e36 m3 vs e39 540

[taseal]

Hey guys,

I'm selling my e36 325, and after xmas I'll be getting one of the two cars I titled... I made a OT therad about this asking which ppl would prefer, but now here my question is (also the fact that its more of a technical question) what would a drag between the 2 be like?

I somewhat know of the m3's capabilities, but still never owned one so....

what do you say? anyone had any similar confronts with a e39 540?

I'm gunna post this in the e39 section too to see what they would say to this subject

i'll be getting a manual, thats for sure
I love both cars, if I get a m3, it'll be make it the twin of the car i'm selling (check my sig for pics)

thx :)

I just can't decide! best friend and gf says m3, I say 540.... I cant decide! :(

ps. how much is it to upgrade the stock headunit to a navigation one? (i see the new m5 ones have a bigger screen, and some have a smaller screen)

[tsg1990]

I'd say go with the M3, not the most practical car as far as space, but definately the more agile car. I've driven a late model 540, good car to take long, comfortable drives in, but the M3 definately wins in the "Fun to drive" catagory. Its pretty much a choice between luxory, and performance.

[taseal]

yeah i'm no 40 year old guy needing my space... i maen i barely have ppl in the back seat...

[L3000C]

i say e36 318 turbo:buttrock
















no but seriously its performance, or luxury, though the 540 is quite fast as well, and a great car at 150mph:redspot

[taseal]

i say e36 318 turbo:buttrock

no but seriously its performance, or luxury, though the 540 is quite fast as well, and a great car at 150mph:redspot

bah screw a 318 turbo... i'm done with projects (i think :devillook )

[L3000C]

bah screw a 318 turbo... i'm done with projects (i think :devillook )


NEVER!!! projects are what make men men. Without projects, we would all be..........just males.

[imola e36]

540's are way high maint. they are much more of a cruiser even though they are quick, when pushed in real hard tight bends, you will miss your e36. but after long rides at over 100mph, you'll have a new love.

if your a driver, m3. if you want status, luxury, and some speed, but at the cost of crap gas mileage, lesser handling, and higher maint, then 540

[taseal]

540's are way high maint. they are much more of a cruiser even though they are quick, when pushed in real hard tight bends, you will miss your e36. but after long rides at over 100mph, you'll have a new love.

if your a driver, m3. if you want status, luxury, and some speed, but at the cost of crap gas mileage, lesser handling, and higher maint, then 540


someone helpppp meee I cant decide :(

I honestly like the interior of the 5s more then the 3s too

I think i'm looking for a conv m3 deep in my heart... thats what I really want I *think*

[G///ME]

as a long time driver of a 5-series, and there's another on in my family...go with the M3...i'm getting one as soon as i find one. Believe it or not, the 540i is a wonderful car...my mother drives a '95 530i with a 3 liter V8 in it...yes it is a sweet car despite its odd engine...trust me 5's are nice but they are like cranky fat children sometimes because when you take it in to get something fixed...a few more things surface and you have to mess around with BMW's V8 coolant problems...and the wonderful gas mileage...you're young...i'm young...let's get M3's and live our young lives...while we still can...and you have just enough room for girls in the backseat of an M3...in a 5...everyone wants to jump in and now you can call yourself a bus driver...it's not fun

Drive on.
-G

[G///ME]

and don't get a convertible...the structural rigidity is all gone in those cars because there's no roof...coupe it up

-G

[Roadwarrior1956]

What's behind door number 3 BOB? (Find away to keep them both) no painful decision to make, "JUST DO IT" and sleep at night without regret.

That my 2cents and why I have 4 cars:buttrock

[dos Santos]

flip a coin. it's only a car. :)

[Phat Ham]

BMW's V8 coolant problems... like the e36 cooling systems are any better

[geoffm3]

Since we're on the subject... which 5ers are the ones to stay away from? I'm heard some bad stories about nikasil(?) blocks on the V8s being a particular problem on some of them. Which ones are they?

[L3000C]

Lol i pretty sure all cars suffer from collant problems, its only rubber, and plastic holding back 250 degree water, under pressure. All cooling systems if not maintained become time bombs over time, not just the e36 or the 5 series.