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@legitstreetcars Literally my two favorite channels. I hope this means you're going to visit Sreten in Germany and do some top speed runs on the Autobahn.
With the lack of dealer inventory and crazy car prices, just about anything that runs and drives under a grand is a steal, I think you did pretty well on this one, Alex!
The best thing to do when you first get a manual e39 that has been sitting for a while is to dump the clutch as hard as you can a few times in a row to just clean the corrosion off the flywheel and pressure plate.
These e39s were built to cruise at 150 mph on the autobahn and feel like you are sitting still. I love the way they drive. I had an 03 530i for a few years and it was the best car I've ever owned.
I have an 01 530i sport package so it's a manual with the 17" wheels. I've owned it for 9 years. Amazing car! The 530i and the 540i had the same clutch. It lasts well in the six, not so much in the eight.
M62B44TU motor....drop the oil pan and make sure no plastic bits. timing guides on those motors like to break when its sitting for a while, and as the vanos ages. replace the chain tensioner as PM. replace the fan cliutch and fan blade asap as PM. cooling system expansion tank as well.
Yeah I've seen clutch fans explode because the bearing would start seizing up. It would literally dent the hood from the inside out when the blade explodes.
While that's excellent info, based on what this one sounded like in the video, his chain guides are fine still. Definitely something to be aware of though - knowing that it's basically a maintenance item at this mileage/age is important when looking at picking up one of these cars. Also good to know that the vanos adjusters have weak seals that need replacing by this point - thankfully this engine only has single vanos on the intake cams instead of the dual setup on both - being that this has 4 cams it would get pricey quickly. And like every BMW ever, the cooling system is a maintenance item at this mileage/age unless you have documentation that it was done recently - just save the headaches and replace everything with plastic or rubber if you're planning to keep it for a few years. But they're definitely fun cars when they're well sorted - the best example of how BMW earned that title of "Ultimate Driving Machine". When the cars are right, they are impressive. ;)
This kind of dirt cheap project is my fave kind of vid to watch. Tons of value, not a million miles, and work that most guys can do. Sweat equity and a few bucks equals a potential $5K car and could also be a fun driver.
As a e46 M3 owner… I must say, this is just the best generation of BMW’s! As stated by your colleague Tyler Hoover. Can’t wait to see more video’s about it. Nice!
I want to trade my f06 650ix it’s been a 10k in 2 years kinda car cost wise. Needs a motor now. Ironically I didn’t buy an e63 m6 I drove because I didn’t want to pay to have rod bearings done right away after buying and my n63tu1 just spun a bearing at 105k. I wouldn’t want an e60 m5 only an e63 m6 and I’d need like 2k-4k cash for it to be fair too.
I own a 1999 BMW 540i with a 6 speed manual. It has about 269,000 miles on it and is still running strong. I definitely have a similar oil leak to that one, but mine doesn't seem as bad. One piece of advise I would give is to either swap in an electric fan in the place of that clutch fan. I had mine fail catastrophically. Luckily, it didn't do too much damage, but it can. I ended up going with a Zionsville Autosport kit that has been serving me well for the past about 4 months. I have been daily driving it for the past 4 months as well and it has been great. Mine has the metallic silver paint with the gray and black interior. The previous owner also covered the wood trim in carbon fiber wrap that actually I somewhat like better than the wood trim (I wish BMW would have offered that as well). Overall, the E39 540i tend to be decent cars especially if you take into account BMW's reputation. Nice car, and can't wait to see the finished product when she is done.
I had an E38 with same engine. i hated that clutch fan i used a 2nd gen 3.8L ford taurus E fan in mine. mounted flush to the stock shorud. it was killer of a fan and worked great.
Loved the video. Big fan of the e39. The fan clutch is stuck on which is why it’s so loud. Replace it before the fan explodes, taking out the cooling system with it. Replace it with a Hella/Behr one. Cheap replacements are loud too.
In Canada, the Kelly Blue Book value of a 2002 BMW M5 with 119,000 miles in this condition is between $12,000 and $13,000 so you got a hell of a deal. The downside is, you now own a BMW.
Was a good deal overall( you can easy get 1500$ from scrap yards as it is). If you keep it you will have to spend $18-20 K or more to bring the car to perfect condition.
3:12 clutch fan needs replacement, when it sounds like that it means it's stuck on and it can send the plastic fan blade through the hood/radiator any moment.
As OJ stated in the video, this is just a weight block to dampen mechanical vibration. A helmholz resonator would need a connection for the exhaust to go into it, where the opening size and the chamber volume was tuned to dampen a specific frequency.
Wow it’s hard to find a manual that’s an awesome find 👍 I taught my daughter to drive manual two years ago. And she loves the stick shift cars. I told her to look around.. and the stick shift is like the dinosaur of transmissions. She was immediately bummed at hard it is to find one.
Check the junk factory brake boosters on those too. They're known for filling up with water due to a poorly designed drain hole. All the water will eventually finds its way into the engine causing it to hydro lock.
This guy is speaking facts! mine failed on my 540 and I had no assisted brakes anymore, I almost crashed lol. Mind you I was 18 at the time so I didn't have the strongest legs lol...
My exercised due diligence when it came to buying my 540. It was suburban driven with only 100k miles It died after 3 months of ownership because of the brake booster issue unbeknownst to me...
I drove an E39 540i this past summer with the manual, and boy was it great! Plus, even 540s in good condition are a fraction of the cost of the E39 M5.
