Too bad you didn't get a 540. I have been totally amazed that two cars that have a whole chassis number designation the same (E39) could have suspensions as different as a Ford and a Chevrolet.

The 540 has a reciprocating ball steering gear and the 528 has a rack and pinion. Every suspension part is different including the subframe. The design has longitudinal struts going forward in one and backward in the other. The 540 represents the first BMW that removes the wobble from the term BMWobbly.

While not necessarily being as durable as a MB, there is not a MB that compares to the drive. I'm on my second E39 540 with a E430 in between (briefly).

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician