How many 540i A's out there?

silverc4s · silverc4s's Garage

I have one of the early 540i's with the adaptive automatic tranny. It was one of the only 5 speed automatics around in 1994 when I purchased this car, and as it was my "work" car, and I had a Porsche 911 to play with, I went for the automatic.

8 years later, I still have this car, and I still love this car!! No real problems over the years, one water pump, some leaky hoses, brakes of course, 2 batteries!, and a currently dead lift motor for the driver's headrest (who needs it?)...

I have the alusil block, have had no troubles as yet (58K miles), and learned a week or so ago that the complete replacement long block kit ffom BMW for this car is only about $1950 US, so I have stopped worrying about that as well.

My car is black, with the grey leather, I have added 17" 5 spoke wheels by Chromodora, and am running Bridgestone PP S-02's all around, 235/45 ZR-17s, very happy with them, esp in the wet...

So drop a note in here and tell us a bit about your 540i (even if it has a stick shift, that's okay

)

bornrich · 10-09-2002, 08:41 AM

I just purchased a 99 540iA in July. S far so good. It is a replace ment for a MBZ 400E that was totaled in an accident. We chose the BMW for the more sporting nature of the car. However I looking to upgrade the tires and wheels to 17" from the stock 16".
have you any problems with your 17" wheels?

silverc4s · silverc4s's Garage

Matt,
I am sure you will like the BMer, at least as well as your 400E. That was one of the cars I considered in 1994 when I bought the 540i. I had owned a 300E previously, and decided to try a BMW, as I had never owned one, and loved the sporting feel of the car, as opposed to the more sedate luxury of the MB.. still very happy with my choice, as I said earlier.

No real problems concerning the 17" wheels & tires, the upgrade to the handling was very noticeable, with no real comfort sacrifice that I can discern.. I bought tires & wheels over the internet already mounted & balanced, delivered to my door with a bolt & lock kit, etc.. everything included, from Discount Tire. Put them on myself, and sold my 15" 4 to a local 528 owner as an "upgrade".
Make sure if you change wheels that the lug bolts are provided if different from std, as they generraly are I think...

bornrich · 10-09-2002, 10:32 AM

So there was no large increace in harshness of the ride? The reason I ask is that my wife will be driving the car mostly and I don't want to piss her off too much by messing with the ride quality just to make the car look better and handle better.

Since I haven't removed the tires on the car yet, I don't know if I have lug bolts or not. Did you have to change yours? Was it a pain? Do you have any pictures with your new rims?

Thanks

silverc4s · silverc4s's Garage

Matt,
I imagine that you have 16's now right? If they are a 55 cross section and you go to 17 inch wheels and a tire with a 45 cross section to maintain the proper rolling diameter (which you REALLY don't want to mess with) I doubt that your ride will suffer much added harshness. I went TWO steps at once, and run 35 to 38 psi most of the time, and I think it rides fine. Of course mine had the 15" 225/60 balloons on it so it is not the same comparison.

I think the modern BMW suspension is sophisticated enough to maintain a good highway / city ride with a good street 17" tire wheel combo..

Yes, I am sure you have bolts, rather than nuts holding the wheels on. The wheels are all hub centric, and you should get new ones that are as well. The proper bolts should come with the wheels if you are dealing with a professional house.

Good luck...

silverc4s · silverc4s's Garage

My wheels - excuse the messy garage..

JackT · 10-09-2002, 12:33 PM

I have a 1998 540-6 with a Dinan package.
THe car has the cold air intake, air flow meter, stage 4 software, free low exhausts, higher gear differential, UUC short shifter with the ROB knob and UUC aluminum pedals.

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

Messy garage? Yikes, I don't know if you can call a garage messy if it's cluttered with cool cars...

-Wayne

burruss · 10-09-2002, 07:43 PM

I just bought a 97 540i sport package car with the 6 speed manual. I had a 635CSi years ago, and knew I wanted another BMW. This car is silent, smooth, and deceptively fast to both the driver and other drivers. IMO, The ride with the 17 inch 45 series tires doesn't come anywhere close to harsh, so I can't imagine that upgrading wheels & tires on any 5 series could make the ride too bad. I'm glad to hear that others find them resonably reliable, I plan to keep this one for several years (if the repair bills permit it anyway).

--Bob
1997 540i 6sp
1983 911SC
1969 Plymouth GTX conv.
1966 Sunbeam Tiger

bornrich · 10-10-2002, 08:05 AM

Has anyone tried the Dinan SW upgrades forthe engine and tranny? IS it worth it for the sw alone? I mean without upgrading the exhaust or intake?

You can never have enough power!

JackT · 10-10-2002, 08:08 AM

I did my upgrades in stages so I could feel it there is a difference. THe software upgrade by itself did not feel any different except the it raised the RPM rev limit. When I put the cold air intake on and they upgraded the software, I felt a good difference. Much better throttle response.

fosolitude · 10-10-2002, 01:30 PM

I bought a used '97 540iA because the 6 speed shift action was so awkward because the center console was right where my elbow wanted to be. When Maryland told me my 16" wheels weren't up to standards I looked for 17" wheels. Someone gave me a deal on 18" M5 wheels w Michelin Pilots and I want to say that this is the correct solution. I was wary of the 18s being too harsh for everyday drive to work type use - they're not. The improvement in handling and feedback is remarkable. Gone is that limousine feel - the suspension finds a set right away instead of wallowing around. Really increases confidence for the driver, even if you overdo it you know you can catch it quickly.

SuperWheel · 10-11-2002, 01:42 PM

How heavy are these cars too? My aunt has one - I've only driven it once, but it feels very much like an E class Mercedes to me - especially with the auto transmission.

bornrich · 10-11-2002, 01:46 PM

I test drove both the e-class(430) and the bimmer. The BMW was MUCH more sporting. Felt more powerfull and handled much better. And this is without the sport suspension.

silverc4s · silverc4s's Garage

I believe that the E-class Mercedes is 200 or so pounds heavier than the comparable BMW 5 series, if you get the engine, trans, etc, comparable...3500 to 3700 lbs or thereabouts..

If you looka back to 1995 or so the BMW M5's were kicking butt in the European supercar races against some pretty tough company. There weren't even any Benz vehicles in the competition...

stealthn · 10-12-2002, 07:39 AM

Bornrich,

I have a 528 with the M sport package on 17" (235-45-R17's) and even with the "hardend" suspension the ride is great. Bu then again you don't know a hard ride until you hop into an old 911

The 17's are a great looking upgrade, and I don't think they compromise ride at all.

My two cents...

RDW DEV · 10-12-2002, 10:38 AM

Now, what does the 'A' stand for? Is that some USA or Euro-spec version?

silverc4s · silverc4s's Garage

Automatic, as in transmixer...

M3Wizard · 10-14-2002, 12:07 AM

Okay, so the original question is how many autos out there versus manuals?

fosolitude · 10-14-2002, 08:48 AM

Every BMW I've owned (2002, Bavaria, 535i, 540iA)felt docile at low speeds. You don't know what's there until you push them.