Considering upgrading to 540iA.....thoughts?

[1991BMW525i]

I've been eyeing a '95 540iA locally for awhile now. 157K on the clock, white on tan. Looks like it's in good condition from the pictures. I'm going to go look at it on Friday. They are asking $3995 for it, but it's been for sale for at least 2 months now so I'm thinking I can talk them down a good bit.

What are the advantages and disadvantages to owning a 540i over a 525i? Besides the alusil block (btw, how do I check for that? Run the VIN?), what else should I be looking for in the V8? I know the standard E34 stuff to look for, but what is specific to the 540i I should check for? I love the 5 speed in my 525i right now. It the auto that bad in a 540? What's the life expectency on a V8?

Also if I get this I will sell the '91 525i I have now. It has 240K on it and is in decent shape. What can I expect to get out of it? I want a quick sale on it.

[jfj707]

Your mileage will go in the crapper with an autobox 540i.

Is your 525i a manual?

BTW I think the price might be a little high as listed. Remember to keep a buffer for all of the preventative maintenance you should do, as well as the little problems that you will find out about later.

[zubbie]

a few more things to budget for in the ol M60. coil packs. pan valley gasket. generally more to maintain. Autobox is pretty stout if it has been serviced but not cheap to fix if it has not.

[gdaE34]

Well, I would certainly miss the 5sp, and I love inline 6's, but the power of a 540 is seductive. Not to mention you can always swap in a manual (plus, its not a GM auto. A ZF maybe??). Your mileage will go down, however, I remember people posting here high 20's on highway stints. Your basically going to be buying two more of everything within the engine (coil packs, spark plugs, etc). If the nikasil block made it this far, its probably fine. Just get a compression test. Definitely get the price down, as there will be preventative maintenance you should do if you were to buy. Really, just take it for a nice ride through different driving scenarios, and if you like it more than your 525, get it.

[1991BMW525i]

What's a good price for a '95 540iA w/ 157K on it? Assuming it's in decent shape and all that? I'm not really worried about gas mileage becuase I'm only getting about 19mpg w/ my M50 anyway (for some odd reason) so it shouldn't be much more differant in a V8. Do the M60's last as long mileage wise as the M50's?

[Jcbe34]

Do you do your own work? The m60 will require a little more upkeep and in some cases (like mine), if the car wasn't maintained before your ownership it can be a real shitstorm. But as far as major issues other than normal stuff, m60's are fine. Be ready to do the valley pan and intake gaskets though, it will happen at some point. Also make sure you drop the oil pan and check the oil pump bolts.

Personally, if you enjoy driving your car I think a 540ia would be boring. My 540i 6 speed was boring compared to my 535i, but everyone already knows thats how I feel.

[1991BMW525i]

Do you do your own work? The m60 will require a little more upkeep and in some cases (like mine), if the car wasn't maintained before your ownership it can be a real shitstorm. But as far as major issues other than normal stuff, m60's are fine. Be ready to do the valley pan and intake gaskets though, it will happen at some point. Also make sure you drop the oil pan and check the oil pump bolts.

Personally, if you enjoy driving your car I think a 540ia would be boring. My 540i 6 speed was boring compared to my 535i, but everyone already knows thats how I feel.

I do do most of my own work, so that's not an issue.

I do enjoy driving my 525i. It's not that I don't enjoy the car, but it has 240K on the motor and is in need of some work. I've added up what it would take to put the car where I want it and figured I could get a nicer E34, with less mileage that needs less work for less money. I figured if I could score a 540i at the same time I might as well.

[PorscheH6]

Keep the 525i. Effortless V8* powah is fun, but nothing replaces the manual gearbox.

* Excl. B30 models.

[robram12]

I'd wait around for a 6-speed if i our you, i wish i did. But for the price i got the car for i couldn't resist. My m60 will blow off the doors of my m20 any day, but they are not as nimble as i6's. i6's are much easier to work on, plus parts are a bit cheaper. If you decide to test drive the car, check for idle issue, make sure tranny is shifting right, get it on the freeway and test s4 and sports mode on the shifter.

[Ned Ryerson]

Yeah, you'll burn a bit more gas, but it's half the price it was last year. I love my 540I A. Would I trade it for a 6 banger with a stick, nope. Stick is great if you have some nice rods, but a PIA if your in city traffic. So? pros and cons to both.

