Re: 530iA vs 540iA (archive)

I have a 94 540i. It's an automatic, as were all the 94s. The 1995 540i was available with a six speed manual. Both the 1994 and 1995 530i could be had with a 5 speed manual. In 1995 there was a very limited edition 540i M Sport which was basically an M5 chassis with the 4.0l V8 and a six speed. See http://www.kindel.com/bmw/m540_info.htm for more details. There was also a 'sport package' 1995 540i that had an M technic suspsension (NOT the same as the M5 or the 540i M Sport though).

Is the 530i close enough to the 540i in performance? Perhaps if the 530i is a 5 speed and the 540i is an automatic. Then the 530i could probably pull away from the 540i at low speeds. At highway speeds, forget it. The 540i auto downshifts, 2 gears if necessary, and it's GONE. Like a bat outta hell. It won't win any drag light races though because the torque converter takes a while to spin up and get going.

I have a 1994 540i. It is lowered with Eibach springs, which improves the handling and flattens out the body lean a good bit at the price of some ride comfort. I would say that, yes you will need to upgrade the suspension to make it handle 'correctly' for the amount of power it makes. I don't know if it's true, but some people claim that BMW softened the E34s late in their life cycle. Having driven some early 90s E34s (both 525i and 535i) as well as 530i/540i (both stock and modified), I think there may be some truth to the rumor. The 525i and 535i feel a bit more nimble, probably because they're lighter but also because they have rack and pinion steering while the V8s have recirculating ball. But the V8s are not far behind in the feel department and have a lot more grunt than the 525i. The 535i is very close in specs to the 530i. Plus the big 6 is a rock solid motor. Unfortunately they're getting hard to find.

As you may have noticed, the price on the V8s is very good. Just make sure you know all about the Nikasil issue before buying a V8. Check out www.540i.org and www.koalamotorsport.com for more details.

Tim T

Hi all!

I'm considering buying an E34.

I'm already leaning toward a 540... but is the 530 close enough in performance to the 540 that finding that low mileage *perfect* 530 should sway me to that car?

I'm anticipating that the 540 has far more performance from it's larger engine, which should equate to a lot more
(torque) fun!

Also, are aftermarket suspension mods necessary to get rid of unwanted body lean or did BMW produce a "sports suspension" as standard on the 540 vs. the lesser 5ers?

feedback?

steve

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