I love how excited Alex gets for BMW’s. I own two and they are like a favorite child who is also a problem child. When they act right they are a joy. Great deal Alex. Way to snag a fun ride for cheap. The two tone does look good, I have it in my X5. Gonna be neat watching this series. OJ is awesome man.
Between Alex and Sreten I'm constantly tempted to buy one. I had a few Audis and celebrated the day I finally sold my last one. The 90s and early 00s BMWs look good and seem a lot easier to work on than Audis of the same vintage.
Hello, Alex! First of all, congratulations for the nice video! As an E39 owner, just keep this car well maintained from the engine to the interior and body, keep taking care of it. You will be amazed of how comfortable, strong and reliable this modern classic BMW could be. Keep up the good work on it! Ciao!
I like when I see people like OJ knows so well a car.that is the the advantage when you work and fix only one make and not all car manufacturers out there..well done OJ.
Awesome purchase, cool colour combo, sweet sounding engine, nice wheels. Great video, editing, videography and commentary. Thumbs up for O.J. a top guy. Enjoyed this video and looking forward to more content on this beauty. Thanks for uploading.
Dude these videos make me feel like I’m going on the ride with you, inspecting them and all, from one car guy to another your Chanel is my favorite and it literally is as Legit as it gets!!! Next time your in Naperville I’ll buy you a beer! 🍻
One of my first quicker drives after getting my license was taking my bosses e39 touring from Frankfurt to Munich (I live in Germany) and man the way it sits and handles at speeds of 200+ km/h is very impressive by that time it wasn’t a new car anymore with 10 years on its back but it still was really planted and absolutely stabil through bends and stuff 👍🏻😊 since then I have a soft spot for them in my heart
Well, I got my old ‘99 M Sport 540i for $500 and while it did start up on first attempt and run, it did cost about 3k to get it back up to snuff pretty much everywhere else mechanically. In my case it was a DUI driver who lost his license and parked it for two years, so it needed everything serviced after sitting for so long lol. And Sport actually came out in 1999. It didn’t get the M Body* standard until 2003
Considering how little you paid for it, that's still sounds great to me. Especially if it wasn't your only car & you didn't have to rush getting it sorted. I really want to do the same with an E46 or E39. Such a perfect era for BMW's
@@GoldenCroc don't forget, in Europe you guys get all the good stuff & in the US we always get the shaft. The percentage of idiots is higher here, so we have to have crash rating standards which call for the more ugly body panels at all times!! Hahaha...kind of kidding, kind of not
@@GoldenCroc “Aerodynamic Kit”. Look at a 1999 versus a 2003 540i M Sport. Optional in 2000, became standard in 2003. Hence the reference to it getting the M body in 2003 [standard].
@@ic1815 As I said, it was included since 1999 in europe. As far as I know there has never been a possibility to option in/out various part of the pack here, unless you go "individual" program, or go back all the way to the M-tech parts pack days. Ok so, it seems its different in the US then. I Belive you, wouldnt be the first time. Though the E36 M3 was the (relatively) hardest shafting of all, in that regard.
I brought a 2000 BMW 740i for $2137 in 2016 drove for 4 years until timing chain guides chipped apart. Loved the car, by passed Chicago at 95 mph. Sold it for $1,000 not running due to move from Minn. to Texas. Guy wanted he interior that was in near mint condition. First time visitor, subscribed!
Bought a 1996 manual e39 here in india in the same colour as yours. Was parked without doors for 15 years Around 53000 miles, got the engine running had a drive, amazing car especially in india as there aren’t many available. Great video looking forward to the build
The e39 is the best sedan ever made. Just the messenger. The wheels are worth more than the car as they are the 18'' variant. Nice pick up, and working cup holders.
i owned a 1998 540i E39 mseries, 6-speed. sold it for $800 with brake failure and other issues. New owner had to tow it away and then put in over $3,800 to get it running properly. enjoyed this video.
That has got to be the quietest BMW Vanos 4.4 v8 "TU" engine I've ever heard !... I used to have a 1999 auto 540i with the same Vanos "TU" engine and it always sounded like a diesel whenever I lifted the hood up whilst it was running ! - OMG ! Your one is whisper quiet !! Great buy man !
Man this is my dream car. I love e39's of course I want an M5 but they are way out of reach for me. The one I always loved was the 540i in manual, but they are all automatics. But you found one and for 900 bucks.
17:17 over in Europe they had all sorts of options for interior colors that didn't exist in the states. They had everything from blue and red leather to cloth seats. This looks like they were trying to imitate the "Champagne Leather" option.
These were the cars to get back then. The manual version of the v8. Would love to see a budget built…….buff it, clean it, fix the leaks, and enjoy it. See how far you can bring it back on a budget. Very cool. 👍👍
That is a great car! Had the same car in Norway. Had to replace the vanos-units. Lots of people bitch about them (they were a bigger head ache on later BMW v8s). Replaced them with rebuilt ones from a great guy in the US called Dr Vanos. 500USD for the pair, and no stress for a mechanic like you do to in an afternoon. No more misfires and smooth V8 (the M62B44 sounds kinda lika a diesel on idle with broken vanos). The valve cover gaskets are notorious for leaking oil. Have replaced them on both mye E39 540i and my L322 4.4i Range Rover (same engine). I would say its more than ten percent change that valve cover gaskets fixes it on a m62b44 engine. When replacing the rocker gaskets, be sure that the halvmoon part of the gasket lines up perfectly in the back. Classic M62 prob that makes the engine leak oil again from the back. The dynamo/alternator is crazy expensive new, type 1500 new (they are watercooled), but can be sourced from BMW x5 4.4is as well used (100 dollars), they are easy as shit to replace as well (done that as well, took me 2 hours start to finish without a lift). Just have a pan ready at the bottom for the coolant.
