Looking for 540i 6spd REVIEWS

[Roffle Waffle]

as the subject states...

[Roffle Waffle]

oh, e39 that is

[Lscman]

I'm a little unclear....

Are you soliciting first-hand opinion and experience from folks here who actually own an E39 540i/6.......or are you looking for opinions of a magazine writer who drove one for a couple days & got the royal treatment from BMW marketing executives ?:biglaughb

Try this link for reliability issues:
http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=152283

My Review:
The E39 540i 6spd has accelerates much like a Ford Mustang Cobra with the normally-aspirated 300HP 32V motor, namely 14 flat at 102 MPH. The difference is it'll haul 5 passenger in total comfort. It stops, corners and accelerates as well as a Cobra because it has much better weight distribution (about 51/49) and weighs about the same (3550lb dry). Unlike the optimisic domestic figures, BMW published weights are wet with a driver. RWHP numbers for the 540i/6 suggest it's 280 HP powerplant is under-rated by about 20 HP. As many know, early 32v Mustangs are over-rated & produce 280 HP on a GOOD day. Many 540i cars came with optional 9" rear rims. The 9" rims will fit without rubbing on all four corners. The typical selling price for a '98 with 70K miles hovers around $20K. They are not plentiful, but a month or so of aggressive searching will turn a few up in this price range within 200 miles or so. That's what I paid. From a ergo-luxo perspective, this car has incredibly comfortable seating and the sport suspension is a perfect compromise for all-around use. The handling is very predictable and controls are good.

Backyard servicing of the E39 is extremely challenging compared to the most complex domestics (Lincoln, Ford, GM, Corvette etc). My Lincoln & Corvette have every option under the sun and this E39 is MUCH more difficult to service. This is primarily because the BMW TIS and Bentley service literature (best available) does not favorably compare to GM & Ford Helms. You can't fix cars like this without excellent procedures and info. BMW Dealer Tech's rely upon regular in-house training and experience. An backyard mechanic can't. The E39 is a quagmire of friggin' computers, gadgets & gizmos. Looking forward 10 years, it's scary...& I'm an Electrical Field Maintenance Engineer with 20 years experience working on computer control systems. Out-of-warranty shop repairs on this vehicle will empty your wallet, guaranteed. There are very few service specialists around that can tackle this level of electronics, aside from the dealer. There are countless special meters and tools that a foreign service shop will not have.

Hope this helps.

[Roffle Waffle]

So....I should get one?

[shmoo]

Originally posted by Silver00Spike
So....I should get one?

Get one only if it's under 60K miles. I know 740 (same enigne) starts to have some minor problems around 80K. Not big, just a few hundred or grand here and there.

[Greco540]

Originally posted by Silver00Spike
So....I should get one?

Uhh yeah!!!

[RSR]

I bought my 97 540I 6spd three years ago . It had 70K and was a one owner well taken care of. It now has 113K and has had the following work done, rear wheel bearings, new cats, front wheel hubs & bearings and lots of tires. It runs as strong as the day I got it , maybe even better, does not use any fluids and I run synthetic oil with changes around 8-10K . I believe this car would go 300K with no major issues.

[jmig]

I second RSR's reply, I just bought my 97 540i6 this past October.
The second owner had replaced cat. converters, radiator, water pump and a/c unit.

My E39 had just turned 100K when purchased it and since then I've done new pads and rotors(frt. & rr.), new Pirelli P7000 Supersports with alignment.

Currently doing some clean up to the factory sport wheels, but other than that the car is very strong and tight.

I have a friend that writes service for a local dealer and I got the info. on related issues if any.

The radiator was the biggest $$$ item to replace. Luckly previous owner found out the hard way. ( Leaking from the neck of the radiator). He also stated that he has customers with E39's with 250K and still running strong.

[Tahoe M3]

I sure like mine.

[sirtiger]

me too :)

[sirtiger]

Lscman, u r scaring me with the backyard servicing talk... I hope its not insanely tough to service... :az:

[SDbboy]

Originally posted by sirtiger
Lscman, u r scaring me with the backyard servicing talk... I hope its not insanely tough to service... :az:

Almost any new BMW 1996+ is tough to service. Valve adjustments and timing chains require so much special equipment and tools its not even funny.

You will have to pay a few grand for maintenance every once in a while.

