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Exterior photo of 2003 BMW 540i M Sport

2003 BMW 540i M Sport

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Details

Price: SOLD

Mileage: 152,500 Miles

Engine: M62TUB44 4.4-Liter V8 Engine

Transmission: 6-Speed Manual Transmission

Exterior color: Jet Black Exterior (Schwarz 2 Code 668)

Interior: Black Standard Leather Interior (Code N6SW)

VIN: WBADN53473GF71429

Additional features:

M5 Titanium Line Interior Trim

M Sport Package (Code 337):

M Steering Wheel

M Sport Suspension

M Appearance Package

M Door Sills

Sport Seats

Shadowline Trim

Anthracite Headliner

M5 Style Mirrors

Gloss Black Kidney Grills

M5 Illuminated Shift Knob

E60 (Short) Shift Lever

Cold Weather Package:

Heated Seats

Headlight Washer Cleaning System

Tinted Windows

Xenon Headlights

Factory White Indicator Lights

Power Rear Sunshade

Weathertech Floor Mats

Fold Down Rear Seats w/ Ski Pass-Through

Style 37 18” x 8” Front and 18” x 9” Rear M Parallel Wheels

Second set of Winter Wheels and Tires Included

Fresh Continental Extreme Contact DW Tires

Complete Timing Component Rebuild

Old School Maintenance

Clean CarFax

Background

2003 BMW 540i M Sport exterior photo

The BMW E39 generation 5 Series was arguably the best 5 Series ever. The E39 was significantly more powerful, advanced, and modern than its E34 predecessor, yet was the last of the iconic traditional designs before Chris Bangle and Adrian van Hooydonk’s awkwardly styled E60 5 Series. The 540i M Sport was one of the best E39’s. The true 540i M Sport was only offered for the 2003 model year. It had plentiful power, exceptional handling, sporting luxury, and nearly the same styling as the E39 M5, yet with less maintenance than the M5’s S62 engine. The M Sport package included the M Aerodynamics Package, M Sport Suspension, M Leather Steering Wheel, M Door Sills, M Parallel Wheels, Shadowline Trim, and an anthracite headliner. Only 1,193 540i M Sports were delivered to the U.S. market. With E39 M5’s rapidly appreciating in value and many in need of intensive maintenance, the 540i M Sport buys a lot more car for you money. The time to get one is now while well cared for examples can still be found.

Summary

 exterior photo

I purchased this 540i M Sport from a friend, BMW Car Club of America member, and long time BMW enthusiast. The only reason he is selling it is because of a new arrival to his family. He purchased it from the second owner, a doctor, who had owned it since it was one year old. The doctor was a fastidious steward of the car, adhering to the “Old School Maintenance” schedule and sparing no expense in his maintenance. He meticulously logged all maintenance in the factory maintenance booklet, which is supported by the Carfax. The current owner continued this legacy with a complete tune up including timing component replacement and engine re-sealing, cooling system overhaul, spark plugs, oil change, fuel filter, brake fluid flush, rear control arms, front brake rotors, and Continental Extreme Contact DWS tires. He also added M5 style mirrors, gloss black kidney grills, an E60 short shifter, M5 illuminated shift knob, M5 Titanium Line Interior trim, a Bluetooth interface to the factory stereo, and a reinforced rear sunshade repair kit. Overall this is an excellent example of an E39 540i M Sport. It presents like a much younger, lower mileage car. It does have a few minor cosmetic flaws, making it just imperfect enough for a guilt-free daily driver.

