540i modded VS M5 which would win?

[325is Dude]

I know this is kind of stupid but i was looking at Jimmy 540's page. Now i know hes not as fast as he claims but it seems to be the 540s have alot of tunability in them, more than the 3 series. Maybe I am off base but it seems accurate to me. I know they wont ever rival a 3 or M3 in handling but it seems power wise they have alot more possibility to edge out the 3. So now the real question, two 5's one M5 one 540i, both producing 400hp which would win? The m5 seems to definately have the edge from gearing but maybe im wrong. Can anyone share? I know this should kinda go into the 5 series forum but that place is deader than a doornail and im bored and thinking up scenarios. Thanks!

[Gregg]

Well the tranny and suspension on the M5 should be a big advantage as well.

[segal3]

Well...if you base it on money spent...

540i 6spd - $55k
M5 - $70k
(base price)

So...if you could get 540i up to 400hp and coilovers (coilovers wouldn't cost too much), for $15k...I think it could match up pretty well...hard to get under that $15k

~Matt Segal

[sfhighroller]

No matter what, an M5 is still an M5. Also Jimmy's car is an automatic.

[Bernanke]

the 540 and M5 motors are suprisingly VERY detuned. you can get alot of HP out of those cars. 540 motor does not compare to M5 motor, M5 motor IMO is the best bmw engine (mclaren = exception). M5 only has 400HP stock but its possible to get well over 500HP NA. 540 has same block though not as bored out. I would assume you can get near M5 performance for not too much $$. Headers are the big mods for those motors b/c stock headers are junk. also intake is a big one as well. hope that helps.

[RayfuM5]

There are a lot of modded 540's putting out a lot of power. Well above most modded M5's. The RMS M5 is putting some good numbers up and looks like a good package but still waiting for the long term reliability report. As a total package the M engineers did a hell of a job on the M5. Even the M brand manager thinks that the e39 M5 will go down as the best M ever.

[325is Dude]

Well how much HP can you get out of the pre 2000 540 motors? Is there any change in the production line? Im just thinking up wierd things in my head. 4 door sedan putting down 400hp has got to be fun as hell.

[segal3]

Mine will

Simeon's does

~Matt Segal

[325is Dude]

740's are boats. So no one cares segal. Just joking, if your 740 runs 400hp ill give you a hats off.

[NuG]

325is Dude: have you ever driven a 740? sounds like no.

[M3PanzerfaustM3]

Originally posted by NuG
325is Dude: have you ever driven a 740? sounds like no.

Oh come on, they are boats and I've driven several including the one with the sport package and while that is definitely better it's still a boat compared to an M3 or an M5 or actually not a boat but a cow would be a better term. But then again 740s were made for "over the hill" guys who get the clutch foot after five minutes. J/K, well almost.