RAJ27

Is the V8 better than the straight sixes? In other words is the 535i better than the 530i?

Thanks

Jay

blueyzfr1

The V8 is in two models the 530i and the 540i
540i V8
530i V8

The InLine 6 is in four models
535i IL6
530i IL6
525i IL6
520i IL6

I've had a 535i and it is a juice guzzling heavy OK when thrashed.
It has just one Cam.
The 530i IL6 model is very slow, even slower than the 525i
The 540i V8 is the one to have apart from the "M" models...

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

I am fairly certain that there was a V8 535, may be wrong but a guy at work claims his is such a car and he knows his stuff, I checked it yonks ago and I remember that he was correct.

john banks

For the E39: (95-03ish)

520i is inline 6, 2.0 or 2.2
523i or 525i are inline 6, 2.5, 170 or 192 BHP
528i is inline 6, 2.8, 193 BHP
530i is inline 6, 3.0, 231 BHP
535i is V8, 3.5, 235 BHP
540i is V8, 4.4, 286 BHP
M5 is V8, 4.9, 400 BHP

V8s have recirc ball steering which some say is less feelsome, also of course some extra weight over the front and lower economy. Don't forget the 530d

Tiggs

if you are ok with crap econ. the get a 540.....the 540 uses no more fuel (much) yet is a very quick car that goes quicker than you'd think for a 2 ton luxury barge. Also V8's have a better spec.....and the steering is fine despite what you hear.

It was BY FAR the best car i have ever had and as an all round car i cant think of anything that is better. Also drive an auto....if you buy a V8 manual you are mad (unless you want an M5)

Tiggs

to add:

on e39's the V8's are 535 and 540 and M5....with sport kit they all look 98% the same.

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

cool, not talking bollocks for one then !

Lust4Life

Have to disagree on the steering Tiggs, had 2 IL6's and 2 V8's and the V8 steering is not as nice IMO.

Not really a problem, just not as good.

Probably a lot to do with the extra weight up front as well.

Cheers,

Phil

Mark Miwurdz

I'm with Phil on this. I'd take the biggest 6 pot (diesel or petrol) every time but I would concede that the 540 is a fine car.

If you're thinking of buying, try both and see what you think.

Cheers
Kav

pbee

my parents have had both and they regretted chopping in the 535 for the 540, they didnt keep the 540 long and swopped that for a lexus hated that and they now have 2 small cars.

may dads explanation was he noticed the extra weight upfront and the streering was "woolY"

they all drank fuel like a oil field fire and the lexus 4.2 was even worse. When my mum worked out it was costing £20 a day to get to work she sold it and bought a corsa.

RRH

I had the servotronic steering on my 540 (98)- which I think was an extra?

RAJ27

Is is better going for a 330i or the 530i then?

Only plus points I can think for the 5 is the space. I have to admit the size of a 3's boot is crap

Dapster

But if you know anything about cars, you can tell an M5 a mile off so don't bother pretending if you haven't got one. There's nothing wrong with a 540. It's not like you're trying to make up for getting a 518i is it!

Tiggs

my point was that the V8's with sport kit look so good they didnt bother changing it for the M5..........and even if you know whats what when any of them come up behind you you'd have a job to tell them apart.


if i had another i would get the 540 everytime (unless gas was an issue in which case i'd get a 330)

edit...although now they are going to put an auto on the M5 i'd have that! only reason i didnt get an M5 was i didnt want a luxury saloon with a manual and the E55 is fugly.

CustomScoobyIOM

I have the 728i BMW 1996 Model and it isnt bad. But next time I would get the 540i model. More grunt is needed.

Dapster

Did you try an E55? I hear that the performance is eye watering - enough to forgive it's gawky looks? And what about the RS6 - best of both with the paddle shift auto.

I quite fancy a used RS4 but the manual box on that is not supposed to be very good - a bit clonky and not good for heeling and toeing but I suppose it is a family estate!

blueyzfr1

Aha, I was talking about the E34 range

Tiggs

"Did you try an E55? I hear that the performance is eye watering "

it was quick but didnt feel much diff to the 540.....and the beemer handled great for a big lump.

Tractor

Er, pardon me if I'm wrong, but I think you got that the wrong way around Tiggs. The M5 came out before the sport kitted 5s, which were meant to look M5-alike.