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E39 M5 Vs E39 530i Sport SC

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37K views 49 replies 31 participants last post by  nightkrawler  
#1 · (Edited)
Here is our new toy , -2003 530i Sport

My “new” 2003 530i Sport Silver thread Evolution - Bimmerforums - The Ultimate BMW Forum

I did a lot of work on this beautiful car and i just love how smooth and tight car drives with all new suspension

Now when i done with the base my question is, - should i put a SC on 530i or don't mess up with SC and look for M5 maybe ?

2003 E39 M5

Weight: 1,825kg
Power: 400bhp
Torque: 368ft lbs

219 bhp per tonne
202 ft lbs per tonne

2003 E39 530i ESS S/C

Weight: 1,585kg
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 300ft lbs

205 bhp per tonne
189 ft lbs per tonne

.
 
#2 ·
I have an E39 530i and E39 M5, the 530 is easily the most well rounded car, great mileage, comfort, easy to maintain. I would suggest you get an M5 in addition, but not in place of the 530, because of the inevitable period when the M5 is down for maint or mods. These days, there're so many options to go fast in an M5 (500whp, 600whp, 700whp), it almost makes going to an E60 or F10 unnecessary IMO.
 
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#4 ·
Ummmm OK, LOL:noSMG:
 
#5 ·
I loved my E39 530 (and for that matter my E39 528). And I still long for the rack-and-pinon steering in those cars. If you want a wonderfully balanced car, you have it with the 530. I wouldn't change a thing. If you want more power, get an M5. If you like the 530, you will love the M5. If you supercharge the 530, you'll still have the M5 itch...for good reason.
 
#6 ·
Don't waste yout time with supercharging a 530..
I had a 2002 530i sport and it handled nice but not as nice as the m5.
Is your car automatic?
Drive the 530 until you can sell it and get an m5 if ur interestes in performance.
 
#9 ·
Really enjoyed my 530 Sport manual. Super car, but could not resist the call of the M5.
 
#11 ·
Once you SC the 530, you may match a stock M5, but thats it, the end. Stock M5 is already better than the very best modding on a 530, and has all the right amenities to boot. If your foundation is solid, then you have one way to go! If your foundation is a 530, you be tippytoeing to see in the window of the ///M world.

Buy an ///M5.

And I don't know who's M5 you drove as a cruiser hmmm, but I have never driven a finer cruiser. Ever. Period.
 
#13 ·
Having both cars,I prefer the M5 personally(bear in mind it is far from stock!).


BUT,the M54 is a nice engine for forced induction...

400RWHP on stock internals are possible.
Plus these engines are easy to build and parts to run higher boost(pistons,rods,...) much cheaper than S62 stuff.

And the 530 needs serious brake and suspension upgrades once it has power.
 
#14 · (Edited)
OP I find it interesting that all I've seen you post is in the for sale section, talking down to people about picking up M5s....
and now you are considering getting one? hmmm

In my garage you can find my 99 528i 5spd and my 02 M5 Dinan S2
Image


I never modded the 528 since its pointless because a supercharger would give you the same power as a 540. (Go get a 540 then)
I know someone selling an 03 540 M-Sport Alpine with Tan Leather with under 80K miles in Chicago, pm for info :)
You will never getting your money back modding a car, unless you part it out and that's maybe half of it.....

Earlier today I was at a BMWCCA autocross event.
I lost count on how MANY complements I received about my M5. RESPECT!
Everyone loved the sound my DINAN exhaust as I drifting about the skidpad or figure 8 or when I took off in 1st gear.....you will never get that with a 525/528/530/540
Oh and NO ONE got their car more sideways then me! :biggrinbounce:

The 528 does sometimes feel lighter on its feet and I do really like the rack & pinion but a ///M is a ///M :cheers:

- Angelo
 
#15 · (Edited)
nice feedback's guys , thank you ... and i like that nobody mentioned 540i headache :)

I want to express a bit more why i started this post to SC 530 Vs M5
--first of all to maintain 530i is twice as cheaper . It is a bulletproof very reliable I6 .
--second the M5 insurance is killing me ( SC 530 insurance will cost the same as 530i if i am not wrong , currently i pay 40$ monthly for 530i )
--third M5 is eating gas like no tomorrow where SC 530i gas consuming is still reasonable
--last but not least - the TIME i need to spend to maintain a new to me //M car ( as some call the The Money Pit )
As i already know 530i very well and i have done all to this car i can just add SC for more power and be happy with this car for the next 2-3 years

I was never about to show people that i have M5 car but about to have a perfect E39 which don't cost me a fortune :)
I also know that SC 530 will never be M5 car but this is not my goal ;) I just try to understand what will give me to SC 530i Vs M5
From another side i know 2 friends which sold M5 after only 2 years of ownership but still own another bimmers ( not M )
Decisions ...
LOL
 
#17 ·
To say "the 540i headache" is misinformed and illogical.

We compared a supercharged 530i back to back with a mild-modified 540i and the 530i owner, a business partner, was quite disappointed he just spent $8,500 modifying his 530i to be just as fast as the 540i. Both slower than the M5, marginally. He ended up selling the supercharger kit and is looking into a new twin-turbo F10 535i.

