540/740? Which to buy? |
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smigga
Groupie Joined: 20-September-2009 Location: lancashire Status: Offline Points: 91 |
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Posted: 22-September-2009 at 22:10 |
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Hello all, been out of the car circuit for a while, sold my Imprezza 5 years ago to start my own bus. I am now ready for a cheap weeknd toy. I have always loved BMs and had a few 3 series in the 90s. I now really fancy a V8 hence the 5 or 740. I prefer the looks of the 5 to be honest but have heard you get more for your money with a 7? I only have 3.5k to spend but would like a 540i sport around a 2000. Would like some advise on the pros and cons of the good old V8s, I know Im looking at big mileage and will be looking for full SH and minimal owners, all advise much appreciated. Smiggga |
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Andrew Rolland
Moderator Group Go away rain Joined: 19-August-2004 Location: Scotland Status: Offline Points: 6579 |
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Welcome to the forum. Old V8s in the E39 are thirsty, the E39 V8s have drop link steering which is supposed to take some of the feel away from the front end compared to the 6 pots. You will get more toys in the 7 series but I would imagine they would be a bit thirstier than the 5 series V8s. Would be a lovely big barge to cruise around in. Transmission wise the majority of the V8s will be automatic, I think the 7 series is standard auto. The autoboxes should be serviced and at that age will be crying out for a service. The ZF autoboxes are pretty reliable, but you have no way of checking the level, smell and colour of the transmission fluid as there is no dipstick Engine wise the V8s are pretty reliable. There has been minor trouble with ignition coils and various valves in the exhaust gas recycle system/crankcase breather system/oil seperator system. But nothing really problematic. I have no feel for waht 3.5k will get you in terms of a V8 powered BMW but I know there is another chap on here itching to find a good big engined 5 series so you may have a fight on your hands.... Best of luck in your hunt. |
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Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series!
Current '13 62 F10 535i MSport Auto Previous '04 04 E60 545i SE Auto '03 53 E60 545i SE Auto (Stolen) '98 S E39 523i SE Auto |
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jetsetwilly2000
Really Senior Member II Joined: 10-December-2003 Location: Cambridgeshire Status: Offline Points: 701 |
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My advice would be to just drive both. You will get more for your money with the 7 because they put a lot of folk off, but best to check first in case you're one of them
You can't get a manual 7 btw - that's always stopped me. |
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E90 M3 DCT, E46 330d Touring, VW T5 wannabecamper
Previous: Disco 3 TDV6, 2x E34 540i6, E34 535iS |
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Stone-IslandV8
Really Senior Member II Joined: 31-January-2003 Location: North Somerset Status: Offline Points: 3015 |
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Both can suffer from the cooling system problems.
In both cases check everything especially electrical works. If I didnt need a touring then I'd go for the 7...in black....18" alloys.....nice. Incidentally some mates of mine who own and run a good BM indy say that they pay no attention to number of owners as its the overall feel of the car. Edited by Stone-IslandV8 |
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Gentlemen I may not have a brain but I do have an idea
Past; E39 540T/E46 328CI/ E39 535/ E39 520/ E36 M3/ E36 318iS jet black Mtech/ E46 320d/ E36 318iS diamond black/ E36 318iS blue Mtech kit |
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jetsetwilly2000
Really Senior Member II Joined: 10-December-2003 Location: Cambridgeshire Status: Offline Points: 701 |
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I think the E38 is the best looking 7 and the best looking beemer of its age too. And for 3.5k I'm not sure what kind of 540iS you'd get...
Edited by jetsetwilly2000 |
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E90 M3 DCT, E46 330d Touring, VW T5 wannabecamper
Previous: Disco 3 TDV6, 2x E34 540i6, E34 535iS |
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smigga
Groupie Joined: 20-September-2009 Location: lancashire Status: Offline Points: 91 |
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What a friendly, helpfull bunch you are! All interesting/usefull stuff, I have never driven the V8 or a 7. I will rectifiy this soon when my wife finally gives birth and I have a few days off, I hope! I just havnt seen any local cars that I fancy and havnt had any time to travel around car shopping lately. I am having my drive relaid over the next two weeks and as I say the wife is ready to burst so Im hoping that a Nov/December bargain might come my way. Petrol consumption isnt an issue as it will be a Sunday toy. The insurance quotes Ive had with a good record at 37 have surprised me in a bad way! I know 3.5k isnt much but I run a van and another car and I have seen plenty of 97-2001 examples for similar money over the past coulple of months on Autotrader, albeit with the obvious long legs. Please keep the advise coming as it all helps once the hunt begins. Smigga |
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Stone-IslandV8
Really Senior Member II Joined: 31-January-2003 Location: North Somerset Status: Offline Points: 3015 |
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I wouldnt worry about the mileage, or necessarily number of owners, go on the look and feel of the car plus the service history.
