2004 Accord to a 2000 e39 540i? would ya?

[V8Wagon]

I'm really bored of my nice but dull Honda Accord. I have very find memories of my V8 Audi I owned a few years ago and am tempted by an e39 540i that i've spottrd. It's on an 'S' plate so is a bit older than my Honda.

What do you reckon? Would it be an upgrade or a downgrade?

I'm thinking I'd end up pocketing a grand and have a more satisfying car to own and drive.

My Accord is a 2.4 auto so not exactly economical and the 540i is a six speed manual.

Sorry for clunky post....it's my first
ever using my phone rather than the PC.

[traffman]

I would def go for that .

The beemer 540 has a lovely engine decent build quality , although not sure if this engine has the nikasil problem??

Anyway heart to heart i would go for it.

Just mind that your fuel bills will rise.

[sparks_E39]

Yes absolutely. Replace the cooling system if it hasn't been already otherwise it will fail soon.

[EDLT]

traffman said:

I would def go for that .

The beemer 540 has a lovely engine decent build quality , although not sure if this engine has the nikasil problem??

Anyway heart to heart i would go for it.

Just mind that your fuel bills will rise.

If the engine is fine now then it won't have a nikasil problem in the future.

[405dogvan]

I think buying a car older than your current car is the cool way to 'upgrade'...

I moved from an 11-year-old 86K car to a 15-year-old 213K car and it's been more reliable, used less fuel and carried more junk-per-tip-trip!!

Newer cars are for people who lack character (or love cupholders).

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

Definitely don't get an e39 if you love cupholders.

Trip computer economy figures from my 540i/6: Round town - 20mpg, average run 24mpg, absolute maximum (a tedious 56mph on the M'way) 38mpg.

[forsure]

S. Gonzales Esq. said:

Definitely don't get an e39 if you love cupholders.

Sound advice; the rear ones will be broken, the front ones (when used) will confuse the climate control.

[Six Fiend]

Cupholder issues aside

6-speed box and a superb engine

[toon10]

I went from a 2.4 Accord to a 325i mSport. OK not the biggest leap in terms of performance but the BMW is just a much better car to drive. I'd not say it's a downgrade at all.

[dave_s13]

S. Gonzales Esq. said:

Definitely don't get an e39 if you love cupholders.

Trip computer economy figures from my 540i/6: Round town - 20mpg, average run 24mpg, absolute maximum (a tedious 56mph on the M'way) 38mpg.

Mine was more like 17/22/28 - auto though.

They are a fabulous car but to be honest they don't give you much more pleasure than an equivalent spec 530/528.

I've had a 528 and a 540 btw (tourings) and if I were getting another I'd probably try to fined a nice 530 Sport manual.

[billzeebub]

100%

[Bill Carr]

A 540 manual you say? Yum.

[HustleRussell]

This evening I'm swapping my 2003 Mondeo TDCI for a 1996 525i Se Touring (E34). Can relate totally to the idea of 'upgrading' to an older, simpler car.

[dave_s13]

HustleRussell said:

This evening I'm swapping my 2003 Mondeo TDCI for a 1996 525i Se Touring (E34). Can relate totally to the idea of 'upgrading' to an older, simpler car.

E34 is a "proper" car though, probably better built than the E39.

[ajb85]

Nice work finding the manual, hope it's a good un, they're usually like hen's teeth! Have to say, I find the auto 540s a little bit disappointing, not worlds apart from a 530 or 535.

Anyway give it a good try over broken/pot holed roads, the suspension may be getting a little tired in places. Expect a smattering of rust in the usual E39 places. Lovely car though, will sh*t all over the Accord.

[T16OLE]

Are you sure its a year 2000 on an "S" plate?

[HustleRussell]

dave_s13 said:

HustleRussell said:

This evening I'm swapping my 2003 Mondeo TDCI for a 1996 525i Se Touring (E34). Can relate totally to the idea of 'upgrading' to an older, simpler car.

E34 is a "proper" car though, probably better built than the E39.

It's got that 'hewn from granite' feel. I could've got an E39 but there's not many good E34's left, also it's a simpler car to work on.

I think the E34's build quality deserves simular acclaim to that of the W124 mercedes, and the engine range is better, and only in the BMW can you get a manual with a hanbrake lever

[Waynester]

Definite 'upgrade' on the E39, if it's a good one, your grin should out-widen the Hondas.

Agree on cup holders, especially the rears. Designed for 'display only..use at your peril'

Had my 523 E39 5 years & struggling to replace it for a different like for like value car!

[Willy Nilly]

No chance.

[a_bread]

T16OLE said:

Are you sure its a year 2000 on an "S" plate?

+1

Isn't S plate late 98-early 99?

Not that it makes much difference on a car of that age.

One other thing about the 540. Isn't it a different steering system, allegedly less responsive than the systems fitted to the straight-6 cars?