2003 BMW E39 5-Series

This 2003 BMW 540i Touring started out as one of 182 M Sport wagons imported to the US-market for the model year. The seller purchased the car in 2006, and has since modified it with a 4.9L S62 V8 engine, 6-speed manual transmission, and limited-slip differential sourced from an E39 M5. Additional equipment includes an M5 steering box with sport button panel, 18″ wheels, StopTech front brakes, Ground Control coilovers, and more. The car was featured in a 2018 issue of Roundel Magazine, and is now being offered with manuals, service records, a Carfax report, and a clean North Carolina title in the seller’s name. The car is finished in Black Sapphire Metallic. An entry in the Carfax from August 2007 lists an accident involving the front and right side of the vehicle, noting minor damage. The hood, fenders, bumpers, and side-view mirrors were repainted in February 2019, and imperfections include some areas of paint touch-up, some scratches on the rear hatch, and a small rust spot on the bottom edge of the rear hatch. European-market tail light lenses and an E39 M5 rear valance have been fitted. An exterior walk around video has been provided by the seller. The headlights feature EVO bi-xenon projectors and Orion V4 “angel eyes” in aftermarket housings. European-market clear side reflectors are fitted, and new fog lights and their associated trim pieces have been installed. The roundels, kidney grilles, and trim pieces on the front bumper and below the rear hatch have also been replaced with new items. Power folding side-view mirrors from an E39 M5 have also been added by the seller, and a clear UV tint has been applied to the front windshield. The remaining glass has been tinted at 35%. New 18″ Style 65 wheels wear Michelin Pilot Sport AS/3+ tires. The interior was modified with a black M5 dash and black upper door panels in 2007, and a Piano Black cupholder-delete interior kit imported from Germany has replaced the stock wood trim. The car also features a new M5 steering wheel, ZHP 6-speed shift knob, leather shift boot, black M5 gauge cluster with white LED backlighting, new gauge cluster surround, an oval M5 mirror, center arm rest tray, and new M5 floor mats. The seller estimates he’s driven the car approximately 80k miles in his 13 years of ownership, and the digital odometer now indicates just over 105k miles. An audio/visual entertainment system from a 2014 BMW X5 has been fitted and includes an NBT head unit, 10.25″ screen with custom made bezel, iDrive controller with Bluetooth and navigation, and backup camera. An aftermarket amplifier powers BSW speakers and a hidden subwoofer, and a German Audio Solutions passive crossover network has been installed. Some scratches are present on the center console’s piano black trim, and two cracks on the center HVAC vent have been repaired but are still visible upon inspection. The seller notes that there are some missing trim pieces around the rear hatch. The aluminum 4.9L S62B50 V8 was reportedly sourced from an E39 M5 with 51k miles, and sends power through an E39 M5 6-speed manual transmission and limited-slip differential. Other E39 M5 components include the fuel pumps, regulator, filter, exhaust manifolds, and catalytic converters. An E39 M5 steering box is wired to a sport button panel, and a UUC Evo3 short shifter and DSSR have been installed. The results from a Bimmer Performance Center Alpha-N-style engine tune can be seen on a dynamometer sheet in the gallery. A custom dual exhaust features a remote-controlled cutout allowing the driver to switch modes, and a video showing a cold start and the engine revving in both exhaust modes can be seen here. The differential has a 3.15 ratio, recently replaced bushings in all three locations, and its front mount has been reinforced with welded aluminum. The rear also includes E39 M5 axles and brakes, along with stainless steel lines. E39 M5 underbody panels have been fitted, and the clutch, flywheel, driveshaft, and center support bearing have been recently replaced. The front suspension has been modified with a Dinan sway bar with polyurethane bushings and a Ground Control coilover setup featuring Koni adjustable shocks and adjustable camber plates. The rear suspension consists of Koni shocks, recently replaced factory airbags, an Eibach sway bar with polyurethane bushings, and BeastPower brackets. Suspension items recently replaced include the control arms, end links, tie rods, center steering link, integral link, subframe bushings, hubs, and wheel bearings. A StopTech big brake kit up is fitted up front with 355mm slotted rotors and 4-piston calipers. Accompanying the car are the original manuals, tool kit, jack, and a matching spare Style 65 wheel with Michelin tire. A 2017 Carfax report lists the accident damage to the right front and side in August 2007. Service records from the seller include a maintenance booklet with hand-written notes, proof of previous ownership, and provenance of the engine before purchase. The videos below feature a detailed description of the car’s modifications, the car driving in both exhaust modes, and views of a launch and drive-by. Filed under: e39