Exterior

2003 BMW 540i M Sport exterior photo

I strive give critical descriptions of my cars, good and bad (comprehensive pictures are available on our website if you are reading this elsewhere). The Jet Black paint over beautiful Style 37 M Parallel wheels are a stunning combination that get looks and thumbs ups everywhere it goes. The M Appearance package sets the M Sport above lesser E39 540i’s. Black is a fitting color for the M Sport—it is subtle, yet alludes to the sporting performance under its skin. The paint condition is very good with no peeling clear coat or glaring defects. All Vin tags are in place, the Carfax is clean, and it has never been in accident. The lower front bumper is missing some material under the right splitter. It looks like the result from an encounter with driveway curbing. It is on the under side of the bumper cover, so it takes a little searching to find. The rear bumper cover also has some scuffs and a thin crack slightly left of center. There is a 2-inch rust spot on the passenger side skirt below the door. It looks like paint was scratched there at some point allowing moisture in. This could be fixed for around $300. There are a few small dings in the hood, roof, and trunk—nothing glaring but they can seen in the right light. All trim and black-work are present and in good condition. The headlights, fog lights, marker lights, and taillights all operate with nice lenses. The E39 was the first BMW with Angel Eyes, and the ones on this M Sport operate correctly. Factory clear indicator lights are also very nice touch. The windshield glass was recently replaced by the current owner; it has no cracks or pitting. The side window glass is lightly tinted, which looks great over Jet Black paint. The Style 37 M Parallel wheels are in excellent shape, with no bends or paint chips, although they do have minor curb rash in spots. They are wrapped in fresh Continental Extreme Contact DWS rubber with 90% tread remaining.

Interior

 interior photo

Black leather is the perfect compliment to Jet Black exterior. Black holds up better to age and wear than most other leather interior colors. Titanium M5 trim is an excellent upgrade to the OEM wood. Turn the key, and the M Sport steering wheel lowers into place. There are no odors and it has never been smoked in. The carpets are clean, with no stains or tears. Weathertech front floor mats and BMW rear mats protect the carpet. The seat leather is supple and soft, with no failed stitching or excessive poster wear. The driver’s seatback bolster does have 3 noticeable creases, which are pictured on our website. All power seat functions and seat heaters work, but the driver’s seat fore / aft motor does make some noise. It is best to adjust the seat while it is unloaded. The instrument cluster, stereo, and HVAC displays have no blown out pixels. There are no warning lights and no system check messages. The BMW Business stereo sounds fantastic and has an aftermarket Bluetooth input. The heat blows warm and the air conditioning blows cold. The heater blower is quiet and the final stage resistor functions correctly at all fan speeds. All power door lock and windows work, the driver window regulator was replaced in 2007 at 61,000 miles. The rear side window sunshades work, and the rear power window shade was rebuilt by the current owner with reinforced rods. Fold down rear seats increase the already copious trunk space if needed. The trunk floor is protected by a BMW all-weather mat. A factory placard showing the proper placement of 3 golf bags is present, as are the tool kit, factory jack, and spare tire. All owners manuals and two keys are included with the sale.

Mechanical

 engine photo

BMW’s are like airplanes. Age and mileage are relevant, but proper care and maintenance are more important. When you buy a used BMW, you buy the previous owner’s stewardship. This is especially true with an E39 5 Series. That said the E39 was probably the last solidly reliable 5 Series. All major common E39 540i issues have been addressed or are not present with this one. M62 motors suffered oil leaks and timing chain component wear. In February of 2016, at 147,000 miles this 540i had a complete timing component replacement system, engine re-sealing, cooling system overhaul, and tune up. It was an $8500 service! It included:

  • Timing Chain
  • Timing Chain Pulleys
  • Timing Chain Guide Rails
  • Timing Chain Tensioners
  • Timing Chain Cover seals
  • Valve Covers
  • Valve Cover Gaskets
  • Valley Pan Gasket
  • Camshaft Solenoid Seals
  • Crankshaft Seals
  • Oil Separator
  • Oil Separator Hose
  • Intake Manifold Gasket
  • Intake Manifold Cover
  • Intake Cover Gasket
  • Oil Pan Gasket – Upper
  • Oil Pan Gasket – Lower
  • Water Pump
  • Aux Fan Switch
  • Upper and Lower Radiator Hoses
  • Thermostat
  • Expansion Tank Cap
  • Fan Shroud
  • Fuel Filter
  • Engine Air Filter
  • Oil Filter
  • Oil Change with Mobile 1 5W-30
  • Coolant Flush
  • Brake Fluid Flush
  • Spark Plugs
  • Upper and Lower Rear Control Arms
  • Alignment
  • Front Brake Rotors
  • Brake Hoses at ABS Module

