2003 BMW 540i, Msport/MTech2 with M-Parralels, NH... $4500

So, the story on this car-  I bought it off the forum, sorta, from Pete (L33T).  His Garage had done a PPI on it for a Widow and this was her late husbands toy.  It is pretty flawless for a 19 year old car.  117,000mi. 

Pics and thread that Pete took (I'm having issues with posting photos, but will get some up tonight somehow) are here- 

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/cars-sale/nmsa-2003-540i6-speed-manual/160732/page1/

Only thing cosmetically different is that I added some (nice aluminum) parallel bars for a roof rack. 

The ONLY things needing attention are- 

- It's a near 20 year old BMW, so gaskets are getting crunchy

- I bought it with rear bumper damage, so a new bumper cover is needed if you want.  It's perfectly functional- just the plastic has cracked in 2 spots.

- Passenger front seat has 'seat twist'.  This is a $0 repair, but takes about 4-6 hours.  I'm just lazy and haven't gotten around to it. 

- I was TOLD it had timing chain tensioners replaced in 2016, but I do not have proof of that, nor have I cracked the engine open to find out.  It's a strong runner and does not make unpleasant noises in any way. 

Obviously, it's an older car, so it does have some character, but for the age it is in impressively good condition.  I have repaired the minor radiator leak as mentioned in the original thread, as well as put brand new RE01's and a 4 wheel alignment on the car... in addition to a million other small things.  Has an EONON head unit now because the OEM radio died last summer, which works great and has modern phone interaction capabilities. 

I bought it for $4500 before Covid (11/2019 I did a  fly and drive to Cleveland), and I think* it's worth more now perhaps?  Just looking to keep it in the family.  Any questions, I'm happy to help.   I'm also interested in trades for a manual trans wagon of any make/model/vintage.  

Reason for selling-  I have a longer-term, much more involved project incoming to me, and I need the garage space to free up room for fabrication...  Otherwise, I absolutely love the car.  

The professor I worked for at Duke had one of these, same options, looked the same but a different color, what a nice car. Good luck with the sale. 

Hmmmm....  What works on the car and what doesn't as far as accessories....windows, door locks, heat, a/c, etc...?  When you say crunchy gaskets, do you mean in the engine (such as leaking oil) or do you mean window gaskets?  How's the clutch?  No check engine lights?  

SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) said:

Hmmmm....  What works on the car and what doesn't as far as accessories....windows, door locks, heat, a/c, etc...?  When you say crunchy gaskets, do you mean in the engine (such as leaking oil) or do you mean window gaskets?  How's the clutch?  No check engine lights?  

The only electronic that doesn't work is the 'door lock' button, but the key lock, alarm, and manual pushdowns all work as they should.  Everything else works including butt heaters, cruise, heat, ac, windows, moonroof, etc... 

Crunchy gaskets are more like the plastic window/wiper/headlight housing plastics that BMW's are notorious for being junky.  Nothing leaks, rest assured, but they are starting to show their age.  Engine gaskets, to the best of my knowledge, are all perfectly fine. 

Clutch funtions well and as it should, no issues.  

 No Dash lights, which is pretty freaking miraculous for a near-20 year old bmw, haha.

Hell, even the M Sport illuminated shift knob still works, haha.

I think we connected when I was selling the VW last summer and I told you I was being responsible and going to drive my wife's car for a while/was trying to do the plain Jane thing for the daily. That didn't last long!

I've been focused on M cars but 540/6s have been on my radar also. I'm all for deals for GRMers and finding a good owner but if you have this listed elsewhere, you can probably ask, and get twice that number. 

Does it have a heated steering wheel?

AxeHealey said:

I think we connected when I was selling the VW last summer and I told you I was being responsible and going to drive my wife's car for a while/was trying to do the plain Jane thing for the daily. That didn't last long!

I've been focused on M cars but 540/6s have been on my radar also. I'm all for deals for GRMers and finding a good owner but if you have this listed elsewhere, you can probably ask, and get twice that number. 

I personally would feel guilty selling it for more than I bought it for off of this forum, but I appreciate your honesty.  If there's no solid interest here, I'll definitely be listing more like $6k to the pleebs, haha. 

AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) said:

Does it have a heated steering wheel?

So I honestly can't remember because it is garaged in the winters, but I think so...?  I'll double confirm tonight though! 

I should note that this is, BY FAR, the cleanest underside of any BMW I've EVER owned... and I've bought... a lot.  There is zero rust or corrosion. 

In reply to golfduke :

i would have to broom the E92 to make it happen, and i'm guessing someone else here will snap it up before that.  I don't think mama will let me use HELOC $ to buy a car LOL.

AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) said:

In reply to golfduke :

i would have to broom the E92 to make it happen, and i'm guessing someone else here will snap it up before that.  I don't think mama will let me use HELOC $ to buy a car LOL.

What E92?  haha. 

In reply to golfduke :

the E92 is available for trade plus cash on your end

Where is the car located at currently?

I'm half tempted to get this and I live in Arizona.  Someone closer please buy it and take the temptation away

I would buy this today if you didn't drive it the "wrong" way from Ohio!  Looks like a nice car and a great price.  Someone is going to get a fun driver.

Your in NH, correct?  Long haul from Atlanta...wish it were October as I have a LeMons race up there then.  Very intruiging.  I've got my 128i 6spd which I love to death.  I could also use something bigger as I haul my kids around a lot.  Our other DD is a Prius C, which is also an awesome car in it's own right, but not very big.  I'm hoping a plane tomorrow morning for a LeMons race, but still going to look into this while travelling.  Definitely interested.

FatMongo said:

Where is the car located at currently?

Seller profile says Bedford NH

AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) said:

FatMongo said:

Where is the car located at currently?

Seller profile says Bedford NH

OP is a town over, now, so close enough. Mostly commenting to follow along. I've seen this in person, it's as clean as he says!

FatMongo said:

Where is the car located at currently?

03109, New Hampster

AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) said:

FatMongo said:

Where is the car located at currently?

Seller profile says Bedford NH

Sorry, I got excited when I read the ad and forgot to check the profile.

Laconia New Hampshire is 21 a hour and 30 min drive from the north side of Atlanta.  Just in case you were wondering Klay

Justjim75 said:

Laconia New Hampshire is 21 a hour and 30 min drive from the north side of Atlanta.  Just in case you were wondering Klay

I know it's not significant, but I do live about an hour south of Laconia, so it's more like 20hr30min to N Atlanta, haha. 

golfduke said:

Justjim75 said:

Laconia New Hampshire is 21 a hour and 30 min drive from the north side of Atlanta.  Just in case you were wondering Klay

I know it's not significant, but I do live about an hour south of Laconia, so it's more like 20hr30min to N Atlanta, haha. 

 

So you're saying about 26 hours from the south side of Atlanta.

AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) said:

golfduke said:

Justjim75 said:

Laconia New Hampshire is 21 a hour and 30 min drive from the north side of Atlanta.  Just in case you were wondering Klay

I know it's not significant, but I do live about an hour south of Laconia, so it's more like 20hr30min to N Atlanta, haha. 

 

So you're saying about 26 hours from the south side of Atlanta.

It's probably faster to go through Alabama in that instance, haha. 

This is killing me, really wish I was in a position to get this.  I remember being envious when you bought it.

GLWS