I've always preferred the looks of the E34 5-series. I think an M50-powered E34 would be lots of fun to drive. Easier to maintain and live with as well.
I've always preferred the looks of the E34 5-series. I think an M50-powered E34 would be lots of fun to drive. Easier to maintain and live with as well.
Im a huge fan of the 540/6s. I used to be a huge fan of the E46 also, but mine ate me alive. Yes it wasnt a great example, but it had EVERY common problem, it was a bad intro to BMWs. In the end although I liked the car, it wasnt special enough for me. I do keep looking at e39s and e31s though. My position is if I have to put up with BMW needs it has to be special enough to warrant it, and any car thats pretty, small, rwd and makes V8 noises is special in my book.
I say do it, a timing chain job isnt that bad, and the i6s arent as reliable as people make them out to be. We are still talking about them 20 years later because they are special, its only problem is the M5 exists, but I think the M5 makes less sense than the 540i/6
In reply to Opti :
I can't count how many crankcase ventilation systems I have repaired/updated on the sixes, or oil filter housing gaskets I have done.
It's a mechanical device, things wear. The biggest problem with the six cylinder E39 is the existence of the six cylinder E36/E46, IMO. They seem to just be "nicer".
I am amused that the 530 is considered to be better, when the 530 had block erosion problems that can't exactly be fixed with a weekend of wrenching.
I still remember the road test tagine from the 530i: A good 8 replaces the great 6 in the old 5.
In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :
Id agree with you and my e46 wasnt special enough for me so if a e39 six cylinder isnt as good, im really not interested. Id take a good 8 over a great 6 almost everyday. I didnt think the M54 was great though, maybe in 2001 not in 2020. So to me its a good 8 or a good 6, and the 8 always wins.
Keep in mind I prefer the Gen 2 LT1 over the LS1, so im kinda dumb, and my advice shouldnt be followed.
In reply to Opti :
The LT1 looks nicer, so I'll agree with you there 
In reply to Keith Tanner :
Oh really? I looked quickly but can't find the one I'm talking about. The UK guy sells a modified OEM TV tuner that provides the carplay interface directly to the stock nav head unit. If that's the one you mean then I'd love to find it on aliexpress because it is far from cheap :)
Thanks for all of the replies everyone! Really informative and all makes sense.
Seems like if you're going to deal with the electrical/trim issues of the E39 chassis, it might as well make some big vroom vroom noises. I think for this one I'd be less interested in a "on rails" driving experience and more about a comfortable cruiser that can schlep people and stuff around in relative comfort, but still offers a unique driving experience.
I think an M5 is out of my range, not due to my impatience, but really not wanting to drive such a unicorn on the regular and park it outside.
repoman said:In reply to Keith Tanner :
Oh really? I looked quickly but can't find the one I'm talking about. The UK guy sells a modified OEM TV tuner that provides the carplay interface directly to the stock nav head unit. If that's the one you mean then I'd love to find it on aliexpress because it is far from cheap :)
Different solution, this is a new head unit that looks like the stock one but adds, well, pretty much all the mod cons. I do not have direct experience with it.
The thing is with BMWs, if you really want one, just find the nicest one maintained by a person with a lot of Roundel's on their coffee table.
They all have their issues, so finding a well cared for example is more important than I6 or V8 the more I think about it.
Pete. (l33t FS) said:I am amused that the 530 is considered to be better, when the 530 had block erosion problems that can't exactly be fixed with a weekend of wrenching.
I still remember the road test tagine from the 530i: A good 8 replaces the great 6 in the old 5.
That's for the E34s with the early M60 V8 engines (530i and 540i). The E39 530 is an I6, not a V8.
In reply to rslifkin :
D'oh! Must have been breathing too many Mopar fumes lately.
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