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Just looking for your input from experience - Supercharge 540i/6 or get M5?

3K views 8 replies 7 participants last post by  Mpower81 
#1 ·
Good afternoon forum members - I am not sure if this is being posted in the correct area....so if not....my B!


I currently have a very clean Alpine White 2002 540i/6 with a bunch of Dinan and E39 M5 bolt ons. I LOVE the car, but am truly looking for substantially more power. I am toying with modifying the existing M62TU by purchasing a VF Kit and maybe headers....at a great expense as you are all aware. My other thoughts were to sell it and buy myself a well maintained, well sorted, relatively low(er) mileage M5...with the hopes it has enough power. I do know putting a blower in the M5 reaps substantial gains.


That being said - I'm looking to hear your own personal experiences if you've toyed with the same "issue" I am. What you ended up doing, etc.? I'm not in a rush at all.....but Summer is just around the corner!


Thanks in advance!
 
#2 ·
Was in your shoes two years ago. Decided to get an M5... no regrets here! But I favor stock(ish) cars and the idea of installing and troubleshooting a charger on the 540i was not super appealing to me. I didn't go so far as to run the numbers, but if I was a betting man I'd wager you'd recoup more of your investment doing it this way as well if you ever plan to sell the car.
 
#4 ·
It's just going to come down to what is most important to you. The M5 would be a great move...It's quick, but not fast. You'd probably eventually get the feeling of wanting to increase the power after driving it for a while if you are considering it on the 540. I would so go for M5 if you want a car that won't hurt depreciation wise, and will be super enjoyable to own. If you just want fast and don't care about that, then do the bigger power on the 540.
 
#6 ·
Thanks for all of your inputs. So it’s been just over a year and I did ponder this quite a bit. Late last month I picked up a 2002 E39 M5 which needs some TLC. Can’t wait to get this thing ready to rock.

That being said - the 540 will be for sale shortly. :) I really wish I could keep them both, but it’s not feasible for me right now.




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#8 ·
Thank you for this - I follow BaT religiously. I have seen some 540's sell for a great price and others not so much. I may put mine on with no reserve and just cross my fingers. I need as much as I can so I can put it into the M5. :) I'm also hoping that my Alpine White color pulls a bit of a premium. In case anyone is looking for a 540, I'll give a quick breakdown of what she has:

2002 BMW 540i Sport 6 Speed Manual aka 540i6
Alpine White over Black Interior
Sports Package
Cold weather package (front heated seats)
114k on the odometer (California car moved to MA in 2016) Garaged. Never seen snow. It may have to see snow for me to get some pictures though.

Following upgrades:
Dinan Cold Air Intake
Dinan Mass Air Flow Sensor
Dinan Throttle Body
Dinan Intake Manifold
Dinan axle Back exhaust
Dinan Stage 5 Tune
Ground Control Fully adjustable coilovers
Zionsville Aluminum Radiator with Electronic Push/Pull fans
Engine fan delete
M5 LSD Rebuilt and installed at approx 90k
M5 Brakes and Rotors (fronts are new)
M5 Alcantara Headliner and Pillar covers
M5 Bumpers w/working PDC
Freshly powder coated valve covers
All new gaskets on the top end
Front suspension steering full refesh
M5 Style 65's with Staggered 18" tires
40% Ceramic Tint all around
New headlight lenses with new adjusters

I'm sure I'm missing some things. It also comes with a bunch of service records. Clean carfax, no accidents. Front bumper was backed into and currently has a 4-6" crack which I will either be repairing or replacing. When we had the valve covers off, we inspected the guides closely and they were fine. This car has an extensive maintenance history!

Honestly don't want to see it go, but I just don't have the room to keep both right now. I LOVE the exhaust note and performance of this car.
 
#9 ·
If you want a fast car buy a S85 car ? I owned a E39 M5 for almost 2 years. Great car perfect daily driver but the power of the car gets boring for me after a couple of months ? Six months a go I bought a E63 M6 and that thing is fast but the S85 is very high maintenance but I think if you want fast its the best car you could by for a decent amount off money
 
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