Show Me Your BMW!!!!!!!!!
Discussion
Potatoes said:
RoverP6B said:
Nice, what engine? Just bought a 2001Y 540i Touring as a general-purpose daily runner...
It's the 520i, the little in-line 6 is dwarfed by the massive engine bay, it looks hilarious. But it pulls nicely enough for a family barge.ATM said:
Potatoes said:
RoverP6B said:
Nice, what engine? Just bought a 2001Y 540i Touring as a general-purpose daily runner...
It's the 520i, the little in-line 6 is dwarfed by the massive engine bay, it looks hilarious. But it pulls nicely enough for a family barge.I have Touring versions of both (540 slushbox, 520 manual) - the performance gap isn't as great as you'd think. The 540i is MUCH quicker over 0-30mph, but from 30-100, I wouldn't say there's a huge amount in it... once that six is on song, it spins like a top and propels the car with surprising alacrity. There's a bit of A-road near here which is a pretty much straight hill on a steep gradient (something like 1-in-20, though it looks steeper than that). The most I've seen on it, going uphill, is 115mph in the 540i. The 520i has done 105mph up the same hill. Now, given a clear run at the hill and full throttle, I'm sure the 540i has much more in it, but then the 520i isn't exactly done at that point either, 115mph should be doable in ideal conditions. It's NOT a slow car. 102bhp/ton is plenty to have fun with, and I'd argue the 520i has possibly the sweeter chassis balance, as the engine is substantially lighter.
I suspect the 520i in automatic form could be a bit of a nightmare, it really needs the manual box to get the best out of it, whereas the auto is an excellent fit to the V8s.
Thanks guys 
It's an automatic which doesn't suit the engine but it has enough power to keep the family drives interesting (I have a stripped, modified RS Clio 182 for the weekend/track).
In an ideal world, it would be manual but I'm not overly fussed, there's plus and minus for both in what I want from the car... and I couldn't pass this car up, got an almost immaculate car at a great price!
It's an automatic which doesn't suit the engine but it has enough power to keep the family drives interesting (I have a stripped, modified RS Clio 182 for the weekend/track).
In an ideal world, it would be manual but I'm not overly fussed, there's plus and minus for both in what I want from the car... and I couldn't pass this car up, got an almost immaculate car at a great price!
Not sure how much power the auto saps, there's not much in it according to the book figures, and I reckon the average driver will struggle to shift the manual as quickly as the Steptronic. Autobox does seem to suit the V8s better though, it really doesn't seem to fit well in my sister-in-law's E46 B3 3.3 drophead.
Any interior pics? One thing to beware of in these later cars is, if fitted, the truly woeful radio/satnav unit. It's a total bag of s
te even in Mk4 form. Anyone who's ever bhed about iDrive, it's nothing like as bad as this, and at least it tends to work. Mine is almost completely dead. Solder joints go, apparently. Any advice on aftermarket replacements?
Any interior pics? One thing to beware of in these later cars is, if fitted, the truly woeful radio/satnav unit. It's a total bag of s
te even in Mk4 form. Anyone who's ever bhed about iDrive, it's nothing like as bad as this, and at least it tends to work. Mine is almost completely dead. Solder joints go, apparently. Any advice on aftermarket replacements?Luckily, this is a pretty standard motor other than a few optional extras:
S202 Steptronic
S210 Dynamic stability control III
S220 Self-levelling suspension
S232 BMW light alloy wheel, radial spoke 50
S249 Multifunction f steering wheel
S302 Alarm system
S386 Roof railing
S428 Warning triangle and first aid kit
S431 Interior rear-view mirror with auto dip
S441 Smoker package
S469 Integrated child seats
S473 Armrest front
S481 Sports seat
S508 Park Distance Control (PDC)
S520 Fog lights
S534 Automatic air conditioning
S661 Radio BMW Business (C43)
S694 Provisions for BMW 6 CD changer
S710 M sports steering wheel, multifunction
S773 Fine wood trim
S785 White direction indicator lights
I had the iDrive in my E60 a few years back amd never had any issues but heard lots of horror stories. Same with the version in the e39 so wasn't looking for a car with that system. I wanted a car with the least electronic options as they tend to be crap compared to modern standards and/or break in a 15yr old car.
