It is with great sadness that I must sell my '97 BMW 540i/6. Why you may ask? Well, back in May '12 I had a minor rear end accident where the car was totaled and I purchased it back from my insurance company. At the time I decided to keep it I was told that I would be able to title the car in MD no problem. Fast forward to now and the total loss claims agent I was dealing with was wrong. Back story on the car is that it was a flood car that had been dry for over 6 years when I purchased it in February of 2009 as a daily driver from a BMW technician in Scranton, PA. Being in the military I titled and registered the car in Florida. I drove the car with reckless abandon and great joy until the accident last year, never had an issue and intended to keep it forever. It turns out that Florida will not allow a car to be totaled twice and they subsequently issued me the dreaded Certificate of Destruction. Now, I'm dead in the water and I don't have time to part it out. I'll give you guys the short story on this car as there's just to much to cover in one post.
Guy who built the car was single, employed at BMW dealership(still is) and had time on his hands. He built the car as an M Tribute and as such the only non-M item on the car is the motor, more or less. I mean, bumpers front seats, headliner, rear end, cluster, flip up mirrors, HID factory lights with factory harness, swaybars, etc. He also replaced anything and everything that was in questionable condition except the clutch. Resealed the motor, bushings, bearing carriers, tie rods, end links, ABS pump, Koni FSDs, Eibach sport springs, Z4 shifter, you name it. He told me that he would warranty the car for 10 years he was so sure of the work he had done. I was sold and bought it with 96k miles on it. Only reason he sold it was to fund a 2001 540 M.
The only thing I have done to the car in the time I've owned it is change the oil, brake fluid, cam position sensor, water pump gasket and added an iPod adapter. When I thought I was going to keep it, I did a brake job in August 2012 and tires a year earlier. Tires have very few miles on them. It now has 137k miles on it. Everything works and I would drive it anywhere and get 25mpg doing it. This car is a non-VANOS car that really scoots with the M5 rear end in it, first gear doesn't last long at all before you have to shift into 2nd. Existing damage is the front bumper skin, hood(decent replacement included), and radiator support, the fenders were unaffected in the accident. We love this car but with retiring from the Air Force, looking for a job and MD not wanting to give me a title I have to let it go. Perfect car for anyone living in a non-title state like New Hampshire. Great Challenge car that's nearly ready to go. I'm asking $2k for the car and it's worth a great deal more if you wanted to part it out, I just don't have time.
Anyone with REAL interest should call me and we can discuss all of the details on the car. Anyone that knows me will tell you this is a legitimate sale and no funny business. Two four Zero - 441 - Zero Eight Seven 6.
Thanks for Looking, Bruce
