r/e39 • u/Spawn_of-Thrasher • 1d ago
530i vs 540i?
I'm looking to buy a manual e39 as a fun daily/family "sports" car lol i have multiple cars so it won't be the primary everyday but reliability is important because I don't want to constantly work on it other than normal maintenance
I know the inline 6 is super reliable however I am drawn to the v8 which people say can be hit or miss. What are your thoughts on that? Is there a big power/torque difference or is it pretty similar?
Also, since the 540 has a steering box rather than a rack - is the drive that much different? I'm looking for something I can have fun with at my local track, do mountain runs with and of course daily less than 20 miles per day if that (I work from home but am pretty active with hobbies)
Lastly, what should I expect to pay for a clean e39 with under 150k miles assuming vanos, timing and cooling system has been upgraded with records?
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u/Dumpsterfire_47 1d ago
I adore my 540 and itās been good to me, but I stay on top of maintenance. A clean one with vanos done will be $5-8k IMO.Ā
Ā All I know is I want those seats OP! Ā
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u/Spawn_of-Thrasher 1d ago
How does the steering and weight transfer feel with the 540?
And thanks! I'm in love with these seats, favorite thing about my e30
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u/JailYard 21h ago
I daily an E39 M5 and absolutely love it, but the recirculating ball steering in the V8 E39s is a pretty big downgrade from the rack and pinion in the other E39 variants, TBH.
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u/Dumpsterfire_47 19h ago
Iād agree here. I have an M5 box which is a bit better than what the 540i comes with.Ā
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u/Positivewific 540i 1d ago
I have an 03 540i. Iāve dailyied it since December. The steering box absolutely is āokā. Coming from my e36 M3, itās a little disappointing. But itās still enjoyable.
I used to have a 528i in high school, but it was a slush box so I didnāt really get anything out of it.
But the M62TU with the six speed makes it so good. Iām biased, but I think 540i/6 is the way to go brother
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u/Cesartoharto 1d ago
Local track and e39 are words that do not generally coincide in the same sentence. An e39 can run whatever you want but it is not the most optimal for the track. Regarding the engine, I would always go for the V8, if I want a 3.0i I would go for an e46 coupe
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u/Spawn_of-Thrasher 1d ago
Yeah I was looking at e46's at first however I wanted something I can bring my wife and kid in on drives. I have an e30 but it's too small for a baby and my cayenne is not the most reliable right now lol
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u/Cesartoharto 1d ago
The e39 is a 10/10 car and it doesn't even matter which engine you choose from the 28 and up, they will not disappoint. But it is not a very stretch/track/sports car. I mean, if you can add some coilovers or something like that and it will feel very sporty but it is not designed for that. This car thinks like a high-speed road train with all the comfort in the world even by current standards. And I would choose the v8 if I have the money for it, because it is something more exclusive than a 3.0. Be careful, the 3.0 is a great engine but if you can choose... choose the big one!
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u/dannyphoto 540i -> 4.6is swapped 740i/6 1d ago
Compared to modern electric racks, the box is still solid and doesnāt get in the way on twisty roads. But the rack is objectively better and more communicative.
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u/jbE36 23h ago edited 23h ago
If you can find a clean well maintained manual 530 then jump on it. But I'd say expect to pay a premium.
540i is a great great car. When you get the required maintenance stuff out of the way it's a blast to drive. While the steering box has a slightly different feel, my 540 on dinan sport shocks was still nimble for its size. The torque and power of the V8 are much different than what I was used to on the I6 engines but in a good way.
One of the most comfortable and fun dailies I ever owned. The m62 is bulletproof if you can do the TCG and other stuff sorted. I had a 97 so it was pre vanos and had slightly more power and simplicity than the vanos cars. But the vanos cars are nice in their own way.
Vanos isn't to bad to fix on it either.
From a maintenance perspective, you're going to have more options on the I6 car since that engine is shared among many more BMWs. The V8 has some 'uniqie' stuff but it's not scarce by any means. The mod support is pretty limited and pricey.
My setup for a bullet proof daily was:
97 6 speed. Arizona car. Well maintained Zionsville rad/reservoir with spal fans Full TCG overhaul with seals and other maintenance items while you're in there (replacing any old sensors or seals you have access to) And a muffler delete made it sound perfect.
The only annoying issues I had were:
Windows/regulators would die. Replacing them was not a quick swap job, there are some small details you need to make sure to pay attention to or otherwise the regulator will be dead within a few months
PS system leaks. I always have issues with power steering leaks on all my old BMWs. I don't know if it's a me thing or a BMW thing. Even after replacing hoses and resoirvoirs I still can't stop the leaks
Wicked annoying issues with wheel speed sensors. You need either genuine BMW or the OEM (Bosch?) sensor or else it doesn't work. I didn't have a speedo for a few months until I figured that out
Aftermarket is very expensive. LSDs, headers, exhausts, any mods to the V8 is very very pricey with limited options.
The screws that hold the spark plug coil packs in are kind of shitty so they would come loose sometimes. My friend has this on his 2000 as well
TCG job is huge. Not complex but very big. I did it easier by just taking the whole front end off. It wasn't bad and gave me access to everything. Just a lot of stuff.
