Description
Here for very recultant sale is my slice of 1990s luxury executive express. A rare combination of understated performance, reliability and even ULEZ-compliance. Predating the Sport and latter M-Sport monikers this 1998 540i SE (M-Sport pack) is in the highly desirable, rare and distinctively 90s Oxford Green over Sandbeige Leather and Nutwood Trim bodywork, with OEM lower and stiffer springs and dampers.
The car is one of the last before the technical updates were introduced, meaning it is ULEZ (already registered) and cheaper road tax without the usual Vanos / Timing Chain issues that plague later BMW Models. In fact, this car doesn’t have any of usual rust, oil burning, saggy headlining, burnt-out displays problems that many E39s and similar BMWs of the era suffer with.
Blending the discreet looks of the SE Bumpers and Pre-Facelift ‘gingercators’ with the venerable 4. 4 litre, quad-cam V8 with genuine optioned sport suspension, this car offers real ‘wolf in sheeps clothing’ credentials.
Prior to starting the 286hp, 310lbs-ft engine the only hint to its sporting qualifications are the recently (2 months ago) refurbished Style 49s shod in matching Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tyres. After starting up there’s no hiding the V8 burbling through a custom 3” Stainless Steel Exhaust from the Catalytic Converters back. I don’t find the noise intrusive into the cabin at all, but with all the windows down and the sunroof open the bark in tunnels always brings on a childish smirk.
Shortly after buying, I read a few forum posts that these early, non-vanos, M62B44 engine's torque responds particularly well to a freer flowing exhaust, not something I’d usually pay much attention to without proof although I have found this 540i certainly hustles E39 M5 stablemates and contemporary E55 AMGs far more that the on-paper figures would suggest.
Testament to previous owners work; I’ve had a faultless 6000 miles, covering the length and breadth of England and Wales, with back-to-back 350+ miles/ days on several occasions. This flying armchair is just as happy sitting on cruise control on motorways as it has been proving the balance of the E39 chassis in the Elan Valley, the former gets ~28mpg, the other considerably less...
I’m only selling the car as I live in London where off-street space is a premium and I’ve just inherited my mother’s E30, so this lovely bit of kit has to make way for the car I learnt to drive in. As for Overall Condition & History:
• It’s in very good condition, all the electrics work; from the sunroof to the heated seats, automatic wipers to the cruise control, 6-Disc CD changer and tape deck to Parking Sensors all still work.
• All the pixels in the centre console and dashboard still work
• Still has it’s original BMW leather documentation booklet & glovebox torch
• V5C present & in my name.
• Massive amount of history of repairs, MOTs and servicing, even the pre-delivery inspection sheet!
• 2 sets of Keys
• I also found a lot of the history on a Pistonheads thread showing the rust removal, replacement of the original headlining and headlights among a host of other work.
• No rips, tears or burn marks the seats or headlining.
• Car is original to delivery specification. Full specification attached below.
Body condition:
It is a nearly 26-year-old car that’s just ticked over 120k miles last week. It does have a few age-related marks, all cosmetic, which I intended to have sorted and wasn’t quoted to anything too costly. But most importantly with E39s it is remarkably without rust.
• In 2016 the car received new front wings, entire rear ¼ panels welded in and the rear re-sprayed to eradicate any rust from the usual E39 places.
• The jacking points, sills and bonnet appear mint and still have all the original trim piece in place.
• The headlights have replacement lenses, been re-sealed so they don’t fog up like the usual BMWs of the era. The bulbs have also been upgraded with Osram Nightbreakers, providing much better visibility and more modern white hue.
• Full Toolkit present
Mechanical Condition:
• ULEZ Compliant; the CoC & other related paper work will be provided.
• Numbers matching M62B44 and 5-speed ZF 5HP24 work perfectly. Almost unheard of with these engines, it hasn’t used a drop of oil in my ownership, due to recent Rocker Gasket replacements and being a pre-vanos doesn’t suffer from any of the timing chain issues of the M62B44TU engines. The gearbox doesn’t throw up the errors of later ones either.
• The catalytic converters were replaced ~10k miles ago.
• Cooling System was nearly entirely replaced just prior to my purchase (Radiator, Expansion Tank, Pipes and Water pump). Like the rest of the engine, it hasn’t consumed any coolant in my ownership.
• Re-wound Alternator & Auxiliary Belt 6000miles ago.
• Straightened and Powder Coated Style 49s in BBS Silver 2 months ago, still in warranty.
• 4x Michelin Pilot Sport 4 (245/ 45r17 (99Y) XL RG TL) Tyres during refurbishment, ~1500miles ago
• Genuine BMW battery fitted, holds 13+Volts for weeks even during winter.
• Oil and Filters done last week with the MOT, 29/ 06/ 25 at 120, 068 miles
If you have any questions send an email or call after working hours.
0. 7. 5. 9. 0. 5. 6. 1. 5. 0. 8.
Thanks
Spec Sheet copied below:
Type 540I (EUR)
Colour OXFORDGRUEN METALLIC (324)
Upholstery STANDARDLEDER/ BEIGE E36 SANDBEIGE E (N6SN)
216 SERVOTRONIC
302 ALARM SYSTEM
339 SATIN CHROME
354 GREEN STRIPE WINDSCREEN
403 GLAS ROOF, ELECTRIC
428 WARNING TRIANGLE
431 INTERIOR RR VW MIRROR W AUT ANTI-D
441 SMOKERS PACKAGE
481 SPORT SEATS F DRIVER/ FRONT PASSENGER
494 SEAT HEATING F DRIVER/ FRONT PASSENGER
500 HEADLIGHT WASHER SYS/ INTENSIVE CLEANING
508 PARK DISTANCE CONTROL (PDC)
534 AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONING
540 CRUISE CONTROL
694 PREPARATION FOR CD CHANGER
704 M SPORT SUSPENSION
710 M LEATHER STEERING WHEEL
773 WOOD TRIM
