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Don't overlook the 525i (long) (archive)
[ Follow Ups ] [ 5-series (E34) Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]
Posted by Dave on March 05, 2001 at 11:10:36:

In Reply to: 530iA vs 540iA posted by Stephen Pitts on March 04, 2001 at 14:04:47:

I've owned the '93 525i, and test driven many 530i's, and I recently bought a '95 540i. (IMO) I think that each of these cars has special strengths.

The 525i is the cheapest to own and operate. I would argue that it's the best handling of the three. With a few minor modifications, (Bilsteins, perhaps rims, and certainly tires), you'll have a great handling car. It's straight line speed isn't quite up to it's V8 brothers, but it's close. With a chip, I think it's very, very close. What's a second or less in most driving situations?

The 530i has a bit more power, and there are quite a number of manual transmission models around on the used market. The five speed is nice, if you don't live in a heavily populated area like I do, and makes for a great handling car with more than adequate balls. They seem to be less expensive to buy than a 540i, and offer a nice compromise. The question is, if you're willing to compromise, why the 530i?

The 540i is fast, there's no way around it. It's great fun, but it is a heavy beast. I haven't made any modifications yet, but I don't expect that the 540i will ever handle very well, without giving up much of it's ride comfort. I expect the car to eat brakes, and front end parts, and I'm also expecting to have to work on the drive train to get it back into close to perfect shape. I've been averaging only about 19mpg in a mix of highway and local driving. (A tank of low sulfur Amoco/BP gas in NJ costs about $30).

The biggest downside of the '94 & '95 V8's has got to be the Nikasil block. If the short block hasn't been changed, you'll have that hanging over your head until you do change it. Even with the BMW-NA short block subsidy, you're looking at $4,500 to make the problem "go away". I've decided to roll the dice, and I've convinced myself that I'm prepared to pay a high price to own what I think is a very special, and classic sedan. I'm not sure that anyone else "in their right mind" would or should make the same choice.

Good luck, and don't overlook the 525i. They're fantastic cars and I think they offer a great value.




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