E39 540i Manual project

[Sabretooth tiger]

I love this car, its just sheer beauty .
Man if I could I would definably buy it off you.

 

[Benji]

Nice work Benji. Your professional prognosis says the vehicle ran with probably just water, is this from the previous owner or probably oversight on your side while working on the car? .

At this point you've built a solid car which should be reliable going forward, enjoy it.

No, that is previous owner nonsense, just ironic that it failed after standing around at the paint shop for a year

Yeah I should enjoy it, but that is like trying to enjoy intimacy with your wife, knowing she cheated on you last week 🤷‍♂️

 

[supertramp]

No, that is previous owner nonsense, just ironic that it failed after standing around at the paint shop for a year

Yeah I should enjoy it, but that is like trying to enjoy intimacy with your wife, knowing she cheated on you last week 🤷‍♂️

Awesome Benji, you are a true "Fanatic" ............. Would like to see that "old beast" when you are totally finished with her ..... great stuff and keep updating us

 

[Benji]

I have more or less been returning this car to stock over the last few months in preparation of selling it. Removed the 18" style 32s, M5 diff, mirrors and stabiliser and got the front of the car PPF'd and installed a new GRAF waterpump after my fake Saleri pump failed. I have also been sorting a few odds and ends on the car and using it a bit more than usual. I must say, it looks a bit silly now on the 17" wheels, but it is driving better than ever and Ive really been enjoying it. Might even keep it, I dunno...

Reset the fuel consumption at the Springs tollgate on the N17 and took this pic as I pulled off the highway in Fourways - keeping at the speed limit all the way...6.9L/100km is crazy for a 4.4 V8 hey? Also, cant believe how Ive been struggling to get this below 10 on the open road...


Had some rear window trims 3D printed - will get these done properly in black TPU, but looks pretty good - beats buying a whole new trim for R3000!


Finally got a front numberplate...after 4 years and no fines


Some random pics still with the M5 mirrors



This is such a perfect and sorted car, enough power under the foot, awesome sound system quality, superbly comfortable cruising; even the wife mentioned how nice the exhaust sounds...

 

[Mytfine]

Just keep it and enjoy it, the curve will eventually get to your asking price and the bonus is you got to enjoy it longer.

 

[Benji]

Just keep it and enjoy it, the curve will eventually get to your asking price and the bonus is you got to enjoy it longer.

Yeah, if only I could miraculously generate parking spaces at the same rate I seem to accumulate cars

 

[Bugger]

Yeah, if only I could miraculously generate parking spaces at the same rate I seem to accumulate cars

Have you considered a storage unit for it? Not sure what the associated costs per month would be, but may be worth investigating? It is a stunning car.

 

[Benji]

Have you considered a storage unit for it? Not sure what the associated costs per month would be, but may be worth investigating? It is a stunning car.

About R1000 a month and the constant self doubt keeping you awake at night; created by the ridiculous situation of having to drive to a storage unit with your car to fetch your car so you can drive your car

We shall also gloss over the fact that I currently have 2 cars in "free" storage, both about 5min drive from my house, both I have not seen in 2 months...

 

[modocrat]

Or find a new house with more parking...

 

[Bugger]

About R1000 a month and the constant self doubt keeping you awake at night; created by the ridiculous situation of having to drive to a storage unit with your car to fetch your car so you can drive your car

We shall also gloss over the fact that I currently have 2 cars in "free" storage, both about 5min drive from my house, both I have not seen in 2 months...

Ya I know, but hey was worth asking! IF I buy another sneaky sneaky, which I am contemplating very seriously depending on what I can find, I'm gonna hide it in a storage unit. R1000 a month is far better than being eaten alive by wife, ala Praying Mantis 🙈

Geez I really do make her out to be quite bad! When she isn't really, I promise.

 

[modocrat]

Ya I know, but hey was worth asking! IF I buy another sneaky sneaky, which I am contemplating very seriously depending on what I can find, I'm gonna hide it in a storage unit. R1000 a month is far better than being eaten alive by wife, ala Praying Mantis 🙈

Geez I really do make her out to be quite bad! When she isn't really, I promise.

