It will be coming out of storage soon and is for sale again. Hopefully BAT takes it no reserve this week.

I am watching it on BAT. I actually sent the link to a relative in an attempt to spark some interest. Good luck!

Thanks SCA. You're not TUD17 on there, are you?

considering TUD17 bidding and purchasing history, I think it is just a lurker

Yes, it is me.

Josh, please tell me about the system that you have connected to the factory radio for Bluetooth and aux. I would seriously reinstall my factory CD radio in my ‘01 Z3 3.0i if I could have this option vs the previous owner’s Alpine unit.

firstly, sweet 540 that you bought on there. How did the post auction steps work? Did you arrange shipment, does BAT handle routing payments?


I'm not sure if this is the exact unit I got, but it's the same:
https://www.ebay.com/i/223506463423?...RoCmC8QAvD_BwE

Basically, pop the head unit out, put this plug in line between the radio and the big square CD Changer plug, shove it behind the climate control area, put the radio back and call it a day. I ran the microphone behind the dash trim and stuck it in the instrument cluster. The phone connection works OK, but the streaming is great. You switch it to CD mode, pair your phone to "Car Kit" and it streams. The forward / back track buttons on the radio will skip / repeat phone tracks.

Thanks, it arrived yesterday in the abnormal cold and pouring rain. It was picked up late Thursday and arrived in Knoxville twenty-four hours later.

The 2003 E39 540 M Sports are rare, only 1,265 imported into the U.S. with only 200 of those being six speed manuals. The exterior needs some TLC for a seventeen year auto, but it was a one owner (75 yr old retired Cargill executive) with low miles, records, window sticker, and books. The interior is exceptionally clean. I do not think the rear seats have ever been used.

The BAT seller is suppose to contact the winning bidder afterwards. That was not my case with this dealer whom one of the co-owners is friends with the former owner of the vehicle. Anyways... BAT sends out an automatic email to both parties with details how to proceed/finalize. I made the initial contact with the seller shortly after receiving the email and then we spoke by phone the following evening. BAT does not do a whole lot other than post the auction, pics, and videos. Other than that they are quick to collect their money (lol). I arranged for the shipping as I used a broker that I have previously used. Quite a few E30 M3 owners also have used her (I still own mine and BMW NA still has it). I can pass along her contact info if you would like (via PM) in the event that your winning bidder requires shipping. She is in Bethesda, MD and I am confident that she uses Central Dispatch. BAT is hands off after the auction ends, especially in regards to collecting the purchase price. They recommend wire transfer per the their finale email which is what I did.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask.

Thank you for the info on the BT.

Sean

Thanks for the heads up, that is disappointing to hear that they are not involved in the closing of the sale. I appreciate the offer for broker contact. I sort of expect the car to sell locally. I met one guy that lives 10 minutes away on thursday and am meeting another guy from 10 mins in the other direction tomorrow, who both seem interested and are lurking on the auction now. If it does sell to a remote buyer, I'll get in touch.
Your Z3 looks great too.

That is a sweet 540! Great score!

My wife and I were almost in Knoxville this past 4th of July weekend. We went to the orchestra and fireworks on the river in Chattanooga. On the way home She wanted to see the Lost Sea Adventure near Sweetwater, then we decided to find info about the train rides out of Bryson City. Completely unplanned, we ended up on the Tail of the Dragon (thanks to my GPS! I just punched in Bryson City and we ended up on 129) Then over to Murphy to visit my cousin and donate a little to the Indians at Harrah's, then back home to Clemson.

I went to an awards dinner in Knoxville last summer. I hadn’t been there since 1982. I was very pleasantly surprised by the city. I thought to myself, I could live here.