Highlights
- Immaculate low-mileage top-of-the-range late-model import from Japan
- Near-spotless condition inside and out
- One private owner since import (importer GMS Cars being first UK owner) in June 2018
- Impressive, far-reaching and documented rejuvenation and refurbishment project
- New Goodyear Vector 235/45 R17 all-season tyres
The Appeal
Discretion is a virtue, they say – and with this particular car, it’s being very, very virtuous indeed. Outside, unless you know your tailpipes, there is no evidence that this is (M5 excepted) the top model E39, a genuine 4.4 litre 282 bhp 540i – let alone a MSport model.
No badges – so, on the autobahn, you’ll only know it when the driver passing you kicks down at 90mph (no less) to smoothly accelerate towards 120 and more while you watch the silver bullet disappear in to the middle distance. Without the expense and fettling that M5 requires, this is the ultimate mid-sized long-distance kilometer-kruncher/mile-muncher.
No badges – so, on the autobahn, you’ll only know it when the driver passing you kicks down at 90mph (no less) to smoothly accelerate towards 120 and more while you watch the silver bullet disappear in to the middle distance. Without the expense and fettling that M5 requires, this is the ultimate mid-sized long-distance kilometer-kruncher/mile-muncher.
You’d never guess it’s 20 years old, and at 57,303 miles it neither feels nor looks it – inside and out. Stepping inside doesn’t feel like a timewarp either – the glistening brushed aluminium fascia, the firm leather seats, the very classy and sensible switchgear – it’s still a businessperson’s perfect modern express. Owning this understated, elegant car is an expression of your own discretion.
This one has to be the best E39 540i in the country right now. Why? Very simple; the vendor is well-known in BMW afficionado circles – especially for E39s - as someone who does everything 110%, knows no compromise, cuts no corners, takes positive pleasure in perfection. Having turned their attention yet again to the model widely regarded in these circles as the bees’ knees, it was always going to be good. And believe us, this one is so very good .. read on and admire ..
The History and Paperwork
- V5C present and correct
- MoT to 11 August 2023, no advisories
- No history from the car’s first home in Japan, but a mass of paperwork documenting a comprehensive rejuvenation and refurbishment project over the last 6 months
- Incredible near-professional attention to detail by a perfectionist and knowledgeable vendor
- Just over 1000 miles covered since import and project completion
- Two keys
The Interior
- OEM Mtec II Sport interior, including new Anthracite velour floor overmats
- Virtually unmarked condition throughout; no scratches or tears to seat leathers, which have received an intensive steam deep-cleaning and conditioning session
- Heated front seats with memory settings
- Rear seats look as though hardly used – front seats firm, full electric control
- Parcel shelf formerly had the (unreliable) blind fitted – replaced with an OEM standard parcel shelf: original, plus the switch pack, will come with the car
- Black base carpets in top condition, with new boot liner
- Full-size Dunlop-shod spare wheel in boot
- Headlining shows a small sag above the driver’s seat – see photographs
- Electric steering wheel adjustment
- OEM M Sport steering wheel with radio and phone controls
- OEM M Sport sill plates
- Instrument cluster professionally converted from kph to mph
- Climate control and all electronics function perfectly
The Exterior
- OEM Mtec II Sport exterior
- Absolutely fabulous unmarked Titan Silver paintwork and extremely clean underbody
- No rust, anywhere
- Xenon headlights
- Powerfold exterior mirrors, chromatic, heated, dimming
- Unmarked freshly refurbished BMW Style 66 17” alloys in OEM BMW silver, shod with new Goodyear Vector 4Season Gen 3 235/45 R17 allweathers
- The wheels are on 15mm hubcentric spacers with an 82mm stud conversion, which has the wheels sitting much better – see the photographs
- New Steelmate rear Park Direction Control fitted (sounder in rear armrest cubby)
- Headlamp washers
- Washer bottle pumps and piping replaced
- Manual key access, but central locking works as it should
- All four door handles resprayed to correct the lacquer peeling
- Exhaust back box delete done, to release some (not too much) of that lovely V8 burble. The OEM back box will come with the car, should buyer wish to refit.
- Japan-spec BMWs don’t have car alarms fitted, but they do have the factory-fitted immobiliser – which satisfies UK insurance requirements
The Mechanics
- BMW modified the M62TU 4.4 litre 282 bhp V8 in 1998 to improve torque to 440 nm using single-VANOS variable valve timing
- Top-end rocker gaskets and spark-plug gaskets replaced: full 5W30 oil & Mann filter change
- ZF 5HP24 (A5S440Z) 5-speed auto box fully serviced, with new ZF selector shift
- Full braking system replaced – discs, pads, lines, fluid – with ATE Powerdiscs and ATE ceramic pads, TRW brake lines and Motul DOT5.1 fluid, including new HEL small brake lines by the ABS pump
- Full cooling system overhaul (new thermostat, water pump, all hoses, coolant, sensors), except the 2017 Behr radiator which was in good condition already
- Full replacement of the suspension system (arms, bushes, drop links, track rod ends, subframe bushes etc.) using top quality parts such as Lemforder, TRW and Febi
- Rear anti-roll bar replaced with an M5-spec (thicker) part, with new Powerflex bushes, with new Powerflex bushes also for the front anti-roll bar
- All four shockers replaced, with new OEM Sachs Sport shocks, Eibach Pro-kit springs, Febi top mounts & bearings, and some as-new spring pads and dust boots/bump stops from a low-mileage M5
- Propshaft donut (the “guibo”) replaced
Summary
Sporting prowess and long-haul comfort, it's no surprise to see the market starting to recognise this top-end BMW saloon as a classic today. This particular example exudes class and discretion: with no badging, it’s only the fat single rear pipe which tells BMW aficionados that this is not a run-of-the-mill 520i.
However, it’s very far from being a run-of-the-mill 540i either. It’s in quite exceptional condition: the amazing recent recommissioning and refurbishment conducted to exacting standards has literally granted this car a full new lease of life. You see a lot of very tired E39s about, but this one is even a lot fresher than many E60 successor models on today’s roads. With the low mileage, evidence of real care from a very savvy devoted BMW owner, and that wonderful 4.4 V8, it also represents astonishing value, as an investment, for what it is and what it does. It’s a stealthy healthy silver streak that not only really flies, but flies well under the radar. Don’t let it escape yours!
However, it’s very far from being a run-of-the-mill 540i either. It’s in quite exceptional condition: the amazing recent recommissioning and refurbishment conducted to exacting standards has literally granted this car a full new lease of life. You see a lot of very tired E39s about, but this one is even a lot fresher than many E60 successor models on today’s roads. With the low mileage, evidence of real care from a very savvy devoted BMW owner, and that wonderful 4.4 V8, it also represents astonishing value, as an investment, for what it is and what it does. It’s a stealthy healthy silver streak that not only really flies, but flies well under the radar. Don’t let it escape yours!
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