Fellow nairalanders, someone is offering this car for 1 million naira, and I want to buy it. I need the advice of anyone who has used this car , or is using it.Any recurring problems, maintenance issues?Is 1million naira too much? Below is a report of the VIN check:

A CARFAX Vehicle History Report is based only on information supplied to CARFAX. CARFAX checked over 5 billion vehicle history events and found 13 record(s) for this 1998 BMW 540I AUTOMATIC (WBADE6326WBW61870).

Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
08/19/1998 Quebec
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Montreal, QC Registration issued or renewed
First owner reported

03/19/1999 Quebec
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Montreal, QC Registration issued or renewed

04/05/2000 Quebec
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Montreal, QC Registration issued or renewed

09/20/2001 Quebec
Motor Vehicle Dept. Registration issued or renewed

09/25/2001 Ontario
Ministry of Transportation Registration issued or renewed
Passed safety inspection
Vehicle previously registered in Quebec
Vehicle color noted as Blue

07/29/2002 Ontario
Ministry of Transportation
Eastern Ontario Registration issued or renewed

Perform an Ontario lien search

12/21/2004 71,457 Quebec
Motor Vehicle Dept. New owner reported
Registered as
personal vehicle
Registered as lease vehicle
Odometer reported as 115,000 kilometers

01/07/2005 72,690 Service Facility Vehicle serviced
Four wheel alignment performed
Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated
Odometer reported as 116,984 kilometers

06/10/2005 81,399 Quebec
Motor Vehicle Dept. New owner reported
Registered as
personal vehicle
Odometer reported as 131,000 kilometers

09/01/2005 Dealer Inventory Vehicle offered for sale

10/20/2005 85,749 Quebec
Motor Vehicle Dept. New owner reported
Registered as
commercial lease vehicle
Odometer reported as 138,000 kilometers

08/23/2007 135,458 Quebec
Motor Vehicle Dept. New owner reported
Registered as commercial vehicle
Odometer reported as 218,000 kilometers

09/22/2008 Quebec
Motor Vehicle Dept. Vehicle retired from use

Only that most people believe BMW's are not as durable as other car models. But that is what I heard sha, never used BMW before.

BMW's and other German cars are durable.

It's just Nigerian mechanics aren't clued up with working on them.

yeah it good for one million naira, but if u want to enjoy german tech get em when they are new, they will serve u well for years, but if its used it could overwhelm u with problems

i don't think the guys above have used BMWs before. this guy is about to make a major decision so i'll advise u guys to chill and let BMW owners/mechanics/dealers advise him.

don't comment just for the sake of talking.

BMW is always a nice car to drive,but you should have money for maintenance(not road side mechanics).I was a fan of BMW and privileged to have 730 and 520.The 520 is still parked but the 730 gone for good.Mind you they don;t have second hand value,so look before you buy.

BMW is always a nice car to drive,but you should have money for maintenance(not road side mechanics)

This is true. For real, maintenance is expensive no matter the model or year.
I own 2 BMWs. Both are 520s and am interested in this one if you dont want to go ahead with it.
I definitly wouldnt pick a 540i if I was to make a choice at a car shop, but this one has a good price, however what is the mileage? its not strange to find a BMW with a high mileage though. reason is I believe the simpler the BMW the better in time of trouble. The 540i should carry a V8 engine.

One thing you should know is that, you have to stand by your BMW in time of trouble, and its certainly not a car just to drive to work and back home. Its a car built for performance. You have to desire to travel long distances and drive over 160km/ hour at will. It will do your journey at nearly half the time other cars will when in top form.
If you want to experience the Ultimate Driving Machine, then GO FOR IT!

I have never owned a 540 before, however remember that its a 8 cylinder engine. Petrol galore!

www.nairaland.com/attachments/135727_bmw_back_JPG83edf8cc6b8a66d3c79b85f5e8210bb5

Igwe oku!!!!

Fellow nairalanders, someone is offering this car for 1 million naira

Make sure there is nothing wrong with the car. 1M is a good price for the vehicle although it's a V8 engine. the problem with BM's is replacing the parts when they get old. Since this one is 11 years old, some interior engine parts needs replacement and they are not cheap. I own a  2006 3 series convertible and will sell by october because i am so dying for "4 engagement rings" AKA AUDI.


