E39 528 VS 540 reliability or X5

[herman maire]

I guess I am asking the same questions that many have asked, but here it is again.

I am looking at a few E39's. They all have around 140K miles, currently I am using my E34 535 manual, the only reason I am looking to get into a later car is mostly because theres too much rust showing its evil face. Sucks.


From what I have read about the 540's sound like almost all the motors are full of sludge and with the miles the cars have that I am looking at I dont think its in my favor, Or am I just reading all the bad?

So even though I would love to have the HP I think I am just going to focus on a good 528

How reliable are the Auto and manual tranny's ?

97+98 528 5speed black/black and auto silver/black both priced $8-8500
both seem maintained pretty well. +3grand gets a Black/black auto 98 540.

Whats the deal with early 528 aluminum block motors giving problems? Where they all aluminum blocks or was there some iron blocks?

What are the options for LSD( diffs) for the E39

What is the cheaper daily driver?

also anybody have any experience with the X5's

apreciate any info

[xatlas0]

The 540s get something of a bum rap. I have had 2, including my Nikasil machine, and neither gave me any problems in many years. I had the E39 for 4 years without issue. (540i/6)

As a rule the BMW autos are more fragile than the manuals. This applies to virtually all the cases I have ever heard of.

Bad news: the only E39 to get a LSD even as an option was the M5. So, unless you snag a M5 diff, you get no LSD.

The early X5s have the same motor as the 540, so any issues with the core motor will carry over.

[ranger]

Only the long interval oil changed cars have the sludge issue. I have 110,000 miles on my 97 540 and the inside looks like a new motor. I have had the oil pan off to check the oil pump bolts and had no sludge, and when you open the oil cap it is equally as clean.

Just make sure you find a car that has been well maintained, and get it checked out by a mechanic.

[herman maire]

thanks guys

So on the 540's besides getting a comp/leakdown test is pulling the oil filler cap and quickly checking inside the the cylinder head a pretty good indication of the sludge condition of the motor?

Do you think its too risky on a possible 540 purchase if the motor is smooth at idle all the way to red line and the cylinder heads are sludge free, to pass on a comp/leak down test. I know its risky, its just always seems like PITA
when the owner gives the vibe that there too busy.

also on the Auto's 540/528 when driven hard (ex.leaving it in 2nd or 3rd kinda using it like a manual ) are they known to just blow or do they slowly start
( getting stuck in gear, slipping ect...)

So in youre opinion theres not a huge difference in running costs?

[xatlas0]

The transmissions generally don't instantly blow, no. They usually start to slip first, popping out of gear, rough shifts, etc. More often than not, this is because BMW uses "lifetime fluid". I'm not sure whose lifetime they are talking about, but I am pretty sure that person is long dead. So, one of the first things to do in any BMW is a complete fluid flush, oil, coolant, ATF, brakes, diff, everything. Perhaps not washer, but you get the idea. A lot of the trans problems go away when the fluid is switched out.

Like ranger said, sludge buildup is not common, especially if owned by an enthusiast. Heck, Midas would want my motor is has such a golden sheen. It all depends on how it has been serviced throughout its life.

Aside from gas, (which is about a 3-6 mpg difference, depending on how bad your right foot is) operating costs are pretty similar. Parts are expensive, as I am sure you already know with your 535i/5. (which, by the way, is a fantastic car to mod)

[Turbofans]

If you get the 540i 6 M sport, it has the exact same tranny and rear diff as the M5, so yes, you can get a 540i 6 with a LSD. When I bought my car 4 months ago, it had 74k on the clock and that is when stuff starts breaking with this car, mine at least, radiator, pump, thermostat, hoses, instrument cluster, battery, tires, brakes, cam position sensors, belts. I bought the car for $24K and have now put in about 4.5 grand to bring it up to perfect condition,,,,,so now I have $28.5 into it now,,,,,about what the blue book calls for this car in "excellent" condition. This car cost way more to maintain than my 95 E36 M3.

[xatlas0]

If you get the 540i 6 M sport, it has the exact same tranny and rear diff as the M5, so yes, you can get a 540i 6 with a LSD. When I bought my car 4 months ago, it had 74k on the clock and that is when stuff starts breaking with this car, mine at least, radiator, pump, thermostat, hoses, instrument cluster, battery, tires, brakes, cam position sensors, belts. I bought the car for $24K and have now put in about 4.5 grand to bring it up to perfect condition,,,,,so now I have $28.5 into it now,,,,,about what the blue book calls for this car in "excellent" condition. This car cost way more to maintain than my 95 E36 M3.

I hate to break it to you, but the sport model does not have a LSD, I had one. Only the E39 M5 has a LSD.

If my personal ownership wasn't enough proof, here is the ETK:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DN53&mospid=47588&btnr=33_1041&hg=33&fg=05

No LSD option.