|
|
Post Reply 
|
Page 12> |
| Author | ||
Mr Angry 
Newbie 
Joined: 08-October-2005 Location: Durham Status: Offline Points: 25 |
 Topic: e39 535 or 540Posted: 09-October-2005 at 08:18 |
|
|
Hi I'm searching for e39 V8 and I'm not sure whether I want a 535 or a 540. Budget is around £7500 so looking for a 96-99. Can anyone suggest much difference in running costs, mpg, servicing etc. Most of my 15-17000 miles per annum are fast A and B roads so would be interested in fuel economy, although I'm well aware it wont be returning the 49mpg of my current Audi A6!! Is the 540 worth the extra £50 insurance? What should I look for other than the obvious? I am aware that 80% of 96-99 cars have some sort of dead pixel problem with the instrument cluster, can it be repaired or is the consensus a £400 main dealer job. And finally is the sat nav and tv worth the extra or just an unused gimmick.... however impressive!? Please help Many thanks John |
||
 |
||
| Sponsored Links | ||
|
||
|
stevie53
Really Senior Member II 
Joined: 14-January-2003 Status: Offline Points: 2486 |
Posted: 09-October-2005 at 11:34 |
|
|
John
cant really give you any advice on what model to opt for but if I were you I'd just go for the 540, for no other reason than it's the bigger engine 
as for the sat nav and tv it's a good option to have for resale value, the tv is a total gimmick but the sat nav can be quite useful especially if you have my sense of direstion 
stevie |
||
|
///2000 E39 M5 Imola Red/// NO MORE
una volta lei ha avuto l'italiano lei non andrą mai tedesco di nuovo haha |
||
|
||
|
Mr Angry
Newbie
Joined: 08-October-2005 Location: Durham Status: Offline Points: 25 |
Posted: 09-October-2005 at 11:53 |
|
|
Thanks Stevie Nice M5.....maybe i should.... ... er getting really carried away now!
John |
||
|
||
|
Stone-IslandV8
Really Senior Member II
Joined: 31-January-2003 Location: North Somerset Status: Offline Points: 3015 |
Posted: 09-October-2005 at 14:02 |
|
|
Can't go wrong with this for under your budget:
http://www.germanmarques.co.uk/details.aspx?sid=92 Had a look at the car in the flesh and its superb.They've also got a sport 535 in but up at £9995! John |
||
|
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 |
||
|
||
|
Mr Angry
Newbie
Joined: 08-October-2005 Location: Durham Status: Offline Points: 25 |
Posted: 09-October-2005 at 14:52 |
|
|
Thanks John Emailed the vendor but no response!! Have no idea why. Was therefore not going to bother. I live in Durham so its a fair old trek to Northhampton....however saying that if it was the 'Right' one I'd be down in a shot. Do you recall how many miles its done, or if its got a FBMWSH, electric seats etc etc.... oh and the obvious CURSE OF THE DEAD PIXELS? How was the body?
Sorry I know I'm full of questions but this was on my shortlist of possible's and could be again. I'd be really grateful for any more info. Cheers John |
||
|
||
|
Peter Fenwick
Bavarian-Board Contributor 
Joined: 27-August-2003 Location: Lost somewhere in time... Status: Offline Points: 6484 |
Posted: 09-October-2005 at 16:26 |
|
Yes I notice there was no mention of milage. At that price it's going to be intergalactic, 130K at least I would have thought. Now that isn't a problem as long as the car has been well looked after. I would only accept a FBMWSH. |
||
|
Entering an age of Austerity and now driving a Focus Diesel.
|
||
|
||
|
Stone-IslandV8
Really Senior Member II
Joined: 31-January-2003 Location: North Somerset Status: Offline Points: 3015 |
Posted: 09-October-2005 at 16:31 |
|
LOL-German Marques are in effect Autobarn BM specialists run by a guy called Paul-1stly he has a habit of firing the sales guys and 2ndly he can be ****y and getting info from him if he's in a bad mood can be like getting blood out of a stone! Only way to deal with him is ring Autobarn and ask for him direct-do a web search on Autobarn Northampton and it'll be there.
