e39 528i vs 530

[nomadichln8]

Has anyone compared these two model's. If so, was there any noticeable difference between the two. Any details or info for comparison would help me greatly. TIA

[pbonsalb]

530i is the best of the 6 cylinders. 3.0L and 225 hp. 528i was 2.8L and 193 hp. But the 97-98 528i with single vanos iron block motors (99-00 528i had aluminum block dual vanos) is the most durable. The 99-03 cars can overheat and pull the studs out of the block. Make sure any 530i you look at has not been overheated and maintain it well so it never does.

[Aubergine]

530i is the best of the 6 cylinders. 3.0L and 225 hp. 528i was 2.8L and 193 hp. But the 97-98 528i with single vanos iron block motors (99-00 528i had aluminum block dual vanos) is the most durable. The 99-03 cars can overheat and pull the studs out of the block. Make sure any 530i you look at has not been overheated and maintain it well so it never does.

Bingo. The E39 sub-forum has a ton of info as well.

[ross1]

530i is the best of the 6 cylinders. 3.0L and 225 hp. 528i was 2.8L and 193 hp. But the 97-98 528i with single vanos iron block motors (99-00 528i had aluminum block dual vanos) is the most durable. The 99-03 cars can overheat and pull the studs out of the block. Make sure any 530i you look at has not been overheated and maintain it well so it never does.

Spot on. The 3.0 feels noticeably more powerful, perhaps in part due to a 5 spd auto transmission vs the pre '00 4 pd. Durability is same unless you overheat them, the alum block doesn't suffer overheating well, the earlier motor will just warp the head.
By '02 the cars were generally better equipped as well. MY experience is the early(pre'00) cars had better build quality. At this age they will all need something.

[Qsilver7]

Just an FYI...the 2000 model year 528i/iT (last year of production before the change over to the 525i/iT/530i w/M54 engines) got a 5 speed upgrade in the auto transmission department. BUT...you have to check the build date because the 2000 model year for the 528i/iT started in June/1999. These first 3 months of the 2000 model year got the same old 4 speed auto transmission...but starting with the 9/99 build date...the 528i/iT got the 5 speed automatic.

[GAflyer]

Wouldn't dream of arguing with above posters on the merits. Just maybe a different take, although not exactly what you've asked. E39's are getting quite old. I have a 2000 528i that I bought new, and it's still a fantastic car. I've never felt disappointed in the performance, and dealt proactively with known issues (cooling system, vanos, etc).

Nomad, if you get the best example you can find of any 6 cylinder E39, one that was taken care of properly from day one, you won't be sorry. E39's are great cars and look better all the time compared to newer ones.

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

Yep, my 528 wagon was born on 12/99, has the 5 speed Stepturnip. I love the auto's in both my 540 and 528, with the traffic I have to deal with here in the Northern Virginia area, they're awesome. But..... I will soon be looking for a 540 wagon with a blown motor, I will be doing the complete M5 conversion on that one.

[StephenVA]

Waiting for that project!

[kouks]

The early e39s have the M52, which is basically 98% the same as an M50 in my 95 e34. The head gasket blew on that engine at 236,000 miles. Rebuilt the top end of the motor, now at 244,450 miles and still pulling strong. My daughter overheated the car twice, once while driving it hot for about 2 miles so she could get it home. The iron block was still in perfect working order, even the head only needed less that .003 inches shaved to eliminate the warp. I even ran the engine out of oil after the rebuild cause I failed to torque the oil pickup line in the oil pan. By the time the oil pressure warning came on I must have driven the car about 30 miles at very low oil pressure. Still runs like a champ. You just can't kill an M50.