Which is Better a 1999, 325 or 540

[Rolm]

If you had to choose which would you take a 1999, 325 or a 540

[dyami]

it depends on if u like a little car or a big car. 3 series is small and sporty, but the 5 series is a lot bigger and a little slower

[LivinFast67]

if the 5's a stick then the 540, but i love the small nimbleness of my 325is 5 speed

[BMWLotAttendant]

I'd take the 5....I like the bigger engines...more luxury...yeah the 540 would do me good....

but the 325 manual is pretty tempting....if it were a 330Ci...I'd take the 3...but not this time....

[Torque]

540i with 6 speed. Think of it as almost an M5.

[Fox]

540 no questions. The 5 series handles GREAT suprisingly for how big it is, and that v8 makes huge amounts of torque, HUGE amounts.

540 hands down.

[rjr]

I choose the 540 (6sp) and have not regreted the choice.

rjr

[ashtangaz]

540,,auto or manual.its 0-60 in around 5.5 seconds for the manual and 5.7 for the auto.It handles as well as a three also.you can barely even feel the size difference.plus if you want something fast go for the 540.

[spiff325is]

540i stock beats the 99 or 00 or something S4.

540 i sa beast.

540 hands down.

[LivinFast67]

5.5 to 60? damn. i retract my previous statement

[woobiee]

540i of course!

540i is def quicker than the 325...regardless with transmission

[Rolm]

Thanks for the feed back I think I will go with the 540. For some crazy reason the 540's seem to be less expensive then the 325/328 in the Toronto area. I also love a nice V8 with all that smooth power.

[BMWLotAttendant]

Good choice! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do...

[jllphan]

Originally posted by Rolm@Aug 24 2004, 07:16 PM
Thanks for the feed back I think I will go with the 540. For some crazy reason the 540's seem to be less expensive then the 325/328 in the Toronto area.

It may very well be related to the cost of ownership. You are comparing two totally different cars.

The three series is a fun, cheap car to own as Bimmers go. You won't get the luxury ride of the bigger and more expensive 5 and 7 series, but you won't have the maintenance of one either. The e36 cars are relatively reliable given proper maintenance and great for someone who wants a fun car of good build quality.

The 5 series, more specifically the 540 is BMW's best offering as a sports sedan. It's 4.4L V8 puts out loads of torque and enough horsepower to keep the speedo going well into the triple digits. It's posesses a superior ride to the 3 regarding comfort, and using better interior pieces has a vastly superior build quality. The downside, cost of ownership. The big 8 from BMW can be costly to maintain and even more so to be repaired.

Both are great cars, but honestly they are for two different people. The 3 would be great for a younger person wishing to enjoy great performance and German engineering, while the 5 is for more mature audiences with deeper pockets.

[skawful]

4dr m3