Going further back in the maintenance history, notable items that have been replaced are:

  • Front Control Arms at 100,150 Miles
  • Clutch Master and Slave Cylinder at 98,659 Miles
  • Clutch and Thrust Rod Bearings at 90,020 Miles
  • Headlight Control Unit and Heater Control Valve at 73,396 Miles
  • Radiator at 71,000 Miles
  • Starter at 47,243 Miles

In preparation for sale I gave it a fresh oil change.

This is a turn-key 540i M Sport. I wouldn’t hesitate to drive it across country. Like any E39, it will certainly need continued care and maintenance, but it is very well sorted. The M62 fires on command, idles smoothly, and pulls to redline. It doesn’t spot or leak. The clutch and shifter are smooth and precise. The suspension is compliant and there are no clunks, rattles, or other abnormal drivetrain noises. The brakes are firm and it passes emissions with no problems, which we pay for.

Overall this is an excellent example of an E39 540i M Sport. You can buy a lower mileage example and spend the money to do all of the items that every M62-powered E39 needs, or get one like this that has been done. . I have priced it accordingly. We would like to find a new owner for it who will enjoy, care for it and appreciate it as it has been.

VIN Decode

 exterior photo

VIN Decode

  • VIN: WBADN53473GF71429
  • Type: DN53
  • Model: 540i – USA
  • Development Code: E39
  • Chassis: LIM
  • Steering: LL
  • Doors: 4
  • Engine: M62/TU
  • Displacement: 4.40
  • Power: 210
  • Drivetrain: HECK
  • Transmission: MECH
  • Color: Schwarz 2 – 668
  • Upholstery: Standard Black Leather (Standardleder/schwarz – N6SW)
  • Production Date: 1-24-2003

Original Equipment

  • 319 Integrated Universal Remote Control
  • 326 Rear Spoiler Deletion (replaced by M Aerodynamics Package)
  • 337 M Sport Package
  • 403 Glass Roof Electric
  • 416 Sunblinds
  • 459 Power Seats with Memory
  • 465 Ski Pass-Through
  • 481 Sport Seats Driver and Front Passenger
  • 494 Heated Seats Driver and Front Passenger
  • 500 Headlight Washer System / Intensive Cleaning System
  • 508 Park Distance Control (PDC)
  • 521 Rain Sensor
  • 522 Xenon Lights
  • 640 Car Telephone Preparation
  • 650 CD Player
  • 677 Hifi System Professional
  • 694 Preparation for CD Changer
  • 705 M Sport Suspension li
  • 710 M Leather Steering Wheel
  • 715 M Aerodynamics Package
  • 760 Individual High-gloss Satin Chrome
  • 775 Individual Roof-lining Anthracite
  • 780 M Parallel Wheels Lt/aly
  • 785 White Direction Indicator Lights
  • 818 Main Battery Switch
  • 925 Shipping Protection Package

Standard Equipment

  • 210 Dynamic Stability Control
  • 249 Multi-function Steering Wheel
  • 302 Alarm System
  • 354 Green Stripe Windscreen
  • 431 Auto-Dimming Rear View Mirror
  • 438 Wood Trim (has been replaced with M5 Titanium Line trim)
  • 441 Smokers Package
  • 470 Child Seat Attachment
  • 473 Front Armrest
  • 520 Foglights
  • 534 Automatic Air Conditioning
  • 555 On-Board Computer
  • 645 Radio Control US
  • 661 Radio BMW Business
  • 845 Acoustic Belt Warning
  • 850 Add Fuel Tank Filling for Export
  • 853 Language Version English
  • 876 Radio Frequency 315 Mhz
  • 992 Number Plate Attachment