540/740? Which to buy?

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.

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

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

Stone-IslandV8 wrote: 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.

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.

smigga wrote: Keep the words of wisdom coming, Ive read that the 3.5 v8 is the best engine, better than the 4.5?

Never heard that before.

smigga wrote: 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?

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.

smigga wrote: Is there a big compromise in power, performance, driving experience in the smaller engine?

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

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.

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.

 

Was there not an issue with a V8 block being affected by Nikasil?  Was it something like American E34 V8's?

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

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