[David325e]

Gona threadjack a bit here as I'm going through the same thing. Thanks for making this thread 1991



Personally, if you enjoy driving your car I think a 540ia would be boring. My 540i 6 speed was boring compared to my 535i, but everyone already knows thats how I feel.
What don't you like about the 540? Or prefer about the 535


I'd wait around for a 6-speed if i our you, i wish i did. But for the price i got the car for i couldn't resist. My m60 will blow off the doors of my m20 any day, but they are not as nimble as i6's. i6's are much easier to work on, plus parts are a bit cheaper. If you decide to test drive the car, check for idle issue, make sure tranny is shifting right, get it on the freeway and test s4 and sports mode on the shifter.

Have you thought about doing a 6speed swap?

[Jcbe34]

Gona threadjack a bit here as I'm going through the same thing. Thanks for making this thread 1991


What don't you like about the 540? Or prefer about the 535



Have you thought about doing a 6speed swap?

The steering, the feel and the sound. My 540i felt like a Cadillac compared to my 535i.

The only problem with 6 speed swaps on these cars is the price.. You are lucky if you find a transmission for $1k. Driveshafts aren't cheap either and the release bearings cost $180 new.

[4500 RPM]

Keep the 525i. Effortless V8 powah is fun, but nothing replaces the manual gearbox.

Effortless V8 power is fun, but wringing the power of of the M50 with a manual is a lot of fun too.

The 540iA is too much of a snoozemobile for someone coming from a manual.

[prash]

I love my snoozemobile! In my experience the 540 has been as great as all the reviews published about it in the 90's.

Still puts a smile on my face everytime I step on the gas.

[4500 RPM]

I love my snoozemobile! In my experience the 540 has been as great as all the reviews published about it in the 90's.

Still puts a smile on my face everytime I step on the gas.

I'm the type who would rather drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. ;) Not that a 525i 5-speed is much slower than an auto 540.

[NikosX]

I'm the type who would rather drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. ;) Not that a 525i 5-speed is much slower than an auto 540.

The auto 540 is still quite a force to be reckoned with.

[1991BMW525i]

So the consensus is going from a 525i manual to a 540i auto isn't that much of a differance. What if I find a 540i6 or 540i M-Sport. Obviously those are more expensive, but would it then be worth the jump?

[NikosX]

Having driven both, I'd disagree that there isnt much between an auto 540 and a manual 525.

The 540 delivers torque whenever you want it. Drive one. The 540 is a great car regardless of whether it has 2 or 3 pedals.

[robram12]

here's how i see, given that your car is at 240K it maybe in decent running condition right now but that motor will not last forever without a major work, ie. if HG will need to be replace soon if it hasn't been. So better let it go now before it goes south on you. I'd say sell it and get another one in much lower mileage and one that had been well maintained. If this 540i is decent condition, for the price they are asking i think it's a pretty good deal.

[4500 RPM]

So the consensus is going from a 525i manual to a 540i auto isn't that much of a differance. What if I find a 540i6 or 540i M-Sport. Obviously those are more expensive, but would it then be worth the jump?

There is a difference vs an improvement

[prash]

I'm the type who would rather drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. ;) Not that a 525i 5-speed is much slower than an auto 540.

No doubt a manual is more engaging to drive, but I do love the instant on ability a V8 w/ an autotragic. It's very entertaining in its own right.

Also I've raced a 5spd 525i in my 540. Actually I was driving the 525 and my buddy was driving my 540. Both cars have EAT chips and it wasn't even close. by 60mph the 540 was 1.5 - 2 CL's ahead..

There's no comparison b/w a 525i and a 540 at WOT. The V8 revs as freely as the straight 6 and makes so much more torque that WOT in a 525 feels like nothing's happening after driving a 540.

And I say this having experienced both cars.


The auto 540 is still quite a force to be reckoned with.

thank you.

[4500 RPM]

Also I've raced a 5spd 525i in my 540. Actually I was driving the 525 and my buddy was driving my 540. Both cars have EAT chips and it wasn't even close. by 60mph the 540 was 1.5 - 2 CL's ahead..


.

