Discussion
Hi All,
I'm going to be looking for a new car a bit later on in the summer and I really don't know what to get, I have to say the 540 does appeal, not as much as the M5 but I can't afford one of them!
Can any owners let me know what the ownership experience is like main questions are, how much is servicing going to cost, and are they reliable? and what are BMW like when things go wrong?
would be looking at a 2000 ish car is there anything to look out for etc?
cheers for any help guys.
I'm going to be looking for a new car a bit later on in the summer and I really don't know what to get, I have to say the 540 does appeal, not as much as the M5 but I can't afford one of them!
Can any owners let me know what the ownership experience is like main questions are, how much is servicing going to cost, and are they reliable? and what are BMW like when things go wrong?
would be looking at a 2000 ish car is there anything to look out for etc?
cheers for any help guys.
angrys3owner said:
Can any owners let me know what the ownership experience is like main questions are, how much is servicing going to cost, and are they reliable? and what are BMW like when things go wrong?
1. Servicing depends on wether you take it to a BMW dealer or not. Expect 400-500 quid most expensive service, about 100 quid cheapest service at the BMW dealers.
Expect to get it serviced every 12-15,000 miles.
2.
Very reliable, but not up to Japanese standards.
3.
Dealers seem a bit too keen for their own good to releive you of lots of money, but they do seem mostly in my experience to do their job.
If you are getting a 540, expect heavy fuel consumption. Mate of mine has one, and around town, expect 15-20 mpg. Out of town, maybe 25 mpg ?
dcb said:
Can any owners let me know what the ownership experience is like main questions are, how much is servicing going to cost, and are they reliable? and what are BMW like when things go wrong?
1. Servicing depends on wether you take it to a BMW dealer or not. Expect 400-500 quid most expensive service, about 100 quid cheapest service at the BMW dealers.
Expect to get it serviced every 12-15,000 miles.
2.
Very reliable, but not up to Japanese standards.
3.
Dealers seem a bit too keen for their own good to releive you of lots of money, but they do seem mostly in my experience to do their job.
If you are getting a 540, expect heavy fuel consumption. Mate of mine has one, and around town, expect 15-20 mpg. Out of town, maybe 25 mpg ?
My Dad has one of these and that's pretty much bang on. Except you have to drive very carefully to get 25 mpg anywhere, about 22-23 mpg is what I would expect on a motorway cruise. Awesome car though!
hi guys, thanks for the replies.
so basically shocking fuel consumption, which I may be able to live with only getting 27 with my car and like the idea the engine is harldy going to hardly be ticking over at motorway speeds (I assume it's still geared like a mates old 535).
Servicing is not worse (more expensive) than my Audi so no problem, and I've heard good things mainly about BMW compared to my experinces with Audi.
So did anyone actually have anything go wrong, My mates one has a wheel bearing go, but think that was quite high mileage. Adam how many miles did you do in yours? anything you'd say to someone considering buying a second hand one?
cheers again guys.
so basically shocking fuel consumption, which I may be able to live with only getting 27 with my car and like the idea the engine is harldy going to hardly be ticking over at motorway speeds (I assume it's still geared like a mates old 535).
Servicing is not worse (more expensive) than my Audi so no problem, and I've heard good things mainly about BMW compared to my experinces with Audi.
So did anyone actually have anything go wrong, My mates one has a wheel bearing go, but think that was quite high mileage. Adam how many miles did you do in yours? anything you'd say to someone considering buying a second hand one?
cheers again guys.
angrys3owner said:
hi guys, thanks for the replies.
so basically shocking fuel consumption, which I may be able to live with only getting 27 with my car and like the idea the engine is harldy going to hardly be ticking over at motorway speeds (I assume it's still geared like a mates old 535).
Have you considered a 530 ?
I'm a lot biased, I own one, but I get 27 mpg global average no problem, and I don't hang about.
90 mph is 3000 rpm and 120 mph is 4000 rpm, so it's not exactly working hard on UK roads.
All that the V8 540 provides compared to the 530 is a bit more acceleration, which you will use occasionally, in exchange for 7-10 mpg lost permanently.
Top speed is the same, you will pay a bit more in insurance for the 540.
Just a suggestion.
hi dcb
good point, I like the idea of the V8, but if I find my sensible hat again I may get one of them, like I said I really have no idea what car to get at the moment, just have a long list, I'm trying to rule some out but doesn't seem to be working.
just so you have a vague idea of how big my problem is, there's things from an S2 elise, 540, 330, civic type r... on the list - see what I mean!
good point, I like the idea of the V8, but if I find my sensible hat again I may get one of them, like I said I really have no idea what car to get at the moment, just have a long list, I'm trying to rule some out but doesn't seem to be working.
just so you have a vague idea of how big my problem is, there's things from an S2 elise, 540, 330, civic type r... on the list - see what I mean!
