AyJay4

All,

I am considering purchasing a 2000-2001 E55, and I'd like to ask the experts a few questions. For you folks that have owned this model and have driven a 540i/6 (or M5), what have been your greatest joys? If you could turn back the hands of time, would you make the purchase again?

Some reliability questions: If I were to purchase a car with ~70K miles on it, and plan on driving about 17K miles per yr., what should I have an MB mechanic look out for before I make the purchase? Should I investigate an extended warranty (if so, which one?)

According to the websites, it looks like I can expect to pay ~25-27K for a 2000 model with 70k. This looks like an outstanding deal for an excellent car, but as a former BMW E39 owner, I'd just like to ask the MB experts before I switch teams!

Thanks so much for your insight and feedback!

AJ

FASN8N

I have a 00 Dinan S2 540/6 and love it. I have never driven a pre 03 E55 so I could not give you any postive/negative feedback on how they drive (even though I do like the way they look) The only drawbacks on the E39 BMW's are the water pump (check roadfly.org E39 board for more info) and radiator necks busting @ 60k miles. I would drive both and see what you like better...

Or you could just save your money for the 03+ E55

jwalther

See my nearly identical post above. I love my 540, but might want something different. You can make my decision for me. . .you buy my 540, and I'll get the Benz!

Jeff

kaneman

I can help. I had a '99 540i/6 and the wife had an '02 E55. IMO it all depends on what you want. The 540 is much more of a drivers car and the 6 speed is a blast but the E55 has a LOT more power and more creature comforts. It all depends on what you want. If you have great roads around and bash apexes all day, go for the 540. If you do a lot of rush hour crawl, DEFINITELY get the E55. I don't care how great the 540 is... nursing a clutch for 2 hours in stop and go traffic sucks.

On reliability... we had no issues with the E55 but then again it never got beyond 22k miles. Neither the 540 nor the E55 have any glaring maintenance issues. I would avoid the M5 however (owned two of them). It, to me, is vastly superior to the E55 however as a daily driver will cost you $$$ in clutches. Replace the clutch with a sturdier racing model and it may hold up but you'll end up with a much larger leg on the left due to the workout!

AyJay4

Sir,

First off, my I compliment you on the quiver of automobiles that you have there? Very impressive!
Secondly, thanks for the sage advice. I will be commuting on the very busy NJ Turnpike to Philly or NYC a few times a week, so the potential Bimmer clutch "situation" could be an issue. Point Merc!
I will test drive an '00 W210 before too long, so that will be the real test...

Thanks again!

AyJay

AyJay4

Do tell: what are the details of your automobile?

FASN8N

I am not favoring either car b/c I have never driven the W210 E55 and have no basis for comparison, but I drive my 540 6 speed 22 miles each way (1 hour) to work and back and the 6 speed does not bother me at all.

E55Cent

I own a 540iA and an E55. The Bimmer is a much better hanlding car with a lot of road feed back. The MB has tons of power but is kind of numb feeling. My buddy in Arizona keeps up with me in his 540i6 and sometimes beats be. I have Powerchip pullies, intake and exhaust. I put more wheel Hp and TQ than he has at the crank but for some reason his car is fast. If my buddy gets 3.46 gears, chip, pulleys and a lighten flywheel, he will smoke me.
In about a year I will be getting rid of my E55 and be getting a M5 (my true love). Even with my Koni/H&R set up my car can't handle as well as a stock BMW 323i. "Sad".
I love my E55 for many reasons but if I had to do it all over again I would have purchased an M5.
My cents
Mario

E55_POWER

Something HAS to be wrong with your car...my employee's W210 runs a consistent 13.3-13.4. I've never seen a 540i/6 break into the 13's unless modded.

Having said that...I've driven the W210 E55 quite extensively (never owned one but brother and employee own them and I've borrowed their cars for extensive trips) and owned a Dinan5 540iA. When it was stock, to me, it was the greatest 4 door SDN. Of course the W210 is faster and you notice the torque right away, but the 540 gave me much more feedback in both handling and braking. Off the line the two cars will be pretty close, with the W210 walking away from end of 2nd gear on. The W210's body is not as rigid as the E39 but is much more roomier. E39 is actually classified as a "sub-compact" to my surprise. If you get the 540i/6 you will want to remove the CDV (Clutch delay Valve).

E55 KEV

The 2000 E55 has the "face-lifted" mid-model upgrades, however, the mid-model upgrades with "Angel Eye" or "Halo" headlamps start on the 2001 model year for the 5-Series. Also, the E39 is actually classified as a compact for interior room and the W210 is a mid-size. Many complain of the E39's cramp interior. Good Luck.

BlownV8

Yep, that's what I was thinking. It would have to be heavily modded to beat a stock 210 E55.

E55Cent

My buddies 540i6 has exhaust and intake but it is just one of those cars that was built on a special day. From dead stop to a 1/4 mile I can beat him but sometimes on 50mph rolls we are dead even. I have had my car dyno'd and my HP and TQ are way above a stock 55. My car runs about a 13.1 with my mods and his about a 13.8 The only thing that really slows my car down are my heavy wheels. His car has 18lb wheels so that makes a difference. The wheel math that many people have explained to me is; every 1lb of rotating mass is equal to 12lbs on the car. So if my wheels are 8lbs heavier than my buddies that is 8lbs x 12lbs x 4wheels =384lbs of dead weight. I love the my E55 I just wish it handled better and came in a 6 speed, the 55 trans soaks up a lot of power.
They are both great cars for different reasons. The E55 has more interior room but the 540i has a huge trunk.
Mario

SamE55

From my own experience (i've owned both) the w210 E is one second faster to 60 than the 540iA stock. Never driven the 540i 6speed but I think it will still much slower than the W210 E55.

juicee63

I own the 2002 540 wagon , incredible speed and fun to drive, 0-60 5.2-5.5ish. I think the two cars are both good choices. In general I think most would agree the BMW is sportier, nimble and the AMG is more torque, power ,comfort...better on the straights..

jwalther

I'll send you a pm.

Jeff

ProjectC55

Mario how!!! Your car is supposed to run low 13's high 12's I've never seen a modded 540i break 14.0 in the 1/4

AC556F

Just get the E55.

E55 RUSS

As an M5 owner btw those 2, get 210 E55!!!

Much better package then 540...You get everything, nice wheels, ehhaust mor epoerful engine and 2 tone interior, fat steering wheel, body kit and so on...

If you think M5 then its another story...

E55Cent

Hey Carl, my car does run low 13's but my friends 540i runs high 13's. For some odd reason his car is just fast. He has blown away many 540's and kept up for decent amount of time with M5's. I'm not sure why his car is so fast for a 540i. I never said my car was slow, all I said was his car is unusually quick. If his car was an automatic it would be in the high 14's.