Don't remember miles but happy to check next time I'm in Northampton.IIRC its either FBMWSH or BMW and Autobarn. Remember its high spec and sure its got elec seats-leathers in good nick. Car body looks great-I'm waiting to hear bout new job and if I got the job and the car was there then I'd be looking at it very seriously. Thing is with Paul is that he's not a people person but is one hell of an engineer-spent most of his final days with BMW dealer working exclusively on E39s so really knows his stuff so any warranty would be worthwhile and not schwonky. The only downsides from an easthetic point of view for me was the amber indys and standard headlamps & taillights so I'd just do what I did with my 520 and budget cost to change these- £300 front hella angel eyes £200 hella celis rears £10 clear side indys Or I'd just change mine back to standard and slap the bits on the new ones. |
||
|
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 |
||
|
||
|
Mr Angry
Newbie
Joined: 08-October-2005 Location: Durham Status: Offline Points: 25 |
Posted: 09-October-2005 at 17:15 |
|
|
Fantastic....Great with machines but doesnt like talking to people....!! However, I know exactly the sort you mean Had the ad book marked late last week. I guessed by the ad it must be a mile muncher but still looks real nice. I have emailed him again but will call tomorrow. Hopefully he'll feel like talking. Did you notice a M sport steeringwheel or standard? Yeah already decided on the Angel eyes and later repeaters and rears... oh and a private plate!! Incidently are the light changes an easy (REALLY?!) DIY job or best left to someone in the know and where did you get them, Eurocarparts? Have you driven a 540??? I'm wondering whether to hold out for the 4.4 and sat nav? What do you think? Will definatley check it out though Thanks again |
||
|
||
|
Stone-IslandV8
Really Senior Member II
Joined: 31-January-2003 Location: North Somerset Status: Offline Points: 3015 |
Posted: 09-October-2005 at 17:34 |
|
|
Not sure on the mile munching but got Paul to do a compression test and inspection on my 520 with 135k on the clock and the only thing he could fault was a weeping front shock-compression test showed up as good as the day it left the factory!!
Havent driven a 540 tho I did hear of 1 owner slamming the V8s having recirculating ball steering which he reckoned wasnt as good as the steering system on the 6-cyls. IIRC it was standard multi-function steering wheel. I got my angel eyes,celis rears and clear sides from a mate who deals in E39 parts-he wasnt the cheapest but I was guaranteed genuine Hella kit. Angel eyes are def DIY- 4 screws per unit, 2 extra wires to connect and the lower light edge strip to take off n put back on. 15 mins per side. Celis rears-bit more intense only cos you've got to drill an extra hole in the car and add an arch to an existing hole but I did it with a hole cutter and file from B&Q,point-puch and a good ruler...all instructions included in the box. Wiring on these is dead easy-you get extra ballasts with the kit which fit onto a bracket you just bolt into the spare wheel well. Total time for this job was about 1.5hrs. Side indicators 2 mins max-slide out n slide new 1s in. Would I go 540? For me my choice would be 530 or 530d then mod it. I moaned like hell bout my M3s mpg and the 540 is thirstier! The 535 has v8 running costs but almost same performance as the 530. SatNav-nice toy on resale but not my thing really.TV? nah, unless it was DVD in the back for the kids. If you need any help with light installs as & when you can PM me and I'll get you my how-to cheat sheet plus photos of the install over. HTH |
||
|
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 |
||
|
||
|
Mr Angry
Newbie
Joined: 08-October-2005 Location: Durham Status: Offline Points: 25 |
Posted: 09-October-2005 at 18:12 |
|
|
Thats certainly appreciated. Think I'll do the Angel eye's and the indicators then I'll let my whizz of a brother do the rest. He should crack it off in no time with your guide LOL. The diesel is not for me... Its gotta be a V8. I've got an Audi A6 1.9 TDi 130Bhp thats brilliant on fuel and a joy to drive but the V8 is special. I want one before I'm too old to enjoy it ....and before they ban petrol cars bigger than 1.4 or a gallon costs £10+!!!! By the way, what mpg did you prize from your M3??? I see from posts on here and from talking to people the 535 gets 25mpg local and upto 32mpg on a good run, dont know about the 540 but gotta be about 23/30mpg??? Also we have a Golf 2.3 V5 that only gets 23/36mpg so it wont be too much of a shock. And to be honest a 523, 525 or 528 surely cant be much better???? Are the running costs so much more with the V8??
|
||
|
||
|
ahmurray
Senior Member I 
Joined: 30-June-2005 Location: Shoreham-by-Sea Status: Offline Points: 116 |
Posted: 10-October-2005 at 05:40 |
|
|
Hi there Mr A. Shame you aren't looking in about 4 months time as that's when I plan to sell my 1998 535, and you won't find a much better example! It's even had the instrument pinnacle replaced under warranty for the faulty pixel problem - although I wouldn't have bothered if it had been my own cash, as it only affects non-essential trip computer stuff, and is usually still legible with a few dead pixels. I am obviously biased but I think the 535 is a good all rounder - has that wonderful v8 roar but loaded with extras and sublimely refined. Sure the 540 is a little faster on paper, but probably imperceptible on the road as they are both so smooth. Servicing is costly at BM dealers, mine was around £400 for last service and that was supposed to be the cheap one! Those mpg stats sound a little optimistic - up to 30 on m/ways is realistic, but I only get about 16-17 on a slow 30mph route to work (although I do keep it in sport mode around town.) However, if you can afford it, it is worth the cash to drive such a superb car - with your budget you'd be getting a 40k car for about £7k, and if they have been looked after, age and mileage makes very little difference, they still drive like new. Go ahead, you won't regret it! Cheers, Ali
|
||
|
||
|
Mr Angry
Newbie
Joined: 08-October-2005 Location: Durham Status: Offline Points: 25 |
Posted: 10-October-2005 at 06:13 |
|
|
Cheers Ali I'm in no rush... just actively waiting for the right one. Send me some pictures of yours and what its got and what you want and I'll consider it. Why 4 months? Use the PM messaging and I'll send you my email address. The mpg shouldnt be too bad as most of my driving is 40+ then nice fast A roads to sweep along. Fortunately in up here in the north east unless you work in Teesside or Newcastle the roads generally arent too bad.
|
||
|
||
|
Stone-IslandV8
Really Senior Member II
Joined: 31-January-2003 Location: North Somerset Status: Offline Points: 3015 |
Posted: 10-October-2005 at 07:37 |
|
|
MPG on 520 is almost same as 523, I get average 30mpg. The M3 averaged 25mpg but that was with 50% pottery-driving-foot down action often saw that drop well into low teens and that was having to use Optimax every fill-up!