IIRC the post 99 engines get the uprated vanos system on the engine so pull a bit better from lower down but don't discount 97-99 cars that have been well looked after. A lot of these cars will most likely be showing majority motorway miles so the engine will not have had that much of a stressful life. |
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Gentlemen I may not have a brain but I do have an idea
Past; E39 540T/E46 328CI/ E39 535/ E39 520/ E36 M3/ E36 318iS jet black Mtech/ E46 320d/ E36 318iS diamond black/ E36 318iS blue Mtech kit |
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Andrew Rolland
Moderator Group Go away rain Joined: 19-August-2004 Location: Scotland Status: Offline Points: 6579 |
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You learn something new everyday. I didn't know there was a vanos change on the V8s, 6 pots yes as you could tell from the shape of the front of the camshaft cover. Engines went from M52 to M52TU from Sep 98 IIRC. I haven't found out too much about the history of the V8s yet, even after owning one for nearly two years now...Need to read up more on the oily bits. The Haynes manual are good for this but sadly they haven't done one for the V8s yet. |
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Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series!
Current '13 62 F10 535i MSport Auto Previous '04 04 E60 545i SE Auto '03 53 E60 545i SE Auto (Stolen) '98 S E39 523i SE Auto |
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smigga
Groupie Joined: 20-September-2009 Location: lancashire Status: Offline Points: 91 |
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Keep the words of wisdom coming, Ive read that the 3.5 v8 is the best engine, better than the 4.5? I am seeing alot of 535s out there at good prices but not many 540s. Its a stupid question, I know I need to try the 2 out, and I realise theres 50bhp in it but have any of you owned/lived with both? Is there a big compromise in power, performance, driving experience in the smaller engine? Nb. Interesting to see a 540 with 214k! on it on ebay, still going well apparently. Smigga Edited by smigga |
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Stone-IslandV8
Really Senior Member II Joined: 31-January-2003 Location: North Somerset Status: Offline Points: 3015 |
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Never heard that before.
Yes...I've had a 1998 535 auto saloon which had 135k on the clock, and I've currently got a 540 auto touring which has just gone over 134k today.
Bluntly,yes, there is. No offence to the 535 but you tend to get 530 performance with V8 running costs and mpg.....performance in the 540 is signifcantly different. Don't get me wrong, I'm not slating the 535 at all.....the plus with the 535s is that tend to be better specced.....my 535 had climate and sunroof, heated electric memory seats and the car was great BUT if you shop around for a 540 then you'll get a good spec at bargain money these days. Edited by Stone-IslandV8 |
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Gentlemen I may not have a brain but I do have an idea
Past; E39 540T/E46 328CI/ E39 535/ E39 520/ E36 M3/ E36 318iS jet black Mtech/ E46 320d/ E36 318iS diamond black/ E36 318iS blue Mtech kit |
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smigga
Groupie Joined: 20-September-2009 Location: lancashire Status: Offline Points: 91 |
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Thanks for that, Ive just found a 51plate 540se with full bmwsh 85k in black with black elec leather, etc for less than £5k. Its too far to go and see and drive and over my budget (which allways seem to happen) BUT.. I was looking at a 99/2000 with maybe 150k on the clock for around £3-3500k. I havnt seen many like the se especially black on black with relatively low miles, I think it may be wise to push the boat out a bit and make an offer? Smigga |
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Stone-IslandV8
Really Senior Member II Joined: 31-January-2003 Location: North Somerset Status: Offline Points: 3015 |
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Try this
Pistonheads 540s or this Pistonheads 535s If you go for pre-facelift just budget £300 for Hella Angel Eye headlight upgrades (£500 for xenons) and £200 for celis rear lights....wider grills cheap enough on ebay. |
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Gentlemen I may not have a brain but I do have an idea
Past; E39 540T/E46 328CI/ E39 535/ E39 520/ E36 M3/ E36 318iS jet black Mtech/ E46 320d/ E36 318iS diamond black/ E36 318iS blue Mtech kit |
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540 V8
Bavarian-Board Contributor Lick my badge Joined: 07-December-2005 Location: Running the asylum Status: Offline Points: 2280 |
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I can only speak from an e34 point of view but the V8 engines are solid and reliable. I'm lucky enough to have a very rare 6 speed manual and I cannot see me owning another car EVER! The sound and acceleration of the V8 is second to none but at the same time it still feels very refined and easy to tame. It purrs like a cat when you are gently cruising along but floor that pedal and get the roar of a lion with the charge of a cheetah! I think the 7 would be a bit more mundane and relaxed than that as it's more geared up as a luxury cruiser rather than a thourough bred boys toy. I do like the 7 but I feel there is more enjoyment in the 5 and I don't feel old enough (no offence to anyone!) to have a 7 yet. As already mentioned, I don't think mileage is an issue as the engines are rock solid and as long as it runs fine and the body/interior looks good, you can't really go wrong. The only other thing I'll say is look out for the dreaded nikisil. There is more info throughout the forum on this subject so you are in the right place to arm yourself with the facts! Happy hunting Mike |
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Current:E34 540i Touring 6 speed manual(Mpower bodykit & suspension)& Chrysler Voyager 3.3 V6 auto Previous:E34 530iSE AC Schnitzer suspension. E28 525e auto-Standard |
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Hasso
Senior Member I Joined: 15-August-2007 Location: Kumla Sweden Status: Offline Points: 128 |
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I think there is no other engine then M62TU with 286 Bhp who has better fueleffective. A Volvo V70 2,5 turbo who have 100 bhp less have the same fuelconsumation. Over 3½ years of driving I have 1.06L/100 Km. But mine is manual 6 speed. 17" Uniroyals I owned last week (fore 2 weeks) also a 540IA Msport with 18"wheels Avon tyres it take 1,2L /100km I think the 18" Avons was a little heavy to roll.'' BMW proberly make the most Fueleffective engines in the world , my 528-96 have 100 more bhp then my Volvo 740-87 and have the same fueleconomy.
