The E39 continued and expanded the 5-series wagon’s popularity by bringing bigger wheels, more power and updated looks to the mid-range Audi-challenger. Like the first generation, these were only available in rear-wheel drive in the U.S., so matching the all-wheel drive variants available from…well, everyone else, required a very good looking and potent package. BMW pulled that off, with the Sport versions of both the 528i and 540i wagons thoroughly encapsulating the ethos of the great Euro five doors.
But there was a catch.
If you wanted a manual gearbox, you had to select the lower output 528i model. For all its shouty V8-ness, the 282 horsepower 4.4 liter M62-equipped 540i only came with BMW’s Steptronic if you needed to haul ass and a family. Still, they’re highly sought packages and this has to be one of the nicer examples left out in the wild, or so it would seem at first glance:
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2001 BMW 540i Sport Wagon on eBay
Year: 2001
Model: 540i Sport Wagon
VIN: WBADR63471GN91734
Engine: 4.4 liter V8
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Mileage: 29,200 mi
Location: Hollywood, Florida
Price: $24,500 Buy It Now
2001 BMW 540i E-39 E39 touring 5-series wagon 540ia with only 29K miles! not a misprint! only 29,232 miles from new! super color combo, 2 sets of keys and all the books, Xenon headlights, Custom suede headliner, DINAN exhaust system, self-leveling rear suspension and the list go’s on and on NO accidents or paint work. $24,500 gets to drive her home
So this one looks great in Topaz Blue Metallic over Sand Beige leather, and it’s got the standard assortment of options you’d expect in a luxury wagon. It doesn’t have the Sport Package, but that could be overcome by the rest in the right situation. Mileage is incredibly low at under 30k, and from a glance, it looks to be in great condition. What’s the catch? It’s history. This car was declared a flood victim in 2014, and it was subsequently rebuilt. Now, the E39 is not like the following generations of BMWs in terms of electric complexity; but they are known to rust a lot more. So between electrical and potential rust issues, this one’s got some big warning signs.
That makes the $24,500 asking price pretty laughable. Who would pay that for a branded title E39? Sure, it looks nice, boy does it seem overpriced for the history. Truth told, the 540i isn’t my dream wagon either, so I definitely would not pay double the bidding on yesterday’s Euro S6 Avant for an automatic 540i. Perhaps if this had been redone with an S62, a 6-speed, and M5 bits one could overlook the flood history. But without? I think this one will be floating around the internet for a while longer.
-Carter
WAY too pricey for a flood car. The S6 is a much better deal. You have it right…maybe half this price and even that is taking a risk.
I would never buy anything out of Florida. Their department of motor vehicles will issue registration for just about anything and I have never seen more junk coming out of any other state. Caveat emptor
Way to pricey. Reason for low miles could be because this car sat for a number of long years in a back of some shop waiting for to be repaired.
Florida is scam central, especially Dade/Broward areas. I think the seller forgot to take 30-40% off for the flood brand. I would not pay $10k for this wagon.
This week of ridiculous sellers just keeps getting better and better! Retail on this car? Carfax says $5,600. So obviously let’s not even mention the Carfax issues in the listing and overprice it by almost $20k! I’m flabbergasted.
The vapor barriers in the doors sucked on these cars. If you didn’t pay attention you could get a big puddle on back seat floorboards especially if left out in Florida downpour rainstorm and not notice for a while till it started to smell moldy.