CarSPIN Forums

Auto Talk => General Automotive => Topic started by: Colonel Cadillac on February 09, 2024, 07:35:50 PM

Title: New Car!
Post by: Colonel Cadillac on February 09, 2024, 07:35:50 PM
Hey Everyone,

Hope everyone is well! Thought I would share my latest vehicular news.

My 2018 BMW M550i was unfortunately smashed by a 19yo drunk driver while parked in front of my sister's house in Austin. It was declared a total loss last night by the 19yo's insurance company. I'm getting a better payout than if I sold it myself. Plus, it was stupidly expensive to maintain, so I am trying to see it as a blessing despite it being one of the best german V8s before extinction (arguments not accepted, obviously lying).

Anyways, a 54,000 mile 2003 540iA M-Sport has popped up in my neighborhood. Going to look at it tomorrow. $16k. Seems almost nuts not to say yes?!
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: Submariner2 on February 10, 2024, 09:51:37 AM
Hello there.

Sorry to hear about your 550.

The E39 (and E38!) are in an interesting era of cars - old enough to feel somewhat analogue yet still so well engineered that they can old their own against cars two decades newer (or more!).

I sat in a low mileage E38 not long ago and it's amazing how well it has held up.  All you'd need is a good HD Car Play head unit for it to feel modern.

Hope you're doing well (and hope the DD scumbag has the book thrown at him - selfish prick)
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: Colonel Cadillac on February 10, 2024, 11:17:30 AM
Signed the dotted line. $17,865 including taxes. 2003 BMW 540iA M-Sport. 56,000 miles.
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: Colonel Cadillac on February 10, 2024, 11:22:36 AM
More pics
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: Colonel Cadillac on February 10, 2024, 11:23:44 AM
And more
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: Colonel Cadillac on February 10, 2024, 11:35:56 AM
Quote from: Submariner2 on February 10, 2024, 09:51:37 AMHello there.

Sorry to hear about your 550.

The E39 (and E38!) are in an interesting era of cars - old enough to feel somewhat analogue yet still so well engineered that they can old their own against cars two decades newer (or more!).

I sat in a low mileage E38 not long ago and it's amazing how well it has held up.  All you'd need is a good HD Car Play head unit for it to feel modern.

Hope you're doing well (and hope the DD scumbag has the book thrown at him - selfish prick)

Thank you! Yes, research into how to install a new head unit with wireless Apple CarPlay, all new sound, and a backup camera to commence immediately!

Hopefully the backup camera won't be too ugly, but that's going to be hard to live without these days!

And it leaves room in the budget to look for a similar vintage Boxster S  :praise: 
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: CaminoRacer on February 10, 2024, 11:50:00 AM
Very clean!

I looked around for some similar vintage BMWs before I bought my G20, but I couldn't find anything in nice condition like that
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: Eye of the Tiger on February 10, 2024, 01:28:37 PM
Nice. They don't make
em like that anymore.
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: veeman on February 10, 2024, 05:30:38 PM
Looks great!  Love the color.  Congratulations!
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: FoMoJo on February 10, 2024, 05:59:47 PM
20 years old and looks better than any new car.
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: AutobahnSHO on February 11, 2024, 03:57:27 AM
Fantastic!! Enjoy 😊
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: Laconian on February 11, 2024, 07:54:45 AM
54,000 miles. That car is a time capsule. Goddamn I'm jealous.
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: CALL_911 on February 11, 2024, 08:13:15 AM
Fuuuuuuuck yeah that is awesome. Timeless design, I still think it's perhaps the best looking sedan ever designed. Congratulations!

You're in Houston? I'm moving down there this July.
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: giant_mtb on February 11, 2024, 12:18:24 PM
Such a good-looking car.  Handsome, elegant, and sporty all in one.
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: Morris Minor on February 11, 2024, 03:05:52 PM
Quote from: Laconian on February 11, 2024, 07:54:45 AM54,000 miles. That car is a time capsule. Goddamn I'm jealous.
Me to. No one wants the beaten-w/-ugly-stick BMWs of today. These are golden.
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: Raza on February 12, 2024, 09:05:55 AM
Looks fantastic! My friend bought an E46 off a guy who had a meticulously maintained 540i 6 speed. I should have given him my card and told him to call me if he ever decided to sell it. E39s are probably the best looking sedan of all time.
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: CALL_911 on February 12, 2024, 09:16:19 AM
Man this has me thinking about ditching my F30 340xi for an E46 M3 when I move to Texas. I'm already seriously looking for a 982, but they're fucking pricey. An E46 M3 would be more responsible
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: Colonel Cadillac on February 17, 2024, 01:31:19 PM
Quote from: CALL_911 on February 12, 2024, 09:16:19 AMMan this has me thinking about ditching my F30 340xi for an E46 M3 when I move to Texas. I'm already seriously looking for a 982, but they're fucking pricey. An E46 M3 would be more responsible

Do it!! Flag the E46 M3 on bringatrailer.com and wait for a good one to come up!