Strange, having raced an E39 540i6 and an E34 540i6. ;)

[E34nication]

Strange, having raced an E39 540i6 and an E34 540i6. ;)

so you're saying your car is straight line about as fast as the two cars listed above? Should be over a second difference in the 1/4 with a substantial MPH difference.

[m60b30530i]

Keep the 525i. Effortless V8* powah is fun, but nothing replaces the manual gearbox.

* Excl. B30 models.

hey with all that i did to the motor and now that its tuned along with the 4.10 i have trouble gaining traction and my auto even chirps gears lol

but yeah i cant wait to get that B40 in

[NikosX]

so you're saying your car is straight line about as fast as the two cars listed above? Should be over a second difference in the 1/4 with a substantial MPH difference.

Both races I started out at least 3-5 CLs behind. The most recent of the two was on the highway. I was driving the E34 540 and he started ~5 CLs ahead. Jayson (SQitis) was riding shotgun with me. By the time we reached 90 I had pulled even with 4500RPM eliminating all 5 CLs that were between us. By 120 I had pulled a CL and 1/2 ahead.

4500 was just feeling good because from his standpoint, he stayed in front of a 540 up until 90mph.

My E39 just laid the smack down. In every possible way, EVEN with the lazy 2.81.

[4500 RPM]

so you're saying your car is straight line about as fast as the two cars listed above? Should be over a second difference in the 1/4 with a substantial MPH difference.

No. The 540 will be faster (duh) but it's not as substantial as you would think. I've lined up with Nic's E39 540i6 and E34. He beat me good but didn't exactly leave me in the dust until we got well into triple-digits.


Both races I started out at least 3-5 CLs behind. The most recent of the two was on the highway. I was driving the E34 540 and he started ~5 CLs ahead. Jayson (SQitis) was riding shotgun with me. By the time we reached 90 I had pulled even with 4500RPM eliminating all 5 CLs that were between us. By 120 I had pulled a CL and 1/2 ahead.

4500 was just feeling good because from his standpoint, he stayed in front of a 540 up until 90mph.

My E39 just laid the smack down. In every possible way, EVEN with the lazy 2.81.

Absolutely false but whatever. If you're that proud of your car with a 100-hp advantage then fine.

You were not 5 CLs behind :rofl

Are we seriously talking about a 540i 6-speed here? The original post was about an automatic...not sure why you think a 540iA and a 540i6 are the same. :confused

When you were in the E39 we started side-by-side. Selective memory I see.

[NikosX]

Do you think the Hellrot car is faster than the E39?

[4500 RPM]

Do you think the Hellrot car is faster than the E39?

Yes but the E39 had a vacuum leak.

[NikosX]

Thats true, but I still felt like it ran pretty well. The fresh plugs really helped the E34 however. You hungry? I get out of class in Kirkwood Hall here in like 2 minutes.

[4500 RPM]

Thats true, but I still felt like it ran pretty well. The fresh plugs really helped the E34 however. You hungry? I get out of class in Kirkwood Hall here in like 2 minutes.

Call me, sweetcakes.

[NikosX]

Get out the lube, buttercup. :)

[E34nication]

What will a 525/5 trap in the 1/4. Don't think I've seen those results. Probably 90-92? And we originally weren't talking about a 6-speed I was just asking because ofthe results you ha against mt cars.

[Jcbe34]

What will a 525/5 trap in the 1/4. Don't think I've seen those results. Probably 90-92? And we originally weren't talking about a 6-speed I was just asking because ofthe results you ha against mt cars.

You should run your car now in the 1/4.. I want to see how deep into the 13's you can get. Your car feels wayyyyyyyyyyy faster than my 540i was

[Fred in Houston]

If I didn't have an E28 manual, I would not be happy with my 540ia, but since I already have a manual, I'm very content with the instant power from the 540ia.
Sorry, but I think the 540is blows the doors off the 525i. As a matter of fact, I beat one in my E28 a few weeks ago and he was several cars ahead of me at a light and he was trying to get away from me after tailigating me for 2 miles.
I don't like the way the 540ia corners though, the 525 manual I'm sure, handles the corners better, but I DO like the auto in Houston traffic.
Fred

[E34nication]

You should run your car now in the 1/4.. I want to see how deep into the 13's you can get. Your car feels wayyyyyyyyyyy faster than my 540i was

maybe i'll do that later this year just for curiosity's sake... and my car feels like an absolute dog to me. I guess that's because I've been driving it at the same power level for close to 7 years now... I did find a video from when I took my car to the strip when I first got it... Everything stock except for a chip all the way down to 225/60/15 mxv4's... unfortunately it is in a format that I can't upload to youtube.