Owerri go hear nwii this christmas. If you no get Audi for owerri now, you no be correct guy anymore.

Thanks for the advice guys.Anyone know a good , reasonably priced BMW service centre in Port-Harcourt? I hear Coscharis pricing is off the charts!

Yes Nice Ride

Am interested

How Much Last?

Let me know#

One Love

Hi engrbrume , please, if you are still contemplating weather to buy or not to buy. i'm very much intested to buy it from whoever is offering to sell it to u, if u really don't want to buy it. When ur mind is made up let me know or if possible were can i get the seller. U can reach me on 08023250431. Thank u. 

As been said by some people, BMW is a very good car,i used a 6 cylinder 3 series years back,and i enjoyed the car. The only snag is that you need a good hand to work on it for you. Despite that it was a v6,it didnt consume much fuel, not even as much as a Japanese Galant that I used before then, so dont be fooled about the fuel concerns that people who havent used a BMW or even any car at all for that matter are raising.

PH is generally an expensive city,so expect that servicing it there might be a bit expensive.If u were in Lagos, i would hv gladly introducedyou to a mecho. But then, if the car's engine and parts re good, then u dnt hv to fear, as the only thing u need to do from time to time is service the car.

Good luck bros.

for this 1998 BMW 540I AUTOMATI

www.nairaland.com/attachments/135727_bmw_back_JPG83edf8cc6b8a66d3c79b85f5e8210bb5


The picture above is not of a 1998 BMW 5 series. Try your gist somewhere because the tail lamps is that of a 2001/2002 BMW 5 series.


Below is the back side of a 1998 540i and see the difference in their tail lamps. Stop doing people wayo here.

iReport:

www.nairaland.com/attachments/135727_bmw_back_JPG83edf8cc6b8a66d3c79b85f5e8210bb5


The picture above is not of a 1998 BMW 5 series. Try your gist somewhere because the tail lamps is that of a 2001/2002 BMW 5 series.


Below is the back side of a 1998 540i and see the difference in their tail lamps. Stop doing people wayo here.

u are right. i missed that fact. how the VIN report says 1998 and pics shows a 2001-02 car is the question.

Before condemning a seller, there are other factors to consider.

Tail lamps are a popular upgrade, it's quite common for owners to have a particular preference, and retrofit either items from a later or earlier model. So, it pays to check other determining factors, before crying wolf!

Siena:

Before condemning a seller, there are other factors to consider.

Tail lamps are a popular upgrade, it's quite common for owners to have a particular preference, and retrofit either items from a later or earlier model. So, it pays to check other determining factors, before crying wolf!

Which is accurate. However, the previous owner must have changed the wheels, front fascia, headlamps along with it then. Cos they upgraded those too. Which is what it is in the pics. Lets wait to hear from seller.

olivetree:

Despite that it was a v6,it didnt consume much fuel, not even as much as a Japanese Galant that I used before then, so dont be fooled about the fuel concerns that people who havent used a BMW or even any car at all for that matter are raising.

BMW don't run V6 engines.

promise72:

Which is accurate. However, the previous owner must have changed the wheels, front fascia, headlamps along with it then. Cos they upgraded those too. Which is what it is in the pics. Lets wait to hear from seller.

Promise, as your own signature says:

Never Say Never. U never Know.

Worth bearing in mind bro.
My own car is a 1996 Audi A4 Quattro Sport, but bar the roof, there's nothing left externally that's remotely '96.

All panels are OEM 2001 Audi RS4.

will wait. may have jumped the gun on this one. my bad

@siena,
v wetin is d 325 series then?

olivetree:

@siena,
v wetin is d 325 series then?

I6.

Before condemning a seller, there are other factors to consider.

Tail lamps are a popular upgrade, it's quite common for owners to have a particular preference, and retrofit either items from a later or earlier model. So, it pays to check other determining factors, before crying wolf!

It's not about the tail lamps only, the seller must have changed the whole body because the contours are so different. The body of a 2001/2002 is more compact and has more rigid lines than the older version. The picture he posted up there is in no way a 1998 body that has changed tail and head lamps.