Why do I get the feeling she walked in on you while typing this....

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

Why do I get the feeling she walked in on you while typing this....

He is blinking, watch carefully

 

[Bugger]

He is blinking, watch carefully

Just with one eye....

 

[Mytfine]

Car lift and park one under the other, or make buddies with either neighbour.

 

[Benji]

Finally got rid of my brake wear warning after spending a ridiculous amount of time chasing the intermittent code and light on the dash. The resistance on the circuit was too high despite new sensors all around.

So nice to drive without warnings


Fitted the rear window 3D printed trims


Replaced both plastic undertrays with good used ones (impossible to find and BMW wants over 3k for the set) without even cleaning them...I must be maturing... but I kinda regret not cleaning them now lol. Anyway, this car has 100% intact underbody plastics/trims which probably almost makes it a 1 of 1 in SA


Gave her a wash


Took her for one last drive...this car gets so much attention with hoots and waves of admiration from fellow road users


I even did a little "book of life"...30 pockets full of receipts...literally close to 100 invoices crazy how much money Ive spent on this car!


Load her on the truck to Lemons garage


Try not to get too emotional


I did discuss the price with Lemons Garage, I think it is maybe a bit too ambitious, but they are open to offers, this is possibly market stimulation.

BMW 5 Series 540i for sale in Vanderbijlpark - ID: 28557611

Used 1998 BMW 5 Series 540i For Sale - R 395 000 - ID: 28557611

www.autotrader.co.za

This car has been a rollercoaster of a ride. I learnt a lot about myself and cars, met some lifelong friends thought it and it asked me some pretty serious questions about my hobbies. It was an impulse buy, a car I immidiately fell in love with and got carried away with. It tested my resolve, it frequently bankrupted me, broke my heart, flirted with it and eventually regained my trust and admiration. This is one very sorted car, in an impossibly rare and beautiful spec with some really cool OEM+ mods that elevate the driving experience.

One of 109, calypso red over sandbeige, manual, slicktop, m-sport suspension, shadowline, style 32s, rear window blinds and Zender aerokit.

Some notable upgrades:

• Custom "Kontour" seats - sport bottom, comfort backrest, E60 adjustable headrests, E38 highline seat backs
• OEM Xenon headlights with clear indicators
• E36 M3 / Z3 M-Tech III steering wheel
• M5 or Individual wood trim on handbrake
• E60 545i factory short shift kit
• Touch screen Android head unit
• 35% window tint
• OEM DSP subwoofer with Alpine amplifier
• E38 inner door handles with integrated LEDs

Work done over the last 4 years and 10,000km:

Complete suspension refresh:

• Lemforder 20-piece control arms front and rear including all bushings
• Lemforder steering linkages
• Lemforder front and rear shock mounts
• OEM spring pads
• OEM bump stops
• Bilstein B6 shocks
• OEM shock absorber protection tubes

Timing chain:

• OEM primary and secondary chains
• OEM primary chain tensioner
• OEM secondary chain tensioners
• OEM timing chain guides
• OEM gaskets
• OEM oil separator
• OEM complete inlet manifold seals

Cooling system refresh:

• Graf water pump
• OEM 96 °C cooler running thermostat
• OEM Valley pan gasket
• OEM HVAC coolant pipes at back of engine
• OEM crossover channel gasket and O-rings
• NRF airconditioning condenser

Oil seal refresh:

• OEM sump gasket
• OEM valve cover gaskets
• OEM front and rear crank seals
• OEM oil filter line O-rings
• OEM oil level sensor seal

Transmission refresh:

• OEM engine and gearbox mounts
• OEM gearbox inlet, outlet and selector shaft seals
• OEM gearbox detent and locking pin update
• Sachs clutch and release bearing
• OEM clutch pivot pin
• OEM gear linkages and washers
• Febi guibo
• OEM propshaft centre support

Brake refresh:

