thinking about an M5 - will my 3.6 swap be faster?

[mjshira]

I am thinking about a/c and comfort and also want something fast so I am thinking about an M5 or maybe a 540i with a sport package. Should I skip em because I'll soon have a 3.6?

oh and I might also post a pic no? :-D







I like silver!

[Jeff Alton]

I work with a few big time BMW crazy people/owners. When I was looking at the 5 series a while ago, their advice was to get one with a warranty and unload it before it expired or your wallet might expire. This from guys who think BMW's are the best cars in the world. I have heard the 540i in particular has a bit of a history draining bank accounts as the mile roll up. Wait a minute, my 911 does that too.

Jeff

[mjshira]

thanks Jeff. What if anything are they saying about the M5?

[rdane]

We have a 330ci. Nice car and easy to drive fast. Not a M5 of course.

Get both if you have the opportunity. They are totally different cars. Both are easy to enjoy.

Rev-limiter on the 330 so the 3.6 is a lot faster and since it weighs 1000#s less a bit quicker too but the BMW is no slow poke. I suspect it would give the 964s a good run.

[mjshira]

thanks rdane. I am curious about reliability, anyone heard anything?

[rdane]

Sorry I know zip about the 330 other than where to add gas and even less on the 5 Series cars.

[mjshira]

no worries., thanks.

[reed930]

I had a '00 540i sport. I sold it because after two years I had only put 1,500 miles on it. It was a great car, maybe even the perfect car for going from point A to point B. But it just wasn't any fun to drive around the streets of Philadelphia. The problem with the car was that it wasn't involving until you reached speeds that would get you either killed or arrested. Unless I needed to go somewhere in total comfort I usually reached for the keys of some other car. It may sound strange, but I actually enjoyed driving my junker Acura Integra for running errands more. That was a car that was efficient and fun at 50 MPH.

I guess this is just a long-winded way of saying that unless you need a car for covering ground fast and efficiently I would look for something a little less perfect. Also, I swore that I would never own that car out of warranty.

[Jeff Alton]

Welllll, strangley the one who poopooed the 540i the most now drives an M5!! Ha. I guess the 400hp makes the reliabilty gamble worth it! Personally, I think it is one of the nicest looking 4 doors ever made, 72 911 not withstanding! It is a cool ride and very fast, but it is no 911 in terms of being nimble. What about and M3?? 333hp ish and great handling....

Jeff

[Rockafella]

I have both a 3.2 Carrera and a 540i Sport 6-speed so I can speak from both sides of view. They are both great in their own way, but obviously totally different. The 911 is involving, the 540 is cush and effortlessly fast.

The BMW is very comfortable and smooth. A lot more isolated, but the level of comfort is inviting after a hard day at the office. She'll cruise whisper quiet at 100 all day long while keeping you warm or cold as desired. The M5 has a bit more of an edge from what I remember. Parts are big bucks. Drove them both before I bought.

They are relatively reliable. Like 911s, they have known problem areas and you want to stay on top of them. The two areas that I find BMWs weak in are engine cooling and electrics. This is our 4th and they have been consistent in this regard.

Like buying a 911, find one that has been well taken care of and she'll provide many enjoyable miles. Find one that has been used, abused, then returned (to the leasing company), you are playing roulette.

Mine has all the bells and whistles (heated seats/steering wheel, power everything, power sunshade, navi, etc......) and makes me feel like a million bucks.

check out this link for more: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=207690

I have a friend with a 993 and he thinks the 540 is fast......For what it's worth

[dd74]

Apples and oranges...apples and oranges...

[Halm]

M5??? Check this out:

http://www.putfile.com/media.php?n=bmw_m5

[911teo]

James
you 3.6 should be quicker and depending on the gears it should be faster.
This are some "simulated" times for a 911 weighting 2,400lbs with a 3.6 putting out 265 rwhp and stock G50 ratios

0-63 4.76s
0-100 9.78s
0-123 16.00s

1/4 mile 12.66s
Standing km 23.14s

top speed 169 mph

[NoLift911]

M5 or a 3.6 eh? Well that is a new one on me - never heard of that comparo.

There is a reason the M5 is a very sought after performance car - it does everything well. While it is no 911 in the handling department it can hold it's own on the street against most cars in the handling department. In a straight line - well everyone knows about that. 400hp/400ft tq. Not much to argue about there. Truly amazing large car with vette quickness 4 doors and a trunk that hold more than my Jeep Grand Cherokee.

My M5 would destroy my Carrera in just about every performance figure except for intense track work. Add in you get icey A/C - Nav, user friendly cockpit and every available option you can imagine like park distance, power sunshades, excellent sound system, folding mirrors and a host of other interior goodies - it is almost a no brainer. Everyone on the street recognizes the M5 as a performance beast and very rarely are people up for street racing where as in my 911 everyone wants a piece. It is a stealthy rocket sled that does everything well.

I will always have a 911. My Carrera is currently being put on a serious diet. All creature comforts removed along with a ton of other stuff. If I want to go fast and listen to tunes in the A/C I take the M5 - If I want to drive on the edge in a loud, raw in your face go kart - I take the 911.

If you are going to have one car the M5 would be it for me. I picked mine up from a guy that was a fanatic, plastic bubble and all. It had 9k on it and it was a 2001. Factory fresh. I have about 14k on it now. Don't be scared by claims of pricey repairs - do your homework get a good warranty and you should be fine.

-Jeff

[evren]

the old M5 station wagon has to be the ultimate 'wolf in sheep's clothes'.. I think GeorgeK has one?

[silverc4s]

I have both, they are very different, with different levels of both driver involvement AND utility.
So you pays your monet and you takes your choice. When it's 100 deg in the shade here, like July to September, i am in the 540 a LOT!!

The 5 series BMW is the worlds best sedan, always has been. It's just uglier now..

[dd74]

Originally posted by silverc4s
So you pays your monet and you takes your choice.

Yeah? Well, I'll keep the Monet, thank you very much.

[silverc4s]

Originally posted by dd74
Yeah? Well, I'll keep the Monet, thank you very much.

Are you the Count de Monet???

(cribbed from mel brooks)

[dd74]

Originally posted by silverc4s
Are you the Count de Monet???

(cribbed from mel brooks)

LOL! Nah, just someone who knows not to trade a $4 million painting for a hunk of German steel...

[no substitute]

Originally posted by silverc4s
Are you the Count de Monet???

(cribbed from mel brooks)

Count da money, count da money, let's go peasant shooting.