Also, yep, I'm in Houston. Hit me up when you move!
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: Colonel Cadillac on February 17, 2024, 01:37:40 PM
Just picked it up yesterday and already got a compliment from a stranger today.

It really is a dream to drive. The V8 is very strong and doesn't leave anything to be desired, still feels fast despite its age. The steering is pretty heavy and requires two hands when maneuvering in the parking lot, but I can really feel the road. Handles wonderfully.

I have to get back into the habit of looking behind me when I'm backing up though!

It's hard not to sit and stare at it. And the green seats are just so lovely!

Just waiting for the sun to come out before I get some real photos.
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: CALL_911 on February 18, 2024, 06:01:18 PM
Hell yeah. Gotta do the CarPlay mod:
https://www.eonon.com/Android-Car-GPS/Vehicle-Specific-GPS/eonon-bmw-e39-android-12-wireless-apple-carplay-android-auto-car-radio-with-6gb-ram-64gb-rom-7-inch-qled-touch-screen.html?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA8sauBhB3EiwAruTRJrnSy-Nr5GCEwaf0qzbd931Cz0-k3YUoJkK1d7MAuuuaiuOspwh59hoCDHQQAvD_BwE

I'm excited to see the pics of this thing
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: Rich on February 18, 2024, 06:17:32 PM
That's beautiful.  I wish there were more OEM look headunits out there.  I think its this and porsche.. and :huh:
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: CaminoRacer on February 18, 2024, 06:21:20 PM
Quote from: CALL_911 on February 18, 2024, 06:01:18 PMHell yeah. Gotta do the CarPlay mod:
https://www.eonon.com/Android-Car-GPS/Vehicle-Specific-GPS/eonon-bmw-e39-android-12-wireless-apple-carplay-android-auto-car-radio-with-6gb-ram-64gb-rom-7-inch-qled-touch-screen.html?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA8sauBhB3EiwAruTRJrnSy-Nr5GCEwaf0qzbd931Cz0-k3YUoJkK1d7MAuuuaiuOspwh59hoCDHQQAvD_BwE

I'm excited to see the pics of this thing

Wow that looks nice & pretty cheap
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: AutobahnSHO on February 19, 2024, 06:10:49 AM
Quote from: CALL_911 on February 18, 2024, 06:01:18 PMHell yeah. Gotta do the CarPlay mod:
https://www.eonon.com/Android-Car-GPS/Vehicle-Specific-GPS/eonon-bmw-e39-android-12-wireless-apple-carplay-android-auto-car-radio-with-6gb-ram-64gb-rom-7-inch-qled-touch-screen.html?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA8sauBhB3EiwAruTRJrnSy-Nr5GCEwaf0qzbd931Cz0-k3YUoJkK1d7MAuuuaiuOspwh59hoCDHQQAvD_BwE

I'm excited to see the pics of this thing

REAL BUTTONS AND KNOBS!!!  :rockon: :rockon:
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: MrH on February 19, 2024, 09:05:58 AM
Wow.  That's like a time capsule.  Looks brand new.  It's shocking how well those have aged too.

An interesting thing I didn't know about the E39:  The 4 and 6 cylinder versions are the first 5-series to use a rack and pinion steering system.  V8 models, including the M5, use a recirculating ball system because of packaging reasons.

I heard that the other day and had no idea.  Wild.

The latest Savage Geese video on the Lucid Air Pure compared the dynamics to the E39 5-series.  Amazing after all those years, the E39 stays as the benchmark for sports sedan in terms of size and ride/handling balance.
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: Madman on February 20, 2024, 12:40:14 PM

That has to be the cleanest, most original E39 I have seen in a very long time!  Well done, sir!

At first blush, the idea of shelling-out nearly eighteen grand on a 21-year-old car sounds crazy, until you take a good look at those photos and take note of the fact there's only 54,000 miles on the odometer.  And then the thought hits you that you'd be really hard-pressed to find another one, anywhere, as nice as this.  And that leather!  Oh my, I can smell it from here!

