I Bought a Rough BMW E39 540/6 | Lets Get it Running Again... M62B44Tu Revival

So I discovered this not so nice 2000 BMW E39 540i/6, it has surely seen better days. The car was left with a half completed timing job and the heads remained open to the environment for months resulting in some pretty bad rust on the lobes. So lets have some fun and see if we can fire this thing up as is after sitting for quite some time! This will be a fun one!

[@davidsherrick898]

10 years from now.. you will realize that the E39 BMW will be a legend! As an OLD Alfa Romeo fan. I have owned a 1999, 2001 E39... they are the gentlemans express! Unfortunately that rust.. is a killer. Just found your channel! Subscribed!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

I don’t disagree!! Thanks for stopping in David!!

[@jimtaylor431]

It already is a legend! I think it's time in the sun as a bona-fide classic is coming.

[@DannysGarage]

Ahh the M62tu... I've only done the timing chain guide job on those like 60+ times. The cams having a little bit of surface rust is no biggie, because as you found out, they clean up just fine. It would probably run better if you had the secondary air pipe on the front (that's the silver pipe that was in the back seat earlier in the video), as that is what injects air into the exhaust (via ports on the hood) at cold start for emissions purposes... meaning if you have the pipe off and run the engine like that, you basically have a giant exhaust leak.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

BRILLIANT DANNY. Thats exactly what it is. I had no idea dude

[@freecanadaplease]

Air injection pipe is missing from the front. It connects to the front of the heads together.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Brilliant. Thank you!!!!

[@kraignadjkovic5494]

Looks like it’s in the back seat.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@kraignadjkovic5494 yup it was!

[@oriancunningham]

thats what I was thinking as well

[@Sinifina]

E39 content im so happy

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Im happy youre happy!!

[@hypernovatv911]

A year ago i bought an E39 that was in bad shape. It wasn't as bad as this car however. I wish i filmed my progress i could have put it on my channel so my 76 subscribers could see the rise of a beast, oh well😥. It was smoking from a massive valve cover leak onto the exhaust manifold. All the rubber coolant hoses were busted. the brakes were shot. all the suspension pieces needed replacing. the battery had dead cells. there were check engine lights up the wassu. the thermostat and water pump were gone. the radiator temp sensor was broken. the coolant reservoir was cracked. the drive belts, pulleys and tensioners needed to be fixed. i replaced everything and put cross drilled and slotted rotors on and racing brakes and now I have an E39 ready for a race with Dominic Torretto himself...😉😇

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Sounds like a labor of love!! Great job!!!

[@mtechnic325]

Oh my god, how did I discover this channel so late, I love this kind of content, I love BMWs, I'm a long way behind but I'll watch it with pleasure! Cheers from Poland!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

All that matters is you are here now! Thanks for joining!

[@shotty.]

absolutely did not expect to see this thing make it onto the channel, tho i did hope for it. +1 for a little more e39/other content in between big videos & builds! the variation of cars & appreciation for all is why sets your channel apart bro, a couple videos on other cars here & there would be really good for the channel. especially the cult classics with GOOD following like e39 & z3! you already know man.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you dude!!! I appreciate the feedback big time!!!

[@pellepp9628]

E39, last real Bmw quality and Bmw classic design❤yes, I have 5 old ones, one is a 525 touring 01

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Id agree, definitely the last of the good

[@NishiyamaArtist]

E39! Sure, amongst auto mechanics, bmw auto mechanics, what you do is mundane . . . but to this audience you are a magician alchemist electronics wizard carguy mechanic able to attempt, reconsider, re-attempt and like torque and maintain camshaft position at the same time, able to call upon a vast knowledge base search in an instant while "chewing gum" literally and assessing, listing, action-ing, proper mechanical function, able to allow various concerning conditions to remain, to get the bmw paper weight lawn and driveway ornament to transform into a BMW with a roaring engine while maintaining an interesting narrative, audio narration and good video production value even positioning the camera in a series of proper video frames of design in a visual tempo to maintain an interest to your concluding remarks, and E39 are from a golden BMW era. Even with the hood up 8:54 seconds, those lights, those lines, what a car - on re-watching I was better able to catch your technical tips for engine work.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Wow Curtis, this comment blew me away. That is very very kind of you. I never thought that deeply into what I do and how I do it. You made me feel really good about myself and I appreciate that. This is one of the comments I screenshot and keep on my phone for the days I need motivation to pickup the camera. Thank you.

