Should I Keep My E30?

[nukeduster]

I love my 89 325i, but I've been debating buying a late 90's 540i for some time now. My e30 runs great and all, and with the turbo will have a slightly better power-to-weight ratio then the 540, but I keep getting tempted...

Anyone have any experience with the 97+ 540i's? Anything to look out for? I'm not nearly as familiar with them as I am with e28/e30/e34's.

[german-speed-demon]

are you willing to let the car do more driving than you? My bro in NY had a 540 and after driving mine one day, said it felt like the car(his) was trying to stop him from having fun. Have you posted in the 5-series forum? They might be able to help you more than i can. I'm die hard e30

Nevermind, just saw you in there.

[offabroadway]

The newer the car, the more computers, limiters, and basically big-bother-ish stuff you have to contend with. Traction control, stability management... seeping all the fun out of the drive!

My stance is you can't tame the ultimate driving machine. It just dilutes it.

In regards to the 540i, they're comfy and real fast if you can get your hands on the manual version. I'm gonna stick to the E30 myself.

[CiscoKid]

go for the 540 if you can find one in manual. they are def. fun cars, but they wont be as nimble as your current whip

[ACHTUNG]

I think you should buy the 540 and sell me your E30...

[german-speed-demon]

Originally posted by ACHTUNG@Apr 1 2005, 10:45 AM
I think you should buy the 540 and sell me your E30...

[snapback]322915[/snapback]

Yes, every good bimmerhead needs a bimmer.

[offabroadway]

If I had the cash, I'd buy his Bimmer too. Then I'd have an E and an I car. One for cruising, and one for whipping my friend's VW Jetta into the dandelions. (Even though the 4spd ETA could do it too, the difference would just be more profound on the 325i)

For now, I gotta fix my current saddle.

[nukeduster]

Originally posted by ACHTUNG@Apr 1 2005, 08:45 AM
I think you should buy the 540 and sell me your E30...

[snapback]322915[/snapback]

Which is actually a good point.. I've been kicking around how much I should ask for my car.

When 100% finished it will have the following (it already has most listed installed)

100% of the time i use Castrol full synthetic 10w30 oil and fram brand oil filters.
Every bmw Ive ever owned I always use that oil and they have always lasted me issue-free for over 200k miles each.

Brakes:
Stock sized brembo x-drilled zinc coated rotors
EBC greenstuff pads
Fresh Valvoline synthetic brake fluid
Fast bleed bleeder valves (allows 20 minute brake bleeding with only one person and no equipment)

Suspension:
Tokico HP blue non-adjust shocks
Tokico matched sport springs which dropped it 1.5" front and 1.2" rear.
17x7.5 ATS competition lightweight rims

NO SPACERS USED. rims are correct 24mm offset.

215/40/17 BFGoodrich T/A Scorcher tires (about 3k miles on tires/rims)
New tie rods, control arms, offset solid bushings, new sway bar links front/rear
New rear shock mounts

Engine:
Garrett/air research t3 turbo
K&N cone air filter
73MM MAF off a '93 Cobra
24lb fuel injectors
front mounted air to air intercooler off a 2003 saab 9-3x
custom 3" flowmaster exhaust with brand new 3" magnaflow catalytic converter
8MM blue colored Ireland Engineering spark wires
MSD Blaster 3 45,000volt ignition coil
Bosch platinum +4 spark plugs

Interior:
PERFECT, no stains in carpet, dash flawless, headliner flawless
New lifetime warranty limo tint on every window and 20% tint on front windshield
Stock red lighting in dash replaced with aqua/blue LED's which dim with factory dimmer of accessories.
Has a manual crank sunroof.

Exterior:
Has the projector fog-lights option
Delphin Metallic paint has swirls on it but is overall good condition
Stain to the paint on the trunk lid, thinking about having it re-painted before I sell her.
No dents at all, ZERO rust, car spent entire life in beverly hills, and mesa arizona.

Drivetrain:
3.73 LSD with fresh redline differential fluid
4 spd auto w/ overdrive with fresh redline ATF (was completely flushed using 16 quarts of fluid)

Cooling/cleaning:
Remote dual oil filter with oil filters located in the battery tray area in front of engine bay along the firewall
Dual aftermarket electrical fans replaced the factory mechanical fan
A/C works like a dream and will make you shiver to death in seconds.
Heater will make you sweat to death.

Stereo:
Alpine CDM7478 headunit
Boston Acoustic low profile speakers up front
Rockford Fosgate rear speakers
Kenwood 650 watt amp
MTX 12" sub in trunk matching carpeted box

Maintenence:
Valves adjusted within last 2k miles
Timing belt /tensioner changed for the 3rd time at 155k miles (currently 167k)
New radiator hoses
New Belts
new distributor / rotor at 150k
new fuel filter and fuel lines
new crank position sensor
new temperature sensors
new waterpump
new battery
new transmission filter and gasket
new front wheel bearings (forgot about those damn things)

Runs like a champ, shifts clean and smooth, idles smooth with no hiccups, revs to redline cleanly. Will drive at 110mph all day long.

[german-speed-demon]

If all the aftermarket goodies stay, you could get around 5-7k depending on the right buyer, but $4500 is what i would expect. Now keep in mind that's around here(Nebraska), values may be higher in AZ. I paid $3500 for my 323 and she's all stock (at the moment), but that was in VT. Check around, see what e30's are bringing, and then factor in the aftermarket.

[Kowalski]

Originally posted by nukeduster@Mar 31 2005, 08:37 AM
I love my 89 325i, but I've been debating buying a late 90's 540i for some time now. My e30 runs great and all, and with the turbo will have a slightly better power-to-weight ratio then the 540, but I keep getting tempted...

Anyone have any experience with the 97+ 540i's? Anything to look out for? I'm not nearly as familiar with them as I am with e28/e30/e34's.

[snapback]322109[/snapback]

i duno but they're hella fast my dad had a 97 no problems there was a recal on the engine block cause of the liners in them so some might have fresh engines which would be nice. especialy if it hasn't been done yet.