I had 2 E39s, 1998 and 2000, manual sport package. Loved them both. This brings back memories! Valve cover gaskets leak oil right down into the ignition coils.
What's the plan with this one? A keeper, or a quick flip? Personally, I'd keep it. Even if I'm normally not a 4 door car person. I think it has a lot of potential.
Btw Mercedes didn't only make c230 kompressor in manual. They also made the c320 which is the same body but instead of a supercharged 4 cylinder, you get a n/a V6 with a 6 speed. I know because I have one of the only ones left .
A nice E39. Looking forward to seeing how it progresses. I have previously owned a e82 (twin turbo diesel) coupe - awesome car. Great informative content.
iCarly is subscription service now, they'll give you a cheap deal on the device but will nickel and dime you for every feature. Wait until you hit the yearly subscription fee. There are lots of cheaper obd code reader there that could scan BMW modules without a yearly subscription...
FYI that's a weighted shift knob off a 330 ZHP, not a stock 540i shift knob... so it'll be a little more effort than stock just because of the added mass, regardless of the shift bushing status.
After living through my teenage/early 20s years of auto customization, I realize now, if it's not broke, don't fix it! The dying of the leather and the painting of the plastics proves my point. Sometimes the best of intentions turn out to be the biggest pains in the arses.
Be sure to replace the timing chain guides on that 540i Alex, they're a maintenance item on M62 and M62TU. May as well do the VANOS while you're in there! E39's are fantastic cars. The 540i is cool but the 6cyl cars are more desirable imo. Only a slight bit less power, but way better handling/steering feel due to having a steering rack instead of recirculating ball steering. Also better weight distribution because of the lighter engine and aluminum front subframe (540i's is heavier steel). Straight 6 is much more reliable too.
Hey Alex You can say to your friend if he wants his 540 to be very reliable he must change the thermostat to the from the e38 740d m67 they are plug‘n play and the opening temperature goes done to 88 celsius because the m62 has i think 102 celsius opening and the thermostat fucks up de gaskets and the timing chain guides
Alex, your star is continuing to rise. Great impulse buy. Late 90s early 2000s euro cars cemented my obsession that is still going strong. #imacarguy can't wait to see the next video
I purchased an e39 540i 6 speed for 600$. It’s only issue when I got it was a misfire. It was maintained METICULOUSLY for years but the last 7 years it was left without any maintenance. I drove it for 2 of those years and it was pretty great and reliable for my needs. The problem is that now after all the neglect, it no longer feels like a BMW should. It needs work and I am slowly getting it done. I regret neglecting it, because now it has really piled up and it’s a bit much. I also fucked the clutch by learning myself and teaching 3 other people how to drive manual. I REALLY want to bring it back to its original state, but yea it’s daunting. If you buy one, if you take care of it, it will take care of you. Otherwise you will regret it. When I first saw it, I thought the thing would blow up in a few months but it really exceeded my expectations. The smoothness over 100, the impeccable handling for its size, and the drop dead gorgeous looks… it’s easy to love it. Restore it… give me hope 😂.
Keep doing the work yourself Alex, I love watching and learning and it keeps me subscribed. Unlike some other channels that try to piggy back off your hard work.
I owned a 1996 540i with 6 spd manual. Montreal Blue and parchment. Had the cell phone in the armrest where the rectangular recess exists. It was one of the best most fun vehicles I have ever owned. Sold it when I needed to put a car seat in back as it would not fit. Still miss it. Great buy Sir! Great buy.
This looks like a 2001 E39, and a great find. Common things to replace: head gaskets because oil leaks are super common, ignition coils and spark plugs, immediately cabin & air box filters, pusher fan for a/c can go too. I'm missing more than was mentioned. The M62 TUB44 engine was the 2nd most powerful configuration in the E39 chassis next to the S62 which was found in the M5. Since you bought it for basically nothing, you can throw a ton into it. Enjoy the ownership experience because they're really well built and reliable when taken care of.
Love E39 540's, looking forward to seeing what work you do on this one. I have a 2003 540i sport (had a 2002 540i sport prior), just replaced the timing chain guides, rebuilt the vanos and powder coated the valve covers (did all the work myself)...love these cars. Just wish mine was a manual....
Maybe it's time to begin the search for another set of used (real) creme seats and a used steering wheel? I would leave the dash and door panels alone. I think they look fine. That drivers side seat belt webbing might never clean up. This should be another cool project!
Mate I live in europe and that's a very hard to find specially with that kms u have a f..k unicorn there fully restored I know bmw guys that will pay really god cash for it
Great project, great price and great investment. You can get some good money for that car. If you hold on to it, should be worth more over the next few years. Just ask Sam to store it for you, he's good at storing cars.
