E39 523i Saloon vs 540i Touring
Discussion
I have first refusal on 2 cars. Both are a 1998 model with climate, cruise, leather etc. Both come with FSH and have less than 100k showing. Both are manual (5 speed vs 6 speed). Apart from the obvious fuel consumption issue (I am assuming 30 mpg for the 523i and 25 mpg for the 540i when running at a steady 70 - 80 mph on the motorway?) what is the difference in ownership over a couple of years? I really like the thought of the 286 bhp the 540i dishes up and the practicality of a touring but is this a terrible case of heart ruling head?
I borrowed a 523i saloon courtesy car when I had my 540i Touring serviced. The 523i was manual and my 540i is auto, but even accounting for that, I was amazed at the difference in fuel economy - got over 35mpg on my regular commute which normally gets about 23/24mpg in my car (not motorway, all A and B roads).
However, the difference between 24 and 35mpg may not amount to much in absolute cost if you do 10k miles a year. The 540i will be more expensive at each service - bigger sump, more plugs etc - but I'd make your decision based on the condition of each car and which you prefer to drive, provided the fuel cost isn't a clincher.
However, the difference between 24 and 35mpg may not amount to much in absolute cost if you do 10k miles a year. The 540i will be more expensive at each service - bigger sump, more plugs etc - but I'd make your decision based on the condition of each car and which you prefer to drive, provided the fuel cost isn't a clincher.
junglie said:
what is the difference in ownership over a couple of years?
An insurance group or two hasn't been mentioned so far.Also the 540 is quite a bit heavier at the front, which affects
the balance somewhat.
The 540 has the slightly more vague recirculating ball steering
while the 523 has the slightly more precise rack'n'pinion.
Depending on how long you plan to keep it, the manual 540
is deeply unloved in the marketplace and could be difficult
to sell on - nearly all 540s are autos.
Me, I'd have a look at both and then probably pick the 523
if everything else comes out equal - fuel
prices and insurance are only ever going to go up.
dcb said:
Depending on how long you plan to keep it, the manual 540
is deeply unloved in the marketplace and could be difficult
to sell on - nearly all 540s are autos.
On the contrary, because they are so rare there will be people biting your hands off for a good 540 manual. I wouldn't be one of them to be honest but they do have a following!is deeply unloved in the marketplace and could be difficult
to sell on - nearly all 540s are autos.
I personaly find the V8s less reliable than the 6 cylinders so over the duration you will be exposed to far greater expense with the 540. That said, I'd take the V8 over anything else.
Edited by Crombers on Monday 23 March 18:24
The V8 is a great engine. I've got a 540i saloon. Not driven any other e39, but I think I would miss the silken wallop when I put my foot down. It can be quite surreal at times.
But as someone else said, they like a drink, they know how to go wqrong, they know how to cost you money. But if your mileage isnt excessive, should'nt you go for somehting a bit loony? If only to say you've done it???
But as someone else said, they like a drink, they know how to go wqrong, they know how to cost you money. But if your mileage isnt excessive, should'nt you go for somehting a bit loony? If only to say you've done it???
I can't comment too much about the 523 but I do know that I really like the 540iTouring I bought a few weeks ago! Now that some wrinkles are ironed-out (just under £2k so far), I'm finding it quick, smooth, comfortable, made of quality materials and not as thirsty as I thought it would be. It's also a bit of a sleeper, so no-one pays particular attention to it - which I really like.
On the down-side, it is not at all 'chuckable' or 'pointy'. To get any sensation of speed you would have to be travelling exceedingly quickly - it is a long way from being a Caterham!
I do believe that once a car is of a certain age maintenence costs are pot-luck. With either car you could be lucky or unlucky - anyway, pixel repairs/radiators/thermostats/condensors etc etc probably cost the same for both cars.
When buying a used car, I try to assume there is a reason it is being sold, so am always resigned to about £1000 in repairs anyway. It is rarely less than that(I am VERY fussy!)
As previously advised, drive both as far as the owners will let you and decide based on which you prefer for yourself. Good luck!
On the down-side, it is not at all 'chuckable' or 'pointy'. To get any sensation of speed you would have to be travelling exceedingly quickly - it is a long way from being a Caterham!
I do believe that once a car is of a certain age maintenence costs are pot-luck. With either car you could be lucky or unlucky - anyway, pixel repairs/radiators/thermostats/condensors etc etc probably cost the same for both cars.