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BR Hasso
BMW 540T 2001 6 speed. BMW 316G (biogas) -1998 http://www.autopower.se/galleriet/bilder.asp?bil=40895 http://www.autopower.se/galleriet/bmw.asp?bil=45700 http://www.autopower.se/galleriet/bmw.asp?bil=40865 http://www.autopower.se/galleriet/bmw.asp?bil=45749 |
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Stone-IslandV8
Really Senior Member II Joined: 31-January-2003 Location: North Somerset Status: Offline Points: 3015 |
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M62 engines arent nikasil so the E39 should be safe........should be |
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Gentlemen I may not have a brain but I do have an idea
Past; E39 540T/E46 328CI/ E39 535/ E39 520/ E36 M3/ E36 318iS jet black Mtech/ E46 320d/ E36 318iS diamond black/ E36 318iS blue Mtech kit |
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Andrew Rolland
Moderator Group Go away rain Joined: 19-August-2004 Location: Scotland Status: Offline Points: 6579 |
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Was there not an issue with a V8 block being affected by Nikasil? Was it something like American E34 V8's?
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Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series!
Current '13 62 F10 535i MSport Auto Previous '04 04 E60 545i SE Auto '03 53 E60 545i SE Auto (Stolen) '98 S E39 523i SE Auto |
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jetsetwilly2000
Really Senior Member II Joined: 10-December-2003 Location: Cambridgeshire Status: Offline Points: 701 |
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Yes it was M60 blocks but by the time the E39 was made they were all Alusil. Anyway the nikasil issue isn't at all prevalent in the UK.
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E90 M3 DCT, E46 330d Touring, VW T5 wannabecamper
Previous: Disco 3 TDV6, 2x E34 540i6, E34 535iS |
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smigga
Groupie Joined: 20-September-2009 Location: lancashire Status: Offline Points: 91 |
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After seeing that 51plate 540se going for £4495 on Sunday I am going to save a little more and hold out for a similar car instead of a slightly longer in the tooth car. I am still gutted it got away but it was just not the right time and was too far away to see before the auction ended. Hopefully a Christmas bargain will be out there for me. Keep up helpfull work guys Smigga |
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Stone-IslandV8
Really Senior Member II Joined: 31-January-2003 Location: North Somerset Status: Offline Points: 3015 |
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Have to say that I've always sold on my cars before values meant they were going to become 'keepers' but the 540 looks like is very likely a keeper at these prices......am I unhappy?.....not likely!!!!
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Gentlemen I may not have a brain but I do have an idea
Past; E39 540T/E46 328CI/ E39 535/ E39 520/ E36 M3/ E36 318iS jet black Mtech/ E46 320d/ E36 318iS diamond black/ E36 318iS blue Mtech kit |
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Hasso
Senior Member I Joined: 15-August-2007 Location: Kumla Sweden Status: Offline Points: 128 |
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http://www.autopower.se/galleriet/bilder.asp?bil=45700 Payed 2135£ fore this 540IAM 2001 in perfect condition , little work and 432£ in spareparts included a used CD changer. sold fore 5125£ after 12 days. Cheapest in Sweden |
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BR Hasso
BMW 540T 2001 6 speed. BMW 316G (biogas) -1998 http://www.autopower.se/galleriet/bilder.asp?bil=40895 http://www.autopower.se/galleriet/bmw.asp?bil=45700 http://www.autopower.se/galleriet/bmw.asp?bil=40865 http://www.autopower.se/galleriet/bmw.asp?bil=45749 |
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