540 sport 6 speed to E39 M5 - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

timhur · 22nd January 2006, 02:55

Has anyone on the board traded up from a 540 sport 6 speed to a E39 M5? I drive a 1998 model year. Has anyone regretted the move, or does the driving experience just put to big of smile on your face? Thanks

ycchan · 22nd January 2006, 03:09

Asking the wrong questions

Anzir · 22nd January 2006, 03:21

I don't think you'll find any people who regret it, unless they got a lemon for an M5. The 540 sport 6-speed is a wonderful car, but the M5 is just nuts.

6spd · 22nd January 2006, 03:24

I have had my 97 540i for sometime now(6yrs).
I bought a '00 M5 only to get a few tickets which forced me to sell it.
During that time I had a big grin on my face.
In all out power its a stronger car. In the handling dept you can change the old suspension on the 540 and have it work better then stock M5.
The 540 is 200lbs lighter for some reason.

Better brakes can be had by talking with Dave Zeckhausen.

never underestimate the little brother

CSBM5 · 22nd January 2006, 03:59

Traded up from a 2002 540i/6 I bought new to a 2001 M5 over two years ago now. I had both cars for a number of months, and it was always a shock to drive the 540...it was and felt that much slower/weaker. The M5 is a beast of torque and high rpm power that the 540 just can't come close to. I looked at modifying my 540, but just adding a limited slip diff which the car desperately needs was over $3k. I found a great deal on a one owner 2001 M5 with 12k miles, and sold my 540i all for a difference of just under $10k. Best car trade I ever made in my life.

Weight-wise it is not that big of a difference since BMW quotes the M5's weight "with driver" for some reason. I weighed my M5 at 3920lbs.

Here's a pic of both of them together (540i was Topaz Blue):

timhur · 22nd January 2006, 05:59

Thanks for the feedback, I am going to go for it.

wilsodh · 22nd January 2006, 06:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSBM5

Here's a pic of both of them together (540i was Topaz Blue):

Interesting shot... nice to see these two side by side. Be sure to keep the beast away from that hanging bicycle tho...

Dave

Beamer_usa · 22nd January 2006, 07:13

Yes I traded up, 540 is a great car, but there is no comparison to M5

VancouverM · 22nd January 2006, 08:29

Same here. Went from a 99 Birriatz Blue 540iA to a 02 LeMans Blue M5. Couldn't be happier!

Fang · 22nd January 2006, 15:46

Had a 01 LMB M5 back in 01-03, now w/03 540i/6 spt, and while the 540 is not as fast or aggressive as the M, it's still a great car. The clutch is easier to modulate, and it's just more relaxed overall, and easier to drive during a rush hour commute. The steering, suspension, and brakes don't feel that much different from the M, and the engine still pulls strongly in 2nd/3rd gear from down low. The 540i also doesn't have all of those problems w/VANOS, carbon build up, etc, and is probably going to be more reliable overall. That's why in the end it made more sense for me to spend $90K on 2 cars (03 540i/6 and 05 987S) instead of a single car (new 997S, new E60 M5/M6, AMG)because no single car, M5 included, will handle/steer/brake + offer open air driving like the 987S AND provide the comfort and utility of the M5 all in one-

Gustav · 22nd January 2006, 23:58

Yes, that 540i and M5 picture is really nice

mikeoski · 23rd January 2006, 00:19

I also had a 98' 540i 6 speed. I wound up supercharging it, changing the suspension and putting a Quaife/3:15.1 differntial. The car was awesome but had heat soaking issues, no cooling and very hot under the hood. On a cool day it would beat a stock M5 for sure, but it wasn't an M5. Now I have my '00 S2 and I would say the cars are night and day when I compare the two both stock and with major mods.

BCUZICAN540 · 23rd January 2006, 06:30

I have a two 97 540i/6 with several modifications. I personally think that the non-vanos 540's are excellent cars. I just rece