S202 Steptronic
S210 Dynamic stability control III
S220 Self-levelling suspension
S232 BMW light alloy wheel, radial spoke 50
S249 Multifunction f steering wheel
S302 Alarm system
S386 Roof railing
S428 Warning triangle and first aid kit
S431 Interior rear-view mirror with auto dip
S441 Smoker package
S469 Integrated child seats
S473 Armrest front
S481 Sports seat
S508 Park Distance Control (PDC)
S520 Fog lights
S534 Automatic air conditioning
S661 Radio BMW Business (C43)
S694 Provisions for BMW 6 CD changer
S710 M sports steering wheel, multifunction
S773 Fine wood trim
S785 White direction indicator lights
I had the iDrive in my E60 a few years back amd never had any issues but heard lots of horror stories. Same with the version in the e39 so wasn't looking for a car with that system. I wanted a car with the least electronic options as they tend to be crap compared to modern standards and/or break in a 15yr old car.
Edited by Potatoes on Monday 6th November 07:52
Just picked this up for a chum who's coming out of company cars for a few months and needed a smoker. Had already earmarked an E46 with a 2.2 as an ideal combo and all going well until his OH interfered and gave us her colour choices, manual only preference and a Coupe. My target price had been no more than 1500 so thought I might have my work cut out.
Undeterred, found this with all boxes ticked at just turned 100,000 miles, only one tiny rust blister, 12 months MoT, unmarked leather and a very revvy motor with a decent history. All original toolkit and even the torch. Drive away price well under budget.
100 mile run home passed without incident so fingers crossed it'll do the job. I'd forgotten just what a nice place to be these things are, even at nearly fifteen years old.
Undeterred, found this with all boxes ticked at just turned 100,000 miles, only one tiny rust blister, 12 months MoT, unmarked leather and a very revvy motor with a decent history. All original toolkit and even the torch. Drive away price well under budget.
100 mile run home passed without incident so fingers crossed it'll do the job. I'd forgotten just what a nice place to be these things are, even at nearly fifteen years old.
Edited by LFB531 on Monday 6th November 10:59
e30m3Mark said:
RoverP6B said:
Potatoes said:
Barge purchase success
Nice, what engine? Just bought a 2001Y 540i Touring as a general-purpose daily runner...RoverP6B said:
Not sure how much power the auto saps, there's not much in it according to the book figures, and I reckon the average driver will struggle to shift the manual as quickly as the Steptronic. Autobox does seem to suit the V8s better though, it really doesn't seem to fit well in my sister-in-law's E46 B3 3.3 drophead.
The 5 speed auto may be a bit old fashioned compared to a modern 8 speed for example but they are still very good gearboxes. I don't think I would want a manual box in a big wafty touring anyway. An autobox suits the car much better imo even if it is only a 2.2. And that said, there's nowt wrong with the 'little' engine in the range, it's still got 6 cylinders, makes an awesome noise and makes more power than most contemporary engines of the same capacity or even larger in some instances.
RoverP6B said:
The 540i is MUCH quicker over 0-30mph, but from 30-100, I wouldn't say there's a huge amount in it... once that six is on song, it spins like a top and propels the car with surprising alacrity.
I find this with most car comparisons from about 50 up. They only ever eek out a small gap unless one car is a proper turd. Given say a pair of cars where one is 250 bhp and the other 350 bhp there isnt much in it. I'd bet the 520 also has a lower final drive to the 540 so that will even things out unless you're talking max speed on the autobahn.Potatoes said:
I wanted a car with the least electronic options as they tend to be crap compared to modern standards and/or break in a 15yr old car.
If you believe JC, he chose a pre face-lift E39 for his barge in one of those Top Gears where they drive across a desert or some random country, because the earlier cars have simpler electronics. Are the pre CAN or something?Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff