E34 weight/handling vs E38...E39? Thoughts?

[CharlesAFerg]

I guess I meant the changed to the engine, besides vanos. I have been curious about the CELIS system, which I feel won't be easy to retrofit, because apparently the housings are different...?
Also, the annoying chrome trip above each bumper and on the bump-strips along the sides. The pre-facelift cars have black, unpainted strips, while most post-facelift cars have fully painted, matching panels.

[genphreak]

You should think about an e32 740i too. They stick better than e34s, especially the non-L versions, not much heavier too so the main difference is width/better centre of gravity. Any M60 of this age is looking for TLC, and heaps of it. Your wallet will prefer an M30B35 that has been looked after over any much newer 540/740 that has had the same level of care.

[Mordan]

Don't even sweat the MPG's, mine gets better milage than my E34 525i ever did (18.1 mpg vs. 14.9 of the 34).

is everyone with a M20 having such a horrid MPG?

I have a M20 in a 1330kg E30 cab and i get 12 l/100km. that's about 19 US gallons. so even worse with the heavier E34.

on the bright side, it is the easiest inline 6 you will ever work on as a DIY. I bought a set of Ford injectors on the ebay hoping to improve gas mileage.

[SnakeyesTx]

I guess I meant the changed to the engine, besides vanos. I have been curious about the CELIS system, which I feel won't be easy to retrofit, because apparently the housings are different...?
Also, the annoying chrome trip above each bumper and on the bump-strips along the sides. The pre-facelift cars have black, unpainted strips, while most post-facelift cars have fully painted, matching panels.

I've got those chrome-strip topped belt-line rub strips. My friends 98 has the solid black ones. I actually peeled that chrome bit away when I went with M5 bumpers front and rear.

[genphreak]

is everyone with a M20 having such a horrid MPG?

I have a M20 in a 1330kg E30 cab and i get 12 l/100km. that's about 19 US gallons. so even worse with the heavier E34.

on the bright side, it is the easiest inline 6 you will ever work on as a DIY. I bought a set of Ford injectors on the ebay hoping to improve gas mileage.

Economy is all weight and gearing. Mostly weight. M20 was okay, but M50/M52 gave better efficiency due to 5-speed auto and better combustion electronics. My M60 4.0 is a little more economical than the 535 around town, and the same weight. On the freeway the gearing on the M60 gives it a big edge though.

[CharlesAFerg]

I know that the E39 has a recirculating ball steering system. What does the E34 540i have, and how does it compare to the rack and pinion in the E39 530i?

Most importantly, I have to ask this questions to those who have driven both. I know that if I buy any of these, that I WILL modify the suspension significantly. I've already done that to my E34 and it was the best thing I ever did. So, between the E34/E39, if both had modified suspension/steering, which would handle better?