Comments on BMW E39 540i sports. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

carman850 · #1 03-05-2004, 02:24 PM

Don't flame me, just for the sake of we are all driving Benz now.

I am considering replacing my current 400E with a 98-99 E39 540i with sports package, tired of begging the sluggish 4speed auto on my 400E, I am sure I will like the 6 speed on the 540i.

I know there are a few 540i owners in this forum, include the our respectable moderator Steve. Having been maintaining all my cars by myself, DIY friendliness is an important criteria for my next car, I am an electronic engineer so I am not too much afraid of new electronic gadgets, I was able to rebuilt PS pump, air pump and stuff like that on my 400E, but I was not competent enough to replace its timing chain, in fact I feel quite challenged when servicing almost anything in its cramped engine bay, does 540i require the same level of skills as 400E when it comes to daily maintenance and repairs?

I have checked out several E39 540s, designed a decade later than W124, they are completely different animals, they are more ergonomic and sophisticated than my current 400E, the engine bay is much roomier too, however, one thing is sure that it doesn't feel as solid or quality as my 400E.

Your comments will be appreciated.

dtf · #2 03-05-2004, 03:00 PM

Question carman850; When people talk about E39 is that the BMW chassis codes like W124?

carman850 · #3 03-05-2004, 03:03 PM

That's correct, dtf, E39 represents BMW 5 series from 1997(96 in Europe?) to 2003.

manny · #4 03-05-2004, 04:55 PM

If I ever bought a BMW, it would have to be a 540 i......or an M5.

Nice car, but I don't think it will be any less complicated or cheaper to repair than an M-B.
Toured the facory where they are made, 4 years ago. My nephew arranged it, since he is an engineer there.

Sure had a lot of fun driving his 540 on the Autobahn, until a trio of his buddy engineers blew by me at @ 280 km'h.

stevebfl · #5 03-05-2004, 06:29 PM

I can think of nothing I would rather drive. I drove mine to Jekyl Island last weekend and got there way too quick. I really would have liked another hundred miles.

As to service, the thing is atleast as complicated or worse than anything comparable from MB. Way more programming of component parts. This means that you can't replace the AC control head without an appropriate scanner; the proper one from BMW GT1 has just gone up to $19,500. Glad I got mine when they were $15,500.

From owning two different cars I can tell you that I consider MBs way more durable, I have replaced both 540's radiators, at around 50k miles and the first one I replaced every window regulator except one.

I get mine worked on for nothing, so it is the ideal car for me. Since tastes differ it won't be the perfect car for everybody. I don't have the six spd as a perfect car to me is a high power/torque v8 with a smart 5spd automatic. I don't do autocross.

jcyuhn · #6 03-06-2004, 09:28 AM

I recall several magazine reviews of the 540 six-speed complaining about excess driveline lash, and how difficult it was to drive smoothly in city traffic. Even though it's an amazing car, at least one reviewer commented they probably couldn't live with it, and recommended the automatic.

A while back we had a thread on the automatic transmission on these cars. A check ball, or something, wears out, typically at 150k or so. Steve's shop repairs it, most won't, and a replacement is 50% of the value of the car.

Just FYI. Not intending to dissuade you from a BMW, but don't go in expecting it to be a panacea compared to Mercedes ownership.

- JimY

ranger · #7 03-06-2004, 02:05 PM

I think the driving difficulties are related to the CDV (clutch delay valve) on the manual transmissions. It's supposed to protect the drive line, but in doing so wears the clutch faster. From what I read it is an easy mod to do. I don't have a 540, but I have been looking at them also (I want the 540/6 speed). Here is some info on what breaks, and some links to other websites like it. http://www.540i6.com