Deeno

I have finally sold my Acura legend 6 speed and plan on getting one of my dream cars -Either the e34m5 or the M3. Its really hard to find a 3.8L M5 to drive and compare it to the new 540 but I figured someone on here has driven them both. If this is the case, how would the two cars compare in terms of construciton and performance .
I have been pouring over papers to try and find out how difficult it will be to get an M5 and bring it into the states -so far it looks like a lot of work but it may be well worth it for me .

Thanks

ycchan

There weren't any 3.8 M5s officially imported into the US that is why it is hard to find them.
Unless you want to import it from Europe, you can but it has to
pass US emission standards.
Comparing the M5 and the M540i sport there is quite a difference in performance even though the 540i has a V8 engine.
The Canadian M540i has more special features of the M5 than the US version

Specs: E35 3.8ltr M5 (Euro)

3.8L, 340hp, 295lb-ft in-line 6
6-Speed Manual
Nurburgring & Adaptive-M suspension
18" M-Parallel Spoke wheels
345mm floating front rotors
///M5 badging and sill-plates
215 Saloons made, 0 imported to USA
119 Tourings made, 0 imported to the USA

1995 Canadian ///M540i

4.0L, 282hp, 295lb-ft V8
6-Speed Manual
Nurburgring & Adaptive-M suspension
18" M-Parallel Spoke wheels
345mm floating front rotors
///M540i badging and sill-plates
32 made, 0 imported to USA

1995 US 540i Sport

4.0L, 282hp, 295lb-ft V8
6-Speed Manual or Auto
Nurburgring & Adaptive-M suspension
17" M Turbine-II wheels
315mm front rotors
///M badging and sill-plates
200 made & imported to US

Info from Kindel.com

The U.S. 1995 540i M-Sport and the Canadian ///M540i are not really ///M5s. First of all the 200 540i Sports sold in the U.S. were all manufactured at the "normal" BMW plant at Dingolfing whereas all other ///M cars have been built at the M-Technic factory in Garching. These cars appear to be some of the last E34 cars off the Dingolfing line. The 32 ///M540is sold in Canada were (apparently) "hand-finished" at Garching next to the M5s.

In BMWNA's early 1995 literature the 540i with a 6-speed manual transmission was referred to as the "Sport model" because it had sport seats and an M-Technic (lowered, firmer) suspension. However, in the 1996 literature (published in late 1995) they refer to the 540i with the 6-speed as the "540i manual". The new limited edition car is called the "540i Sport" or "540i M-Sport" .

The 540i Sport package was an around $8000 on top of the regular 540i price. It was Option 812 on the 540i and 813 on the 540iA. The original sticker for my 540i Sport, the Sport option is listed as $7,600 (in addition to the $1,500 ASC+T traction control option).

more info go here ==> http://www.kindel.com/BMW/bmwna_540i_sport.htm

Nene

Deeno-
I have driven both a 1991 E34 M5 3.6L and a 2000 540i Sport. The 540i is fast and sometimes feels faster, but when you race the two, the M5 always wins, especially at higher speeds. The 540i is a lot heavier and therefore slalom times are lower than the M5. However, I must admit the 540i feels more confident at high speed turns, although I have yet to try and really compare the two side by side doing this on the same turn. I think it boils down to what you want. Which body style do you like best? How much involvement do you want with the car (the M5 requires quite a bit more attention and mechanical know-how)? Also, remember the two that I have compared are not the two you wish to compare. The 1995 M5 is supposed to be a completely different car than my 1991 M5. More power, for sure. I think all 3.6L owners wish they had a 3.8, especially the US owners (we only dream of the 3.8L never offered here.....direct ignition, more torque & HP, etc.

Hope this helps you out,
Nene

__________________
"There can be only one"

Deeno

I am really only interested in bringing a 1995 M5 to the states . I have driven the 540(1997) and an M5 which I think has some issures but I have not driven on that was solid enough for me to make a good comparison .

Simon

Deeno

I have driven both and have a 3.8 M5, although only the 5 speed. The 540 is a nice car, more in the cruiser mode IMHO and the M5 is more balls out, rougher ride, noisier, much more responsive. Depends what you want but I can attest, and the other members on the board will agree, that the M5 is a whole lotta fun,

Good Luck

Simon

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Simon
3.8 Avus Blue