BMW E39 540i manual sport touring
Discussion
Its unusual for me to keep a car long enough to bother with a build thread other than an E34 M5 i once had and the E30's i currently own but i think that i will keep this 540i (my 7th E39) for a while so here we go!
By pure chance or luck depending on how you look at it, the previous owner turned up at my workshop one day to ask me to look at something on the car and mentioned they may want to sell. I assumed it was an auto so when it turned out to be a manual my ears pricked up as i knew that facelift 540i Sport tourings are not that common and manual ones quite rare. Ive tried contacting BMW customer services to find out how many were sold new here but have drawn a blank.. maybe i just got someone who couldn't be bothered. According to howmanyleft.co.uk they peaked at 13 with only 6 remaining. How accurate that is i dont know as that site can be hit miss.
So here it is, 2001 titan silver with black, very common colour combo and one i keep ending up with (2x prev E46's and 2x prev E39's) but at least its not grey inside.
VIN WBADR52040BH99030
Type Code DR52
E Series E39 (2)
Series 5
Type TOUR
Model 540I TOURING (EUR)
Steering RL
Doors 5
Engine M62/TU
Displacement 4.40
Power 210
Drive HECK
Transmission MECH
Colour TITANSILBER METALLIC (354)
Upholstery STANDARDLEDER/SCHWARZ (N6SW)
Prod. Date 2001-08-29
L812ANational version Great Britain
P337AM Sports package
S210ADynamic stability control
S220ASelf-levelling suspension
S227ASport suspension+lowered+ride-height
S249AMultifunction f steering wheel
S302AAlarm system
S386ARoof railing
S403AGlass roof, electrical
S428AWarning triangle and first aid kit
S431AInterior mirror with automatic-dip
S434AInterior surface aluminium
S441ASmoker package
S459ASeat adjuster, electric, with memory
S473AArmrest front
S481ASports seat
S500AHeadlight wipe/wash/Intensive cleaning
S508APark Distance Control (PDC)
S520AFog lights
S522AXenon Light
S534AAutomatic air conditioning
S555AOn-board computer V with remote control
S602AOn-board monitor with TV
S609ANavigation system Professional
S632APreparation BMW Handy (Motorola)
S672ACD changer for 6 CDs
S694AProvisions for BMW 6 CD changer
S710AM sports steering wheel, multifunction
S715AM Aerodynamics package
S760AHigh gloss shadow line
S775AHeadlining anthracite
S785AWhite direction indicator lights
S788ABMW LA wheel, Individual
S850ADummy-SALAPA
S853ALanguage version English
S863ARetailer Directory Europe
S877ADelete cross-pattern operation
S880AOn-board vehicle literature English
Not a bad spec out of the box, it was a BMW staff car originally so someone got to choose an interesting company car. 2 owners after that which have been local to where i live, the last having spend money on some of the usual E39 issues, new timing chains, new clutch and flywheel, various suspension arms and cooling system parts have kept it in reasonable heath.
After doing a little digging it turns out only 13 facelift manual 540i sport tourings were registered in the UK and only 6 remain!
First thing to do was replace the tyres are they were finished on the original style 66's so an ebay purchase of a set of staggered style 37's with michelin pilot tyres helped with the looks and sorted the need for tyres.
The original sachs made M sport suspension was past its best so some Bilstein B8 front and Bilstein B6 rear shocks with some eibach pro kit front springs along with some new genuine BMW top mounts have transformed the ride and handling. I know some people replace the SLS rear suspension with a coil spring and shock set up but i wanted to retain the SLS for load carrying.
Plenty more in the pipe line such as some retrofits and some eibach roll bars are on order.
By pure chance or luck depending on how you look at it, the previous owner turned up at my workshop one day to ask me to look at something on the car and mentioned they may want to sell. I assumed it was an auto so when it turned out to be a manual my ears pricked up as i knew that facelift 540i Sport tourings are not that common and manual ones quite rare. Ive tried contacting BMW customer services to find out how many were sold new here but have drawn a blank.. maybe i just got someone who couldn't be bothered. According to howmanyleft.co.uk they peaked at 13 with only 6 remaining. How accurate that is i dont know as that site can be hit miss.
So here it is, 2001 titan silver with black, very common colour combo and one i keep ending up with (2x prev E46's and 2x prev E39's) but at least its not grey inside.
