What Mercedes is comparable to my 1994 BMW 540i? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Uriah · #1 12-02-2006, 03:18 PM

Well, Mercedes from the same era, like a E400 (or 400E)? I've had several MBs over the years (mostly diesel) and a few gas V8s, but always in the bigger cars, just wondering how the smaller ones compared to the Bimmers?

Cost, repairs, ect...

The 540i is a decent car once you fix the tranny and a few other E34 quirks (seats, ect...) that would be expected on any 10+ year old car. I might replace it with the right Mercedes, however. Too bad I can't after a newer AMG...

t walgamuth · #2 12-02-2006, 03:28 PM

500e.

upgraded suspension seats and motor by porsche.

awsome cars.

unfortunately not available with a stick like the bmw.

tom w

Uriah · #3 12-02-2006, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

500e.

upgraded suspension seats and motor by porsche.

awsome cars.

unfortunately not available with a stick like the bmw.

tom w

Yeah, I left the 500E out due to rarity. I think they actually ran a little better then the older 540s?

So, basicly, a 540i will smoke a 400E and be comparable (performance) to a 500E? I figured the 500E would be a bit faster...

I know SOMEBODY back in the day had to test these cars head to head. C&D, R&T, somebody.

I like my 540i though, it corners, stops, goes, has good top end (faster then I need by far) is comfortable, gets decent mileage (26-27mpg) and is farily reliable by European V8 standards. Don't look dated (to me) either.

uberwgn · #4 12-02-2006, 04:37 PM

The 540i is a fine machine - - I don't think the 400E would be a direct comparison. The 500E might be a more relevant comparo:

Pete Geither · #5 12-02-2006, 05:08 PM

Is the 540i really that much faster than the 400E ? What horsepower rating do they have and how much do they weigh ? Never rode in a V8 Bimmer, so I am totally in the dark, but the 400E is no slouch. I assume the 540 is a 4 liter engine.

suginami · #6 12-02-2006, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Geither

Is the 540i really that much faster than the 400E ? What horsepower rating do they have and how much do they weigh ? Never rode in a V8 Bimmer, so I am totally in the dark, but the 400E is no slouch. I assume the 540 is a 4 liter engine.

Yes, and the 400E is a 4.2 liter engine, so the hp and torque should be at least as good as the 540, if not better.

Without looking at the 540i's performance, I would bet that the 500E would smoke the 540i. An extra liter in displacement is a 20% increase in size, which is a lot.

Unleashed · #7 12-02-2006, 05:31 PM

The 400E is 275bhp, and weighs 1655kg.
The 540i is 286bhp and weighs 1650kg.

Pete Geither · #8 12-02-2006, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unleashed

The 400E is 275bhp, and weighs 1655kg.
The 540i is 286bhp and weighs 1650kg.

Well,,, that should settle that. Thanks.

Uriah · #9 12-02-2006, 06:33 PM

Actually, my 540i (1994) makes 282 ponies, BUT, it's had a chip, exhaust, intake and coils, so it SHOULD be 320 ponies, not that it matters. The chip is the only thing that made a really noticable improvement.

I ran it last summer (with over 140K on it) and it did a 14.42 in the quarter. Stock, according to the owners manual, it should be 15.1 (with the automatic).
It also used to be chip limited to 149mph, but, it SHOULD (although I don't think it will, but the guy I got the chip from...) do a little under 160mph. I wish I would have ran it bone stock first...

There isn't much more I can do to it besides cams ($$$ like around $2500), a supercharger (around 6K) and a lower gear in the back.

POS · #10 12-02-2006, 06:36 PM

I disagree - the 500e is not comparable to the 540i.

The 540i was the V8 version of the mid-range class car, just like the 400e/e420 - especially from 1994.

The 500e would be comparable to the M5 - it was a "normal" V8 mid-range class car with heavy performance upgrades.

Uriah · #11 12-02-2006, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS

I disagree - the 500e is not comparable to the 540i.

The 540i was the V8 version of the mid-range class car, just like the 400e/e420 - especially from 1994.

The 500e would be comparable to the M5 - it was a "normal" V8 mid-range class car with heavy performance upgrades.

I had a M5 (3.8) and it's about as fast as the 540i, even though it was a stick and mine is a 5 speed autobox. As far as handleing though, it would put my 540i in the weeds. The M5 felt less refined and way faster then what it was, not to say it wasn't fast, but it's one of those cars that make you FEEL like you're flying. Mine was also bone stock with a little over 200K on it, and still ran great.

Never been in a 500E, but I'd say in raw excelleration, it would be faster then a older M5, the curves would be an intirely different story...