Hi,
Ive got a 540sport. Great car, roomy and quick. Fuel consumption on motorways around 27mpg around town 18mpg. You can get both figures higher, but theres no point in having the car in the first place.
Not had any problems so to speak, After much agonising Ive just let the BMW warranty expire, as it's £970 to renew which is just too expensive.
Try to get the sport model, It just looks much better with the bigger bumpers and all the M trim on it. (photo of it on my profile)
Eliot.
>> Edited by eliot on Saturday 28th May 11:18
Ive got a 540sport. Great car, roomy and quick. Fuel consumption on motorways around 27mpg around town 18mpg. You can get both figures higher, but theres no point in having the car in the first place.
Not had any problems so to speak, After much agonising Ive just let the BMW warranty expire, as it's £970 to renew which is just too expensive.
Try to get the sport model, It just looks much better with the bigger bumpers and all the M trim on it. (photo of it on my profile)
Eliot.
>> Edited by eliot on Saturday 28th May 11:18
eliot said:
Hi,
Ive got a 540sport. Great car, roomy and quick. Fuel consumption on motorways around 27mpg around town 18mpg. You can get both figures higher, but theres no point in having the car in the first place.
Not had any problems so to speak, After much agonising Ive just let the BMW warranty expire, as it's £970 to renew which is just too expensive.
Try to get the sport model, It just looks much better with the bigger bumpers and all the M trim on it. (photo of it on my profile)
Eliot.
>> Edited by eliot on Saturday 28th May 11:18
Having looked at your profile, it is not the 540 that interests me but your 350 chevy twin-turbo project! Amazing project, and a monster of a car!
I had an E39 540. A very capable car, but very thirsty in steptronic. Mind you that is to be expected as it is a 4.4ltr. Not much fun, but as with all BMW's they are well put together, nicely anonymous as it looks like any other 5 series which are everywhere nowadays, so can be a good q car.
Watch out for the waterpumps, a bugger if they go wrong. The engines are bombproof, but electrics can ge a little wobbly.
Watch out for the waterpumps, a bugger if they go wrong. The engines are bombproof, but electrics can ge a little wobbly.
angrys3owner said:
hi dcb
just so you have a vague idea of how big my problem is, there's things from an S2 elise, 540, 330, civic type r... on the list - see what I mean!
So we are sorting thru different types of cheese, and you aren't sure if you want cheese, chalk, custard or cocoa !
Happy hunting !
yep dcb, that's about the size of it, I'm trying to think of what I actually need from a car, think below sums it up, so if anyone has any other suggestions I'd be greatful...
- needs to be used everyday (16 mile journey to work)
- needs to have enough space to fit stuff for a week away for me and the misses, or be so much fun I don't care we have to take the train / plane to go anywhere!
- doesn't need more than 2 seats and can be convertible.
so there you have it, would quite like something reliable, or alternatively I'd settle for something simple I can sort most things on myself.
cars I'd really like but don't think I can afford yet are... M5, NSX, CERB, Elise 111R, F40, 355 or 360, 996 C4S / Turbo.
confused much...
- needs to be used everyday (16 mile journey to work)
- needs to have enough space to fit stuff for a week away for me and the misses, or be so much fun I don't care we have to take the train / plane to go anywhere!
- doesn't need more than 2 seats and can be convertible.
so there you have it, would quite like something reliable, or alternatively I'd settle for something simple I can sort most things on myself.
cars I'd really like but don't think I can afford yet are... M5, NSX, CERB, Elise 111R, F40, 355 or 360, 996 C4S / Turbo.
confused much...
angrys3owner said:
yep dcb, that's about the size of it, I'm trying to think of what I actually need from a car, think below sums it up, so if anyone has any other suggestions I'd be greatful...
- needs to be used everyday (16 mile journey to work)
- needs to have enough space to fit stuff for a week away for me and the misses, or be so much fun I don't care we have to take the train / plane to go anywhere!
- doesn't need more than 2 seats and can be convertible.
May I suggest the Mazda MX5. As reliable as the day is long.
Get the 1.8 - it has much more power than the 1.6
Get the Mark 1, much bigger boot than the Mark 2.
angrys3owner said:
Hi All, <br/> <br/>I'm going to be looking for a new car a bit later on in the summer and I really don't know what to get, I have to say the 540 does appeal, not as much as the M5 but I can't afford one of them! <br/> <br/>Can any owners let me know what the ownership experience is like main questions are, how much is servicing going to cost, and are they reliable? and what are BMW like when things go wrong? <br/> <br/>would be looking at a 2000 ish car is there anything to look out for etc? <br/> <br/>cheers for any help guys.
Well what changed your mind then? 
, where did you dig this up from 
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