VIN WBADR52040BH99030
Type Code DR52
E Series E39 (2)
Series 5
Type TOUR
Model 540I TOURING (EUR)
Steering RL
Doors 5
Engine M62/TU
Displacement 4.40
Power 210
Drive HECK
Transmission MECH
Colour TITANSILBER METALLIC (354)
Upholstery STANDARDLEDER/SCHWARZ (N6SW)
Prod. Date 2001-08-29
L812ANational version Great Britain
P337AM Sports package
S210ADynamic stability control
S220ASelf-levelling suspension
S227ASport suspension+lowered+ride-height
S249AMultifunction f steering wheel
S302AAlarm system
S386ARoof railing
S403AGlass roof, electrical
S428AWarning triangle and first aid kit
S431AInterior mirror with automatic-dip
S434AInterior surface aluminium
S441ASmoker package
S459ASeat adjuster, electric, with memory
S473AArmrest front
S481ASports seat
S500AHeadlight wipe/wash/Intensive cleaning
S508APark Distance Control (PDC)
S520AFog lights
S522AXenon Light
S534AAutomatic air conditioning
S555AOn-board computer V with remote control
S602AOn-board monitor with TV
S609ANavigation system Professional
S632APreparation BMW Handy (Motorola)
S672ACD changer for 6 CDs
S694AProvisions for BMW 6 CD changer
S710AM sports steering wheel, multifunction
S715AM Aerodynamics package
S760AHigh gloss shadow line
S775AHeadlining anthracite
S785AWhite direction indicator lights
S788ABMW LA wheel, Individual
S850ADummy-SALAPA
S853ALanguage version English
S863ARetailer Directory Europe
S877ADelete cross-pattern operation
S880AOn-board vehicle literature English
Not a bad spec out of the box, it was a BMW staff car originally so someone got to choose an interesting company car. 2 owners after that which have been local to where i live, the last having spend money on some of the usual E39 issues, new timing chains, new clutch and flywheel, various suspension arms and cooling system parts have kept it in reasonable heath.
After doing a little digging it turns out only 13 facelift manual 540i sport tourings were registered in the UK and only 6 remain!
First thing to do was replace the tyres are they were finished on the original style 66's so an ebay purchase of a set of staggered style 37's with michelin pilot tyres helped with the looks and sorted the need for tyres.
The original sachs made M sport suspension was past its best so some Bilstein B8 front and Bilstein B6 rear shocks with some eibach pro kit front springs along with some new genuine BMW top mounts have transformed the ride and handling. I know some people replace the SLS rear suspension with a coil spring and shock set up but i wanted to retain the SLS for load carrying.
Plenty more in the pipe line such as some retrofits and some eibach roll bars are on order.
Edited by BSSBMW on Monday 31st December 20:16
Edited by BSSBMW on Monday 31st December 20:17
Really, a manual Touring is the ultimate 540i.
They're so scarce now, most of them have ended up being dismantled as that manual gearbox is incredibly sought after for manual V8 conversions.
90% of manual 540i you see come up for sale are sedans.
This car deserves to be cherished and preserved because it will be THE most desirable E39 after the M5.
I'm pretty jealous tbf.. fancy swapping for an E38... ?
They're so scarce now, most of them have ended up being dismantled as that manual gearbox is incredibly sought after for manual V8 conversions.
90% of manual 540i you see come up for sale are sedans.
This car deserves to be cherished and preserved because it will be THE most desirable E39 after the M5.
I'm pretty jealous tbf.. fancy swapping for an E38... ?
vsonix said:
Really, a manual Touring is the ultimate 540i.
They're so scarce now, most of them have ended up being dismantled as that manual gearbox is incredibly sought after for manual V8 conversions.
90% of manual 540i you see come up for sale are sedans.
This car deserves to be cherished and preserved because it will be THE most desirable E39 after the M5.
I'm pretty jealous tbf.. fancy swapping for an E38... ?
Thanks, E38's are fine cars an ive owned a facelift 750iL on 20" Alpinas in the past but i'll be keeping this for the foreseeable. They're so scarce now, most of them have ended up being dismantled as that manual gearbox is incredibly sought after for manual V8 conversions.
90% of manual 540i you see come up for sale are sedans.
This car deserves to be cherished and preserved because it will be THE most desirable E39 after the M5.
I'm pretty jealous tbf.. fancy swapping for an E38... ?
Ive been VERY tempted to build an E39 M5 touring out of it as its the ideal base needing the least amount of work to make it (and its even the same colour as the prototype BMW made!) but its rarity and the mere suggestion of doing so in E39 circles was mostly met with distain which is understandable, i guess a lesser touring would be a better bet......
... and there is a M powered touring hole in my life after i sold this 330i touring with complete M3 engine and running gear i put together late last year.
Maybe a compromise would be a M62B46 from and Alpina B10 V8/E53 X5 4.6iS.....?
Yeah, if you're looking to build an M5 touring there's plenty of underappreciated 525i Sports that will be more than happy with the attention!
Definitely don't do it to an E39 that has way more residual value, is rarer than a regular E39 M5 and has the potential to explode in value. That'd be silly.
PS how about the E38 and a Z32.8 thrown in for good measure...? E36 Touring?
heheheh
Definitely don't do it to an E39 that has way more residual value, is rarer than a regular E39 M5 and has the potential to explode in value. That'd be silly.
PS how about the E38 and a Z32.8 thrown in for good measure...? E36 Touring?
heheheh
vsonix said:
Yeah, if you're looking to build an M5 touring there's plenty of underappreciated 525i Sports that will be more than happy with the attention!
