Going to look at a 540i

m5runner · Apr 2, 2007

I'm going to look at a 00' 540i tomorrow and the guy said the Vanos timing chain is going to need replacement. My questions/concerns are the following:

What would make this chain go bad? Motor has 155k on it
A good estimate on parts and labor to get her street worthy?

Any help would be appreciated

berlinettaa · Apr 2, 2007

If its the double Vanos, it will be much more costly Id think than single vanos. Im not accustomed to labor rates on European cars, but Id think its around an 8 to 10 hour job by the books. Just like all metal components, the timing chains are subject to wear, especially due to the continual high stress of driving the cams. I don't know what design BMW uses for their chains (link, roller, double roller), but depending on the design, the replacement intervals change. For a standard non-roller chain, Id be inclined to think that the life span would be around 150,000 miles. Double roller is more or less twice that, with single roller some where in between. I found a set of chains, 25.00 a piece (one exhaust and one intake), but you might also need the tensioner and you would need a gasket set, along with fluids. The tensioner runs about $80, gaskets about 20, and another $35 for the oil change and coolant. All told, if you paid $100 an hour for labor, Id guess (could be way off) you would be looking at $1,200 plus tax for the service. Hope this helps,

-Berlinettaa- USMC Motor T

m5runner · Apr 3, 2007

I have a professional BMW mechanic taking care of the labor for me. My only concern is picking up the car and making an investment. Thanks for the input. Semper Fi by the way.

m5runner · Apr 6, 2007

I looked at the car today and I liked how it looked despite it being in a wreck (right fender was replaced). For 5 grand I don't think I can ask for a better car at that age with Navigation. He also told me about it misfiring and I've done some reading up on it and found the following could be the problem:

Faulty valve cover gasket
bad O2 sensor
dirty MAF sensor
bad CATS (the one I don't want it to be)
vacuum leak

Pictures of it are attached. Let me know what you guys think

MTBL525i · Apr 6, 2007

5 grand? seriously? Thats a steal for that car even with the timing chain issue. Did your mechanic take a look at it yet?

dinan5i · Apr 6, 2007

5k doesn't sound right. the owner could return the car to like-new condition for 5k. why would he or she sell it? there's gotta be something else at play. my 2 cents. good luck and let us know how it goes.

dinan5i · Apr 6, 2007

m5runner said:

congrats on picking up up the 5. (i saw your other thread).
Q - was it really $5k? if so, that's a steal.

good luck

m5runner · Apr 7, 2007

He's been pretty upfront about the issues with the car so I'm not really worried. He did tell me that it was hit on the driver's side front quarter panel. I pulled a carfax on it and everything he told me about the car was on the carfax. He also showed me reciepts of what has been done to the car. The shell alone is worth 5 grand so I'm going to take the chance.

dinan5i · Apr 7, 2007

go for it!

nadroj · Apr 7, 2007

for 5k you if you dont get it i want it

m5runner · Apr 9, 2007

I got it man. Here's the last invoice the previous owner gave me, Looks like the guy was just changing parts to appease the customer. I'll see what you guys think.