[@bosroamer]

Excellent Josh, nice to see your thumb is healed

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you man!!! You have a keen eye to notice that. I appreciate it

[@DavidVlogz]

The e39 is 🔥 have one some and definitely enjoy them

[@lahnie95]

Bro im so glad you made this video. I used to want a e39 540i so bad but when i heard about this issue i immediately looked up a video on how to fix it and when i saw the multimeter come out i nervous and that changed my mind on getting one. Now im more well verse in mechanics and you made this look so easy that im not scared to get one anymore

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Love to hear that man!! Don't let it scare you! There is great in depth KZbin videos on it too!

[@mohis5664]

Finally E39 🤣. Such a good cars when properly cared for etc...

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Unfortunately most not cared for😭😂

[@spikespiegel2246]

Well it's from wisconsin... @@m3nameisjosh464

[@skillz1855]

Man you did timing in which a ton of techs won't do and can't do correctly. Good stuff

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you sir!

[@mrudyeupp]

03 540i msport sterling silver. Auto. 200k miles. Stock, no mods. Used genuine parts. Lots of work, chains full top end. Suspension refresh. Interior refresh. Super clean interior. 7.5k based in La

[@enjoythehunt5135]

Yes yes to a revival!!!

[@viperocco]

Another one for the knowledge base. Nice work homie.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thanks brotha!!!

[@ryzen397]

540i m sport 6 speed is still one of my favorite cars in existence.

[@jotighe2]

don't drive it! don't drive it! you'll fall in love with it and lose all objectivity.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Now im gonna drive it!!!

[@teamphashash]

Love the rims.

[@disco_volante1062]

The Bavarian Gods will be very angry if you don't use that 6-speed 420G for the 840 E31!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

😩😩😩😩😩😩 ughhh

[@mikegsg9r]

Sometimes worn vanos units make a rattle which can be fixed with the vanos rebuild kit from beisan. Maybe he didn't replace the chain tensioner either? Who knows?

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Wouldn’t be surprised if he fixed nothing hahahah

[@robsweekendgarage]

Love me an e39. Especially the poor man’s M5 - 540i 6 speed. That car is rougher than a 60 grit jimmy-hat but I bet you’ll still get people telling you to save it. It’s a parts car - parts will go to keep other e39’s alive and there’s nothing wrong with that.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

60 grit jimmy hat🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 that cracked me up. People always tell me to save cars. I accept donations! Ill save em all then!!

[@MichaelCow]

E39 = best car BMW ever made

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Come on man!!! Your gonna comment this on an E34 fanatics page🥲🥲🥲

[@MichaelCow]

@@m3nameisjosh464 my bad 😂

[@StacheCam]

V8 noise makes me happy

[@m3nameisjosh464]

They make me happy too bro

[@bricklawson9745]

Looks like the sport package If I remember correctly, If it had black trim around the windows it had the sports package. Better suspension etc

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Oh coool!!!!

[@5Speedz]

LETS GO!! Been waiting for a e39 vid for so long!!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Im happy to supply it!

[@e39hamann]

Nice to see an E39 on here! Sucks to see how bad of shape it's in, especially in a cool/rarish color combo.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Really a shame man

[@iantoshkiev]

A great car, the last one from the Mohican, you need to bring it to a decent state and have fun with it.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

I may attempt to

[@robertlee2316]

Niceeeeeeeee find man 👍

[@m3nameisjosh464]

I was pretty stoked!