A small price to pay though considering these cars can easily go 300K w/o any mechanical problems whatsoever.

Brian

[RevHigh]

I enjoy driving mine from time to time. It has been a great 4 door car with a V8 and a 6 speed.

I had to modify it to get the power/acceleration I was looking for or use to from previous cars. At the time of purchasing this car (1998) I couldn't wait for the M5 in 2000 to come out. So, the next best thing was had...the modified 540 6 speed.

My current dyno plot (http://members.cox.net/revhigh/revhighdyno%20plot.pdf) http://members.cox.net/revhigh/sideviewcar.JPG http://members.cox.net/revhigh/540.jpg http://members.cox.net/revhigh/caiinstalledside.jpg

There have been some little issues such as electronics that tend to expire early but nothing that would make me really frustrated with the car. It is a solid sedan and can be turned into an animal in a N/A engine status.

Good luck!

[Greco540]

Couldn't agree more..

[Lscman]

Hey Brian,

I have heard of a "couple" E39 540i cars pushing 200K and still running well. However the jury is still out on long term longevity. Their Nicasil predecessor was a real loser and I'm not so sure Alusil favorably compares to a steel sleeve. As a former GM and Ford owner, I can tell you the Ford V8 5L & 5.7L LT1/L98 GM motors will cross the 300K barrier with zero internal engine issues. I own a 5L that uses absolutely no oil and it gets the exact same gas mileage and runs the same 1/4 mile as when new.

One reason BMW's last so long is they mandate quality synthetic lubricants. Another reason is because cars are sold with free oil changes. The service indicator is quite annoying if you try to ignore it & the CPO program helps keep older cars healthy. The cars are complex, expensive and maintenance neglect carries a big penalty. Folks don't tend to neglect them, as the typical $1500 domestic car owner does.

[Lscman]

Originally posted by Silver00Spike
So....I should get one?

How can I possibly answer that question for you?? If you are not capable of servicing your own vehicle, you either need to be rich or you need to purchase a lower mile CPO dealer car and unload it when the warranty expires. Since I do not know your mechanical and electrical skills or interest in back yard repairs, I can not decide for you. For me, if I wasn't stuck on a 4dr large sedan with a V8, RWD and stickshift...I would have bought a different car. Perhaps a Lincoln LS, if an auto was OK.

[540i6]

Originally posted by Silver00Spike
So....I should get one?

For sure man youll have lots of fun.... love mine. :evil2

[Roffle Waffle]

any exhaust sound clips?

[Greco540]

Try www.bmw540ifun.com for some different exhasut clips.

[Roffle Waffle]

wow, so a blown 540 only get 9.32 mpg! holy crap

[Roffle Waffle]

Greco540, I only found the Dinan clip, please link me to others

[Armo95]

My current dyno plot (http://members.cox.net/revhigh/revhighdyno%20plot.pdf)

What mods did you have on that run? You're putting down some AWESOME power.

[NickG]

Almost any new BMW 1996+ is tough to service. Valve adjustments and timing chains require so much special equipment and tools its not even funny.


Huh? What valve adjustments? It's a hydraulic lifter drivetrain. There's no need for periodic valve adjustments, so why would you need special equipment and tools?

[E34nication]

What mods did you have on that run? You're putting down some AWESOME power.

+1

[marinakorp]

What mods did you have on that run? You're putting down some AWESOME power.


No wanting to speak for his revness... but some of his mods are a SECRET!


anywho

some of his mods include
Software re-programming (AutoThority I think - could be GIAC)
REVHIGH designed Intake
REMUS Exhaust (the last one I heard was AWESOME!)

His car makes insane power! Sounds GREAT and lays down some serious rubber!

[E34nication]

with those mods and him putting down that kind of power he has to be spraying...

[Paradoxish]

The typical selling price for a '98 with 70K miles hovers around $20K. They are not plentiful, but a month or so of aggressive searching will turn a few up in this price range within 200 miles or so.

Some of your posts make me want to cry, Lscman. :(

For the past two months I've been searching for a '98 540i/6 for $20k or under and less than 75k miles. I've turned up almost nothing. Everytime a car appears it's at least 600 miles away and always sold before I can plan a trip out to see it. I've been looking at '97s, but it seems like a waste to pay $20k for one when that same amount of money will buy me a '98.

I'd kill for one of these cars right now and I'm just having no luck at all finding them.