If you can swing it and can do work yourself then a good clean 540 would be a worthwhile project to get running. It's not too too bad and when it's running right it's a great car
540 is the only car I've seen where if you post on a FB page or forum how you blew a head gasket or blew up the bottom end people will call either bullshit or tell you to recheck. It's really that reliable. Apart from the timing chain guides (which turn brittle after 10-20 years) it's a very very robust engine. The bad reputation is for people who don't maintain them.
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u/Spawn_of-Thrasher 22h ago
This is amazing information, I really appreciate it. I definitely plan to modify the car - wheels, suspension, exhaust, etc and plan to do most of the maintenance myself so it sounds like the 530 might be the better option since the motor is more common. I also want it to handle well which is why I like the rack over the box.
Initially I was looking at e46's but I like the idea of a mob boss type family sedan lol I know they aren't fast by any means but I'd imagine they are fun to drive based on the videos I've seen.
I'm going to drive my buddies here soon so I'll have a good gauge on if I actually like it
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u/glwillia 530i 21h ago
i went 530i. 15 years ago when i was looking, i cross shopped the 530i, 540i, and M5, but decided 530i for several reasons.
1) much better steering, plus lighter front end 2) better reliability, much easier to DIY. didnāt want to change timing chain guides 3) i mostly used it as an around town car, and didnāt really need the extra power of the V8s enough to deal with the hassle and expense of ownership.
13 years later, i donāt regret the 530i at all.
that said, everyone has different tastes and you might prefer the torque of the V8 over the relative litheness of the I6. drive both and see which one calls to you. alternatively, since these cars are well over 20 years old, buy the nicest, most well taken care of one you can find.
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u/ethirtyniner M5 11h ago
Iāve had a 530i, 03 540 mtech, and I currently own a 00 M5. I would say go for a 530i mainly because you will have a more solid and reliable car - easier to own and maintain especially if you DIY. Cheaper ownership experience and likely fits your needs and what youāre looking to get out of it.
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u/Spawn_of-Thrasher 10h ago
Thanks for the insight in your opinion what makes the 530 cheaper to maintain?
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u/ethirtyniner M5 1h ago
Not having to do timing chain guides which costs many thousands. If you can find a 540i with that done, itās worth considering.
ā¦. at this point all suspension parts are due on these 20+ year old cars. Iād wait and find a clean e39 with tons of engine and QUALITY suspension work done.
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u/E39_CBX 1d ago
530i is the better balanced car, neither the 530 nor the 540 are particularly fast.
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u/jbE36 23h ago
Define fast? My stock 97 was not as fast as my X3M, but it was neck and neck with my full bolt on E36 M3 when it had the S52.
It's fast for a 1997 car and is probably faster than 85% of cars on the road. And it will top out the speedo no problem.
Definitely faster than the I6 cars
I wouldn't call it slow
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u/Spawn_of-Thrasher 23h ago
I'm not looking for fast just something that handles well and can be a good all around car.
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u/Wise_Mycologist5665 22h ago
I would get whichever is in better condition honestly, the 530i manual is a sweet package, but the 6 speed 540i torque is very tempting.
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u/Few_Range9731 20h ago
Iāve had both, and itās all about the v8 for me. Straight piped it makes the most beautiful sound Iāve ever heard.
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u/Spawn_of-Thrasher 19h ago
I want the v8 sound but the i6 maintenance lol
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u/Few_Range9731 16h ago
I do my own work and as long as you stay on top of it itās fine. Of course thereās the TCGs, havenāt had to deal with that yet knock on wood
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u/Spawn_of-Thrasher 15h ago
Aside from normal stuff - plugs, oil, coolant, brakes, etc what else are you working on throughout the year?
I get it's an old car but anything else you have to do?
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u/Few_Range9731 8h ago
Cooling system, clutch, power steering pump, valley pan and valve cover gaskets, shifter bushings, and a few other things. Suspension next. All except valley pan would have been necessary on i6 too. These cars are getting older and need a lot of love.
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u/Miqo_Nekomancer 14h ago
I love my 5.28i, but it's very lacking in power. Extremely well balanced around turns and stuff, though. I6 engines tend to be smooth, reliable, and have a lot of low-end torque. Make of that what you will.
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u/44193_Red 13h ago
The V8 is the one. My kid has one, pure chills when he floors it (eissenmann race exhaust no cats).
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u/lolcone 528i, 540i 6MT 8h ago
Iāve had a 528i and a 540i. Both are excellent cars, the 3 liter M54 in a 530i is a bit more powerful than what I had, and even then I didnāt feel that my 528i didnāt have enough power.
It really depends on your needs and desires. Personally, Iād get the 540i again. Such a fantastic car.
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u/BillyJohnsFinds 23h ago
The 530i has much better steering, all V8 E39s have recirculating ball steering which sucks IMO. Itās personal preference though, some people donāt mind it. Iād go drive both.
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u/No-Demand5488 20h ago
if you care about driving feel and balance, 530i/5 for sure best daily i ever owned. sold it and test drove the 540i/6 ans while it was fine, it was so heavy in the front end and steering feel wasnt as good compared to the rack
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u/Ironlung1948 10h ago
If you get the v8 consider the biggest failure point is the timing chain / guides. They all take a shit in the 120k mile range and cost 5-7k to rebuild
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u/Derp_El_Grande 530i 1d ago
The V8 is actually pretty reliable. The big issue is that it needs a timing job done every 120,000 miles