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      08-17-2014, 10:56 PM   #1
Kool_Dad
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E39 530i or 540i

Hey guys,

I've found three cars for sale and wanted your opinion on the pro's and cons of them? All 3 are certified BMW's and all service records. Here is the breakdown:

540i auto trans with 100K miles
540i 6 speed manual with 102K miles

530i auto trans with 98K miles

I plan to use the car as a daily driver. My commute to work is 40-50 miles round trip. Is the 530 severely under powered to the 540? Or will the 540 be a headache in the long run for maintenance? This will be my first BMW.

Thanks
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      08-25-2014, 11:09 AM   #2
Bali
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Originally Posted by Kool_Dad View Post
Hey guys,

I've found three cars for sale and wanted your opinion on the pro's and cons of them? All 3 are certified BMW's and all service records. Here is the breakdown:

540i auto trans with 100K miles
540i 6 speed manual with 102K miles

530i auto trans with 98K miles

I plan to use the car as a daily driver. My commute to work is 40-50 miles round trip. Is the 530 severely under powered to the 540? Or will the 540 be a headache in the long run for maintenance? This will be my first BMW.

Thanks
Get the 530i. Plenty of power, less maintenance and headache, better gas mileage, more room under the hood to work on it.
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      08-26-2014, 02:54 PM   #3
Kool_Dad
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BaliDawg,

Thanks Man. I did pull the trigger. I bought a 2003 530I. Black on Black, automatic in very good condition. I am all SMILES right now, super smooth.
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      08-30-2014, 02:21 AM   #4
Bali
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BaliDawg,

Thanks Man. I did pull the trigger. I bought a 2003 530I. Black on Black, automatic in very good condition. I am all SMILES right now, super smooth.
Congrats and good choice, and you got the best (last) year of the E39.

Does it have sport package?
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      09-01-2014, 10:38 AM   #5
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Excellent choice- I did the same five years ago, and still love the car. Best of luck!
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      09-04-2014, 03:51 PM   #6
Kool_Dad
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No sport package. I tried, but couldn't pass up on this one. One owner, 49K miles, black on black, 3 keys and very clean. Before purchase I took it to a local BMW dealer to have it presale checked.

My only 2 questions now:

Should I use M5 front and rear sway bars or Eibach?

Should I go 18 vs 19 staggered wheels?

DID I MENTION THAT I AM LOVING THIS CAR
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      10-27-2014, 08:04 PM   #7
GJR
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I vote for M5 sway bars and 18 inch wheels, but I'm conservative with these things and tend to stick as close as possible to stock with my upgrades (philosophy also known as "OEM plus.")
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Last edited by GJR; 10-31-2014 at 08:32 AM..
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