opinions and experiences please

[WYZEUP 281]

So i've just parted ways with my e46 and looking to move onto the next beauty.....now this is where my problem lies. Im stuck between a a E39 530 or 540 motorsport.

So looking for some peoples insite into these vehicles that have owned them previously as i have always owned japanese vehicles until now so am completely out of my knowledge base here.

thanks guys

[qube 3568]

the general consensus aboue e39 is if you can afford the gas and higher maintenance go for the 540i.

if economy is important then 530i is not a bad option either. (but tbh imo there is not a HUGE difference in running costs it just depends on the car itself)

just look at both models and find the best optioned one you can find within budget.

[KwS 2373]

Generally there appears to be less to go wrong on the 530 as well. The 540s do have some pretty serious weak points, like chain guides, breather system, torque converter but other than that they are both strong engines.

The general consensus is if you want to go around corners, get the 530 as it has a rack and pinion steering setup vs old steering box of the 540, whilst if you just want power and a cruiser, get the 540.

[WYZEUP 281]

The vehicle will be daily driven and i do trips all over the lower north island, hence querying economy of both......would have thought possibly they would be very similar considering the weight

[MISS BM 712]

M54's are great engines, and to my knowledge have won a few many awards over the years.. Not that it matters tbh.

After owning a 540i and 740 (M62B44s) they do generally cost a lot to maintain, esp if previous owner didn't care about the car. I was unlucky and had my 540i stall in the driveway the night I took it home, and then gearbox went and just problem after problem because the previous owner never looked after it - and I was ignorant when purchasing one. Deffo have it checked over and scanned before you buy it!

Haven't actually heard anything 'bad' about M54, seem to be excellent engines and enough vroom vroom to get you places at a decent rate. Also cheaper to buy

[euroriffic 595]

530d!!!

[qube 3568]

i think long distance driving, a 4L v8 and a 3L i6 there wont be a HUGE difference.. will there?

i used to get upto 850kms a tank on my 330i msport sedan m54b30. that was with plenty of spirited driving and overtaking on long journeys.

cant speak personally for 540 but i dont imagine it being much worse.

me myself i would go for a 540i over the 530i though but in saying that a nice msport 530i is easier to come by than a 540 for sure.

[charles28 117]

I got a 2002 530i Motorsport as it was cheaper and easier to find then a facelift motorsport 540i (most seem to be pre facelift).

As long as the cars in good mechanical condition it should go well, but most will need a new Disa, Vanos seals, vacuum leaks fixed etc.

[Eagle 1515]

The vanos M62 is the one that usually has all the problems in my experience and has more things to break\replace.

[Ugan 41]

Qube - 850Kms a tank with spirited driving, wow I cant reach 500Kms.

[qube 3568]

Lol why not? I got 550 city driving my 330i. (Gf used to get 400... no idea how..)

[allan 295]

"The vehicle will be daily driven and I do trips all over the lower north island, hence querying economy of both". Could I ask why a e39 or a e60 as the e39 are now 10 to 14 years old.

If you stay with the 5er family and want economy imo 530d the draw back is the rego and road user charges which I believe are to go up yet again.

Next 530i sedan obtain a late model 2003 as by then most of the bugs had been sorted and they have most of the options as standard equipment. Weather you want a M sport version would be your choice the harder suspension set up can be a little rough for some people. Owned a 530 for 5 odd years and it was a pleasure to drive as well as a nice highway cruiser plenty of power when needed. The fuel economy 735-750k a tank running 98. They are no light weight car and with that comes the need for a few ccc hence the 530 and 540 be wary of the 520 just a little on the light side cc wise again just my opinion. Another thing I liked was step on the brakes and you stop a nice feeling when dealing with the nut jobs driving these days.

Then the 540 yes they have heaps of power but should have being a v8 although some 80kgs heavier and front heavy they are not as well balanced over all as the 530. Also not as sharp in the steering recirculating ball type box I believe as against rack and pinion in the 530 not knocking just saying.

Take your time and drive as many of them as you can and this will give you a better understanding of the vehicles and their characteristics. When you have decided get a pre- purchase inspection done by a competent BMW specialist to be safe. Best of luck in your search

[Driftit 1939]

530d!!!

