1999 BMW 540i6
Titansilber/Schwarz leather
No nav...
Sport package (duh...with the sportsitz und lenkrad:) )

55,500 miles.

NikosX is in need of a DD (would have to forego his E34 M5) and is looking at this at the local Audi dealer.

Not sure what records it has. I know this is the mileage for sponaneous cooling system failure. He also said the powersteering pump whined at startup. Hasn't driven it yet, but looks to be in great condition.

How much is it worth?

Condition Value
Excellent $19,220
Good $18,185
Fair $16,790
Got this off Kelly Blue Book. I didn't add anything in the options other than sprt packg. I put in zip code for Atlanta, GA
http://www.kbb.com/KBB/UsedCars/PricingReport.aspx?VehicleClass=UsedCar&ManufacturerId=5&YearId=1999&WebCategoryId=38&VehicleId=NC8xMS8yMDA3fDUwNzE%3d&PriceType=Private+Party&ModelId=14&Mileage=55500&SelectionHistory=5071%7c3259%7c30349%7c0%7c0%7c194 918%7ctrue&Condition=Good&QuizConditions=0

1999 BMW 540i6
Titansilber/Schwarz leather
No nav...
Sport package (duh...with the sportsitz und lenkrad:) )

55,500 miles.

NikosX is in need of a DD (would have to forego his E34 M5) and is looking at this at the local Audi dealer.

Not sure what records it has. I know this is the mileage for sponaneous cooling system failure. He also said the powersteering pump whined at startup. Hasn't driven it yet, but looks to be in great condition.

How much is it worth?


Damn I thought this one was for you.

Ask me why I'm here though :devillook

Damn I thought this one was for you.

Ask me why I'm here though :devillook

Ballin'!

I may get an E39 at the end of the summer, but I'm attached to my E34. :)

I would do Edmunds True Market Value for a second opinion on value.

I would do Edmunds True Market Value for a second opinion on value.

that or check NADA Guides. www.nada.com (http://www.nada.com)

low retail:
$11,850
+3,100 (mileage)
+450 (standard power sunroof)
+575 (sport package)

$15,975


Clean Retail: $13,875 + all those same amounts above = $18,000
High Retail: $14,625 + all above amounts = $18,750

I appreciate the help, but really looking for what YOU would pay. :)

16-17k, depending on records, a test drive, and a close inspection under the car. maintenance issues (besides cooling) will start to randomly pop up in about 15-20k miles, or earlier depending on how its been driven.

16-17k .
.

Word. Thanks guys, and I'll update tomorrow.

low retail works itself out to almost 16... id offer 12 to whoever and see where id end up.

low retail works itself out to almost 16... id offer 12 to whoever and see where id end up.

12 would be getting laughed out of the dealership. I'll strongly recommend to Nick that a PPI before an offer is the best bet.

12 would be getting laughed out of the dealership. I'll strongly recommend to Nick that a PPI before an offer is the best bet.

PPI is great, especially from the stealer. Reason being, no matter how clean the car is, the dealership will find $5k of repairs that "need" doing. Good bartering leverage.

12 would be getting laughed out of the dealership. I'll strongly recommend to Nick that a PPI before an offer is the best bet.

oh yah, forgot it was a dealership. in that case I wouldn't buy it. I'm too cheap and dealers suck.

oh yah, forgot it was a dealership. in that case I wouldn't buy it. I'm too cheap and dealers suck.

I don't like dealers either nor do I buy from them but if it checks out, who cares?

12 would be getting laughed out of the dealership. I'll strongly recommend to Nick that a PPI before an offer is the best bet.
+1
last year when i got my car, i mentioned i saw a used 98 go for 12.5k last year (had 102k on its clock). dealer laughed.

my price basis is my car. its a 98 that i got a year ago in march, pretty clean body, drove nicely, but needed tires and was at 70900 miles.

Not sure what records it has. I know this is the mileage for sponaneous cooling system failure. He also said the powersteering pump whined at startup. Hasn't driven it yet, but looks to be in great condition.

How much is it worth?

The rad might have blown and been replaced already. Mine was replaced by previous owner at less than 50k. Look for paper label on Behr rad. If it's still shiny and unwrinkled, it's been replaced. If you can't find it, most likely it's original.

Oh, make sure you bring a bottle of ATF! :)

Thanks guys.

