03 E500 or 03 540i/6?
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03 E500 or 03 540i/6?
as the title states guys let me know which one you guys would prefer...i expect this to be biased but i made the same one on bf.com.
which one do you guys prefer and why!
let her rip! thanks in advance boys!
which one do you guys prefer and why!
let her rip! thanks in advance boys!
Almost a Member!
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 51
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From: NYC
06 E60 M5 silverstone/Silverstone
E39 vs E500
I had/have both so I can answer this question honestly.. I had a 2000 BMW 540 with complete M-package and Eisenmann exhaust, now a 2005 E500 4matic with brabus body/exhaust...Pros/Cons
Pros:
W211: updated styling (e39 is now 3 yrs old, w211 just had minor facelift), better comfort, 4matic (if you are interested)
E39: Better handling and more responsive throttle, parts are cheaper in both parts and mods, manual transmission (if interested)
A lot of the e39s' have problems with the cooling system.. just be careful..
Pros:
W211: updated styling (e39 is now 3 yrs old, w211 just had minor facelift), better comfort, 4matic (if you are interested)
E39: Better handling and more responsive throttle, parts are cheaper in both parts and mods, manual transmission (if interested)
A lot of the e39s' have problems with the cooling system.. just be careful..
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,586
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
If I was given the choice between an '03 540 and an '03 E500, in similar condition and with similar mileage, I would take the 540. It was the last year of the E39 series and so had the benefit of the six preceding years of fixes and upgrades. The '03, in contrast, was the first year of the W211 series. Our E500 has been very reliable, actually, but not everyone has been so lucky.
We had a '97 528i E39, not an '03. I would prefer the E39 because of its superior combination of handling and ride comfort. Our E39 didn't have air suspension like the E500 but it still handled better and rode more comfortably than our E500. Also, if you happen to be a manual transmission fan, you have a slight - very slight - chance of finding an E39 with a manual. You have a zero chance of finding a W211 with a manual. Our E39 had a manual and we loved it; it perfectly complemented the car's nimble feel. Those are our priorities; yours may vary. The E39, being a mid-90s design, will certainly look "older" to most people than a W211. Very few people can tell an '03 W211 apart from an '07 W211.
So why are we driving an E500 instead of a new 5-Series? Because someone running a red light took out our beloved E39 in 9/03, and we couldn't stand the looks of the new 5-Series. Still can't.
We had a '97 528i E39, not an '03. I would prefer the E39 because of its superior combination of handling and ride comfort. Our E39 didn't have air suspension like the E500 but it still handled better and rode more comfortably than our E500. Also, if you happen to be a manual transmission fan, you have a slight - very slight - chance of finding an E39 with a manual. You have a zero chance of finding a W211 with a manual. Our E39 had a manual and we loved it; it perfectly complemented the car's nimble feel. Those are our priorities; yours may vary. The E39, being a mid-90s design, will certainly look "older" to most people than a W211. Very few people can tell an '03 W211 apart from an '07 W211.
So why are we driving an E500 instead of a new 5-Series? Because someone running a red light took out our beloved E39 in 9/03, and we couldn't stand the looks of the new 5-Series. Still can't.
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If you enjoy driving, IMO the 540i/6 is one of the best sedans on the road, period. Timeless design inside and out, comfortable, yet as fast as an E36 M3 in a straight line, good handling for a large-ish sedan, and it has proven to be relatively reliable.
DWP has good points regarding questionable reliability of the first-year W211, and like him I have a W211 because the new 5-series is too ugly to even test drive (and because I wanted a diesel).
DWP has good points regarding questionable reliability of the first-year W211, and like him I have a W211 because the new 5-series is too ugly to even test drive (and because I wanted a diesel).
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'19 G63 Ed 1,'18 M5, '16 G63,'12 458 , '11 E63, Brabus SL55-K8, '10 S63, '94 E500 "Wolf", '91 560SEC
The '03 540's are going for really good prices, even the 6 speed maybe a bit cheaper, more opt for the auto tranny. My close friend has an '03 with automatic, and it is one incredibly smooth car. The E39 was from the good BMW days, it is safe and should be trouble-free for the most part. On cooling the system the neck on the radiator and the expansion bottle tend break, not expensive and easy to replace. Hard to beat the M-package and angel eyes also. Even an E500 with sport package won't look as mean.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,783
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From: San Diego
2004 E320
I would take the 540i. The E39 is probably the best lineup BMW has produced. I love my E320, but the only reason why I ended up buying a W211 is because BMW wasn't taking anymore orders on the E39. (Around Oct. 2003). In any case...both models are awesome cars. Good luck with your decision.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6
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From: San Diego, CA
E550
I just got a E550 and honestly if the BMW 550i had the same body as it did in 2003 with all the new technology it has today I would have gone with that in two seconds. That BMW design is classic. The current 5 series makes me vomit and a little angry that they f'ed it up. I still see the 2003 540i and wished my car looked like that, but then again I'm just talking about looks. I don't like stick and the sporty aspect is a little lost on me. I could maybe see myself one day getting that car and totally tune it inside and out so that it could kill anything on the road. That would be fun.