• Meyle brake discs
• Hella brake pads and parking brake shoes
• Stop tec wear sensors

Body:

• Full repaint, finished to a better than new condition
• Full front PPF
• OEM BMW roundels
• Stabilus boot and bonnet shocks
• OEM front airdam
• OEM headlight rubber trims
• OEM gearknob
• Pixelfix cluster LCD screen – include M5 dial rings
• OEM Windscreen rubber trim
• OEM scuttle panel

Service items:

• Liquimoly engine oil filter change
• Liquimoly powersteering fluid change
• Liquimoly differential oil change
• Liquimoly brake and clutch fluid change
• Castrol Bot 402 gearbox oil change
• Fuel, oil and air filters
• OEM cabin filters
• Bosch sparkplugs
• INA accessory idler pulleys
• Continental accessory and AC belts
• AC regas
• Bosch wipers
• OEM camshaft sensor
• Bosch O2 sensor – both sides
• Willard 658 battery

A project being a project, it can never be finished...this car probably could do with a new windscreen as it still has the OEM BMW one installed, and new bumper trims which are under 3k from BMW. I decided to keep the original trims as a sign of "honesty" that she is not hiding any damage.

Anyway, there it is, many laughs, many monies, blood, sweat and tears have resulted in the cleanest car Ive owned and probably the nicest one in SA. Whoever buys this (even at that asking price) is getting a bargain and an absolute gem of a car.

 

[modocrat]

The Kombi is gone too!

Are they on consignment or sold?

IMO, all the upgrades/maintenance items can add weight to the AutoTrader ad and might boost the sale.

 

[M3boi]

Did they buy it from you, or is it on consignment?

 

[evnmopwr]

Finally got rid of my brake wear warning after spending a ridiculous amount of time chasing the intermittent code and light on the dash. The resistance on the circuit was too high despite new sensors all around.

So nice to drive without warnings
View attachment 34153

Fitted the rear window 3D printed trims
View attachment 34154

Gave her a wash
View attachment 34155

Took her for one last drive...this car gets so much attention with hoots and waves of admiration from fellow road users
View attachment 34156

I even did a little "book of life"...30 pockets full of receipts...literally close to 100 invoices crazy how much money Ive spent on this car!
View attachment 34160

Load her on the truck to Lemons garage
View attachment 34157

Try not to get too emotional
View attachment 34158

I did discuss the price with Lemons Garage, I think it is maybe a bit too ambitious, but they are open to offers, this is possibly market stimulation.
View attachment 34159

BMW 5 Series 540i for sale in Vanderbijlpark - ID: 28557611

Used 1998 BMW 5 Series 540i For Sale - R 395 000 - ID: 28557611

www.autotrader.co.za

This car has been a rollercoaster of a ride. I learnt a lot about myself and cars, met some lifelong friends thought it and it asked me some pretty serious questions about my hobbies. It was an impulse buy, a car I immidiately fell in love with and got carried away with. It tested my resolve, it frequently bankrupted me, broke my heart, flirted with it and eventually regained my trust and admiration. This is one very sorted car, in an impossibly rare and beautiful spec with some really cool OEM+ mods that elevate the driving experience.

One of 109, calypso red over sandbeige, manual, slicktop, m-sport suspension, shadowline, style 32s, rear window blinds and Zender aerokit.

Some notable upgrades:

• Custom "Kontour" seats - sport bottom, comfort backrest, E60 adjustable headrests, E38 highline seat backs
• OEM Xenon headlights with clear indicators
• E36 M3 / Z3 M-Tech III steering wheel
• M5 or Individual wood trim on handbrake
• E60 545i factory short shift kit
• Touch screen Android head unit
• 35% window tint
• OEM DSP subwoofer with Alpine amplifier
• E38 inner door handles with integrated LEDs

Work done over the last 4 years and 10,000km:

Complete suspension refresh:

• Lemforder 20-piece control arms front and rear including all bushings
• Lemforder steering linkages
• Lemforder front and rear shock mounts
• OEM spring pads
• OEM bump stops
• Bilstein B6 shocks
• OEM shock absorber protection tubes