It's exactly the sort of well preserved soon-to-be classic that I'd almost be afraid to use as daily driver.  My instinct would be to keep it garaged and only bring it out in fair weather, to be driven on roads where it could really be enjoyed.  I'd want to pick up a beater for the drudgery of the daily commute, just to keep the BMW in it's wonderful present condition.

May I make a suggestion?  I implore you, please, please, PLEASE don't pull out that original head unit!  There must be a way to get Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth to work through the original unit?  As for a backup camera, you can get one that incorporates the screen into a new interior rear-view mirror, again with the aim of preserving the originality on the head unit.  The camera lens can be discreetly placed in the upper portion of the recess for the rear plate.

Once again, congratulations!


Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: Morris Minor on February 20, 2024, 07:31:38 PM
The thought about the head unit also crossed my mind. If you have to pull out the original, document, photograph & retain everything so that, when the time comes to sell, there's the choice to reinstall.
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: giant_mtb on February 20, 2024, 09:03:16 PM
Quote from: Madman on February 20, 2024, 12:40:14 PMMay I make a suggestion?  I implore you, please, please, PLEASE don't pull out that original head unit!  There must be a way to get Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth to work through the original unit?


Wait, what? You do know that the whole point of CarPlay is having things on a  larger screen that isn't your phone, right? :wtf:
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: Madman on February 21, 2024, 07:13:52 AM
Quote from: giant_mtb on February 20, 2024, 09:03:16 PMWait, what? You do know that the whole point of CarPlay is having things on a  larger screen that isn't your phone, right? :wtf:


Maybe he wants to have Apple CarPlay without hacking apart his dashboard?

Personally, I'd rather preserve the original aesthetic of the car than deface the cabin with some Chinese made garbage that looks like it came from the Wal-Mart discount bin.


Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: Raza on February 23, 2024, 10:06:35 PM
Quote from: CaminoRacer on February 18, 2024, 06:21:20 PMWow that looks nice & pretty cheap

Yeah, the prevalence and relative cleanness of these CarPlay mods these days is really making not sweat looking for a car that has it natively. My brother's got it in his car, and since the pandemic he doesn't drive, so I've been driving it a lot. I don't particularly care for it, it's big and wide and feels huge when you're behind the wheel, but the CarPlay is absolutely wonderful. I love not having to use Audi's confusing GPS system and not having to use the MMI system to input addresses.
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: Morris Minor on February 24, 2024, 06:19:51 AM
Quote from: Raza on February 23, 2024, 10:06:35 PMYeah, the prevalence and relative cleanness of these CarPlay mods these days is really making not sweat looking for a car that has it natively. My brother's got it in his car, and since the pandemic he doesn't drive, so I've been driving it a lot. I don't particularly care for it, it's big and wide and feels huge when you're behind the wheel, but the CarPlay is absolutely wonderful. I love not having to use Audi's confusing GPS system and not having to use the MMI system to input addresses.

Auto manufacturers' lame ICE & nav systems exist only as hindrances and annoyances, obstructing drivers' access to  systems that actually have actual merit: Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: AutobahnSHO on February 24, 2024, 06:30:29 PM
Quote from: Morris Minor on February 24, 2024, 06:19:51 AMAuto manufacturers' lame ICE & nav systems exist only as hindrances and annoyances, obstructing drivers' access to  systems that actually have actual merit: Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.

Agree. The phone gets updated and so does the dashboard experience.
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: Colonel Cadillac on March 22, 2024, 06:40:27 AM
Couple shots on my way into the office. Still can't help but stare at it!

PS work took away my garage parking pass because I'm traveling to a client site Mon-Thurs every week, so I'm left to the surface lot. But found a big spot!
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: SJ_GTI on March 22, 2024, 07:45:51 AM
That's a gorgeous car.
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: RomanChariot on March 22, 2024, 11:40:29 AM
That is a beautiful car. I had a Blue 2002 530i Sport for several years. It was a fun car to drive but it eventually had more problems than were worth fixing so I had to get rid of it.
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: Submariner2 on March 22, 2024, 08:01:35 PM
Looking GREAT!
Title: Re: New Car!
Post by: Morris Minor on March 28, 2024, 02:58:44 AM
It's gorgeous. It's sad how BMWs morphed into being overwrought & ugly.