to buy, 540M E39 or M5 E34 - BMW Forum

Saggis · 09-07-2007, 05:09 AM

Hi guys! Long time no see...I hope you've all had a great time though

At last I'm going for a new(used) car

And I've narrowed it down too two choices...same price...same insurance price and aprox same miles...almost same equipment...but different modells...which should i choose? it only differs a year between them but during that year it changes too the new modell(95-96).

I'm posting the links even though they are in swedish but I think u can still understand some of it. Any tips would be greatly appriciated since both are quite a drive away to try out.

BMW M5 6-vxl (en av 404 tillverkade)

BMW 540i M-stylad

Thanks

!

Teh Prof · 09-07-2007, 09:19 AM

Buy the 540 and supercharge it. Lower maintenance costs, more power, and more gadgets.

LOS · 09-07-2007, 09:20 AM

Hello Saggis,
I personally own a '97 540i... From an investment point a view, the M5 is a better buy. The 540 is lighter in weight and is more comfortable and maybe bigger inside.
I'm not too familiar with the M5 engine (E34). I think is the M60. Anyway, get familiar with this engine. There seems to be a coating issue (nikasil) with it, specially in Europe.
LOS

Torque · 09-07-2007, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOS

Hello Saggis,
I personally own a '97 540i... From an investment point a view, the M5 is a better buy. The 540 is lighter in weight and is more comfortable and maybe bigger inside.
I'm not too familiar with the M5 engine (E34). I think is the M60. Anyway, get familiar with this engine. There seems to be a coating issue (nikasil) with it, specially in Europe.
LOS

Sorry to say, but you got it all wrong ...

The 540 is not lighter ... it's a e39 ... it's heavier than the e34.

The m5 engine is either a s38b36 or s38b38 (3.6 and 3.8 liter respectively); It's a fantastic engine, just that if it ever needs a rebuild, you're easily looking at 10 grand.

As far as the m60, yes, they did have issues, but that was the engine used in the e34 530/540 ... nothing to worry about on the e39.

Overall though: if you have the money to buy and properly maintain an m5, go for it ... if you dont think you'll be quite able to swing it: go for the 540 ... it's almost as quick, and handling can be improved for cheap ... just that you don't have a m car.

LOS · 09-07-2007, 12:24 PM

Torque,
Thank you correcting me.
Some info on E34 M5
BMW World - BMW E34 Parts 5 Series Parts E34

LOS

Redcell · 09-07-2007, 02:13 PM

That 540 looks sweet.

Dirty_Tool · 09-08-2007, 09:48 AM

I'd go with the M5, ony because the trunk spoiler is so ugly on that e39

Eric S. · 09-08-2007, 12:53 PM

With all apologies to M3UOND, I vote for the E34 M5. It looks like that particular car is in excellent condition. Also, I think the E34s in general are vastly more reliable than the E39s (I have a co-worker with 307K on a 1990 E34 and a friend with 327k on his 1991 535i, and I never hear either of them bemoaning broken equipment or repairs or maintenance). The M5 E34 is probably a slightly different story, but still, there's more to these cars than the engine (radiator, suspension, suspension bushings, electronics, etc).

I also agree with LOS above regarding the E34 M5 having a much more favorable depreciation situation.

Saggis · 09-09-2007, 08:20 AM

Thanks a'lot for all the thoughts so far...looks like i wont be going for an M though...found one thing that tipped it over in the favour of a normal car...won't be that normal for long though

...service and parts costs...sounds resonable? since they equal eachother out on every other point