Opinions Needed

[mixamson]

I have a 1995 525i 5spd with 157k miles -- I am the second owner and car is in great shape.

Should I trade up to a 1995 540i 6spd with 200k miles? I would be the 6th owner, no accidents but needs a little love.

I know this topic has been covered, but opinions are appreciated.

[zubbie]

you need to describe both cars in much more detail if you want to get anything but a "crackberry" response

My crackberry response is no. You have a great shape good looking 5-speed. Keep the devil you know

[mixamson]

525i - parchment interior that is in good shape.
Overall car is in great shape, no major dents or dings, everything works.

-vogtland springs
-koni adjustables
-HID's
-staggered m-parallels
-JC Chip
-other misc goodies

NEEDS:
A/C repair
Vanos
Brakes


540i 6spd - black leather sport int - very good condition
Overall car needs a little work, some dings etc.

-headers
-bilstein sports
-bav auto springs (i think..)
-UUC SSK

NEEDS:
probably a new guibo
rear driver side window doesn't roll down
driver seat up/down motor doesn't work on one side
dent fixed in rear

[bam240sx]

dude, keep the lower milage car with all the goodies and add a few touches on the way, why buy a car with almost 50ooo more miles, requires a little more body and other misc. work for a car that is better, cleaner, and has a little less power?

keep it and if you want power upgrade cams, pulleys and if you still want more, exhaust and forced induction.

[barry8108]

The only people who say dont trade have never had a 540/6. It is a whole different car to drive. Your only talking 40,000 mile difference, not a big deal. Guibo is a lot cheaper to replace than fixing your A/C

[cssari]

The only people who say dont trade have never had a 540/6. It is a whole different car to drive. Your only talking 40,000 mile difference, not a big deal. Guibo is a lot cheaper to replace than fixing your A/C
+1

[mtg729]

Are we talking straight trade? Or trade+ cash on your/ other parties end?

If the 540i/6 has a well documented history then maybe. Also check if its Alusil or Nikasil.

If its a straight trade then keep your mpars and take the 540. If its cash on your end how much would be the deal breaker. To me it sounds like the 525 is the better car. But the 540 is a lot of car and a factory 6speed is a bonus with a sport inerior.

[4500 RPM]

The only people who say dont trade have never had a 540/6. It is a whole different car to drive. Your only talking 40,000 mile difference, not a big deal. Guibo is a lot cheaper to replace than fixing your A/C

LOL absolutely not true. :rolleyes

Two local friends on the board have 540i6s, one had an E39 then an E34. The other has an identical-to-mine Alpine/Parchment...we even have the same miles. I've driven the cars countless times and they have driven my 525i/5. The consensus is that they are different cars, not that one is better than the other. One is faster, one feels leaner. They make different noises, have different modification possibilities.

I prefer mine over the 540i 6-speed, I really do. I'm an inline-6 guy, and I like the "light" feeling mine has...can't really explain it. I also like that mine is cheaper to maintain and has more room under the hood.

I say don't trade. If he wanted more power he can look at many power options down the line...from S5x to FI.

I'm currently entertaining the idea of going to an E36 M3 or E39. As far as the E39s, I've only looked for 6-cylinder cars. I had the E39 540i6 for a week while NikosX was in town...fun car but not for me. I'll take the 528i/530i, thanks.

[mixamson]

Are we talking straight trade? Or trade+ cash on your/ other parties end?

If the 540i/6 has a well documented history then maybe. Also check if its Alusil or Nikasil.

If its a straight trade then keep your mpars and take the 540. If its cash on your end how much would be the deal breaker. To me it sounds like the 525 is the better car. But the 540 is a lot of car and a factory 6speed is a bonus with a sport inerior.

It's not really a trade, when I said that I really meant that I would be purchasing this car and selling my 525i [hopefully for enough to more than cover the cost of the 540i].

The 540i has the nikasil block as far as I know, I called the dealer and had them run the VIN -- no service record of it. The service history is moderately well documented from the last 2 owners, nothing really past that.

decisions decisions.

[Binjammin]

The only people who say dont trade have never had a 540/6. It is a whole different car to drive. Your only talking 40,000 mile difference, not a big deal. Guibo is a lot cheaper to replace than fixing your A/C

You've got a car you know to be good with low mileage. You're interested in a car you don't know with a questionable pedigree and more miles, which is more costly to work on (typically)

This one ought to be a no-brainer. If it were a well sorted 540 in awesome shape and not needing work, then sure... do it. It's not, so don't do it. 540/525 is all a matter of what you like, not a matter of what anyone else has driven.


+1

-1

[mixamson]

You've got a car you know to be good with low mileage. You're interested in a car you don't know with a questionable pedigree and more miles, which is more costly to work on (typically)

This one ought to be a no-brainer. If it were a well sorted 540 in awesome shape and not needing work, then sure... do it. It's not, so don't do it. 540/525 is all a matter of what you like, not a matter of what anyone else has driven.



-1


I can understand that. I think that at the end of the day it's a far wiser decision to stick with my 525.

Thanks guys!