Dad's got 44k on his 740iL without replacing a radiator. Warned him about the failure rates. So, I wouldn't be TOO surprised if this one has been replaced. If not, I wouldn't be surprised if it blew on the test drive! :eek:

I'll look for that label. If nothing's been replaced, then the cooling system would be on the "short" list.

EDIT: What's the ATF for?

power steering fluid could be low, causing whining sound. PS uses Auto Tranny Fluid.

power steering fluid could be low, causing whining sound. PS uses Auto Tranny Fluid.

Gotcha, thanks. We'll probably just factor in a new pump at that price, unless it's just leaky hoses.

unless it's just leaky hoses.

more than likely, the pumps don't really go out unless someone really neglects it and ignores the horrid groaning sound when it gets too low.

I just bought my 99 540i 6 about 3weeks ago. I'm in Vancouver. I paid $18,500 for a very clean car. so about 12 dollars US. The local indy shop said it should have been closer to 23K in the condition it is in, and based on other prices up here that was probably close.

They were available cheaper in the US, but not enough for me to deal with the hastle of importing a car. Plus I found exactly what I wanted.

I guess the question is what is it worth to you?

Car prices are very driven by the local demand for the model you are looking for, and economy I find.

I just bought my 99 540i 6 about 3weeks ago. I'm in Vancouver. I paid $18,500 for a very clean car. so about 12 dollars US.

I thought the Canadian Dollar was going up? but I didn't know that's how far behind you guys were already!!!! lol :D I'm moving to canada... $12.00 US can get you a $18,500 CDN car. :)

I thought the Canadian Dollar was going up? but I didn't know that's how far behind you guys were already!!!!

Hmmm, I guess it might be high time to annex Canada......

Yeah so it's not that bad, but feels like it some times.

Usually the exchange is not what gets us right now, it is the duties and taxes on stuff coming across the border. and shipping. shipping from calgary to vancovuer for 4 tires is $50. To Seattle it is $250. Plus taxes and duties. Go figure.

I've been really watching the 540i's on Ebay and what they have been going for at auction. I wouldn't pay more then $15k for a '99 540i/6. That is assuming ALL the maint is up to date. If they don't have records of the cooling system done you might as well figure in $550 in parts right off the bat. It will fail on you if it's not taken care of. At auction the car you mentioned would go for about $11-12k. A lot of the V8 models also get slow coolant leaks from the valley pan gasket.This isn't a cheap repair. If the power steering is making noise and they are trying to sell it like that I wonder what else is wrong with the car.

Also roll the windows up and down and listen for small clicking noises....a heads up when the regulators are about to go.

I appreciate the help, but really looking for what YOU would pay. :)

Iwouldn't pay more than $14,000 for it, which would in all likelihood lead to there not being a transaction. The dealer will be able to get more for it.

I have never bought a car from a dealer because I don't think the dealer adds sufficient value to make it worth the prices they get for used cars (or new ones, for that matter).

FYI, I will be selling my '99 540i6 in the next month or so, and I'm in Atlanta. High mileage (140K) but excellent condition and well maintained. PM me if interested.

Hmmm, I guess it might be high time to annex Canada......

I say we take BC but leave all the french canadians to fend for themselves. Besides BC is just a victim of circumstance, they would make a nice addition to the PNW.

I say we take BC but leave all the french canadians to fend for themselves. Besides BC is just a victim of circumstance, they would make a nice addition to the PNW.

Yeah, and then we wouldnt have to pay duties on their *ahem* "imports".....

15K max imo

Most of the time I think both kbb and edmunds suck. They give some kind of prices that everyone would say here is the freaking money and find me one. On certain cars it;s ok to look up at those pages but for BMW 540i I would ignore those to pages.

For example if blue book says value is 15k can you really find such a car for 15k? Thats why I never care about what blue book pages say.

PPI is great, especially from the stealer. Reason being, no matter how clean the car is, the dealership will find $5k of repairs that "need" doing. Good bartering leverage.

oh yah, forgot it was a dealership. in that case I wouldn't buy it. I'm too cheap and dealers suck.

I don't like dealers either nor do I buy from them but if it checks out, who cares?

ESAD

One million dollars?

http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/editions/1119/images/16-dr%20evil.jpg

14-15k max. I bought my 99 and the PO had to replace the PS pump so figure that into your equation. You may have to replace it.