E39: 528i? 530i? or 540i?

[E36is]

Looking to upgrade to an e39, but dont know which model or year to focus on. What im looking for is a model that is the most reliable, relatively fuel efficient, and best bang for the buck. My interests being in the sport model category, and while they do make a sport model of the 528i, how much of a difference is the 530i to the 528i? I know the 540i would be the best performer but i want something balanced to the above statements. Also which year is considered the best, and what kind of the pricing should i be expecting to pay for for these cars? Also, are these good buys? Thanks in advance.

[Dado 540]

2003 530i M Package

If you want something with an extra set of balls and increased amount of testosterone then 2003 540i M package would be the right choice

[Oyster]

love my 540, great on gas hwy!
680km+ on a tank

[parm]

I am with Dado on his choice, and if you want someting that makes hair grow on those extra set of balls e39 M5 !!!!

Parm

[carjoe]

Originally Posted by Oyster

love my 540, great on gas hwy!
680km+ on a tank

Whoa. You're getting better mileage than I am. Much better. Last time I did all highway miles, I got just under 600km. OBC indicated 30MPG.

[bimmass]

I am not saving very much on gas with a 528i. i wanna 540i now, but i'd say the 528i wins on reliability.

[Dado 540]

Considering the V8, 540s are pretty good on gas. Really depends on how heavy your foot is.

[bscarlett]

+1 for the 2003 530...i love mine. Great handling, some say better then the 540 due to the rack and pinion steering vs recirculating ball on the 540 and less engine weight. New control arms on mine and she handles like brand new...and that is good!

[E36is]

thanks to those who have responded. Im now on the look out for a 2003 530i Sport.

[Bullet Ride]

I'll also vouch for the 530i with the sport package. Decent power, reliable, and an excellent ride.

If you want a V8 E39, hands down the M5 is the way to go.

[e39m_dream]

I have a 2003 530i (manual) with M package, Pro Logic 7 stereo system, Rear automatic sunshade, manual side sunshade, it is really nice to drive.

Comparing to E39 M5 that I've driven for a while, their power difference is noticeable only on highway speed where M5 can keep pushing just like 530i's 3rd gear. Even with M5 being able to push harder, 530i can still happily propel you from 120km/h to 200km/h within 10 seconds.

Plus, 530i is much easier to handle due to its 500lbs less weight and its nose is much lighter, giving you lower cost on cooling system maintenance, fuel, tires, brakes, steering and suspension.

While M5 is lighter on straights, throw M5 into a corner, you can immediately feel its bulky weight, and I almost lost control once. Throw 530i into a corner, you can feel its weight too, but with much smaller momentum to overcome and bring it back to track.

[parm]

(Quote) "Comparing to E39 M5 that I've driven for a while, their power difference is noticeable only on highway speed where M5 can keep pushing just like 530i's 3rd gear."

I think the M5 you were driving was sleeping, a 530 is in no way comparable to the M5 when it comes to raw power whether city or highway, took out my buddy’s 08Carrea4S Hands down the M5 will smoke it off the line (Mine will anyway.)
As for tracking the M5 yeah it might be bulky in the corners but the 530 will always be playing catch-up. The M5 may be a bitch to own compared to the 530 but it makes up for it trust me!

Parm

[parm]

e39 530 10k to 13k
e39 M5 18k to 27k

To OP please buy what you think your heart wants not based on incomparable comparisons.

Parm

[e39m_dream]

Originally Posted by parm

(Quote) "Comparing to E39 M5 that I've driven for a while, their power difference is noticeable only on highway speed where M5 can keep pushing just like 530i's 3rd gear."

I think the M5 you were driving was sleeping, a 530 is in no way comparable to the M5 when it comes to raw power whether city or highway, took out my buddy’s 08Carrea4S Hands down the M5 will smoke it off the line (Mine will anyway.)
As for tracking the M5 yeah it might be bulky in the corners but the 530 will always be playing catch-up. The M5 may be a bitch to own compared to the 530 but it makes up for it trust me!

Parm

I understand that M5 has a higher torque and horsepower. Yes I surely did opened up the M5 completely and accelerated very hard to redline with the first 4 gears.

M5 does push harder and can last longer, but its advantage is not so obvious with traffic around. I could keep up with it with 530i or overtake it with a lighter car, because it was cumbersome to quickly zip-zap through the traffic. Its power difference only benefited me when moving on freeway. I could quickly accelerate from 120km/h to 160km/h, then I backed off immediately because it was a lot of speeding.

My recommendation would be 530i since I'm more of a handling person rather than raw power straight line guy. Even that I do enjoy straight line power, it's just impossible to enjoy it in Ontario.

[Axxe]

Originally Posted by e39m_dream

I understand that M5 has a higher torque and horsepower. Yes I surely did opened up the M5 completely and accelerated very hard to redline with the first 4 gears.

M5 does push harder and can last longer, but its advantage is not so obvious with traffic around. I could keep up with it with 530i or overtake it with a lighter car, because it was cumbersome to quickly zip-zap through the traffic. Its power difference only benefited me when moving on freeway. I could quickly accelerate from 120km/h to 160km/h, then I backed off immediately because it was a lot of speeding.

My recommendation would be 530i since I'm more of a handling person rather than raw power straight line guy. Even that I do enjoy straight line power, it's just impossible to enjoy it in Ontario.

Your comparison sounds more like honda crx (530i) to 18-wheeler (m5).