Also, with the 530i you're dealing with double VANOS. 540i you have the option for no VANOS, or single.

Gas mileage will be just about the same.

So, you're breaking down to the same speed, and same gas mileage.


Now, as far as maintenance - the 540i's inherent problems come after BMW's "lifetime" expires. When BMW says "lifetime", they mean 100,000 miles. You will have to replace the timing chain rails. That's far less cheaper than supercharging a 530i and much easier than rod bearings.

That being said, you lose the rack and pinion steering. Now you have to justify spending $7,000-$10,000 on a 530i for something that will be just as fast as a 540i, just as reliable, and with the same gas mileage.


Try not to stick your nose in the air like most BimmerForums members :thumbsup:
 
#16 ·
We had a 530i up until just very recently. Great all around car as you and others have noted. Frankly, I would not mess with it. Once you head down the path of modding at this level you are likely to need to be tinkering with it constantly. You may then be compelled to do other mods, beef up the brakes, etc. Finally when you go to sell it, you will eliminate a whole bunch of potential buyers who won't want a heavily modded car or you will take a beating on the price (no one will give you a fraction of the SC value). A stock M5 on the other hand will depreciate normally, etc. and you won't exclude buyers in the future. Keep in mind, while the M5's claim to fame is really the engine, there are numerous other items that you get with the package like:

18" rims (that are sweet looking)
Beefier suspension
Front/Rear specific bumpers
Dual exhaust tips
Navigation (old, but still desirable)
Specific seats
Alcantara headliner
Full leather dash an console (luxury interior)
M only exterior colors - Imola Red, Carbon Black, Lemans Blue, etc.
M only interior colors - 2 tone sport interiors (Black/red, Black/silver, Black/blue), and caramel luxury interior

The M5 "package" is what really makes the car in my opinion. It isn't a one trick pony with the engine being the only difference between it and other E39s.

If you do proceed with the SC route, just go into it with your eyes wide-open.

Good Luck.
 
#20 · (Edited)
The sentiment here is OVERWHELMINGLY to get an M5. You seem to be trolling to get people to give you the answer you want: supercharge the 530. So go ahead and do it, against the advice of almost every on here that has responded.

You will probably like the car, and only be disappointed when you get to drive a nice M5. And realize that you will never get the mod money back, so if you sell, you will take a big loss.
Regards,
Jerry
 
#19 ·
Get an M5 and supercharge it.
 
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#21 · (Edited)
Rinse and repeat. Same question, Same answers. So go ahead and re-read the thread in its entirety. :flag:

edit: Also, dollar for dollar, where will you be after modding a 530? Will you, or will you not have spent enough to buy an M? after SC, no, but then you are still riding hgher, on thinner meat with lesser interior, less symphonic noise from behind, etc. So you are still at a VERY big disadvantage. :dunno:
 
#22 ·
I don't understand the reasoning here. Supercharging a 530i is more expensive than buying an M5, you will lose the bulletproofness of the 530i because now you are running far more power than designed through not only it's engine, but it's transmission, diffs, axles, tires, mounting points, subframe, etc.

Your gas mileage will be similar to that of an m5, though you will have less power.

In essence, you will have a more expensive car which performs in almost every way lesser to an m5 and which will never be worth what you put into it.

The only people who do this are those who absolutely adore their 530i, can't see getting rid of it for any reason, and want more power. While noble, it still defies all value argument. Why not buy a $2,000 honda civic and through $30k investment turn it into a smooth riding, quiet, powerful car? Both make about as much sense.
 
#23 ·
dont be crazy, just sell the 530 and buy an m5. It wast the best decision i evey made and never looked back. M5 is a legend and 530 is not. You can find a nice m5 between 15000-20000$. You would really spend 8000$ on a 530 instead of buing a m5? COME ON MAN!!!!! Dont make a terible decision.
 
#24 ·
I think what most people disregard, concerning the supercharger power addition, is when this power is available.
M5 you get consistent torque across all gears, all RPM ranges.
SC car you see benefits at 3000 RPM
 
#27 · (Edited)
OP have you even test driven an M5?
I've seen you post on bimmerforums...you are quite the DIYer so I know you can do A LOT of the repairs yourself ;)
Yes insurance, parts, and fuel cost will be higher but you will be getting a superior car in every direction from the factory.

edit: I know of a few people who had a BMW and then got the M version AND none of the some didn't love it :goldcup:
 
#29 ·
The sentiment here is OVERWHELMINGLY to get an M5. You seem to be trolling to get people to give you the answer you want: supercharge the 530. So go ahead and do it, against the advice of almost every on here that has responded.
Have to agree here. You asked a question, and board members answered. Many have pointed out specifically where your logic seems faulty.

But you still want to. So go ahead and do it. It's your car. Your opinion is the only one that matters.

I understand loving the 530 sport -- I had one, great car. Sold it to get the M5.
 
#30 ·
Igor you are doing yourself a disservice trying to compare these two cars. Except for both being E39s, they have very little else in common. The power and torque delivery, suspension, steering, transmission, interior, exhaust note, maintenance cost, MPG, character, etc are all different between the two cars.

What you should do is be completely honest with yourself and figure out what it is you are looking for and what you are willing to sacrifice then pick the car that best suits those needs.