Just wanna introduce myself to the boards as I just purchased my first BMW today!

1997 540i 6 speed, with the sport package. I'm here in Aurora, a suburb of Chicago, and I've been a car enthusiast since I was a kid. Started off with 1:24 scale model cars, moved onto R/C cars, and when I got the drivers license, I dived head first into cars.

I've owned over 10 Honda's, just recently sold my 2 CRX's, so I could pick up this 540i. It's got 163k on the clock, but it's in pretty good condition, save for the shitty pixel display. However, it is a pleasure to drive, and I cannot get enough of it!

Once I hit 15 posts, I will post pics.

I read your other thread. Congrats on the the E39. I'm sure you will love it.

The 540i is starting to show it's price now. Noticing a lot of oil on the bottom end of the motor, and what looks to be some coolant dripping on the garage overnight. It's not a lot, but enough to make me worry. My first thoughts are the valley pan gasket and valve cover gaskets, as the motor does not overheat, and runs without a hiccup.

Any local BMW shops that someone can recommend? I would just like to have it inspected so I know what needs to be replaced.

First a Hello is in order. Welcome to the sickness, of owning a bimmer.

To address your question, I know of several people who can help, but, I assume you as me like to avoid costly dealership inquiries. Stop by one of our local gatherings and we may be able to help you out.

The link to our local board:
http://illinoiseuro.com/forum/index.php

I can recommend several places that are very reasonable and will work with you diagnosing the issue. What you are experiencing sounds very much like what happened on my 1987. A little moisture under the engine and some spots on the floor. Best to have a look at it rather than an eDiagnoses.

Stop by the forum and of course post the hell out out of this place. This place has a wealth of information and personally, I am a BF.c junkie. Look forward to seeing you at the local meets!!!

For the record, I am located in Palatine.

Tell them Lsixer sent ya!

-Adam

The 540i is starting to show it's price now. Noticing a lot of oil on the bottom end of the motor, and what looks to be some coolant dripping on the garage overnight. It's not a lot, but enough to make me worry. My first thoughts are the valley pan gasket and valve cover gaskets, as the motor does not overheat, and runs without a hiccup.

Any local BMW shops that someone can recommend? I would just like to have it inspected so I know what needs to be replaced.

Go to Chicago Auto Center: http://www.chicagoauto.net/

Chicago Auto Center
315 S. Green St.
Chicago, Il 60607
Hours: Monday - Friday - 8am-6pm
Saturday - 8am-3pm
Sunday - closed
Phone: (312) 648-0632
Fax: (312) 648-0572
Greek and Spanish spoken.

They are offering free maintainence checks from 11/17-11/30. (You can't beat free.)

Here is a link to a local board where they are a sponsor. Plenty of references:
http://www.euroteknik.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=66

Definitely cannot beat a free inspection. I will give them a call tomorrow.

15 posts! Here's a pic:

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f234/paoiepao/IMG_4916.jpg

thats a real nice 540... like the halo's alot... and what color is that?

Black? Haha, I don't know the color code yet, where is it located on the car?

I cant see the pic for some reason but I just bought a 95 540i 6speed manual.. getting really excited to go home and to drive it.. soon I will post pics for all you guys I just need to get enough posts... I'll be living just east of St. Louis in Belleville, IL near Scott AFB... hopefully I'll make it to some outings next year!!!

Dan

The 540i is starting to show it's price now. Noticing a lot of oil on the bottom end of the motor, and what looks to be some coolant dripping on the garage overnight. It's not a lot, but enough to make me worry. My first thoughts are the valley pan gasket and valve cover gaskets, as the motor does not overheat, and runs without a hiccup.

Any local BMW shops that someone can recommend? I would just like to have it inspected so I know what needs to be replaced.

I just bought my e39 also. I took it to a shop that my boy who had a e34 535i swore by. Its called North Pointe and is in skokie. the address is 9140 N. Terminal ave. Phone# is 847 470 9393. The owners name is Tim and hes a cool guy. They do mostly bmws mbs and volvos. He has owned several e39's and runs a good shop, Im definitely taking mine there for anything semi major.

btw, nice car man, I think I might need to get the updated lights...

Thanks for the references, if I stumble upon anything I can't handle, I will definitely look into these places.

Just finished replacing the pass. side valve cover gaskets today. I would've done both, but the majority of the project was stripping the valve cover. I would've liked to have had it bead/sand blasted, but I couldn't find anyone to do it, so I ended up using paint stripper.

Also fixed the notorious power steering leak per the DIY instructions on bimmerfest.com. I will tackle the driver side valve cover soon, and hopefully I will have eliminated most of the leaks that are staining my driveway.

My goal is to have a nice solid 540i by spring/summer time, as I would love to put this machine through an autocross course.

that car looks super nice, I gotta start working on mine to get it up to snuff with some of the stuff you guys got going on around here! I'll post a pic soon of my car just havent been active enough think I need like 5 more post's or something!

Still have some leaks coming from the driver's side and by the rear of the motor. I really gotta get my car up on a lift so I can see what's going on.

I need to fix my power steering lines too. Did you find the diy helpful? I want to do that and the cdv on my own as they seem really easy.

Power steering fix was a walk in the park. CDV is easy too, I saw it while I was under the car. I want to pull it, but I'd really like to replace it w/modified unit as opposed to just yanking the whole thing.

I need to fix my power steering lines too. Did you find the diy helpful? I want to do that and the cdv on my own as they seem really easy.


Motorwerks has service line dedicated to BMW.

Welcome Chicagoland e39 friend!

Been pretty quiet around here lately. Figured I would update the status on being a new BMW owner.

I picked up a set of 17'' Borbets w/Dunlop Wintersports for winter duty this past month. I definitely enjoy being able to get up my driveway without the ASC turning on.

Removed the CDV from my car completely yesterday. I was contemplating purchasing the Zeckenhausen piece, until I crawled under the car and saw how easy it would be to just fanagle the hard line into the slave cylinder.

I must say that this mod is a must! I finally can drive the car normally; it has made a great impact on my driving experience.

Aside from those few mods, I've just been putting miles on the car, it really is a joy to drive. I still have the annoying check lights for all of my aftermarket lighting, I have yet to find much info regarding a fix.

Hoping to snap some pics of the 5 soon, maybe when it's not single digit temps. Until then, I will be trolling BFC and the Fest.

You are getting light warnings because the aftermarket bulbs do not draw as much current as the OE stuff. Which warnings are you getting? You can install a resistor or an extra bulb inline to draw more current and turn your warning off. If you have aftermarket HIDs, then up your kit from a 35w to a 50w kit. That pulls a similar amount of power as the OE halogens and will keep your warning off.

Hmm, the headlights are Depos w/angel eyes and the 35 w ProLumen HID's. I do not know if these are the P39's from Umnitza, but they are plug and play, and the only thing spliced is the AE's to the parking lights. I also noticed there is an unused wire in the harness, which is red, and I believe it is for the daytime running lights? Just going off what I have seen in other threads.

The tailights and sidemarkers are also aftermarket, and the rears look just like the Umnitza clear/red tails w/LED bulbs, not strips.

As far as check lights go, I'm getting a warning for ALL of the lights. Front foglamps, high beams, low beams, brake lights, back up lights, sidemarkers, and rear liscence plate lights.