Picking up an E60 over an E39 540i?

[muddy4dsm]

So I’ve been on the lookout for a 540i6 M-Tech (2002-2003) and am having a difficult time trying to find a good one to purchase. I’ve considered the next generation body style, really liking the idea of the 545i with a manual or a 535i, but have been scared away hearing about the horror stories with the iDrive system (mostly from a friend with the first 7-series that had the iDrive installed) and haven’t heard good things about the TT setup in the 535. I was looking mostly at the 540i because of the reliability and relatively inexpensive initial purchase price along with the ease of working on the car, but since I can’t seem to find what I’m looking for I’m considering the next generation. For those who have the E60’s, would you avoid this decision or am I worrying about nothing? I’ve owned a 540i in the past so I’m pretty familiar, but when it comes to the E60, I’m a total noob. Anything I should watch out for if I were to go that direction?

[Nicks1k]

I own a e39 540i6 and the most expensive repair for me was the timing chain guides...around $1200 just in parts. I had another ex e39 owner who was much more knowledgeable help me with labor so it only cost me $400 in labor. My buddy owns an 06 550i with just under 60K miles and he had the valve stem seals issue which cost him around $4k to fix, and I know another guy I know who sold his 550 for that same reason. Also, now my friend is having issues with the active steering/sway stabilizer bar which is an issue on all e60s with active steering and new replacement part is around $1k, not sure if there's a cheaper fix. I think the valve stem seals is also an issue on all 545i/745/750/645/650/X6, which I believe is something to do with the long oil intervals set by BMW.

[TerraPhantm]

My dad has a 535xi. The iDrive is no where near as bad as the one found in the E65 7-series, and on 2010 models, it's actually quite nice (similar setup to what the new BMWs have).

Mechanically -- the N54 does have its issues, though I believe late model versions are a bit less problematic (I think by 2010 they mostly figured out the HPFPs, cam bearing ledges, and turbo wastegates). You'll occasionally have things like VANOS solenoids, water pumps, and thermostats go. But you've got to deal with that kind of thing on pretty much any BMW. I've never heard of a radiator failing on the E60. The E60 manuals are definitely smoother shifting than the 420g found in the 540. And the E60 multi-contour seats are probably the best I've sat in of any car. The E60 electrical bits are also more reliable (no failing pixels and such). I think I would go for the 535 over the 550. Lighter, makes nearly as much power and torque (n54s are underrated from the factory; N62s aren't), and its failures aren't as expensive (valve stem seals and alternator bracket gasket are both painful jobs and very expensive to do at a shop). Also worth noting that all E60s are rack and pinion, even the V8 models.

The E39 definitely looks better, inside and out. The E39 feels a bit more solidly built; fewer creaks, less road/wind noise, doors close like tanks. I think the 540i weighs a bit more than the 535 and about the same as a 545/550.

[Jerinoid]

I've owned a '98 e39 (528i 6-Speed; brand new to 44k miles), a '99 e39 (528i 6-Speed; 35k to 115k miles), an '06 e60 (530xi 6-Speed; 33k to 95k miles), and now recently picked up another e39 ('02 540i Touring, 111k miles to ???). I had virtually no major maintenance issues on either of the first two 528i's. I think the 6-speeds are all rock-solid transmissions, only Xmission issues I've ever hear have all been on the Autos. I did have some electrical gremlins in the E60 that affected the I-Drive and ultimately convinced the stealership to replace the CCC (Central Control Computer) module, aka the "Brain" right before the Warranty expired - no cost to me but about a $5k repair that had to "be authorized by Munich". No other major issues w/the E60 until the ACTIVE CRUISE CONTROL camera failed at about 90k miles. This is a VERY rare option on that model year, and it was impossible to source an aftermarket Doppler unit - BMW wanted over $3 grand for the part and another $600 to do the plug-in install and "aiming". That prompted me to sell the car, although I still wish I would have kept it instead of replacing it with an F10. BTW - I LOVE this new 540i Touring e39 - which needs a lot of attention after 100k miles - which is irrelevant because they're dirt cheap to buy when you find one.

[mxchris727]

Both cars are old at this point. I personally think the e39 M-Sport is a much nicer older car. It will age better in the years to come.