
The '01 740i with the sports pkg has those and still just catches my eye every time I see a super clean one.
Anyone getting an E39 and not getting the 18" M parallel polished wheels (you guys know what I am talking about) is nuts, IMO. Those wheels are gorgeous and seem easy to clean.
They're mondo expensive, but they are the best looking wheels BMW has ever fitted to any car, IMHO.
The '01 740i with the sports pkg has those and still just catches my eye every time I see a super clean one.
I really want one of those. Every time I see one I can't believe how beautiful it is.
I want an E39, either a 530 or a 540 with manual tranny.
You have to jump on them when you see them... that's what I did when I found the '03 530i manual back in late Feb. I had only just decided it was time to get rid of the 325Ci - and stopped by the dealer to schedule a service visit for the 325Ci, walked over to the CPO lot and they had an couple '03 530s, one of which was a manual. I took it for a quick test drive, noted down what it had. Then went home, and did my homework on price. The next day, we went and did a few test drives of a few new cars that were also on my short list (Acura TL, Infiniti M35) -- to see if I wanted them more than the 2 year old e39. I decided I liked the e39 better, and went back for another test drive. I ended up negotiating on the e39 and got within ~$500 of what I really wanted -- so I bought it.
Anyone getting an E39 and not getting the 18" M parallel polished wheels (you guys know what I am talking about) is nuts, IMO. Those wheels are gorgeous and seem easy to clean.
They're mondo expensive, but they are the best looking wheels BMW has ever fitted to any car, IMHO.
The '01 740i with the sports pkg has those and still just catches my eye every time I see a super clean one.
I really want one of those. Every time I see one I can't believe how beautiful it is.
Only if I could also swing the tranny swap.
I'd rather just have the 2003 540i sport, which came with them.
http://www.onlybmws.com/MultiPics/050530/4.JPG
This car is for sale near me, but the asking price ($43,950) is quite a bit higher than I'm willing to go.
Anyone getting an E39 and not getting the 18" M parallel polished wheels (you guys know what I am talking about) is nuts, IMO. Those wheels are gorgeous and seem easy to clean.
They're mondo expensive, but they are the best looking wheels BMW has ever fitted to any car, IMHO.
The '01 740i with the sports pkg has those and still just catches my eye every time I see a super clean one.
I really want one of those. Every time I see one I can't believe how beautiful it is.
Only if I could also swing the tranny swap.
I'd rather just have the 2003 540i sport, which came with them.
http://www.onlybmws.com/MultiPics/050530/4.JPG
This car is for sale near me, but the asking price ($43,950) is quite a bit higher than I'm willing to go.
Those are it. DROOL! :)
lip277
06-07-2005, 05:39 PM
Anyone getting an E39 and not getting the 18" M parallel polished wheels (you guys know what I am talking about) is nuts, IMO. Those wheels are gorgeous and seem easy to clean.
They're mondo expensive, but they are the best looking wheels BMW has ever fitted to any car, IMHO.
The '01 740i with the sports pkg has those and still just catches my eye every time I see a super clean one.
I really want one of those. Every time I see one I can't believe how beautiful it is.
You mean like this? (the one on the right... :lol: )
:)
http://forums.carmudgeons.com/album_pic.php?pic_id=461
SARAFIL
06-07-2005, 08:11 PM
2000 540i/6. 67k miles. They are asking $28k. It's at an independant dealership near my parents' house (outside of Boston).
http://www.alphacars.com/car-pics-extra/2000_BMW_540i_C93307.2.jpg
http://www.alphacars.com/car-pics-extra/2000_BMW_540i_C93307.6.jpg
http://www.alphacars.com/car-pics-extra/2000_BMW_540i_C93307.7.jpg
Nice car, but too much money.
I'll admit that we're a bit on the high end with our prices at our dealership (as is every BMW dealer selling used BMWs), and we sold a mint 2001 with just over 60k a couple months ago for less than that guy is asking. We sold it originally, had all the records, and it was in excellent shape (we rarely sell cars with that kind of mileage, but this one was that nice).
Buying from an independent like that, I think $25,000 is all the money and then some. I'd try to get him in the low $20's.
In case anyone is interested in knowing, the market for used E39s crashed about a month ago. They're now selling at the auctions for several thousand less than they were earlier this year. If you want one, it's becoming a better and better time to get one.
2000 540i/6. 67k miles. They are asking $28k. It's at an independant dealership near my parents' house (outside of Boston).
http://www.alphacars.com/car-pics-extra/2000_BMW_540i_C93307.2.jpg
http://www.alphacars.com/car-pics-extra/2000_BMW_540i_C93307.6.jpg
http://www.alphacars.com/car-pics-extra/2000_BMW_540i_C93307.7.jpg
Nice car, but too much money.
I'll admit that we're a bit on the high end with our prices at our dealership (as is every BMW dealer selling used BMWs), and we sold a mint 2001 with just over 60k a couple months ago for less than that guy is asking. We sold it originally, had all the records, and it was in excellent shape (we rarely sell cars with that kind of mileage, but this one was that nice).
Buying from an independent like that, I think $25,000 is all the money and then some. I'd try to get him in the low $20's.
In case anyone is interested in knowing, the market for used E39s crashed about a month ago. They're now selling at the auctions for several thousand less than they were earlier this year. If you want one, it's becoming a better and better time to get one.
I'm sure it's too expensive. My parents' town is full of stupid rich people. It IS a convenient shop at which to have the X5 serviced, however.
Fil, let me know when e39 M5 prices crash. :)
SARAFIL
06-07-2005, 08:22 PM
Fil, let me know when e39 M5 prices crash. :)
Those are still pretty stong for the time being. Maybe next year?
All I know is that 530s and 540s are going for substantially less than what they were a few months ago. On the other hand, we're paying more now for just about everything else than we were in late winter (typical of the market). I wish I could explain it. We're just afraid to buy E39s because we don't know if they're still going to go down further.
lemming
06-08-2005, 09:56 PM
if Herc drove that used 540i 6speed, would that mean by 67k miles that it's gone through 2.5 clutches already?
:)
just kidding.
if the car doesn't come with CPO, you KNOW the clutch is one of the first things that will fail on this car, Z.
SARAFIL
06-08-2005, 10:07 PM
if Herc drove that used 540i 6speed, would that mean by 67k miles that it's gone through 2.5 clutches already?
:)
just kidding.
if the car doesn't come with CPO, you KNOW the clutch is one of the first things that will fail on this car, Z.
There are a shit load of things that could go wrong on a 60k+ mile 540 or 740-- bad cats, bad radiator, bad valve cover gaskets, etc. If it doesn't have a good service history, be ready to spend some money. Hell, even if it does have a good service history, it can still cost you alot without a decent extended warranty.
SARAFIL
06-08-2005, 10:10 PM
if Herc drove that used 540i 6speed, would that mean by 67k miles that it's gone through 2.5 clutches already?
Did I ever tell you guys about the guy that blew the clutch on his E39 M5 2 days after he bought it?
Depsite all the abuse this guy has put his car through in 130,000 miles, it still runs strong. That includes daily commutes at 130+ mph. That also includes the time that he drove the car from Cape Cod to Rhode Island with no coolant after his radiator blew up.
His car must be built like a tank. It's the only way that I can explain how it has stayed running this long.
lemming
06-08-2005, 10:12 PM
honestly, it's a huge hypothetical fear of mine that has never come to fruition for me.
but i've spent enough time in service area waiting rooms to hear how much things cost out of warranty. it's really frightening. mostly the electronics units are the scary things.
the only GM product where i've ever had any such problem, electronic or mechanical, was the 1999 9-5 wagon. for as much as GM products get maligned, they've been the most reliable, by far. makes you wonder if it's really worth it to BMW to keep being at the leading edge of electronic gadgetry. while i'm sure that they do a cost-benefit analysis of how much it costs to fix these things in-warranty, it seems like backing off a little bit gives everyone a win-win.
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