[NikosX]

Kris... what rear-end are you running right now?

[E34nication]

3.15lsd

[NikosX]

Me too. Maybe you need to drive my car and tell me what you think.

[E34nication]

Me too. Maybe you need to drive my car and tell me what you think.

if we're ever near each other sure. I think the main difference with my car is the lightweight flywheel and fact that it's probably a 2-300 hundred pounds lighter.

[4500 RPM]

You should run your car now in the 1/4.. I want to see how deep into the 13's you can get. Your car feels wayyyyyyyyyyy faster than my 540i was

You had the wrong plugs in it. The car really quickened after the 3.15 and especially the plugs. I still can't believe the difference.

[E34nication]

I went from a 3.64 to a 3.15 so it definitely took a little getting used to. It was nice getting traction in 1st gear but the car felt sluggish everywhere else. My initial response would have probably been a lot better had I gone to it straight from stock gearing... It was nice to feel the difference when I took Logan's stock rear end m60b40 5-speed for a spin a short while back.

[cssari]

I wish some 540i6 owner from the forum near to me,i want somebody drive my car and tell me the car pull like tha 540i6!I'm not happy with the performance!How you guys identify vacuum leak??

[janders211]

Keep the 525i. Effortless V8* powah is fun, but nothing replaces the manual gearbox.

* Excl. B30 models.

I COMPLETELY agree. I have a 540iA ( DINAN trans tune) with a supercharger, and it's fun, but I would trade it in one impulse of ADD for a NA regular 540i with a 6 speed (well...OK, at least e34nications beast)..even if I did lose 100hp..lol.

I actually just bought a beater 535i with a 5spd to quench my thirst for my arm thrusting fetish.

I guess you could say I'm just not a fan of the dutch rudder

[PorscheH6]

EVEN with the lazy 2.81.

2.81 > 3.15 on the highway anyday.

[tonyroc14]

dont go from a stick to an auto, no matter how large the engine is...

[1991BMW525i]

dont go from a stick to an auto, no matter how large the engine is...

I did pass on the 540iA, however I found a guy on base that has a e34 540i6 Sport that he's willing to part with. :evil2

[tonyroc14]

I did pass on the 540iA, however I found a guy on base that has a e34 540i6 Sport that he's willing to part with. :evil2
and now i am jealous...

[Boogieboy]

I have never owned an automatic until my last two BMW's.....firts the 92 E34 525 and Now the 01 E39 540. Although i love the 540's power and i am essentially downgrading back to a 525, i am super excited to be getting back into a manual! i don't think i will ever purchase another auto again!

[tonyroc14]

I have never owned an automatic until my last two BMW's.....firts the 92 E34 525 and Now the 01 E39 540. Although i love the 540's power and i am essentially downgrading back to a 525, i am super excited to be getting back into a manual! i don't think i will ever purchase another auto again!
you dont have either one now? You're not down grading. You're upgrading to an e34...

[Boogieboy]

you dont have either one now? You're not down grading. You're upgrading to an e34...
I still have my 540.....it's just up for sale.....i'm going to get the E34 probably tomorrow.

[tonyroc14]

I still have my 540.....it's just up for sale.....i'm going to get the E34 probably tomorrow.
oh, i'd keep it. it looks very clean in your sig

[Boogieboy]

oh, i'd keep it. it looks very clean in your sig
Me no want autotragic anymore!

[tonyroc14]

Me no want autotragic anymore!
tis' true. swap?

[prash]

2.81 > 3.15 on the highway anyday.

This is the reason why i'll never run a 3.15. Low rpm cruising is too important for me. I like getting 26+ mpgs hwy.

[tonyroc14]

This is the reason why i'll never run a 3.15. Low rpm cruising is too important for me. I like getting 26+ mpgs hwy.
+1, i am just fine with a slow start

[E34nication]

pfft... you auto guys should be looking for a 3.64 anyway. Search username sdwhitney.