IIRC average figs for the 540 were 23mpg. I personally wouldnt base much on paper figs-drive both n see which you prefer, in a world of speed cameras torque & handling become much more important. To explain a bit more, the 540 is 286bhp and 0-60 in 6.2secs on paper, my old 1995 3L M3 was 286bhp 0-60 in 6 secs so shouldnt be a lot between the 2 however my neighbour with a 540 only ever tried a race with me the once and was promptly left by the M3.......same argument as 3L M3 vs 3.2 Evo M3-on paper Evo is faster but in real world I never got overtaken or left by 1. If it was me then I'd try the best 535s and 540s n buy the best, irrespective of whichever model it was. |
||
|
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 |
||
|
||
|
Mr Angry
Newbie
Joined: 08-October-2005 Location: Durham Status: Offline Points: 25 |
Posted: 10-October-2005 at 08:21 |
|
|
Think the race between a 540 and M3 is slightly unfair LOL Its like putting a heavy weight against a thai boxer. Both devasting, but very very different!! I like the size and comfort with the ability to cover alot of ground quickly and the 535 or 540 are perfect. The only play off... Fuel!!! Most of the time I drive sedatley but still have the red mist moments and like to sit on motorways and dual carraigeways at 100-120. I'm a torque man rather than a 1/4 miler. If i get an average between 23-26 I'll be happy |
||
|
||
|
Stone-IslandV8
Really Senior Member II
Joined: 31-January-2003 Location: North Somerset Status: Offline Points: 3015 |
Posted: 10-October-2005 at 08:41 |
|
Sorry just trying to show how different paper figs can be in the real world. Theres also the option of tuning/remapping if you wanted to get into that side of things. I know chip-tuning quote remap on 535 with bhp up to 258 and torque up to 350 (I know figs are not always what they seem)for £329. DMS Automotive also seem to be highly regarded with tuning. |
||
|
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 |
||
|
||
|
Mr Angry
Newbie
Joined: 08-October-2005 Location: Durham Status: Offline Points: 25 |
Posted: 10-October-2005 at 09:18 |
|
|
No, I know what you mean. A car on the road is different to paper or track. Oh... and if I had an M3 I race anything that wanted too... especially lumbering 540's! |
||
|
||
|
Mr Angry
Newbie
Joined: 08-October-2005 Location: Durham Status: Offline Points: 25 |
Posted: 10-October-2005 at 09:20 |
|
|
How do I insert a picture at the bottom of my profile thingy? Found a pic of my idea car! |
||
|
||
|
Stone-IslandV8
Really Senior Member II
Joined: 31-January-2003 Location: North Somerset Status: Offline Points: 3015 |
Posted: 10-October-2005 at 12:10 |
|
Haha,I know that feeling-especially E46 M3 owners who didnt know how to drive-lots of them around Milton Keynes. Porsches,Audi TTs,Scoobs,Mits Evos, all fair game IMB-E46 M3s n Porsches were always a laugh-expressions on faces of drivers who paid HUGE amounts of cash only to find a 10yr old M3 up their rear they can't shake
Time for an E39 M5 next methinks. |
||
|
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 |
||
|
||
|
Stone-IslandV8
Really Senior Member II
Joined: 31-January-2003 Location: North Somerset Status: Offline Points: 3015 |
Posted: 10-October-2005 at 12:18 |
|
|
Go to settings then profile. You'll need somewhere to web-host/hold photos then link across on the avatar and signature bit.
Try using something like www.photobucket.com |
||
|
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 |
||
|
||
|
chasseur
Groupie
Joined: 11-August-2004 Status: Offline Points: 96 |
Posted: 10-October-2005 at 12:34 |
|
|
Stone island : The M3 v 540 thing i have a manual 540 & to be honest on the move M3's have no chance at all & beleive me there trying.
I'm pretty sure the M3 would leave the 540 manual from standing up to about 35ish but then it would be very hard for the M3 to hang on.
Its a bit hard for me to say for definate though as mine has been chipped , all i know is that these M3's,Rs Focus , etc all are really miffed when they can't pass & usually resort to half killing them selves 7 others when we reach traffic by passing on the iside 7 weaving in amongst the traffic .........well if it makes them feel better
|
||
|
||
|
Post Reply
|
Page 12> |
|
| Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |
e39 535 or 540
Topic Options
(feel familiar?!)
Mr Angry wrote:
