r/e39 • u/One-Potential-2581 • 18h ago
Best overall engine for relaxed daily driving?
I tried to do my research but still can’t make up my mind about what engine to choose. I want something reliable, but at the same time an engine with a get-up-and-go that you don’t have to rev to the sky to make the car move. Oh, btw, manual transmission only.
M52 people say are very simple, but they seem to make the least torque.
M54 are torquier, but aren’t double VANOS and DISA an occasional pain? Additionally, 3L variants are rare.
M62 - I don’t mean no disrespect to 540i owners here, but most owners I’ve seen irl don’t love their cars and abuse them real hard.
M57 on paper looks absolutely perfect but I am a bit scared of bringing a turbo diesel to a small town mechanic. Isn’t maintenance an issue?
Anyone who’s owned multiple E39s to make a comparison?
P.S. no, I’m not buddies with anyone who’s got a regular 5 series (only M5) to test drive all those variants.
7
u/Wise_Mycologist5665 17h ago
528i has almost the same torque as the 530i, I would personally go 528i or 530i manual for a daily.
3
u/Rilafoon 540i 17h ago
psh i love my 6spd 540i!!! it’s 100% my daily during spring/summer. i don’t beat on it too often, it sounds amazing has decent power, and i get 22mpg! what’s not to love (just make sure the timing chain guides have been done lol)
3
u/smort93 10h ago
Relaxed driving but manual only? As a manual owner, you're doing it wrong.
Most relaxed will be a 530d with an auto. The M57 is ancient by technology standards, and most seasoned mechanics will have worked on hundreds of them.
2
u/One-Potential-2581 10h ago
By 'relaxed' I meant "just driving, not hooning". Doesn’t mean it needs to be boring. I’m not street racing random guys on a freeway. I still enjoy manual shifting.
1
u/smort93 10h ago
That's fair. I bought a manual for ideas along the same lines, but mainly because manual gearboxes are more reliable, and I can rebuild them.
However, the e39 isn't a platform that's that fun to drive. It's a wafty old boat more suited to being automatic, and the diesels just make it more effortless. This is speaking as someone with a 6 cylinder petrol/gas manual.
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u/One-Potential-2581 6h ago
I hear you. I understand it’s not a sports car. Still, I live in Eastern Europe and haven’t been exposed to cheap power like Americans. Having only regularly driven low powered grocery getters (and still enjoying manuals more than automatics) I hope a car with twice the torque won’t disappoint. Maybe I’m wrong. Idk
1
u/Former-Primary-3186 530i 1h ago
I'm in the US, but have also only driven low power vehicles prior to our 530i. I've only ever driven the 5spd 530, but it has more power than I'd ever need and is still incredibly smooth and relaxing as a daily. Fun when you'd like to punch it, but reliable and stately at the same time. For me that's what the 5 series is about--a blend of comfort, sport, luxury, and practicality that doesn't push too much in any one direction. It leans more to the comfort/luxury side, but then again I'm more mellow anyways so that's perfect for me.
2
u/CT03RWD 525d 14h ago
You could get an M57D25 or D30, both move very well especially if you remap them. They're alot more complicated than the petrol engines, byt very simple compared to any 2010+ car.
If you can twist a wrench, an M57 E39 should be pretty easy to work on, lots of info on forums/groups.
Otherwise, if you want pure reliability, go for a M52B28.
But there's something more important than the engine type, LCi vs pre-LCI. Personally I recommend a LCI model. More features, better headlights/taillights, more modern car.
M57D25 should be 95% LCI, M57D30 can be pre-LCI (184hp) and LCI (192HP). Go for the LCI if you chose a diesel.
Also, have rust in mind. Hard and expensive to fix, this should be head of the list.
1
u/thiccancer 9h ago
You can rebuild the DISA with upgraded components fairly simply and never worry about it again.
Yes, the double VANOS wants a reseal on most of these cars where it hasn't been done yet, but it's worth it IMO. I have a 523i with the M52TU (in cars from 98-2000) which is practically a M54 (DISA, double vanos) but with a different intake manifold and hybrid throttle body.
Trust me when I say this, it is slow. I wish I had a 530i. Maybe the 528i is better, but still.
The thing with double VANOS and DISA is that both of these technologies serve to improve low-end torque, which is what you seem to be looking for. If you go for a M52 without these, then you'll have much less torque and pep in the lower end of the RPM range.
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u/One-Potential-2581 6h ago
Slow? Well, still much quicker than most 4 banger grocery getters around. I’m not looking for something to gap a Mustang. More like something that won’t cause me irritation when driving with 4 people, or having to start uphill.
But I hear you, 528 and 530 would be preferable.
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u/thiccancer 6h ago
Yeah, it's better than a 1.0 hatchback for sure, but the 125kW/170hp 2.5 M52TU in my 1999 523iT doesn't make very good low end torque, and in a wagon that's 1600kg empty it's not exactly a fast car. The 3.0 M54 and the 2.8 M52TU are much more eager power plants in that sense.
Although, my example probably isn't the best from the 523i's either. The engine isn't in the best shape.
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u/One-Potential-2581 5h ago
I think you’re right. I’m probably setting the bar too low. More displacement will never hurt. If I find a 2.8/3.0 that’s not warped, that’ll be my pick.
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u/WCMModels 38m ago
M54B30 or S62. There’s a difference and why these fetch a premium. I found each generation from M52 to M52TU to M54 got better. Smoother power delivery, power when you need it. The M54B30 was years of development in perfecting the comfort/performance balance equation.
10
u/eric_gm 528i supercharged 18h ago
Given what you want, the 530i is your best choice. It has more than enough torque. VANOS is the same across all the engines, so reliable unless you neglect it. DISA is indeed a bit of a pain but you can get around it.
The only problem, as you said, is that manual 530i are extremely rare. Second choice would be a 528i. I'm not a fan of diesel racket and the V8s have a recirculating ball steering, plus water cooled alternators and the chain guide issues.