[@juancorrea9037]

Nice drivetrain find!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Agreed😜

[@sanjinsegan3720]

I really love this channel, I've learned so much from videos like these... I just want to say thank you for all the content you are putting out reacently! Really helpful!!! P.S. are you in need of an video editor for you channel?

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you my friend!! Not in need of an editor yet!

[@adasterdezaster2865]

This is why it's hard to buy cars from states that salt their roads. It just ruins cars. Hats off for taking on someone else's project. Having done this a couple times it's like a surprise party every day that clobbers your wallet.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Spot on, hard to find good cars in the rust belt!

[@clayp.e30_v86]

I don't know how rare a thing a 540i manual 6 is across the pond, but here in the UK they are like hens teeth because most of the v8 cars here were auto from the factory and I believe only manual as an option 😮 I got lucky when I found my m60b40 engine as it came from a rear ended e34 540i/6 so obviously I snapped it up.! I'm going to sit down and watch this later mate Cheers

[@shotty.]

we’ve got quite a handful of them both e34 & e39, uncommon tho still i’d say. most are in as bad, or usually worse condition than this one here & less desirable options however.

[@cha7269]

@@shotty.you summed it up pretty well, surprising amount of 540is that are manual here, given the fact that it was the top non m model of the 5 series

[@clayp.e30_v86]

Yeah they're so hard to come by over here 😮 gearboxes now fetching 2000 pounds and upward IF one can find one. The biggest hurdel for anyone trying to v8 swap is finding a gearbox its crazy. Like i said though i got very lucky although it wasnt perfect. 2nd gear syncro weak and 4th gear syncro when driving hard so I just sent mine to literally the only place in the whole of the uk who can properly pull these down to component level and rebuild. 1200 pound later it will come back a brand new gearbox 😁

[@m3nameisjosh464]

You guys said it better than I could! I bet a refurbished G420 will be awesome in the car!!!

[@marcosalinas975]

Love the vid josh

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you Marco!

[@timc3937]

E39 E38 is where its at..........My E34 M5 sits in the garage and collects dust while the 540/6 Individual goes everywhere......E39 is old enough that you still feel the road but leaps and bounds a better driver than the previous E34. M62TU is full of old wife tales about timing chains..........currently have 6 of these motors in various cars right now and all are fine and reliable........most issues with the M62TU start with poor decisions and neglect....420G is a good score......shame about the rest of the car.....not beyond repair but would cost your left nut and would be a labor of love.....

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Your lucky enough to have an M5 to let sit, so for that I envy you. Im still waiting for my M5. Thanks to the knowledge of my viewers I solved the horrid exhaust note and will actually get this thing driveable so I can give you my E39 impression!

[@timc3937]

@@m3nameisjosh464 Nothing better than the note of a S38 with the ITB's my most favorite motor and the E34 Styling is one of the best of all times..........the E39 is a very nice car to drive though feels new enough but not too new.........I bet even this one with worn suspension components and flat spot tires will still drive ok.....probably have some shimmy at 80kmph. Yea that EGR tube for the air pump is a direct vent to the headers. Good Luck! Cheers!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@timc3937 i don’t doubt it at all! The newer the car the more they can handle neglected components Ive noticed lol

[@yeesh-xq9lb]

YESSSSS E39 CONTENT WHOOOO, I CAN FINALLY RELATE LOL!!!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Hahahahah happy to bring it!!

[@yeesh-xq9lb]

​@@m3nameisjosh464 it's definitely a scrapper but man I would have liked to hear your thoughts/impressions on the car after driving it.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@yeesh-xq9lb i got it driving! MONDAY!

[@alexstockl2843]

Nice! Keep the gearbox for that future e34 540i m60b44 manual build 😉

[@m3nameisjosh464]

SMART

[@jonathanohagan1349]

He left me in tools alone, says it all. Work hard brother.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

[@malavelli3349]

LFG Josh!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

!!!!!