Thats the face of a 1998, spot the differences with the one he posted.

www.nairaland.com/attachments/135726_bmw_front_JPGed286b7fe99c444da3ca5e2643466ae7

@olivetree

Hello bros, pls i will need the contact of that mechanic you know in lagos that is good in bmw repair. my contact is 08023040169, 07095147430 samoretan@yahoo.com or samuel@livingnetng.com.
Thanks

Hello Sienna, i don't agree with u that bmw don't run a v6 engine. You can  visit this link http://www.car-buying-strategies.com/2003-BMW-325.html to get a full review of the 325 bmw. And beside this a quota from under the hood of a 325 bmw "All the 325 models have one thing in common and that is an inline V6 engine. This 2.5-litre powerplant is highly efficient and it pumps out 184 hp at 5500 rpm, 175 lb-ft of torque at 3500. It can be equipped with either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic transmission and it is capable of 20/29 mpg (city/hwy)".

jules123:

Hello Sienna, i don't agree with u that bmw don't run a v6 engine. You can  visit this link http://www.car-buying-strategies.com/2003-BMW-325.html to get a full review of the 325 bmw. And beside this a quota from under the hood of a 325 bmw "All the 325 models have one thing in common and that is an inline V6 engine. This 2.5-litre powerplant is highly efficient and it pumps out 184 hp at 5500 rpm, 175 lb-ft of torque at 3500. It can be equipped with either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic transmission and it is capable of 20/29 mpg (city/hwy)".

I think theres just a error on the part of the editor of that article. I am not sure if an engine can be "inline" and be a "V6" at the same time. That wher the "I6" sienna was talkin about means.

"Inline" means that all the spark plugs follow each other (like Nissan Laurel Engine) "V6" means 3-plugs on one side, the rest 3 on the other side (Like Nissan Pathfinder). It can only be one or the other. Not both at the same time.

Is this car still available?

jules123:

Hello Sienna, i don't agree with u that bmw don't run a v6 engine. You can  visit this link http://www.car-buying-strategies.com/2003-BMW-325.html to get a full review of the 325 bmw. And beside this a quota from under the hood of a 325 bmw "All the 325 models have one thing in common and that is an inline V6 engine. This 2.5-litre powerplant is highly efficient and it pumps out 184 hp at 5500 rpm, 175 lb-ft of torque at 3500. It can be equipped with either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic transmission and it is capable of 20/29 mpg (city/hwy)".

Promise has explained it all.

Not all articles on the net are correct - they're written by humans too.

BMW does NOT have any models with a V6 engine.
They however have models with I6 (inline 6).

I hope you're clear on this now?

Thanks for all the replies guys.

@ Aloy.Emeka
Are u still planning to sell tht 3 series convertible? and how much is it going for?

Thats a nice ride for NGN1M, if you like how it looks and feels in handling, then buy.

All cars have their issues, low-mileage and non-plug-fouling engine will be your best factors, apart from these two, go ahead and buy IF you have the money to actually buy the car.

I have a BMW 5 series myself, and compared to a Benz E-Class (which I also own), the BMW is way cheaper to maintain (most of these guys talking about maintenance don't have a clue about what they are talking about!); It costs about 15k to change the wheel hub of my Benz, while it costs 4k to change the complete thigh of the BMW (including calipers).

Have you seen the injector assembly in the BMW?, its just like 4, or 6, or 8 (depending on the cylinders) plugs, they remove them and clean them in petrol or turpentine, very simple, easy and direct; not try cleaning or bleeding a Benz, Camry or any other Injector, then you will understand what we are talking about; meanwhile, with the BMW injector, you can change any of the injectors that is faulty; BUT guess what with any other make/model, You change the injector assembly PLUS the manifold - Im taking about close to 100k here

Overheating; once you notice anything of such, get the best cell radiator - mind you, for a 540, the BRAND NEW radiator (not tokumbo) costs 22k, NOW, try and buy a tokumbo Benz radiator for that price.

The most beauty of the BMW is that its a professional car that you can check online and download simple instructions on how to service (Im talking Do-It-Yourself) and troubleshoot. This will save you time and money because what MOST mechanic will do is eventually trial-by-error all the way, hence the "Expensive to maintain"

Hope this helps!, its a nice car, and IF you are not a window shopper, GO FOR IT