Timing chain:

• OEM primary and secondary chains
• OEM primary chain tensioner
• OEM secondary chain tensioners
• OEM timing chain guides
• OEM gaskets
• OEM oil separator
• OEM complete inlet manifold seals

Cooling system refresh:

• Graf water pump
• OEM 96 °C cooler running thermostat
• OEM Valley pan gasket
• OEM HVAC coolant pipes at back of engine
• OEM crossover channel gasket and O-rings
• NRF airconditioning condenser

Oil seal refresh:

• OEM sump gasket
• OEM valve cover gaskets
• OEM front and rear crank seals
• OEM oil filter line O-rings
• OEM oil level sensor seal

Transmission refresh:

• OEM engine and gearbox mounts
• OEM gearbox inlet, outlet and selector shaft seals
• OEM gearbox detent and locking pin update
• Sachs clutch and release bearing
• OEM clutch pivot pin
• OEM gear linkages and washers
• Febi guibo
• OEM propshaft centre support

Brake refresh:

• Meyle brake discs
• Hella brake pads and parking brake shoes
• Stop tec wear sensors

Body:

• Full repaint, finished to a better than new condition
• Full front PPF
• OEM BMW roundels
• Stabilus boot and bonnet shocks
• OEM front airdam
• OEM headlight rubber trims
• OEM gearknob
• Pixelfix cluster LCD screen – include M5 dial rings
• OEM Windscreen rubber trim
• OEM scuttle panel

Service items:

• Liquimoly engine oil filter change
• Liquimoly powersteering fluid change
• Liquimoly differential oil change
• Liquimoly brake and clutch fluid change
• Castrol Bot 402 gearbox oil change
• Fuel, oil and air filters
• OEM cabin filters
• Bosch sparkplugs
• INA accessory idler pulleys
• Continental accessory and AC belts
• AC regas
• Bosch wipers
• OEM camshaft sensor
• Bosch O2 sensor – both sides
• Willard 658 battery

A project being a project, it can never be finished...this car probably could do with a new windscreen as it still has the OEM BMW one installed, and new bumper trims which are under 3k from BMW. I decided to keep the original trims as a sign of "honesty" that she is not hiding any damage.

Anyway, there it is, many laughs, many monies, blood, sweat and tears have resulted in the cleanest car Ive owned and probably the nicest one in SA. Whoever buys this (even at that asking price) is getting a bargain and an absolute gem of a car.

Basically a brand new 2026 E39 540i.
Worth Every Penny.

 

[Benji]

The Kombi is gone too!

Are they on consignment or sold?

IMO, all the upgrades/maintenance items can add weight to the AutoTrader ad and might boost the sale.

Yeah...Lemons know of all the work done one the car and they have the book with receipts etc, also think they should have mentioned something about a "recommissioning" but I leave everything in their capable hands.

Did they buy it from you, or is it on consignment?

They are both on consignment. After speaking to people about their shop, hearing good reviews, I went past there and met with the team and they seem like really nice genuine people, so I feel quite comfortable leaving my prides and joys there.

Also, I am really enjoying the extra space in my garage

MUST
NOT
FILL
IT

 

[Urban963]

Yeah...Lemons know of all the work done one the car and they have the book with receipts etc, also think they should have mentioned something about a "recommissioning" but I leave everything in their capable hands.
View attachment 34161


They are both on consignment. After speaking to people about their shop, hearing good reviews, I went past there and met with the team and they seem like really nice genuine people, so I feel quite comfortable leaving my prides and joys there.

Also, I am really enjoying the extra space in my garage

MUST
NOT
FILL
IT

Nice to see things moving on so others can love them too.

Anyway.

BMW e46 325Ci ‘04 LCI

BMW E46 325Ci steptronic Facelift Sunroof F K Coilover or standard springs Facelift Automatic 207000km Partial service history Spare key Decat & Jap style single pipe rear muffler 19 inch or 18 inch...

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