I've been reading these forums for a while, learning as much as I can about BMWs, particularly the E46 and E39.

Recently, a nice looking E39 has landed in my area and caught my interest. I can't post links yet, but if you check autotrader there is a black '98 540i6 at Hughes Motors in Methuen, MA. Here are the cliffnotes:

Black on Black
90k miles
Some cosmetic upgrades such as angel eyes of some sort, eyelids, smoked tails, front bumper, tint, style 37s (don't know if those came from factory, thought it was 32s)
Asking $12,995

The catch is that, according to carfax, it has been in an accident. The airbag did not deploy and there is supposedly no structural damage. Clean title, just a note of an accident. Without knowing the severity of the accident, how does that knowledge change the value?

I was initially thinking of suggesting $11k and working from there, but I don't know how an accident changes things. I will definitely insist on a PPI before committing to anything.

Anybody know of a good shop for a PPI near Methuen, MA? The nearest dealer is about 30 min away (BMW Peabody).

I plan to check the car out tomorrow; however, I am in no rush and can afford to be patient with this. My current car is in great shape and suits my needs.

I posted this in the E39 forum, but thought I would post here as well. Who knows, maybe the former owner is a forum member!

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Try BPG in Stoneham. I don't think its to far. :dunno

Make sure you get under the hood and put the car in good light. The fact that the airbag didn't deploy doesn't mean it wasn't a hard hit. I have seen many BMW wrecks with no deployed airbags.

A PPI is the best way to go.

When did the accident occur? I bought my 99 M3 in 2005 and it was in an accident when it was 3 months old in 99. I did not worry because it had obviously driven fine for 6 years afterwards. If the car was just in an accident, I might be more concerned and do more research.

Wow, you guys respond fast.

I'll look into BPG in Stoneham.

The accident occurred in March of 2000, back when it was on lease with the original "owner." That owner kept the car for about a year and a half after that, selling in August of 2001. Since then it looks like it has had two more owners, with the most recent owner having the car for almost four years, which I find encouraging.

Given that the accident occurred early in the car's life and it hasn't been passed around excessively for a car of its age, I think it is unlikely that the accident has had any long term effect. I'm sure a mechanic would have a better idea.

That said, I don't want to ignore the accident when negotiating. Someone in the E39 forum suggested I start as low as $8,500 and don't exceed $10k. Can I get away with that offer without being laughed out of the dealership? That sounds like it would be a steal if I could pull that off.

:buttrockanother mazda owner...... not as fun as bmws but better then a honda

FYI: BPG is now in Winchester near the Woburn line. Only 5-10 minutes from their old location.

Pennpen: The Protege has been great. I have also been driving it for a little over 5 years and it represents the latest in a line of FWD Japanese compacts that I have owned. It's time for something different. Fortunately, I can afford to wait until the right BMW turns up because of the Protege.

Kevin E21: Thanks for the heads up on BPG. I was having trouble finding listings for it in Stoneham.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=940180

Here's his thread with pics of his new shop. Looks nice.

Checked the car out today, and it is in excellent cosmetic shape. The cover for the radio was broken, but that was the only thing I noticed. I assume that piece of trim is a cheap replacement part?

Seemed to drive pretty well, though I have no prior E39 experience to compare it to. Brakes and tires were in good shape. Didn't notice any funny shimmies or anything.

As far as the PPI goes, the good news is the dealer didn't flinch when I asked about it. The bad news is he would prefer that it was local to minimize the time that the car, and the plate, is off the lot. There isn't a lot in the area, and BPG is 25 minutes away. Too bad, the place looks incredible.

Does anybody have any experience with European Motorsports Sales and Service in Lawrence? Seems like the best bet within 10 minutes of the car.

I wouldn't let him tell you that, I know nothing about Euro MS but I would push to bring it to a dealer. They know exactly what to look for, and if the place only has 1 plate, they prob aren't busy enough that it would really matter. Just tell him that you're going to give him nearly 13 thousand dollars for the car, and want to make sure it's just right. If he still has a problem, try to call his bluff and say, ok, I'll take my business elsewhere. Obviously he isn't going to let you walk off the lot over a little thing like that....and if he does, then he knows something about the car, and he's trying to hide it. imo.

There is a bunch of 5 series listed for sale on CL recently. Some of them are local even. Good luck!