When buying a used car, I try to assume there is a reason it is being sold, so am always resigned to about £1000 in repairs anyway. It is rarely less than that(I am VERY fussy!)
As previously advised, drive both as far as the owners will let you and decide based on which you prefer for yourself. Good luck!
I spent a week commuting from Milton Keynes to Dartford Crossing in the 540, so all motorway driving at morning/evening speeds - and it returned a suprising 30mpg according to the OBC (which is probably about 28 true mpg). Normally for mixed A/Motorway I would expect about 25 and for local driving more like 18.
All the information received so far seems to mirror my thoughts. There are a few 535i manuals available also but I have heard it is a case of the power of a 530i with the consumption of a 540i although it is tempting for 2.5k but I am assuming the same issues as surround the 540i - I always thought those engines were bulletproof but it seems this is not the case.
There is still a case for an E36 323/325/328i but as my miles will be motorway based I thought a 5 series would be good.
There is still a case for an E36 323/325/328i but as my miles will be motorway based I thought a 5 series would be good.
I managed a genuine average of 29.5mpg sitting on the cruise control at 95mph on a French autoroute for 150 miles in my 540i, but I only mention it because it's the best I've ever had.
The 540i engine seems to be pretty bulletproof; it's the ancillaries such as the water pump and radiator which are less reliable. As far as I am aware, these same issues affect the 6-cyl engines too, though.
The 540i engine seems to be pretty bulletproof; it's the ancillaries such as the water pump and radiator which are less reliable. As far as I am aware, these same issues affect the 6-cyl engines too, though.
SJobson said:
The 540i engine seems to be pretty bulletproof; it's the ancillaries such as the water pump and radiator which are less reliable. As far as I am aware, these same issues affect the 6-cyl engines too, though.
Agreed. And those mentioned aren't going to fail at a continuous, regular rate. Neither are that expensive to replace. 540i6 manual pretty much every time.
The six cylinders are good cars, but they are a bit ordinary in comparison. The 540i auto is probably as thirsty as you'd expect, but the manual can be pretty good, and fuel isn't a reason not to get one. I used to get 25-28 mpg commuting in mine and 32-35 mpg cruising, and I don't think a 523/528 would do much better. Sure they don't handle as well as the sixes, but the performance and especially flexibility are awesome. I'd have another like a shot.
Can I ask that whenever people quote consumption figures, they qualify them as auto or manual, as I think this makes a significant difference with this car. The 740i auto has much the same engine, transmission and weight to the 540i, and also has a reputation as a drinker. The manual is what makes the 540i6, and I get the impression they actually fetch more than autos. I sold mine for over book price last year, and fancy another one now all big engined cars are cheaper.
Nick
The six cylinders are good cars, but they are a bit ordinary in comparison. The 540i auto is probably as thirsty as you'd expect, but the manual can be pretty good, and fuel isn't a reason not to get one. I used to get 25-28 mpg commuting in mine and 32-35 mpg cruising, and I don't think a 523/528 would do much better. Sure they don't handle as well as the sixes, but the performance and especially flexibility are awesome. I'd have another like a shot.
Can I ask that whenever people quote consumption figures, they qualify them as auto or manual, as I think this makes a significant difference with this car. The 740i auto has much the same engine, transmission and weight to the 540i, and also has a reputation as a drinker. The manual is what makes the 540i6, and I get the impression they actually fetch more than autos. I sold mine for over book price last year, and fancy another one now all big engined cars are cheaper.
Nick
Hammerhead said:
SJobson said:
The 540i engine seems to be pretty bulletproof; it's the ancillaries such as the water pump and radiator which are less reliable. As far as I am aware, these same issues affect the 6-cyl engines too, though.
Agreed. And those mentioned aren't going to fail at a continuous, regular rate. Neither are that expensive to replace. 24.3MPG across all driving here.
HRG said:
I've used about all the plastic metal one radiator can take on my E39 528i... Got to change both shortly.
Eh..?I recently had to replace the aux water pump & thermostat on my auto 523i.
My car is mainly used on short pottering trips at mo & averages approx 26-30mpg! This really isn't helped by the type of driving i'm doing right now.
On a recent family holiday to France i saw a high of 41mpg!!
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff