Should I buy 99-01 540/6 or 97-98 M3 4-door 5spd?

[oufyaba]

Hi all,

I am a former E34 owner, and looking at my next car. Narrowed down to two cars,

97-98 M3 4-door 5spd
9-01 540/6 sports package, etc

The M3 is more within my budget 20-25k. The ones I am looking at have 50k miles, 1 owner, and maintained since day 1. No major repairs, including original Water pump, T-stat housing and T-stat. M3 is smaller.

99-01 540/6
Mostly interested in the 01 shape with the angel eyes, since it's a much better looking car. 540s are bigger, safer and stronger cars, heavier also. I don't mind upping my price to get a very nice 01 540/6 sport between 25-30k, but in that price range, the 01s 6 speeds either have high mileage 70k+, or they are above my price range $34k+.

So I am kind of in a dilemma. I have also thought about a 01 530 5 speed sport. And haven't ruled that out either. But I want to get something powerful, so I don't start upgrading things later and spend more money.

From a technical standpoint, what's the reliability of the 540 vs. the M3? Say a 01 540 75k miles, vs. a 97 M3 5-speed with 50k miles? Engine? Tranny? Repair costs? Most likely to break after I buy it?

If I decide to buy the M3, should I insist that the seller change the water pump and T-stat housing, etc? How about the 540s. Any recommended replacements?

Thanks much in advance for any advice...

Francino

[darthmaul]

i'd go for the e39 540i/6spd.

i personally hate the looks of the e36 m3 sedan (the lines aren't sporty enough for my tastes) and i figure if you're looking for a sedan to haul around people then i'd go for the 540. there will be more room and enough power to haul some a$$.

you'll be surprised how much power you lose when you load up and m3!

=)

richard

[RobPatt]

....and it's still OBD 1..... nearly an M5. I do love the 4 door M3's though...., but the 540 takes it. Save more $$ for a lower mileage one w/6 speed sport pkg! I'm envious w/my 525i, though it performs still just as it was built to... happy motoring. p.s. - don't you love these sorts of problems? :-)

[RobPatt]

.

[Kennan]

An e36 M3 would be a fun car to mod and I might consider getting one in the future.

About the 540, I would look at a pre-01 model with low miles to save some money. Other than the facelift, they are essentially the same car. If you want the updated look, you can do it yourself for around $2000.

Here's a good thread about differences in the 540 http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=196614&highlight=buying

[Brandon J]

Hi all,

I am a former E34 owner, and looking at my next car. Narrowed down to two cars,

97-98 M3 4-door 5spd
9-01 540/6 sports package, etc

The M3 is more within my budget 20-25k. The ones I am looking at have 50k miles, 1 owner, and maintained since day 1. No major repairs, including original Water pump, T-stat housing and T-stat. M3 is smaller.

99-01 540/6
Mostly interested in the 01 shape with the angel eyes, since it's a much better looking car. 540s are bigger, safer and stronger cars, heavier also. I don't mind upping my price to get a very nice 01 540/6 sport between 25-30k, but in that price range, the 01s 6 speeds either have high mileage 70k+, or they are above my price range $34k+.

So I am kind of in a dilemma. I have also thought about a 01 530 5 speed sport. And haven't ruled that out either. But I want to get something powerful, so I don't start upgrading things later and spend more money.

From a technical standpoint, what's the reliability of the 540 vs. the M3? Say a 01 540 75k miles, vs. a 97 M3 5-speed with 50k miles? Engine? Tranny? Repair costs? Most likely to break after I buy it?

If I decide to buy the M3, should I insist that the seller change the water pump and T-stat housing, etc? How about the 540s. Any recommended replacements?

Thanks much in advance for any advice...

Francino
Hmm, you ask many questions that only you can answer.

First, both are BMWs, so they both have strong points and there are always things that wear or need to be addressed. The M3 has its water pump/thermostat housing, vanos, rear shock mounts, bushings, etc. issues. The 540i has its radiator neck, water pump, oil pump bolt, etc. issues. Some of these are preventative, others are not. Some issues should have been taken care of by warranty, others are not.

The real question is really what fits you. You obviously know about these cars so you are not blind to model year differences and the options list.

The M3 is still highly tunable. There are many more things avaialble for it.
The 540i is also very tunable, but not as many things out for it b/c it can cost more. So, if you want to look at it from tuning less, go for the 540i.

As darthmaul mentioned, if you put 3 other people in an M3, it will be much slower than a 540i w/ the exact same 3 people.

If I were in this situation, I would also look into CPOs and extended warranties. They are both very good cars. You just have to drive both many times and make a comparative list. Then look into upgrades and consider which ones you would do for each. Add that to the total cost. I understand that you don't want to do many upgrades, and maybe b/c you just want to worry less about the car, but you have to plan if that bug gets to you.

Good Luck with your decision. You cannot got wrong.

[TheGeak]

I'd have to say go with the 540. 4 door M3's just don't do it for me. I think the front of a 540 with the AE's is soooo much meaner looking. If you're going to be getting a sedan a 5 series is the way to go. M3/4's lack the space of the 5er and as mentioned, once you load them up, they lose their 'sport' fast.

Just my $.02

[oufyaba]

Hi all,

I am a former E34 owner, and looking at my next car. Narrowed down to two cars,

97-98 M3 4-door 5spd
9-01 540/6 sports package, etc

The M3 is more within my budget 20-25k. The ones I am looking at have 50k miles, 1 owner, and maintained since day 1. No major repairs, including original Water pump, T-stat housing and T-stat. M3 is smaller.

99-01 540/6
Mostly interested in the 01 shape with the angel eyes, since it's a much better looking car. 540s are bigger, safer and stronger cars, heavier also. I don't mind upping my price to get a very nice 01 540/6 sport between 25-30k, but in that price range, the 01s 6 speeds either have high mileage 70k+, or they are above my price range $34k+.

So I am kind of in a dilemma. I have also thought about a 01 530 5 speed sport. And haven't ruled that out either. But I want to get something powerful, so I don't start upgrading things later and spend more money.

From a technical standpoint, what's the reliability of the 540 vs. the M3? Say a 01 540 75k miles, vs. a 97 M3 5-speed with 50k miles? Engine? Tranny? Repair costs? Most likely to break after I buy it?

If I decide to buy the M3, should I insist that the seller change the water pump and T-stat housing, etc? How about the 540s. Any recommended replacements?

Thanks much in advance for any advice...

Francino