Had the car inspected at European Motorsports Sales and Service. Talked to Mike and he had a pretty straightforward assessment of what the car needs and what the risks were. Unfortunately, I wasn't comfortable with the results, so I guess I will keep looking.

Going from a Protege to a E39 is really a big set up. Especially in ownership costs. All the former Mazda guys I know went to either 3 series or m3s not to a 5. They are great cars but have their issues like any car.

Going from a Protege to a E39 is really a big set up. Especially in ownership costs. All the former Mazda guys I know went to either 3 series or m3s not to a 5. They are great cars but have their issues like any car.
Don't listen to mikey, he just wants to take it for himself. I would definitely check it out if I were you, my dad had two 540i's, one of them a 6spd, and they were both excellent cars. I've got the same motor in my 7, and I can promise you it's pure sex.

Going from a Protege to a E39 is really a big set up. Especially in ownership costs. All the former Mazda guys I know went to either 3 series or m3s not to a 5. They are great cars but have their issues like any car.

I've read a lot of the threads on the E39 here, and on paper, I think I can handle the increased running costs. With that in mind, I admit there is a chance that the increased costs could frustrate me when it comes time to write those checks. My Protege is currently going through its 60k maintenance cycle, so it probably seems more expensive right now than it really is.

My worries for increased costs are mostly with gas and tires. Reports of gas mileage for the 540 are all over the map on this forum. Lots of people claim 26mpg on the highway, which is most of my commute. My overall average in the Protege is 26 in the winter and 28 in the summer. There is a chance the gas costs won't hurt that much, and there is also a chance I could basically watch the gas gauge plummet as I drive. Insurance difference is minimal. Oil changes are too infrequent to matter, as I only drive about 12k/year. There is a good indy shop across the street from me that can do any necessary repairs.

I'm looking at 5s despite their expensive reputation because I love the body style of the E39 and I am looking for more interior room. I feel increasingly cramped in the Protege and I'm not sure an E46 can fix that. I should probably take one for a spin before I rule it out, but I'm not optimistic.

Did I just hijack my own thread with that digression?

Don't listen to mikey, he just wants to take it for himself. I would definitely check it out if I were you, my dad had two 540i's, one of them a 6spd, and they were both excellent cars. I've got the same motor in my 7, and I can promise you it's pure sex.

:D Nah, I do not want it. I want a 3er you know that!

I've read a lot of the threads on the E39 here, and on paper, I think I can handle the increased running costs. With that in mind, I admit there is a chance that the increased costs could frustrate me when it comes time to write those checks. My Protege is currently going through its 60k maintenance cycle, so it probably seems more expensive right now than it really is.

My worries for increased costs are mostly with gas and tires. Reports of gas mileage for the 540 are all over the map on this forum. Lots of people claim 26mpg on the highway, which is most of my commute. My overall average in the Protege is 26 in the winter and 28 in the summer. There is a chance the gas costs won't hurt that much, and there is also a chance I could basically watch the gas gauge plummet as I drive. Insurance difference is minimal. Oil changes are too infrequent to matter, as I only drive about 12k/year. There is a good indy shop across the street from me that can do any necessary repairs.

I'm looking at 5s despite their expensive reputation because I love the body style of the E39 and I am looking for more interior room. I feel increasingly cramped in the Protege and I'm not sure an E46 can fix that. I should probably take one for a spin before I rule it out, but I'm not optimistic.

Did I just hijack my own thread with that digression?

Do you did not hijack your own thread. I was just curious what you were thinking. I use to own a 03 Protege5 w/ a 5spd which averaged 30 hwy.
The e46 would feel cramped like any smaller car. But its winter so even a midsize or large car would feel cramped as well.

Adam,

Any chance you wouldn't mind sharing your findings on the car? I was thinking about checking it out and if the info is allready available it could save me a bunch of time and $$!! Any chance you still have a copy of the CARFAX?

Thanks,

-dave

dunham32@hotmail.com

Well, thanks to the wonderful potholes in Newton, my Protege now has new struts on all four corners. It drives pretty tight now. Combine that with the economy heading downhill to recession, and increasing my transportation costs might have to wait a couple of years.

On the other hand, the 5 does look nicer, is far more comfortable, and has more than twice the power. The damn thing is getting into my head...