@ 30:16 that's a 96 or newer. Has 96 and newer side marker light and dead giveaway it has an S52. S52 intake and oil filler is at the front of the valve cover. (i know, its a US "S52" too) Might even be a 99 looks like it may have the 3-ish spoke steering wheel?
i have not ever been a big bmw person but i do understand the fun they can be and can appreciate them as my dad had a bmw 2002 from the 70s so if i was to ever own a modern day basket case this bmw would be it v8 bmw with a manual transmission sound like lots of fun
This is great ! I’m so stoked for this project. I own 2 E39 540i they are so great to drive. If you do the chain guides with instruction you would be a life saver
Amazing car Alex! I wish my E39 was a manual, I'm stuck with the automatic for now lol. Also sounds like the fan is on and robbing some power! Definitely some cooling issues.
I love E39's, such good looking cars, especially the later models with angel eyes and non-yellow indicators (they were ugly). They are a pain to work on and parts are expensive but when they work they're great to drive. Anyone who has owned one knows about dead pixels and broken drinks holders. And you're supposed to check the oil level when the engine is hot but has been off for 5 minutes... because German.
as someone who is restoring an e34 530i v8, RATS will be what you should worry about. under our plastic intake manifolds is plenty of rooms for critters to gnaw on Soy rich Knock Sensor wires. i recommend with replacing valve cover gasket’s, to replace anything intake wise. for example, intake manifold gaskets love cracking on these old fragile v8’s. nothing too expensive but time consuming for sure. great car and great deal!
This has the potential to be a very nice 'cheap' M5. Hope this becomes a project on the channel. Put on a nice exhaust on it, short shift kit, lower it some.
I bought a super cheap Explorer (400) with the same issue, leaking on the back corner onto the manifold. Yep Blue Devil and it worked great but that was the only leak... Put some new plugs in, oil change and some Restore and it runs great for 230k. It's a very clean beater , everything works, that i use to haul stuff to the auction, take the dogs in and sometimes a trailer too. I really bought it because of the 4wd for this winter. Of course it has electric gremlins, door locks that don't open, alarm issues, but it's a Ford ... That said looking forward to project videos and rebuilds. .
Ok this channel is becoming the best car channel in youtube i used to watch goonzsquad but since they started making house video's i stopped never watched again
I love that car , I have a 2003 BMW 530i I got it for 3000 bucks the first thing i did was put new control arms tie rod end basically every ball joint and I've put adjustable coil overs and it feels great. i had a 1987 BMW 325I 6CY manual. You luck out Alex, thx for the discount
What kind of BMWs have you owned?
Use code Legitstreetcars for 15% off the Carly Connected OBD Scanner & Coding Tool! bit.ly/CarlyLegitStreetCars This offer expires January 31, 2022.
none, I own a Lexus because I prefer to drive my cars instead of repairing them.
Had a 1999 E39 540i manual just like this one. Still miss that car. Money pit but super fun!
320 and 430, both good cars and no issues with 250,000 mile between them.
Better hide this car from Hoovie !
Had an e30 I loved, bought and flipped a couple totals, one doubled my money when I had planned on keeping it
Winner, winner, manual V8 E39 dinner! Yes, Alex!
Thanks brother! Can't wait to see your collection in 2022!
Bro we’re waiting for your new upload
@legitstreetcars Literally my two favorite channels. I hope this means you're going to visit Sreten in Germany and do some top speed runs on the Autobahn.
Two of my favorite channels!
@@ozzypawsborneprinceofbarkness yes that would be sweet !
With the lack of dealer inventory and crazy car prices, just about anything that runs and drives under a grand is a steal, I think you did pretty well on this one, Alex!
Most definitely. I’d be happy with this for 900. A steal if you ask me.
The best thing to do when you first get a manual e39 that has been sitting for a while is to dump the clutch as hard as you can a few times in a row to just clean the corrosion off the flywheel and pressure plate.
🤣🤣
😂😂😂😂😂😅😅🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
This one could definitely take it
@Mark Morrissey savage 😂😂😂
Perhaps he wants Alex to feel as bad as he does when first gets a car?
These e39s were built to cruise at 150 mph on the autobahn and feel like you are sitting still. I love the way they drive.
I had an 03 530i for a few years and it was the best car I've ever owned.
I have an 01 530i sport package so it's a manual with the 17" wheels. I've owned it for 9 years. Amazing car! The 530i and the 540i had the same clutch. It lasts well in the six, not so much in the eight.
M62B44TU motor....drop the oil pan and make sure no plastic bits. timing guides on those motors like to break when its sitting for a while, and as the vanos ages. replace the chain tensioner as PM. replace the fan cliutch and fan blade asap as PM. cooling system expansion tank as well.
Yeah I've seen clutch fans explode because the bearing would start seizing up. It would literally dent the hood from the inside out when the blade explodes.
While that's excellent info, based on what this one sounded like in the video, his chain guides are fine still. Definitely something to be aware of though - knowing that it's basically a maintenance item at this mileage/age is important when looking at picking up one of these cars. Also good to know that the vanos adjusters have weak seals that need replacing by this point - thankfully this engine only has single vanos on the intake cams instead of the dual setup on both - being that this has 4 cams it would get pricey quickly.
And like every BMW ever, the cooling system is a maintenance item at this mileage/age unless you have documentation that it was done recently - just save the headaches and replace everything with plastic or rubber if you're planning to keep it for a few years.
But they're definitely fun cars when they're well sorted - the best example of how BMW earned that title of "Ultimate Driving Machine". When the cars are right, they are impressive. ;)
This kind of dirt cheap project is my fave kind of vid to watch. Tons of value, not a million miles, and work that most guys can do. Sweat equity and a few bucks equals a potential $5K car and could also be a fun driver.
As a e46 M3 owner… I must say, this is just the best generation of BMW’s! As stated by your colleague Tyler Hoover. Can’t wait to see more video’s about it. Nice!
if you dont count the rust problems ;-)
I want to trade my f06 650ix it’s been a 10k in 2 years kinda car cost wise. Needs a motor now. Ironically I didn’t buy an e63 m6 I drove because I didn’t want to pay to have rod bearings done right away after buying and my n63tu1 just spun a bearing at 105k. I wouldn’t want an e60 m5 only an e63 m6 and I’d need like 2k-4k cash for it to be fair too.
I figure at 5k a year repairs, hell I might as well drive a real M car how much more expensive is it gonna get.
I own a 1999 BMW 540i with a 6 speed manual. It has about 269,000 miles on it and is still running strong. I definitely have a similar oil leak to that one, but mine doesn't seem as bad. One piece of advise I would give is to either swap in an electric fan in the place of that clutch fan. I had mine fail catastrophically. Luckily, it didn't do too much damage, but it can. I ended up going with a Zionsville Autosport kit that has been serving me well for the past about 4 months. I have been daily driving it for the past 4 months as well and it has been great. Mine has the metallic silver paint with the gray and black interior. The previous owner also covered the wood trim in carbon fiber wrap that actually I somewhat like better than the wood trim (I wish BMW would have offered that as well). Overall, the E39 540i tend to be decent cars especially if you take into account BMW's reputation. Nice car, and can't wait to see the finished product when she is done.
What a deal! The wheels alone are virtually worth the $900 you spent. Can’t wait to see this project in the future!
Are they Alpina rims..??
@@johnchurch4705 nope
@@johnchurch4705 No, they are style 32 wheels.
Thank you 😊
Oh wow.. I had the same car ..21 years ago.. awesome car. It cost me about 85 thousand bucks.. UNBELIEVABLE. !
Ran a 14.2 1/4 mile in one of those once after my buddy and I alternated making hits. Best night at the track ever.
I had an E38 with same engine. i hated that clutch fan i used a 2nd gen 3.8L ford taurus E fan in mine. mounted flush to the stock shorud. it was killer of a fan and worked great.
Did you have to install a thermoswitch? Or was there one on the engine from factory?
Loved the video. Big fan of the e39. The fan clutch is stuck on which is why it’s so loud. Replace it before the fan explodes, taking out the cooling system with it. Replace it with a Hella/Behr one. Cheap replacements are loud too.
It's a fan clutch not a clutch fan.
@@Peter-pv8xx Corrected, thanks.
I love those E39s. I remember taking one out for a test drive, the salesman was nervous when I started going over 100 mph.
Love the NFS: Most Wanted BMW at 30:42. Dude even has the NFS: MW sticker on the front quarter panel.
In Canada, the Kelly Blue Book value of a 2002 BMW M5 with 119,000 miles in this condition is between $12,000 and $13,000 so you got a hell of a deal. The downside is, you now own a BMW.
This is not a m5, there is a *big* difference between a 540 an m5.
@@unclebenscaradventures I don't why it is, that people assume every BMW is an M.
@@unclebenscaradventures a good running 540 is about 5,600 so still a decent deal.
Was a good deal overall( you can easy get 1500$ from scrap yards as it is). If you keep it you will have to spend $18-20 K or more to bring the car to perfect condition.
Not a M5 skippy
3:12 clutch fan needs replacement, when it sounds like that it means it's stuck on and it can send the plastic fan blade through the hood/radiator any moment.
20:17 I think it's called a Helmholz resonator. You can also find those on intake tracts. They are meant to silence droning sounds.
As OJ stated in the video, this is just a weight block to dampen mechanical vibration. A helmholz resonator would need a connection for the exhaust to go into it, where the opening size and the chamber volume was tuned to dampen a specific frequency.
@@nordlands8798 thnx for correcting
Wow it’s hard to find a manual that’s an awesome find 👍 I taught my daughter to drive manual two years ago. And she loves the stick shift cars. I told her to look around.. and the stick shift is like the dinosaur of transmissions. She was immediately bummed at hard it is to find one.
Check the junk factory brake boosters on those too. They're known for filling up with water due to a poorly designed drain hole. All the water will eventually finds its way into the engine causing it to hydro lock.
This guy is speaking facts! mine failed on my 540 and I had no assisted brakes anymore, I almost crashed lol. Mind you I was 18 at the time so I didn't have the strongest legs lol...
Sounds like something Ford would design
My exercised due diligence when it came to buying my 540. It was suburban driven with only 100k miles
It died after 3 months of ownership because of the brake booster issue unbeknownst to me...
I drove an E39 540i this past summer with the manual, and boy was it great! Plus, even 540s in good condition are a fraction of the cost of the E39 M5.
I love how excited Alex gets for BMW’s. I own two and they are like a favorite child who is also a problem child. When they act right they are a joy. Great deal Alex. Way to snag a fun ride for cheap. The two tone does look good, I have it in my X5. Gonna be neat watching this series. OJ is awesome man.
I love your description; so true. Very fitting for my current M3, an E36.
This car must be an individual. Or a custom job. That color combo wasn’t a standard available option.
Between Alex and Sreten I'm constantly tempted to buy one. I had a few Audis and celebrated the day I finally sold my last one. The 90s and early 00s BMWs look good and seem a lot easier to work on than Audis of the same vintage.
Hello, Alex! First of all, congratulations for the nice video! As an E39 owner, just keep this car well maintained from the engine to the interior and body, keep taking care of it. You will be amazed of how comfortable, strong and reliable this modern classic BMW could be. Keep up the good work on it! Ciao!
Loving the frequent uploads!!
I like when I see people like OJ knows so well a car.that is the the advantage when you work and fix only one make and not all car manufacturers out there..well done OJ.
It’s so great to see someone who loves what they do as much as you do.
Awesome purchase, cool colour combo, sweet sounding engine, nice wheels. Great video, editing, videography and commentary. Thumbs up for O.J. a top guy. Enjoyed this video and looking forward to more content on this beauty. Thanks for uploading.
Absolutely love this car!! Please film more content with this e39, I really enjoyed this video. I miss my e39 m sport.
Dude these videos make me feel like I’m going on the ride with you, inspecting them and all, from one car guy to another your Chanel is my favorite and it literally is as Legit as it gets!!! Next time your in Naperville I’ll buy you a beer! 🍻
What a great find Alex. Can’t wait to see you clean her up!
Hey Alex, I’d love to stop by LSQ someday. Is that possible? I’m 10 mi N of your shop…
One of my first quicker drives after getting my license was taking my bosses e39 touring from Frankfurt to Munich (I live in Germany) and man the way it sits and handles at speeds of 200+ km/h is very impressive by that time it wasn’t a new car anymore with 10 years on its back but it still was really planted and absolutely stabil through bends and stuff 👍🏻😊 since then I have a soft spot for them in my heart
Well, I got my old ‘99 M Sport 540i for $500 and while it did start up on first attempt and run, it did cost about 3k to get it back up to snuff pretty much everywhere else mechanically. In my case it was a DUI driver who lost his license and parked it for two years, so it needed everything serviced after sitting for so long lol. And Sport actually came out in 1999. It didn’t get the M Body* standard until 2003
Considering how little you paid for it, that's still sounds great to me. Especially if it wasn't your only car & you didn't have to rush getting it sorted.
I really want to do the same with an E46 or E39. Such a perfect era for BMW's
What do you mean by "m body"? M sport Bumpers and stuff like that was availble from 1999, in europe at least.
@@GoldenCroc don't forget, in Europe you guys get all the good stuff & in the US we always get the shaft. The percentage of idiots is higher here, so we have to have crash rating standards which call for the more ugly body panels at all times!! Hahaha...kind of kidding, kind of not
@@GoldenCroc “Aerodynamic Kit”. Look at a 1999 versus a 2003 540i M Sport. Optional in 2000, became standard in 2003. Hence the reference to it getting the M body in 2003 [standard].
@@ic1815 As I said, it was included since 1999 in europe. As far as I know there has never been a possibility to option in/out various part of the pack here, unless you go "individual" program, or go back all the way to the M-tech parts pack days. Ok so, it seems its different in the US then. I Belive you, wouldnt be the first time.
Though the E36 M3 was the (relatively) hardest shafting of all, in that regard.
I brought a 2000 BMW 740i for $2137 in 2016 drove for 4 years until timing chain guides chipped apart. Loved the car, by passed Chicago at 95 mph. Sold it for $1,000 not running due to move from Minn. to Texas. Guy wanted he interior that was in near mint condition. First time visitor, subscribed!
Yeah, clutch fans sound like a train moved in the engine compartment. Maybe a electric fan change mod. Great to see OJ again. Sharp dude.
Bought a 1996 manual e39 here in india in the same colour as yours. Was parked without doors for 15 years
Around 53000 miles, got the engine running had a drive, amazing car especially in india as there aren’t many available. Great video looking forward to the build
The e39 is the best sedan ever made. Just the messenger.
The wheels are worth more than the car as they are the 18'' variant. Nice pick up, and working cup holders.
i owned a 1998 540i E39 mseries, 6-speed. sold it for $800 with brake failure and other issues. New owner had to tow it away and then put in over $3,800 to get it running properly. enjoyed this video.
OJ Needs to have his own channel. Dude seems to really know his stuff.
Is that Sun Roof leaking? At the 11:25 mark, you can see staining in the headliner around the opening.
Hilarious, you totally got me with showing your friend's car + interior and calling yours done! 🤣
When he showed it I doubted it was the same car. I was right.
That has got to be the quietest BMW Vanos 4.4 v8 "TU" engine I've ever heard !... I used to have a 1999 auto 540i with the same Vanos "TU" engine and it always sounded like a diesel whenever I lifted the hood up whilst it was running ! - OMG ! Your one is whisper quiet !! Great buy man !
Man this is my dream car.
I love e39's of course I want an M5 but they are way out of reach for me.
The one I always loved was the 540i in manual, but they are all automatics.
But you found one and for 900 bucks.
17:17 over in Europe they had all sorts of options for interior colors that didn't exist in the states. They had everything from blue and red leather to cloth seats. This looks like they were trying to imitate the "Champagne Leather" option.
These were the cars to get back then. The manual version of the v8. Would love to see a budget built…….buff it, clean it, fix the leaks, and enjoy it. See how far you can bring it back on a budget. Very cool. 👍👍
That is a great car!
Had the same car in Norway. Had to replace the vanos-units. Lots of people bitch about them (they were a bigger head ache on later BMW v8s). Replaced them with rebuilt ones from a great guy in the US called Dr Vanos. 500USD for the pair, and no stress for a mechanic like you do to in an afternoon. No more misfires and smooth V8 (the M62B44 sounds kinda lika a diesel on idle with broken vanos).
The valve cover gaskets are notorious for leaking oil. Have replaced them on both mye E39 540i and my L322 4.4i Range Rover (same engine). I would say its more than ten percent change that valve cover gaskets fixes it on a m62b44 engine.
When replacing the rocker gaskets, be sure that the halvmoon part of the gasket lines up perfectly in the back. Classic M62 prob that makes the engine leak oil again from the back. The dynamo/alternator is crazy expensive new, type 1500 new (they are watercooled), but can be sourced from BMW x5 4.4is as well used (100 dollars), they are easy as shit to replace as well (done that as well, took me 2 hours start to finish without a lift). Just have a pan ready at the bottom for the coolant.
Automatic transmission fluid for that manual transmission, Sreten’s magic trick for BMW manual gearboxes.
I had 2 E39s, 1998 and 2000, manual sport package. Loved them both. This brings back memories! Valve cover gaskets leak oil right down into the ignition coils.
What's the plan with this one? A keeper, or a quick flip? Personally, I'd keep it. Even if I'm normally not a 4 door car person. I think it has a lot of potential.
i've had a 1997 540i for two years now, and i love it. my father had a 1999 540i wagon, and that was awesome
Your channel is one of the best out there. Enjoy watching and learning.
Btw Mercedes didn't only make c230 kompressor in manual. They also made the c320 which is the same body but instead of a supercharged 4 cylinder, you get a n/a V6 with a 6 speed. I know because I have one of the only ones left .
Seems that OJ could repair any E39 with a blindfold and with hands tied behind his back.
He literally knows every bolt on these cars.
A nice E39. Looking forward to seeing how it progresses. I have previously owned a e82 (twin turbo diesel) coupe - awesome car. Great informative content.
You finally convinced me to purchase the Carly scanner Alex. I looked over all the features and for the price is great. Cant wait to get mine👍🏼
iCarly is subscription service now, they'll give you a cheap deal on the device but will nickel and dime you for every feature. Wait until you hit the yearly subscription fee. There are lots of cheaper obd code reader there that could scan BMW modules without a yearly subscription...
FYI that's a weighted shift knob off a 330 ZHP, not a stock 540i shift knob... so it'll be a little more effort than stock just because of the added mass, regardless of the shift bushing status.
Great project! I look forward to seeing more of it in future episodes.
After living through my teenage/early 20s years of auto customization, I realize now, if it's not broke, don't fix it! The dying of the leather and the painting of the plastics proves my point. Sometimes the best of intentions turn out to be the biggest pains in the arses.
Be sure to replace the timing chain guides on that 540i Alex, they're a maintenance item on M62 and M62TU. May as well do the VANOS while you're in there!
E39's are fantastic cars. The 540i is cool but the 6cyl cars are more desirable imo. Only a slight bit less power, but way better handling/steering feel due to having a steering rack instead of recirculating ball steering. Also better weight distribution because of the lighter engine and aluminum front subframe (540i's is heavier steel). Straight 6 is much more reliable too.
Hey Alex
You can say to your friend if he wants his 540 to be very reliable he must change the thermostat to the from the e38 740d m67 they are plug‘n play and the opening temperature goes done to 88 celsius because the m62 has i think 102 celsius opening and the thermostat fucks up de gaskets and the timing chain guides
Alex, your star is continuing to rise. Great impulse buy. Late 90s early 2000s euro cars cemented my obsession that is still going strong. #imacarguy can't wait to see the next video
I purchased an e39 540i 6 speed for 600$. It’s only issue when I got it was a misfire. It was maintained METICULOUSLY for years but the last 7 years it was left without any maintenance. I drove it for 2 of those years and it was pretty great and reliable for my needs. The problem is that now after all the neglect, it no longer feels like a BMW should. It needs work and I am slowly getting it done. I regret neglecting it, because now it has really piled up and it’s a bit much. I also fucked the clutch by learning myself and teaching 3 other people how to drive manual. I REALLY want to bring it back to its original state, but yea it’s daunting. If you buy one, if you take care of it, it will take care of you. Otherwise you will regret it. When I first saw it, I thought the thing would blow up in a few months but it really exceeded my expectations. The smoothness over 100, the impeccable handling for its size, and the drop dead gorgeous looks… it’s easy to love it. Restore it… give me hope 😂.
Soon on LegitStreetCars, I bought a new Koenigsegg Gemera for $27, fixed it for $2 and now it drives like a dream
22:21 i have huge respect for this guy he also has the BMW M3 GT NFS so much memories
Keep doing the work yourself Alex, I love watching and learning and it keeps me subscribed. Unlike some other channels that try to piggy back off your hard work.
"This is considered winning!"
That got me laughing pretty hard
This channel just keeps getting better and better. Thanx Alex.
I owned a 1996 540i with 6 spd manual. Montreal Blue and parchment. Had the cell phone in the armrest where the rectangular recess exists. It was one of the best most fun vehicles I have ever owned. Sold it when I needed to put a car seat in back as it would not fit. Still miss it. Great buy Sir! Great buy.
Nice, I lost my virginity in a E39 540i. Was the best esperience in my life but my asshole hurted so bad
This looks like a 2001 E39, and a great find. Common things to replace: head gaskets because oil leaks are super common, ignition coils and spark plugs, immediately cabin & air box filters, pusher fan for a/c can go too. I'm missing more than was mentioned. The M62 TUB44 engine was the 2nd most powerful configuration in the E39 chassis next to the S62 which was found in the M5. Since you bought it for basically nothing, you can throw a ton into it. Enjoy the ownership experience because they're really well built and reliable when taken care of.
