540/M5 purchase guidance requested

Hi everyone,
I apologize in advance if my question has recently been asked. I checked back over the past 12 mos of forum and didn't see anything on my exact question.
Anyway, I'm shopping for an '01 to '03 540 or M5 (old body style). Are there certain cars to target or avoid in this range? I'd like to keep the mileage under 40k.
thanks,phil

Well the E39 (BMW's name of that generation 5 series) is a rediculusly cool car and by far the handsomest 5 series ever IMO. I work at a BMW dealership and I am actually looking for an E39 (528 looks the most likely for me) to buy. ANd I was looking at a 540i and asked a tech there about how the 540i fares. He said to stay away from the 540i unless you have money for repairs. The biggest reason is that the 540i has issues with its coolant system and other things (but he naever said what). So you can always get it but remember that you might have mechanical issues with it. The 540 has a the N62 (4.4L V8) and the M5 has the S62 (4.9L V8). The S62 is just a high output N62 so any problem the N62 has the S62 will have. If you want a solid E39 5 series, get a 530i and put some performance mods on it. Its a rock solid engine an will last into 200K+ miles if well taken care of. The 530i has the M54 engine and its a 3.0L Inline 6 with 255 hp (as far as I know).

Its really a matter of what your willing to pay. 540i/M5 will have the coolant issues and other things but the perfromance speaks for itself and may be enough to justify the added costs. But theres pretty much no way to go wrong with a 530i. They have a high residual value because people think they look better than the new (E60) 2004-present 5 series. Its got quality thats much better than youd expect froma German car (most BMWs do anyways) and its a 6 so the MPG is in the low to mid 20's in city driving (est., Im going by memory here for everything Im saying so you might want to double check my "facts").

But I hope you get any E39 5 series because they are spectacular cars. I love driving them every chance I get and want to buy one myself ASAP. The one Im looking at is a 97' 528i, but my dream car is a 2001-2003 530i. So live my dream and the dream of my countrymen and get a 530i. Its the best one IMO. But go ahead and geta 540i or M5. I guarentee you wont be disapointed with any of them.

thanks for the guidance and I appreciate the honesty. It sounds like the Big engine 5 series falls into the same category as many other performance vehicles-fun driving cars that can be expected to have higher than average repair bills but not quite a quality nightmare. I think I'm ok with that as it just seems to come with the territory. I'm currently driving an '05 MB E55 and it falls into the same description. If I put many miles on the E55 it ends up being a rather expensive car to run. A few year old BMW , that is a little farther down on the depreciation curve, should be a little cheaper to run but still be a fun car. I just wanted to make sure that there wasn't one certain BMW that everyone with a half a brain knows to stay away from. You have nicely answered that question and i very much appreciate your help. thanks.

PS what do you have for a porsche? They are great cars as well. I run a "pre-owned porsche dealership" in CT.

Your welcome, I like helping people when it comes to BMW's and I hope you do get one. I dont own a Porsche though. When I became a member, I was all about Porsches. But if I could change my name, it would be a BMW related. I just like Porsches.

I could have sworn that the E39 530i had 225hp like the E46 330i, rather then 255hp like the E90 530i.

I could have sworn that the E39 530i had 225hp like the E46 330i, rather then 255hp like the E90 530i.

You are correct: 225 BHP from the stock M54 in the E39 530i.

As PG9999 stated, all the E39's are excellent cars; you simply can't go wrong as long as you look carefully before buying.

One other thing to mention regarding the V8 E39's- they have recirculating ball steering. Due to space limitations the big motors preclude the use of a steering rack. The 525, 528, and 530 all have rack and pinion steering. The 6 cylinder cars also have better weight distribution (um, better handling!).

I used to think the M5 would be my ultimate car, but now think the best of the E39's is the 530i with some performance mods. That's what I've got and it's the best car I've ever owned. I get 30+ MPG on the highway and I'm pumping 245 reliable HP. If at some point I want more the supercharger is just a few clicks away.