Thanks to Pelican, decided on a used BMW.

[89911]

I just picked up this 2003 BMW 540Ia MSport with 38,000 miles. I have continually read about how many here really like the E39. A year or two ago, I was test driving the E60 545, but I just didn't like it that much. Too much non essential garbage. As for my 540, I can't tell you how much fun this sedan is to drive. It has 290 hp and the ability to lay tire like a Buick Grand National. Its Black Saphire Metallic with black interior, 18"wheels and completely stock, one owner, one dealer car.

[Jandrews]

Probably the absolute perfect daily driver in my opinion. Someone else took a pile of depreciation on that car, and you get one of the most capable and beautiful 38K mile luxury/sport sedans. Do you mind telling us in the ballpark of what you paid for it? I'd put that in my garage in a heartbeat!


JA

[air-cool-me]

I always liked the look of this gen

[89911]

It was a local deal. I was searching Ebay and Autotrader for weeks and low and behold it showed up in my local paper. He was asking $22,900 and I got it down to $21,000. It does need new tires and the front bumper has some parking curb damage, which I'm going to replace. This was the lowest milage 540i that I had seen. Here is the NADA price:

http://www.nadaguides.com/usedcars.aspx?LI=1-21-1-5013-0-0-0&l=1&w=21&p=1&f=5014&y=2003&m=1026&d=210&c=16&mi=38000&o=544~256~91~263&vi=50539&z=15237&da=-1

Of course this is a guideline. He just bought a Jaguar and the dealership wasn't giving him anything for the BMW.

[speeder]

That's a beauty, and a way better choice than the M5, IMO. More than enough guts and not fussy. You will always have the nicest one to sell w/ those miles and colors when the time comes. Good score!

[89911]

Originally Posted by speeder

That's a beauty, and a way better choice than the M5, IMO. More than enough guts and not fussy. You will always have the nicest one to sell w/ those miles and colors when the time comes. Good score!

Thanks. You must of remembered the debate I was having. The M5 just seemed too impractical and I was worried about maintenance cost. The 540 just didn't seem to "sporty" until I cam across this edition, which looks just about exactly like an M5. This car seems to fill both worlds. Man, I hope my 911 isn't feeling ignored!

[speeder]

You can get surprisingly good highway mpg w/ that car if you throw it in 6th and keep it around 70-75. Probably high-20s if everything is right on the car.

[djmcmath]

Oh that is nice. Wow. I have an '01 330i, and I love it. Maintenance is a bit of a trick until you figure it out, but once the Rubic's Cube of maintenance comes together, she's a treat to drive. I'm sure the 5-series is similar. Like others mention, the mileage is much better than you might expect -- I lay on the gas all the time and still get high 20's.

What a car, congratulations!

Dan

[89911]

Thanks Wayne! It was actually one of your comments about how much you liked the E39 and if you could find one new, you would buy it. Since your here any "essentials" for this car. I am determined not to go down the slippery slope of upgrades for this car. Besides, it really has much of the upgrades already. Here is website for the same car by a guy that loves his car waaaay too much:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/bmw/540options.htm

[the]

That's a damn nice car!

If it were a 6 speed and I knew your address, you might not have it long!

I'm sure you'll have a blast with it, and get a lot of great years of use. The poster above is right - that car is right in the sweet spot for buying. It is not too far from new, but the original buyer took an ungodly hit on depreciation.

You can own it for 20 years, and it won't depreciate as much as it did for the original owner in the first 12 months.

[dheinz]

NICE car

[onewhippedpuppy]

Very nice. Seems to be missing a pedal, but we'll let you slide. I still miss my 540 6 speed.

[89911]

The standard shift is what took me away from the M5. Although my wife drove a stick when she first met me, getting another one would further alienate her from the purchase. Plus I have a 16 yo daughter learning to drive this year. The shifter in these cars are pretty sweet though. One nice option is the fold down rear seats. Very helpful in situation where you need some more room.

[beepbeep]

Nice car! Perfect value for the money. Too bad about the slushbox...overhere, if you do your driver test in auto equipped car, you get "auto-only" handicap stamp in your driver license which prevents you from driving stick shift.

[Moses]

What a great car! I have a 2003 325Ci (coupe) with sport package. Those are some great seats. Black on black 540 with sport package for $21K? Fantastic!

[Shaun @ Tru6]

That's what a BMW should look like. Beautiful car!

[MattKellett]

Great choice, I had one of the first 528i's and loved the car, great handling with the sport package and a sooth engine to die for.

I dont know why but it used to eat tires, averaged about 15,000 - 18,000 miles per set. This was mainly highway miles too. The fact that the fronts and rears are different widths, I guess didn't help, so i was unable to rotate them.

Anyway, enjoy the ride

MAtt

[GeorgeK]

The wheels are made by......


Fuchs!


I kid you not.

[MRM]

What's the difference between the sport and regular models? There's a 2000 near here in rough shape but dirt cheap. I've been thinking of stopping by and looking into it.

[89911]

Originally Posted by GeorgeK

The wheels are made by......


Fuchs!


I kid you not.

I believe it. They are polished aluminum with an anodized coating. (sound familiar?) They are in very good shape except for the fronts which have just a bit of rash. One place quoted me $350/each to refinish these. Suddenly, they don't look so bad unless Al Reed does these also.