[mk4]

Greetings guys. I have been a member of this board for awhile when I had my 2004 BMW 545i which I ended up trading in last year to pickup a more family vehicle. However after 7 months with out my bimmer, I am looking at getting another one. My budget has changed significantly since I had my 2004 since I will be a proud father in September. I am looking at a 2000 540i this weekend. The car is a one owner with 48,000. It is blue with tan interior. As far as options I know it has the sport package and rear fold down seats. According to the owner he performed all required maintenance under the warranty and has only taken the vehicle in when warning lights have gone on. My question would be what would I need to look for on this car? Should I check belts, etc? The owner is asking $12,500. Overall the car looks in good condition from the pictures and has some dings here and there. Any insight on what you think would be a fair offer would be appreciated.

Thanks

[e60oholic]

Check for oil leaks! I would save up a little more and find a 2003 m sport 540i.

[Ruf930]

Have the CATs checked!!!! We purchased in E39 540i and it ran fine for about 5 days then would not start or shut down while driving. It would always restart after a few tries but was very annoying. Final action - I was driving one day and the engine went down to a sputter - it still drove, but you could tell sometime was wrong. Drove right to Frizt, our German BMW mechanic. Here is what he explained...

The E39 540i CAT failures were systemic. The CPU had two fail safes so the engine was not damaged. 1st fail safe was the engine turning off (BIG RED TRUCK that I kept ignoring). 2nd - the sputtering... Basically the CPU shut down 4 of the 8 cylinders to protect itself (this technology in 2002!). Both CATs replaced cost abuot $1600 within 1 month of owning the car!

Have them checked first!!!! Or get a limited warrantly covering the CATs.

FYI - The E39 540i was the best BMW or car I ever owned. To include the E60 (now gone). The 540i has always ranked as one of the best 10 cars ever made. Sadly we lost ours in a flood and replaced it with a 2002 E39 530i Sport.

Have the CATs check!

[mk4]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I did see a nice 2003 540i m sport but it sold, plus it was about $5k more.

[Torquey5]

The 2003 M Sport 540i is worth the extra $5k, oh and get one in 6 speed manual!

[mk4]

I would be all over a 2003 540i M Sport but I would be hard pressed to:

1) Find one with this low of mileage
2) Find one that is within 150 miles of Chicago

Anyones I have seen with low mileage are close to $20k or more.

[BeamerSchwagon]

Is it SLS delete? If not, you may want to check out the suspension. Something I just found out!

[kyled]

While the 540i is a great BMW, you might spend just as much or more if you went with a newer model on maintenance for a 12 year old car. Be cautious when buying a used BMW. They are built to last, but part and service are never cheap.