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540 Versus 525

#1 CarlosT

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Posted 09 February 2010 - 02:19 PM

My mechanic was advising against getting a 540 due to higher maintenance costs and reliability of the V8s in general. He recommended the 525/530 as the more economical and reliable 5s to get. The 540 looks like a real hoot but I don't wanna dump a $G every other month on maintenance.

Your thoughts? Thanks!

#2 hoodwink33

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Location:Fayettenam, NC

Posted 09 February 2010 - 07:10 PM

I owned a 540i and it was worth every penny in upkeep. Personally speaking...the engines are solid as well.

2004 545i, Steptroinc, Orient Blue, with beige interior; Sports Supsension, Sport seats, and tinted windows

BSW Stage 1 speaker upgrade
12'' Fosegate sub
M-tech bumper
A-tech side skirts (does not fit right...may have to go another route)
Dinan Stage 3 software
Dinan CAI
Dinan Throttle body
Sprint Super Boo boo
Dual RPI Scoops (red)
RPI exhaust
Matte Black Grillz
Crossed drilled and slotted rotors
IPod integration
Escort Passport 8500
Personalized Plates
Backed by: Smith and Wesson ACP .45 cal and Ruger 9mm
In the stable:
'06 330i, Alpine White
'03 350z: Nismo CAI, exhaust, customer made 10' woofer box w/JL sub, JBL amp, and infinity reference component speakers with crossovers (damn they sound sweet), clarion double din head unit.

Retired:
RIP '97 540Ia Alpina White (was the schiznick!)
'03 330i, Jet Black

The money has run out and I think I'm done! Well...almost, got a set oF 20'' in chrome thinking about powder coating or maybe going against the grain as is. New pics coming soon![/size][/size][/size]

#3 TexaZ3

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Posted 09 February 2010 - 07:44 PM

CarlosT, on 09 February 2010 - 02:19 PM, said:

He is correct.

E36/8 2000 M Coupe Cosmos Black/Black Leather, Shark, Conforti CAI, B&B Exhaust, H&R, Bilstein, IE Green, UUC TME Red/Caps, WSM, Swapped Front Hats, Ice>Link.
E63 2004 645Ci Sapphire Black/Chateau Dakota Leather, Sport, Premium & Cold Weather Packages, Skyroof, Xenons w/Adaptive Headlights, Active Steering, MOST iPod Adapter, Logic 7, Ambient Lighting.
E60 2005 545i Sapphire Black/Auburn Leather, Sport, Premium, Cold Weather & Smoker's Packages, PDC, Sirius, Moonroof, Xenons w/Adaptive Headlights, Active Steering, White Turn Signals.
===============
Retired:
E36/7 2000 Z3 2.3 Impala Brown/Brown Classic Leather/Black Top, Premium & Sport Packages, Chrome Trim, Harman Kardon Sound Package, Clear Turn Signals, Zimmermann X-drilled Front and Rear Rotors, Mintex Pads, HMS Strut Brace, Dension Ice>Link & iPod
E36/7 2002 Z3 2.5 Titanium Silver/Black Classic Leather/Black Top, Premium & Sport Packages, Harman Kardon Sound Package, Clear Turn Signals, KVR Performance X-drilled Front and Rear Rotors, Fuzion ZRi on Style #42, HMS Strut Brace, Dension Ice>Link & iPod
E60 2004 530i Titanium Silver/Black Dakota Leather, Sport, Premium & Smoker's Packages, Moonroof, Xenons w/Adaptive Headlights, Active Steering, White Turn Signals, M-Technik kit
Posted Image

#4 Ellicit

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Posted 10 March 2010 - 03:28 PM

this is true... the v8 isn't very reliable... don get a 525i, get at least a 528i or 530i

My e39 (daily driven)
M5 front bumper BBS style 42 Wheels AE headlight Celis tail light 8000 HID - headlight/Fog light - Umnitza Predator ICE AE

My e60 530i Sport/SMG/HUD/NAV/Active Steering (weekend)
166 OEM wheels M6 offset, Toyo Proxes T1R tires, LCI tail lights, Mtech front/side, M5 Rear, Quad, LED plate light,
CF like grill, homemade scoop, CF emblems, 12" Alpine Type R, Alpine Mono 500, CF door pillars, CF roof spoiler, M5 style trunk spoiler.

#5 sdg1871

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Posted 10 March 2010 - 10:20 PM

Get the E39 540. It is a fantastic car. Very connected to the road and a beast off the line. My E39 540I Sport was the best car I ever had. Take one test drive in one and you'll be spoiled. If you love to drive, the lesser engined E39s are no match for the 540.

2009 550i Carbon Black/Natural Brown Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar, Sport Package, Cold Weather Package, Logic7, Navigation, Sirius Satellite Radio, Steptronic, iPod/USB Adapter. Mods: SprintBooster, ACS Style Rear Spoiler, 6000K HID fog lights, 6000K HID D1S headlights, 8500K GP Thunder AE bulbs, full interior LED lights; RD LED license plate lamps, LED reverse lights, Stealth signal lights, E60.net Clings, BMW Valve Stem Covers, BMW Rubber All Weather Mats (black). Mods to come: ECU reflash. Winter Wheels and Tires: Style 123s with Dunlop WinterSport M3s
Previous BMW: 2003 540i Sport

#6 Busta

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Posted 02 April 2010 - 11:06 PM

Get the 540, you'll regret the missing power in the 525/528's. They do have a higher maintenance cost but nothing outrageous. Then again I also have a E39 M5 to go along with my 540.

2003 E39 M5
DD: E39 540
Gone: 2004 525i Jet Black, Built 03/04, Premium Package, Black Dakota Leather, Halogen to Euro Spec Bi-Xenons Retrofit, Dark Poplar Wood Trim, Steptronic, Breyton Spirit Reps 20x9F 20x10R - Nitto NT555 245/35/20F-275/30/20R, M5 Front Bumper, H&R Sport Springs, Chrome Grills, 20% Tint, Euro Reflectors, Debadged, Aux Input (caps/resistors removed), CIP v19.x