Nice score!!
I wish I had you and OJ here in San Antonio. Between the two of you, you can make any vehicle work - and you guys aren't shady.
Love E39 540's, looking forward to seeing what work you do on this one. I have a 2003 540i sport (had a 2002 540i sport prior), just replaced the timing chain guides, rebuilt the vanos and powder coated the valve covers (did all the work myself)...love these cars. Just wish mine was a manual....
Maybe it's time to begin the search for another set of used (real) creme seats and a used steering wheel? I would leave the dash and door panels alone. I think they look fine. That drivers side seat belt webbing might never clean up. This should be another cool project!
That's factory. He said that. Even my car has it and it's GM.
Transmission alone is worth over 900. Nice purchase Alex. I love the 540, I daily my 2001 540iA touring and love every minute of it.
I love the professionalism and expertise OJ! Great to see you on the channel.
Love it when you jump on a BMW, Alex. Love it too when you visit OJ. That guy has so many insights beyond the obvious.
Love your videos man. Love seeing old cars being restored
That is one of my all time favorite cars. You owe your towing buddy a huge Christmas present!
Always love seeing OJ. They seem like a great shop.
Damnit, I want one of these! What a amazing buy!
Car wash and vacuuming, then fix everything.
I’m so excited to seen how this comes together!
Mate I live in europe and that's a very hard to find specially with that kms u have a f..k unicorn there fully restored I know bmw guys that will pay really god cash for it
Great car
They where everywhere here in Europe and amazingly comfortable to drive.
Great buy can't wait to see it finish.
Great project, great price and great investment. You can get some good money for that car. If you hold on to it, should be worth more over the next few years. Just ask Sam to store it for you, he's good at storing cars.
@ 30:16 that's a 96 or newer. Has 96 and newer side marker light and dead giveaway it has an S52. S52 intake and oil filler is at the front of the valve cover. (i know, its a US "S52" too) Might even be a 99 looks like it may have the 3-ish spoke steering wheel?
I really want an e39 540i, its been my dream daily driver for a while
I've been daily driving a manual one for a few years and it's the best decision I've ever made
i have not ever been a big bmw person but i do understand the fun they can be and can appreciate them as my dad had a bmw 2002 from the 70s so if i was to ever own a modern day basket case this bmw would be it v8 bmw with a manual transmission sound like lots of fun
I’ve always wanted an E39… one day 🤞🤞 Love the way they look!
@legitstreetcars: if you decide you would like to sell this car, would you please let me know?
This is great ! I’m so stoked for this project. I own 2 E39 540i they are so great to drive. If you do the chain guides with instruction you would be a life saver
Amazing car Alex! I wish my E39 was a manual, I'm stuck with the automatic for now lol. Also sounds like the fan is on and robbing some power! Definitely some cooling issues.
Oj is very smart and can tell he takes pride in his work 31:22
I love this channel ❤ Gives me hope to go out and buy something I want and fix.
I love E39's, such good looking cars, especially the later models with angel eyes and non-yellow indicators (they were ugly). They are a pain to work on and parts are expensive but when they work they're great to drive. Anyone who has owned one knows about dead pixels and broken drinks holders. And you're supposed to check the oil level when the engine is hot but has been off for 5 minutes... because German.
I'm looking forward to the interior cleaning!
as someone who is restoring an e34 530i v8, RATS will be what you should worry about. under our plastic intake manifolds is plenty of rooms for critters to gnaw on Soy rich Knock Sensor wires. i recommend with replacing valve cover gasket’s, to replace anything intake wise. for example, intake manifold gaskets love cracking on these old fragile v8’s. nothing too expensive but time consuming for sure. great car and great deal!
i should also add, if your engine had a plastic thermostat housing, upgrade to an alloy housing asap!
This has the potential to be a very nice 'cheap' M5. Hope this becomes a project on the channel. Put on a nice exhaust on it, short shift kit, lower it some.
It’s not an M5. No rebadging, only heathens do that 😂
@@TCronenberg Not what I meant dude.
I bought a super cheap Explorer (400) with the same issue, leaking on the back corner onto the manifold. Yep Blue Devil and it worked great but that was the only leak... Put some new plugs in, oil change and some Restore and it runs great for 230k. It's a very clean beater , everything works, that i use to haul stuff to the auction, take the dogs in and sometimes a trailer too. I really bought it because of the 4wd for this winter. Of course it has electric gremlins, door locks that don't open, alarm issues, but it's a Ford ... That said looking forward to project videos and rebuilds. .
Ok this channel is becoming the best car channel in youtube i used to watch goonzsquad but since they started making house video's i stopped never watched again
As for the color combo, it was available in some markets as part of "BMW individual" option. I have never seen one of this generation in the US market
What a bargain totally worth fixing 😀
I currently own a 1992 BMW 735i E32, runs & drives great. In the past I have owned an E28, E38 as well and my Dad had an E39 which he sold last year.
The viscous clutch fan should only run on full mode when the engine is hot.
And the fan will explode if driven with stuck clutch.
@@peto22 its just a matter of time
I love that car , I have a 2003 BMW 530i I got it for 3000 bucks the first thing i did was put new control arms tie rod end basically every ball joint and I've put adjustable coil overs and it feels great. i had a 1987 BMW 325I 6CY manual. You luck out Alex, thx for the discount