Lol yep that's what I did. Beating 540's onto the motorway from the staging lights. Smoking them out like a 60's Massey Ferguson tractor. All whilst getting 700kms to a tank around town and 1100 on the open road.

Diesel Power. Shame about RUC and extra Rego costs.....

[coop 261]

You'll be better off with a 530i petrol. Unless you're towing something decent most of the time diesels are false economy. Have in mind rego is nearly twice the price, RUCs is about $55 per 1000km (makes that 1000km per tank claim not so great), more religious servicing, and if a HP fuel pump or turbo lets go be prepared to bend over ($$$).

[jeffbebe 1559]

Motorsport 540i with servotronic steering (same as the M5 and significantly better than the standard recirculating ball steering). If you get a 530i you'll start writing posts about how it's better than the V8 all the while secretly coveting all of the V8s that power past you in the outside lane and kicking yourself for not getting one first time round. I know this, because I've been there.

Plus... the sound.

Then buy a V12.

[BreakMyWindow 1870]

Motorsport 540i with servotronic steering (same as the M5 and significantly better than the standard recirculating ball steering). If you get a 530i you'll start writing posts about how it's better than the V8 all the while secretly coveting all of the V8s that power past you in the outside lane and kicking yourself for not getting one first time round. I know this, because I've been there.

Plus... the sound.

Then buy an M5.

Fixed ?

[eliongater 718]

Fixed ?

Then swap in a s70?

[aja540i 1896]

Just get the 540! The difference in the economy on the open road will be small, and the 540 is just fast enough, especially with a 6 speed manual! They can be expensive to maintain, but worth the effort. I have had mine about 8 years and i have no idea what i would replace it with!! I have taken it to Wellington a few times and it gets from Auckland to Bulls before it needs gas, and when you get there it doesnt feel like you have been driving all day. Good luck

[Lucan 196]

Buy mine

[WYZEUP 281]

Buy mine

its on the watch list....

[Rubix 434]

especially with a 6 speed manual!

Just how many 6 speed 540i's are in the country? 2? 3?

Good luck finding one (there was one on trademe the the price of an m5..)

I'd advise to go with the 540i - BMW v8's are as nice as they come, a nice pure sound, and good grunt to go with it.

[Allanw 1051]

Just how many 6 speed 540i's are in the country? 2? 3?

Good luck finding one (there was one on trademe the the price of an m5..)

I'd advise to go with the 540i - BMW v8's are as nice as they come, a nice pure sound, and good grunt to go with it.

http://www.bidbud.co.nz/752153142

[jeffbebe 1559]

http://www.bidbud.co.nz/752153142

That's potentially an excellent buy if it checks out. Manual, non-vanos (so it's a bit hardier and cheaper/easier to maintain than the post '99 engines) and it has the full aero kit... Not quite motorsport, but better than the stock bumper and you can get knock off Msport front and rear bumpers now for next to nothing on fleabay.

Quite high kms but the M62 will go a lot more if it's been well looked after. The gear box is probably worth $2-3K on its own.

[hybrid 1039]

I've unfortunately got addicited to power. So I couldnt live without the v8 these days. I love the fact you can just lumber around too with no issues or not having to think twice about weather you have enough to pass etc. Economy is ok, its not a deseil though.

Next car is gonna be a 335i touring. Turbos should replace the shortfall the non M i6 has in power

[Driftit 1939]

You'll be better off with a 530i petrol. Unless you're towing something decent most of the time diesels are false economy. Have in mind rego is nearly twice the price, RUCs is about $55 per 1000km (makes that 1000km per tank claim not so great), more religious servicing, and if a HP fuel pump or turbo lets go be prepared to bend over ($$$).

Twice the price? No its $70 more than a petrol for 6 months.

I compaired my 530D to a 530i a little while ago. Included Fuel, Rego, RUC, insurance.

Diesel was only a $500 odd cheaper per year with just the around town driving.

Open road however. Not even in the same class. But I also use mine to tow. Would never tow with a petrol again.