SCHLEPN | The E39 540itA Story

DrLeadFoot

It took a lot to get to this. I'll work on getting the thread updated with tons of maintenance and some fun stuff as well.

Jdesign

THIS is what I wanted to see. Please do tell, is it a 6spd?

DrLeadFoot

Jdesign said:

THIS is what I wanted to see. Please do tell, is it a 6spd?

Automatic for the family cruises!

DrLeadFoot

For my sanity, I am going to go from most recent work done to the wagon and work backwards.

Let's jump in!

177,XXX miles.

New power steering pump installed. I think previous owner ran over something going in reverse as the bumper was pulled down (see zip tie holding bumper). The power steering upper front mount was cracked making the pulley cockeyed and finally leading to an annoying squeaky belt.

New belt tensioner, front and rear OEM rotors

DrLeadFoot

New (all oem) radiator, expansion tank, temp sensor. The old radiator was about to burst! Headlight level sensor rod.

DrLeadFoot

New tie rods and steering links. I never new these things, along with the M5s, have steering boxes. Brings be back to my Jeep days.

The driver's upper rear control arm nut kept loosening up and making the rear tire pigeon toed. Prime example to spend the money and buy BMW parts. PO flipped this and cheaper out here and there.

DrLeadFoot

Did a timing chain tensioner for good measure just to know a new one is in there. PO did the chain & guides.

Threw in a ignition switch as well to try an combat a starting issue. With 5 series I guess you can just flip the key to the crank-over position for a quick second and it will continue to crank until it starts. Sometimes I just get a click on the first flick of key and need to flick it in the crank position again for it to fully crank and start.

DrLeadFoot

FULL DETAIL!

DrLeadFoot

New emblems & Kidneys.

YoungCR

Didn't know about the starting function, that's cool!

DrLeadFoot

Getting the trunk as silent as possible. Some sound deadening, new OEM weather stripping, tailgate stops and a bunch of glue. With that being said, a new tailgate is on the radar. This one is a bit rusty and patched together.

New grip strip to replace the corroded one.

DrLeadFoot

Oil change. 177,600 miles.

OEM filter and Castrol 0w-40.

DrLeadFoot

Let's jump to the beginning!

I was all over the internet for a couple months searching for e39 wagon. I6 or V8 just clean. I found this 540it for $3700 in New Hampshire that the seller just did the timing chain & guides. I booked a plane ticket and let the older seller know in was coming and had cash. He didn't believe that someone would fly halfway across the country for this wagon. Some pics of his garage and first pics of the wagon after the drive to Syracuse, NY:

DrLeadFoot

It smelled liked mold, air suspension was deflating overnight, alignment was way off and tires were bad. Made it to Syracuse no problem. Windows down the majority of the way. The smell was BAD.

Stayed in this sweet late 1800s airbnb.

DrLeadFoot

Made it home 6-23-18! Air suspension was still leaking.

DrLeadFoot

Got it on the lift after I got it home. Rear main seal was leaking, rear lower ball joint was half out, some weird catch can was hooked up and all the window seals were leaking. Smelled so nasty.