Tiggs

TVR has gone an im hoping to get one of these later this week,

540 sport
2001 Y with 27k
Topaz blue with yellow/black leather (looks cool/sounds naff!)
Sat Nav/Tv, etc,etc

im hoping it will be fast, comfy and not stupid thirsty (low 20's avarge is ok)

anything against them? from what i gather the 5 series is highly regarded and this engine is a torquemonster.

Tiggs

ps- it is just out of BM warranty....anyone know if i can buy more cover from BM direct as i dont want to rely on the 6 months get from the independant who is selling it.

workshy_fopp

The warranty is the key here. Phone up a BMW garage and see if you can extend the warranty on that car. I know that once they expire, you can't extend, but if it hasn't you can extend it to 5 years and 100,000 miles. It covers everything, even down to battery and exhaust. My mates M5 had a few electrical gremlins which would have cost a fortune to fix if not under warranty.
Only driven the M5 and a 528, but I assume the 540 would be a mix of the two.

carl

AIUI the BMW V8s are nowhere near as reliable as the sixes.

Rich and Mini

How's it out of warrenty? Is it not 3 years, 60k? As long as it isn't an import that is.

Lucky git anyway

Rich

Bobby Peru

Buy my Alpina, quicker and much better to drive, more exclusive too.

Tiggs

i thought it was 2 yrs? the car is a 2001 jan car.

bobby,

im not a fan of alpina....good luck with your sale!

john banks

There was a major problem I understand with 535 and 540s and nikasil liner problems, a lot of engines were changed under warranty I believe. The 528s had an issue with something too, involving a new engine. As I understand this if these issues are sorted then they are reliable with no real issues. You'll need to look into it yourself, as I am probably remembering the details inaccurately.

I've been watching the market myself, as I might get one as a daily driver depending on how my Scoob project goes. A lot criticise the V8s as being not very economical, not as well performing as you would expect and having dull recirculating ball steering. Others seem to love them.

There are good M5s available now at £25k (these consume a fair bit of oil because of the piston design which is normal but needs to have been regularly topped up to ensure no problems), and no doubt they will get better when the new one is out. However, under 30 my insurance company (who are sympathetic in the extreme about Scooby modifying) won't entertain it.

[Edited by john banks - 7/20/2003 10:27:39 PM]

JayBee

Tiggs

Why ya leaving the Trevor Fold?

JB

Steve V8

The Nikasil issues only affect the M60 V8 engine (up to 1996) and not the M62 V8 as fitted to the E39 (1996 on 5 series).
As for reliability my 1996 E34 has 126,000 miles on it and is absolutely spot on.

chinnybloke

Not a 540 but...had a 535 (also V8) for 2 years and 3 months. Added about 40k miles (now on 72k - 1999 S reg), and the only problems I have had are to do with the ABS sensors. Both times after driving in really bad weather (snow and ice) the car was then sat doing nothing for 5-7 days. When I then go in it the dash had several warning lights because some sort of sensor was corroded. Mine is still under warranty, just paid £566 to extend it for one year. Definitely worth extending the warranty if you can. You might find the BM warranty is not valid/transferable if you sell to another non-BM dealer. I think they only transfer to private individuals when the car is resold and if you sell onto a dealer it is then terminated.

Chinnybloke.

Tiggs

jaybee,

i have a badback (not car related) and so i need an auto- hence no M5.

if i had an ok back id keep the TVR....best car ive ever had for speed, handling, fun, looks, style, etc, etc

T

Spoon

Why auto?

I know there's only 2 pedals but you don't sit on them after all, do you?

Get an electric clutch fitted, there's no such thing as have to anymore.

Tiggs

lifting my left foot of the deck to use a clutch puts pressure on my back.....and i like autos anyway.

Tiggs

Vate

Binned my MY00 modded scoob for a 2000 540i manual.
Awesome motor. Like an aeroplane not a car!
I think the warranty is a little expensive from BMW and includes £99 pounds worth of breakdown cover in the £566.
My renewal arrived last week (just at 3yrs) and it specifies less than 60,000 miles NOT 100,000 being a requirement to continue cover but this may only be applicable at 3yrs (ie 80,000 at 4yrs etc, this would fit with 5yrs, 100k.)
M-way driving will never be the same again.
I've also driven a Puma since canning the Scoob and now realise that for driving fun a car like the Puma offers more than the Impreza unless you drive like a lunatic all the time. Speed does not equal fun unless you can get on a track.
Forget about 0-60 (although the manual is around 6sec) once rolling the massive torque (326ft/lbs) means you fly. It's barely moving at 70 in 6th (2,000 rpm)

Dapster

I hear that the 540 is a great car but the press ask why you don't chip in the extra for an M5, or save a bit and go for the 530 which is almost as quick and is a lot cheaper to run - the saving will pay for more toys.

Also, have you driven either a Merc E430 or an Audi A6 4.2 V8 Quattro? The BMW will probable be the much better drivers car but the others depreciate like a stone and would be loaded as well which would be good value come the second owner....

Vate

I drove the 530 manual and steptronic and it is appreciably slower.
Forget 0-60 and silly stats. Drive both and see for yourself.
Gave up with an M5 as although the service cost was similar it was insurance costs that were double and you def. need a warranty on the M5 (c.£800/yr) as if things go wrong they cost a lot more than the 540.
Merc only as an auto and the messages between your feet and the engine brakes seem to be delayed all the time. Frustrating to drive I thought.

ProperCharlie

I read (think it was in evo) that if a BM warranty has been allowed to elapse you cannot later renew it. I.e if you wish to renew you must do so before the existing one runs out.

Not sure what i'm doing in here in any case - desperate work avoidance strategy...

Vate

Spot on m8.
Save your money and if something goes wrong see a good quality independent to get it fixed.
The warranty does not cover as much as you might think.
It is not as comprehensive as the first 3yrs.

RRH

I had my 540 (manual) from new in late 97 until some thieving scum stole it last June.

Used to average about 17ish around town, would do 28ish on a run.

Superb Car IMHO, although the M% prices are making them very tempting now

simon