(Combination) CONTROL ARM 2.00 168.92
31 120006482 1.00 77.45 77.45 BUSHING - Remove & Replace - Each
Valve Cover Gasket Set Without Wa&hers Replace Control Ann Bushings.
11 129071 590 1.00 28.87 28.87 VALVE COVER GASKET - Remove & 4.00 337.84
Valve Cover Gasket Set Without Washers Replace - Both
11 12 9071 589 1.00 28.65 28.65 Replace Valve Cover Gaskets And Spark
Valve Cover Seal Washer Plugs.
11 12 1 431395 22.00 2.57 56.54 Inspection I1 3.70 312.50
Spark Plug BKR6EQUP NGK Symptom: Inspection I1
3199. 8.00 15.49 123.92 Preform Service II
Air FiLter POWER STEERING HOSE -Remove & 1.10 92.91
1372 1 736675 1.00 21.41 21.4] Replace - [Includes: Bleed system] -
ACe Cabin Filter Particulate Filter Each,Presswe
64 3 19 069 927 2.00 2935 58.70 Replace Power Steering Lines Cooler Too
Oil Filter Kit Res. And Res. Too Pump And Cooler Too
11 427510 717 1.00 11.90 11.90 Pump.
Oil- BMW Synthetic 5w30 TIMING CHAIN TENSlONER - Remove N/A N/C
5w 30B 7.00 5.99 41.93 & Replace
BG 44K Fuel System Cleaner Replace Tensioner Too Try Too Stop
BG 208 1.00 18.99 18.99 Noise In Engine. No Help. Replace Vanos
Wiper Blade Set Solenoid Valve. No Help. Carn Sensor No
3 397001 539 1.00 67.76 67.76 Help.
Coolant -BMW Diagnose Check Engine Light - Identify 1.00 84.46
Coolant - BMW 1.00 23.87 23.87 trouble codes & determine CDstto repair
Brake Fluid Symptom: Check Engine Light is On
DOT4 1.00 18.00 18.00 Pull Trouble Codes And Clear An Codes.
Gear Oil Start With Spark Plugs. There Was Miss
Gear Oil 1.00 8.40 8.40 Fire Codes See If That Clears Up Running
PIS Hose Problem.Car Flaged Code Again Repla
32411095514 1.00 63.14 63.14 Carn Sensor.
PIS Hose ***Discount*u
32411095515 1.00 51.67 51.67 10.00% offparts, 10.00% Dfflahor
PIS Hose Haz Mat 20.00
3241 1094205 1.00 95.55 95.55
ATF
G.ATF 1.00 6.33 6.33
Camshaft Position Sensor
12 147539 1M 1.00 14().26 140.26
I

m5runner · Apr 10, 2007

I spoke with my mechanic and he said I'd be better off just changing the motor to something with less miles. At 155K, driving it to Florida and NY would rack up the miles quickly so I'm going to look for a motor to put in it.

m5runner · Apr 13, 2007

I took my mech to look at the car today and he took off the face plateoff the motor. Wouldn't you know vanos timing chain left a nice crack in the front plate of the engine. It doesn't matter since the motor is going to be replaced anyway. Now I can sell the new parts that he bought recently while my new motor is being prepped and shipped. My mech said the motor is easy to replace so hey, hopefully everything will work out as planned. Now I need more garage space for the rest of my cars.

m5runner · Apr 21, 2007

update: I'm currently shopping for motors and I spoke to a guy that has a motor for a little over 4 grand with 35k miles on it. so what's the verdict here? keep shopping for a motor or take the one at hand?

dinan5i · Apr 21, 2007

as long as you can verify the miles and condition of the motor, i would buy it.

good luck and keep us in the loop.

Kirby · Apr 21, 2007

That sounds like a VERY fair price for that mileage. If you can verify that the motor is a pull from a wreck, I'd say you are safe.

m5runner · Apr 21, 2007

The guys that are selling these motors a legit businessmen and they are giving me a warranty with the motor so I'm no worried. I'm guessing when I put this new motor in my dash is going to say 35K on it when I fire it up?

CosmosBlack · Apr 21, 2007

m5runner said:

No, I don't think so. It's illegal to change the mileage on a car.
The mileage goes with the car, even if it's got a new engine.

Even if you get a new dash panel, the dealer will set it to whatever mileage was on the old one.

m5runner · Aug 13, 2007

Well this deal turned out to be a ****ing waste. The guy told me so many lies about getting me that title that I had no choice but to return the car to him. He delayed on it so much that I just said **** it. I'm going to post the VIN later so that nobody else buys this thing. This guy is liar and doesn't need to own a BMW or sell it to honest BMW drivers.

Big Daddy · Aug 13, 2007

Sorry to hear about that, too bad there are dishonest people out there.

Going to look at a 540i

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