# Learn me on E39's ('99 540i6) **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [August 31, 2009, 7:32pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/learn-me-on-e39s-99-540i6/72914 "2009-08-31T19:32:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hortanica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Hortanica](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Hortanica)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 7:32pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/learn-me-on-e39s-99-540i6/72914/1 "2009-08-31T19:32:00Z")
Ok, so im picking up a 99 540i, that has 147k miles on it. Only problem with it is the speedometer doesnt work, which after a quick google search is a common problem. Is there anything else i should worry about or keep up on? Only performance things done are a customer m5 resonater/muffler welded up, it is flashed but i dont remember what flash - he just said its estimated at 10% hp, and an aftermarket intake… ---
**Author:** ![MPD47](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mpd47/32/7383_2.png) [@MPD47](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/MPD47)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 7:34pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/learn-me-on-e39s-99-540i6/72914/2 "2009-08-31T19:34:45Z")
It’s likely Conforti or Powerchip, and the intake really don’t do jack for power. Radiator, water pump, valley pan, valve cover gaskets, RTAB’s, Motor mounts, Guibo. You know, standard BMW stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Hortanica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Hortanica](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Hortanica)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 7:39pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/learn-me-on-e39s-99-540i6/72914/3 "2009-08-31T19:39:30Z")
Apparently, the car has a new radiator, newer waterpump, new battery and alternator, and new power steering pump. Unfortunately, idk what the standard ‘bmw’ stuff is lol, but by the sounds of it - its everything. ---
**Author:** ![MPD47](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mpd47/32/7383_2.png) [@MPD47](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/MPD47)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 7:40pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/learn-me-on-e39s-99-540i6/72914/4 "2009-08-31T19:40:38Z")
Basically, you need to budget a $60k cars maintenance costs. ---
**Author:** ![cougarspeed](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/cougarspeed/32/7468_2.png) [@cougarspeed](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/cougarspeed)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 7:41pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/learn-me-on-e39s-99-540i6/72914/5 "2009-08-31T19:41:40Z")
It is everything. However you will like the car enough to not mine. Is it a 6-sp car or auto? ---
**Author:** ![cougarspeed](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/cougarspeed/32/7468_2.png) [@cougarspeed](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/cougarspeed)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 7:43pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/learn-me-on-e39s-99-540i6/72914/6 "2009-08-31T19:43:32Z")
> [@MPD47](#): > > Basically, you need to budget a $60k cars maintenance costs. Well said I love when some really smart people tell me my M5 isn’t worth any more because it has all maint records including rotors, pads, all that clutch and flywheel stuff, rad and water pump, and tires within 5k miles LOLLLLLLLLLLL ---
**Author:** ![Hortanica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Hortanica](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Hortanica)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 5:52am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/learn-me-on-e39s-99-540i6/72914/7 "2009-09-01T05:52:38Z")
> [@MPD47](#): > > Basically, you need to budget a $60k cars maintenance costs. I understand the maintenance costs, but im just asking if theres common problems with them, if the engines are known to blow up at 150k miles, or if the cars are complete shit. ---
**Author:** ![LZ1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@LZ1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LZ1)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 5:58am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/learn-me-on-e39s-99-540i6/72914/8 "2009-09-01T05:58:43Z")
Ballin on a budget is probably not a smart choice… ---
**Author:** ![ultradriver10000](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ultradriver10000/32/7397_2.png) [@ultradriver10000](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ultradriver10000)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 6:04am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/learn-me-on-e39s-99-540i6/72914/9 "2009-09-01T06:04:01Z")
> [@LZ](#): > > Ballin on a budget is probably not a smart choice… How do you know he is balling on a budget? I don’t think he said he doesn’t want to fix anything, more so asking what will most likely need to be replaced. ---
**Author:** ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 6:11am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/learn-me-on-e39s-99-540i6/72914/10 "2009-09-01T06:11:33Z")
do all e39 540i cars come with a 6spd(as opposed to 5 speed)? ---
**Author:** ![walter](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/walter/32/7202_2.png) [@walter](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/walter)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 7:09am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/learn-me-on-e39s-99-540i6/72914/11 "2009-09-01T07:09:11Z")
> [@ultradriver10000](#): > > How do you know he is balling on a budget? I don’t think he said he doesn’t want to fix anything, more so asking what will most likely need to be replaced. if you’re buying a 150k mile luxury car you are ballin on a budget, case closed. ---
**Author:** ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 7:10am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/learn-me-on-e39s-99-540i6/72914/12 "2009-09-01T07:10:27Z")
that doesn’t really make it a bad car 10 yr old 150k bmw \> 10 year old 150k honda (not in terms of maintenance cost, but that’s a trade-off for owning a more comfy car) lol ---
**Author:** ![ultradriver10000](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ultradriver10000/32/7397_2.png) [@ultradriver10000](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ultradriver10000)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 7:15am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/learn-me-on-e39s-99-540i6/72914/13 "2009-09-01T07:15:41Z")
> [@walter](#): > > if you’re buying a 150k mile luxury car you are ballin on a budget, case closed. Maybe that is the only car you can find. If I was looking for a E30 M3 and wanted to keep my search within Texas I’d have a very limited stock to choose from. Plus if you plan on re-building most of the car, why would the mileage really matter? I would LOVE to grab a older 5 series and swap in a LSx. I purchased my M3 with ~85K and it is now pushing 115+K should I just sell it because the mileage is getting up there? Car is still minty fresh. Do you sell a house because it is getting old? Though if the OP said, OMG I can’t afford the brake job and maintenance on my 540. Then I’d say balling on a budget. ---
**Author:** ![theblue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/theblue/32/5074_2.png) [@theblue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/theblue)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 7:17am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/learn-me-on-e39s-99-540i6/72914/14 "2009-09-01T07:17:27Z")
> [@boardjnky4](#): > > do all e39 540i cars come with a 6spd(as opposed to 5 speed)? yeah, the V8 cars get a 6spd. the I6 gets a 5spd for E39s.