MX-5 Miata Forum - BMW 540i Opinions Needed (2024)

Next door neighbor had a 2001, I think; was the one you're looking at an E39?
I drove it only once and it was a fun luxo-cruiser, but when I think of what that kind of bread gets you I'd rather have a sportscar. I just didn't think the experience was any better than, say, an A8 that I spent some time in as a loaner car. The 540 was quicker, but both were adequate and I just wasn't motivated to run either of them all that fast. Beautiful interior in the Bimmer, but nothing particularly special. I assume you're looking at an auto? That's what my neighbor had. They sold a six-speed, but hard to find and even harder to get rid of when you're finished. I dunno, it just didn't move me to the tune of 60,000 (very quickly depreciating) bucks.

But if you've chosen "Automatic German mid-sized V8 sedan" as a category, it's not a bad choice compared to A6 and E420 or E500. I guess my point is, in an automatic sedan I just don't care about "spirited performance driving", so I would buy on the basis of interior, and the Audi wins for me at all price points. That's why I've owned 2 Audis!

Matt

Here is another anacdotal reference you might want to look at:

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/...ighlight,540i/

Looking for a 6-speed if I can find one, but most likely would end up with an automatic.

Also, I have found numerous 540i's, mostly 97-98, for under $15k. Seems like a pretty good value. I wouldn't buy a new one due to the depreciation.

I have a few reasons I am looking at a larger, luxory cruiser. My girlfriend just had our baby, which is not going in the Miata. I need something with four doors. I also work for a mortgage company and the it is becoming more likely that I will need to haul around clients. The Miata is not a good business car. Of course, I also want something fun to drive. It seems like the E39 540 runs the 1/4 in the low 14's, and there are good improvements to be made with intake and exhaust upgrades.

Finally, I am mostly concerned with the costs of parts. I imagine I can do 99% of the work myself, but I don't want things breaking every other week.

To the above reference, that was the 540it, which is a wagon. I am not at all interested in the wagon, and I would imagine it drives like an entirely different car.

Well, since you are in Portland - you might want to consider the bi-weekly meetings of the PNW2002 group at the Hollgate station. This is a group of mostly older BMW owners and enthusiasts with '02s being the main focus - but some of the members of the group own or have owned E39s in the past - and there are several independent technicians and BMW shop owners that sometimes attend.

Where in Portland are you located? - you can always stop and ask the opinion of some of these independent shops that are close to your whereabouts...

I have had good success with Mike O'hara on the east side (nead PDX) and Jozsy on the west side - but I am sure that people like Ric Farrar, Pacific Motor Sport etc... will also provide good information.

I was considering an E39 before I bought the E46. The 5 series has no more legroom in the rear than the E46 (which surprised me) and its trunk is about the same size but better shaped. at real world speeds (under 90mph) the acceleration of the 540 and 330 was the same, by the seat-of-the-pants-o-meter. The E46 is more sports car and more suited to corner thrashing but the E39 has a magical blend of ride and handling. The E46 rides nicely for a car that handles so well, but its far from a magic carpet.

Also, the E39 interior felt more dated but also more luxe than the E46's. the upper half of the dash is very modern, but below that, the console, door panels etc are definitely a generation or two behind the E46.

The 540i is ideal for people who want a driver's car but also want a higher level comfort, quietness, and luxury than the E46 could deliver. but it isn't any roomier or usefully faster.

My dad, who is slower than me over a given section of road than me, but faster over long distances while extracting much less from the car and punishing it much less, would clearly prefer the 540. no question. I'm more the E46 type.

th E39 without sport package is much better than the E46 without sport package. It leans in corner and has a lot of body motion but still hustles very well. the US market tuned E46 without the sport package is a pig by BMW standards.

I usually agree with harbir, but not on this one. I have a '03 540i with the sports package, and my dad has a '03 330i, with the sports package. I driven both a lot. The 540i dusts the 330i across the power range. (off the line, at 30 mph or at highway speeds) In corners, the 330i has the advantage, because the backend of the 540i will break, so you have to take everything a little slower. As for rear leg room, they both suck, but an adult can ride in the back of a 540i, where only a kid in a car seat can ride in the back of the 330i. As for interior appearenace, everyone I've talked to thinks the 540i looks better then the 330i. It might be becuase the '03 540i sports package has all the M5 badging, and the M5 areokit. All said, I like the 330i better, as it is smaller and zips in and out of lanes and corners better.

Depends on wich engine E39.

"Active Autowerke superchargers" for the M5. Not sure about any of the others

http://www.esstuning.com/

and

http://dinancars.com/Series.asp?Seri...is=13&Model=58

the dinan website is the worst I've seen of any company that isn't operating out of a garage. its like they put 100 pagepaper catalogs on one webpage. stupid.

we only seem to disagree on how accelerative one is relative to the other.

the 540 is faster yes, but its not a difference large enough to be a deciding factor other things not mattering, if you see what I mean. the step from the 330 to the 540 in performance is smaller than the step from the 325 to the 330 for example.

I believe the 290hp 540 is quicker than the 282hp version by more than just 8hp would make you think. perhaps that hightens the difference to where its large to you. I've not driven the 290hp car.

I don't think we've disagree on any other point.

It's been a few years since I bought my E30 BMW, but in Portland there is almost no compelling reason to buy a BMW from a dealer. There are so many available from private parties that were very well cared for. This is very much a BMW city and there are good deals to be had if you watch Craigslist, the Oregonian classifieds, or just drive around the west hills on a sunny day. There are several good shops here to get an inspection done.

I'm partial to six cylinder BMW's, but there is no reason to avoid the 540 unless it is one of the ones that had an alumasil block that wasn't fixed in the recall.

Based on BMW's history of HP ratings I wouldn't be surprised if one of those numbers was underrated. I think it was the 323 vs 328 where the 323 was almost as quick as the 328. One of the magazines did some HP estimates and said the 328 was about spot on (something like 190hp). The 323 was basically the same estimated power as the 325 at something like 185. BMW wanted to make sure the 328 buyer felt like they were getting something for the extra cash.

1997 was the first year for the E39. I bought one new - a 528i. While I loved the car and have only recently sold it, it had a lot of problems. Unless you are good with tools and plan to do most of your own work a '97 E39 will be very expensive to own. The 540 even more so than a 528.

In my last 2 years of ownership I experienced, and you can expect:
Radiator leaks
Water pump failure
Window regulator failure (multiple times)
ASC/DSC controller problems
Airbag/seat occupancy sensor (SRS) probs
Final Stage Resistor (HVAC related) probs
AC Compressor failure
Wheel bearing replacement
Instrument MID/LED failure
O2 Sensor failure
Water Leaks (sunroof and door panels)
Catalytic Convertor Failure

Total repairs exceeded $4K

A couple of good sites:

http://www.540i6.com/probsfixes.html

http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums/e39

Water pump failure is going to be a given on the v/8s and v/12s too...I have a friend who has owned 7-series models since the early 90s and it seems to happen every 60,000 miles. Granted the Miata has the same propensity, but the difference in cost between the two cars is significant. He's consistently gone through wheel bearings around that interval as well.

And a heads up on the cupholders--they are flimsy and run about $200 to replace.

--Chris

My husband had a 2002 Lease 540i 6 speed. While it was a bit big for my taste, I was always amazed at the 29MPG it got. Smooth. I didn't like the shifter, either. and my elbow wanted to hit the seat bolster when I slapped it into 2nd, 4th or 6th. Annoying, but not terminal.

Great car. When we turned it in the dealership said they had never seen such a clean car after 3 years. And it sold within a week.