[@E36jake]

Had a 98 champagne 540/6 was a boat but it moved

[@SimonGreenway-ih8lh]

Would the 6 speed box be good for a swop into your E31 which as you say needs a manual box

[@m3nameisjosh464]

It would but unfortunately Im just not looking to dig back into the 8 like that

[@berwhaletheavenger]

That's a gearbox looking for a car! Lots of folk love E39's. I'm not a fan tbh. Ditto E46's - yuk.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Really only like the M edition of either.

[@user-dq2kt2ci9d]

I'm gonna need the headlights. And center console lol

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Headlights the only thing sold😂

[@anthonyk]

I really want to get a pre tu 540i and retrofit the older timing set from m60

[@m3nameisjosh464]

So basically an M60b44 build like I did in the 8?

[@anthonyk]

@@m3nameisjosh464 yeah

[@robertdominguez5082]

Secondary air injection pipe is missing that’s why you have that noise

[@m3nameisjosh464]

BRILLIANT. Thank you dude, i see that now!

[@mechanicdudevlog8788]

Shes tired bro. Make sure you check the chaib guides

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Ill be sure to check those when the engines sitting on the floor😂

[@ttchicharito5130]

You removed 3 screws in 30 minutes 😂😂😂

[@m3nameisjosh464]

I also did a $2500 at a shop vanos timing job in 30 minutes 👍🏽

[@Einer.Rodriguez]

Man where do you find your deals. I never see any deals close to what you get. Everyone wants 3k for trash all the time

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Keep my eyes peeeeled

[@zyahhewitt708]

Help me get this strut out of the assembly. It’s stuck in the sleeve shit won’t come out

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Lots of penetrating oil and big ass pipe wrench

[@jeffm.941]

Black headliner is not factory. They only came on m5's and (1 year only) '03 540i m sports.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Figured so! Cool

[@jeffm.941]

@@m3nameisjosh464 was going to mention if you do plan on doing anything with the engine they do like boost. I've heard a cool trick to take old Jaguar supercharger off a certain model and slightly modify to fit in on the M62..... N62 throttle body is even bigger than dinans for the motor and direct bolt on. Not bad idea to port the flange behind the throttle body to match flow.And a M60 intake manifold flows better. Tune and a nice improvement over a sub 300hp V8. In the middle of this myself

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@jeffm.941 great ideas , but not worth engaging on this car. Need a nicer base

[@peanutbutterpadre1519]

Never had a 6 speed? I thought e46 m3s were 6 speed

[@DannysGarage]

His is an SMG, while based on the same 420g 6-speed gearbox, isn't a traditional manual experience.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

^ what he said!

[@christophercarbonell963]

sounds like air pump issues

[@m3nameisjosh464]

1000% what it is. Thank you

[@aydinkov]

put egr tube sound will go off

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Didn’t even realize! Thank you!

[@madmax3397]

it's a iA

[@moh2502]

Yeah its not worth restoring, also its a pre lci.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you for helping me justify

[@sonwabo1000]

If he could just talk less and do the job that would be great, just say what gonna do on the episode from the beginning of each episode & just do your work, anyways great videos by the way & we don’t mind long videos like 45min

[@m3nameisjosh464]

I would argue most of my viewers prefer longer videos…

[@NishiyamaArtist]

@@m3nameisjosh464 Release a version of your work on the vehicle with only the best music available - copyright free - with only the mechanical work. Your "verbalized" reasoning, thinking, analysis are the quality of these videos for certain it seems by the comments.

[@pillshereee]

I think you should really look into another E39, maybe a 2001-2003, original M-sport 6 speed, could be in rough condition, but as long as it has no rust, it will be a worthy project IMO! As an owner of a 540i 6 speed, I would be stuck to the screen watching you wrench on something like this!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Im always looking man!!

[@dvldog4641]

Good God… I want the interior… that black is incredible and would look amazing in my 2000 528i….

[@m3nameisjosh464]

If your local to Chicagoland, black interior swap is for sale!

[@dvldog4641]

I’m in Florida but maybe I see a road-trip in my future…

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@dvldog4641 😎😎

[@Angelo80907]

I’ll take one of the rear wheel🛞 broke mine in a curve