98 540i vs 91 525i + $6500

[Dom]

Boy I love my 525i and will hate to see it gone.
I'll be talking to my friend about the 540 next week and let you all know what I decided. I bought my 525 from him and he just bought a new X5.
One good thing is that he's pretty well off and doesn't know a wrench from a screw driver, so it was over to the dealer for everything, over to the detailer every month for a cleanup. The dealer only offered him ~$6000 for the 98 540i.
Thanks again.

[ryan roopnarine]

an e39 540i6 has a very high final drive ratio and six gears.At 60 mph its prolly doing less than 2000 rpm.With six gears you can really baby them along,if you want to of course

i realise that the original poster has already resolved this, but.....
if it were all revs, my car would get terrible gas mileage. the 4.10 makes it spin at least 3k to do 70. down in the city, the ability to go low without lugging may help more than on the highway.

[Paul in NZ]

you are right ryan its not all revs,but with lots of turque and high gearing the 540(4.4 L) is suprisingly good,but not as good as the 525 on the highway as you suggest.

[Dom]

I took a hard look and long drive in my friends 98 540i. Beautiful car with a ton of power. He wanted ~$10,000, which I thought was a very good price.
But I decided to keep my 91 525i. He has the sports model, the 525i is more comfortable, a lot more room in the front seats.
As far as power, I'm a cruiser these days, I don't need that kinda power. His computer read 14 avg mpg.
I've maintained my car very well, I plan to fix a couple of little things, keep it and use that $10,000 for a little pickup truck.
Thanks for your help --- Dom

[Dom]

I took a hard look and long drive in my friends 98 540i. Beautiful car with a ton of power. He wanted ~$10,000, which I thought was a very good price.
But I decided to keep my 91 525i. He has the sports model, the 525i is more comfortable, a lot more room in the front seats.
As far as power, I'm a cruiser these days, I don't need that kinda power. His computer read 14 avg mpg.
I've maintained my car very well, I plan to fix a couple of little things, keep it and use that $10,000 for a little pickup truck.
Thanks for your help --- Dom

[Ross]

Group hug

[Elekta]

that's a good call. I have an E34 and a 57 chevy for the price of a good E39M5. I get two good cars for the price of one newer bmw. Both require attention and are not perfect by any means, but the driving experience saves the day in each case. The 6 speed in the M5T allows for great mileage if you drive conservatively, and the 57 has a 67 camero 2bbl carb that gets 18mpg in the city...insurance is better too.

[Paul in NZ]

that's a good call. I have an E34 and a 57 chevy for the price of a good E39M5. I get two good cars for the price of one newer bmw. Both require attention and are not perfect by any means, but the driving experience saves the day in each case. The 6 speed in the M5T allows for great mileage if you drive conservatively, and the 57 has a 67 camero 2bbl carb that gets 18mpg in the city...insurance is better too.

I wouldnt say the M5T is any old E34 Geoff!