xBMWx

I am still searching for a V8 E60 to replace my current 530d E61. The advice given in this post, was that I should focus on younger cars, even if they have slightly higher mileage than a 2 year older car with a little less mileage on the clock.

The 545i's are cheaper, but older and none seem to be fitted with the M-Sport pack -- so I would need to retrofit this. The 550i's with M-Sport pack are more than I am prepared to invest in my hobby. Which is where the E60 540i comes in to play with its 306hp 4.0 V8 ...

I think BMW would call it a "niche model", where most people call it the "poor mans V8" or "waste of time" I test drove the 545i and loved the way the V8 drove; smooth cruising in the city, lots of power all the way through the rev range, and awesome acceleration (with my sprint booster of course!).

Whilst searching the internet and BMW Used Car sites in Germany, I stumbled across a very well specced 2006 540i M-Sport, which effectively meets all my criteria: V8 / not old / awesome spec, incl M-Sport pack / decent mileage / BMW Used Car guarantee / within my budget


I simply can't find much feedback on this engine though. I know its not going to be as quick as the 545i, but it should still have the same driving characteristics. I know on paper the 258hp 3.0 I6 is very close in performance, but I've heard that the difference between the I6 and V8 power delivery are still very noticable. Is it like comparing a 4-cyl with 6-cyl with similar power and performance -- the car with more cylinders will feel more effortless due to extra torque etc.

Any thoughts or experience with this?

Munich77

I am curious about how that one performs too. Based on performance statistics, the V8 has an output close to the N54. So I am guessing it should be plenty fast.

narvselius

... that's pretty much sums it up. A friend of mine has a 540i; he planned to buy a 530i, but got more cash in than planned so he "invested" it in the 540i. Must be the only example in Sweden... Seriously, there are very few of them and for a reason; as new it's much more expensive that the 530i, only a little quicker but more expensive in maintenance. And it will always be living in the shadow of its bigger brothers, the 545i and the 550i.

But he's happy with the better torque and the discreet V8 sound.

xBMWx

Thanks for the feedback.
That's similar to what I have read in German BMW forums. It really doesn't make a lot of sense on paper and is very much an "emotional" choice that fits only very few people. As you can no doubt tell, I am also not convinced by that model and in my case its almost a good fit on paper!

Its funny you mention the "discreet V8 sound", because that was my main dissappointment with the 545i -- I could only hear the V8 when I really put the pedal down (4000+). Just cruising around town I couldn't hear anything As it happens, the 540i I am considering has an Eisenmann exhaust.

I think what's stopping me more than anything, is the fact that this car (540i) is going to be totally undesireable in a couple of years time when the 550i prices come down some more, which means even more of a financial hit when selling it on / trading it in. I think I'll just offer the dealer much less than he wants and see if he bites......