Definitely don't do it to an E39 that has way more residual value, is rarer than a regular E39 M5 and has the potential to explode in value. That'd be silly.
PS how about the E38 and a Z32.8 thrown in for good measure...? E36 Touring?
heheheh
Yeah i totally get that it wont get molested despite the strong temptation.Definitely don't do it to an E39 that has way more residual value, is rarer than a regular E39 M5 and has the potential to explode in value. That'd be silly.
PS how about the E38 and a Z32.8 thrown in for good measure...? E36 Touring?
heheheh
Ive got 5 BMW's so i think the wife would kill me if i turned that into 7!
vsonix said:
That M3 touring is almost perfect just needs a flare/pull/M3 arch transplant at the rear!
The plan was to build a full body replica of the prototype BMW made so the arches, bonnet bumpers etc but i needed to raise some funds for the business to it went before that happened. I sold it to a customer on the basis of first refusal if he ever sells it so who knows one day it may come back to me for some arch action!Nice Barry. I absolutely loved mine (pov SE only) and only sold it because my commute got a bit too long to justify the MPG at the time. 26mpg average wasn't that bad on reflection. I should have kept it as the plum that bought it molested it into a 
drift chariot. It didn't see out the next year. RIP S67BPL.
Probably my favourite car I've owned as a "one-car-that-does-everything." 9/10 at most things for me, so it made a great all rounder. Many great memories in that car.
drift chariot. It didn't see out the next year. RIP S67BPL.Probably my favourite car I've owned as a "one-car-that-does-everything." 9/10 at most things for me, so it made a great all rounder. Many great memories in that car.
Jon_Bmw said:
Nice Barry. I absolutely loved mine (pov SE only) and only sold it because my commute got a bit too long to justify the MPG at the time. 26mpg average wasn't that bad on reflection. I should have kept it as the plum that bought it molested it into a drift chariot. It didn't see out the next year. RIP S67BPL.
Probably my favourite car I've owned as a "one-car-that-does-everything." 9/10 at most things for me, so it made a great all rounder. Many great memories in that car.
Hi Jon! drift chariot. It didn't see out the next year. RIP S67BPL.Probably my favourite car I've owned as a "one-car-that-does-everything." 9/10 at most things for me, so it made a great all rounder. Many great memories in that car.
Yes i remember you coming to one of the old Guilford meets in it, back box delete if i remember right?
Still got the Z3M and 760Li?
Yes I put the muffler back on after a while as I grew up! Ha. It was epic without it though. I think a straight through rear box with a decent chamber size would be the best balance.
Yes I still have the Z3M and 760. I'm thinking of moving the 760 along before something ruinous breaks! The thing is it is not worth a great deal so I'm tempted to keep it and I strongly dislike selling cars, due to the vermin this will probably attract.
Yes I still have the Z3M and 760. I'm thinking of moving the 760 along before something ruinous breaks! The thing is it is not worth a great deal so I'm tempted to keep it and I strongly dislike selling cars, due to the vermin this will probably attract.
The following was all done a few months ago so its a late update so to speak.
Rear door blind retro fit carried out after a combination of lucky ebay/facebook/breakers yard purchases meant it didnt cost me great deal and i got the blind specific door cards in black so didnt have to cut and modify my existing ones.
The silver gear knob was a little worse for wear and i prefer a leather one so a new all in one illuminated M knob went in.
A useful leftover from a previous E39 was this BMW accessory umbrella with pouch so that went in as well. (excuse the debris!)
An upgrade from the mk3 CD based sat nav and early menu graphics to the later mk4 DVD based sat nav and later menu graphics.
My trusty intravee was also fitted so that means full ipod/iphone control via the screen and steering wheel buttons.
And also gives useful info.
Around the same time i also carried out a full inspection 2 service as that was due and replacing the MAF with a new Bosch item cured a mid range flat spot and improved the top end.
No pictures im afraid but im sure you all know what some service items look like!
Other than that its still providing excellent all round daily use.
Rear door blind retro fit carried out after a combination of lucky ebay/facebook/breakers yard purchases meant it didnt cost me great deal and i got the blind specific door cards in black so didnt have to cut and modify my existing ones.
The silver gear knob was a little worse for wear and i prefer a leather one so a new all in one illuminated M knob went in.
A useful leftover from a previous E39 was this BMW accessory umbrella with pouch so that went in as well. (excuse the debris!)
An upgrade from the mk3 CD based sat nav and early menu graphics to the later mk4 DVD based sat nav and later menu graphics.
My trusty intravee was also fitted so that means full ipod/iphone control via the screen and steering wheel buttons.
And also gives useful info.
Around the same time i also carried out a full inspection 2 service as that was due and replacing the MAF with a new Bosch item cured a mid range flat spot and improved the top end.
No pictures im afraid but im sure you all know what some service items look like!
Other than that its still providing excellent all round daily use.
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