Josh--are you still liking your 540iT?

wdc330i · 12-01-2005, 04:36 PM

I'm considering swapping out my 330i for one. Will I hate myself forever? We're looking for something safer and bit bigger for the family and two-dog haul.

wdc330i · 12-01-2005, 04:45 PM

Others feel free to chime in!

ZBB · 12-01-2005, 05:13 PM

I went from a an '01 325Ci (coupe) to an '03 530i (sedan) about 9 months ago.

The 530 definately has noticably more power (220 vs 184 HP -- and definetly adequate for a 5er). It does feel heavier and larger, but overall the feeling is very similar. The trunk is enormous -- so the Touring must be cavernous.

I miss the tan interior of my e46 (my e39 has a gray interior). But I really like that the '03 e39s have the Sirius input (and I have XM Direct which works almost perfectly -- it has a few minor control bugs).

I'm probably going to keep this car at least another 1-2 years. It fills my needs for now. But every once in a while I feel like I want a newer design (the e39s came out over 9 years ago).

Josh (PA) · 12-01-2005, 08:29 PM

Yep, I like it a lot.

The only drawback is gas mileage (16.5mpg since I've owned it), but other than that it's very nice and amazingly convenient. Silly amounts of power, very comfortable, handles great for a 4000lb car. There are so many smart little features in it, things like the wagon tailgate opens only as far as you raise it up so it doesn't float up and hit the garage roof, the dog screen can be mounted below the back seats so when the seats are folded, the dogs have the whole trunk area without getting in the front seat, etc.

The only time the weight is really noticable is on hilly roads, with quick elevations changes, the car carrys a lot of momentum up over a hill, otherwise it handles very well and is almost tossable for such a big car. I still miss the M3, but they are so different, it isn't fair to compare. I do wish they made the wagon in a manual transmission though. I've had it about five months and so far no maintenance issues.

Let me know if you have specific questions, I'll try to answer what I can.

wdc330i · 12-01-2005, 08:58 PM

Thanks, Josh. We're torn between the new E90 325xiT and a 3-year old 540iT. The 5 would be cheaper, bigger, and more luxurious. The 3 is a hoot to drive, but snug for all we need it to do. We'll likely just end up doing nothing and I'll banish myself to Perseverators Anonymous.

wdc330i · 12-01-2005, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZBB

I went from a an '01 325Ci (coupe) to an '03 530i (sedan) about 9 months ago.

The 530 definately has noticably more power (220 vs 184 HP -- and definetly adequate for a 5er). It does feel heavier and larger, but overall the feeling is very similar. The trunk is enormous -- so the Touring must be cavernous.

I miss the tan interior of my e46 (my e39 has a gray interior). But I really like that the '03 e39s have the Sirius input (and I have XM Direct which works almost perfectly -- it has a few minor control bugs).

I'm probably going to keep this car at least another 1-2 years. It fills my needs for now. But every once in a while I feel like I want a newer design (the e39s came out over 9 years ago).

Thanks, ZBB. You make a good point about 9-year-old design (with evolutionary tweaks through the cycle.)

Josh (PA) · 12-02-2005, 06:40 AM

Just a note on the 9 year old design comment: you also have an automobile in the e39 that is arguably the pinacle of BMW styling, design and blend of ergonomics, performance and functionality.

My parents have an E60 530xiT loaner (long story on issues with their x3). I took it for a long drive last night to see what I thought. Some of the "improvements" are big steps forward (the new 3 litre, the bi xexon head lights, PDC - I can't believe how much I like this feature, the quality of the video screens-for what it's worth), some things are tech for tech's sake like electronic controls of ventilation balancing, adjusting the balance of the heated seat and some things are just plain annoying like the electronic turn signal and I-drive (I like the idea for a navigation/OBC controller, but not to change radio stations,FM/AM band climate air flow and the milion other things they burried in there). the performance is good, but the steering feels very artifically weighted at speeds (I'm not sure if it has active steering, or just variable assist power steering)

The 540 you can get in and drive for the very first time, feel at home and operate all controls without having to think. Newer BMWs take a long time to get used to and some areas you learn to deal with but never like.

Good luck either way you go.

*Plaz* · 12-02-2005, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh (PA)

Just a note on the 9 year old design comment: you also have an automobile in the e39 that is arguably the pinacle of BMW styling

Very arguably.

TD · 12-02-2005, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plaz

Very arguably.

John V · 12-02-2005, 08:18 AM

When the E39 540 came out I wasn't particularly interested in big sedans with big engines but I wanted a 540 badly. They definitely got the look of those cars right. And they sound great with straight pipes.

I have no love, nevermind lust, for the E60

.

12-01-2005, 04:36 PM	#1
wdc330i dogged Join Date: Dec 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: '22 M440 xDrive GC Posts: 13,335	Josh--are you still liking your 540iT? I'm considering swapping out my 330i for one. Will I hate myself forever? We're looking for something safer and bit bigger for the family and two-dog haul.

12-01-2005, 05:13 PM	#3
ZBB Relic Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: A very fast golf cart Location: The Valley of the Sun Posts: 12,821	I went from a an '01 325Ci (coupe) to an '03 530i (sedan) about 9 months ago. The 530 definately has noticably more power (220 vs 184 HP -- and definetly adequate for a 5er). It does feel heavier and larger, but overall the feeling is very similar. The trunk is enormous -- so the Touring must be cavernous. I miss the tan interior of my e46 (my e39 has a gray interior). But I really like that the '03 e39s have the Sirius input (and I have XM Direct which works almost perfectly -- it has a few minor control bugs). I'm probably going to keep this car at least another 1-2 years. It fills my needs for now. But every once in a while I feel like I want a newer design (the e39s came out over 9 years ago). __________________ ZBB

12-01-2005, 08:29 PM	#4
Josh (PA) Hello. Join Date: Mar 2004 Carmudgeonly Ride: '09 X3, '11 328xiT, '11 135i C, '17 c2, '19 X5 Location: Downingtown, PA Posts: 5,536	Yep, I like it a lot. The only drawback is gas mileage (16.5mpg since I've owned it), but other than that it's very nice and amazingly convenient. Silly amounts of power, very comfortable, handles great for a 4000lb car. There are so many smart little features in it, things like the wagon tailgate opens only as far as you raise it up so it doesn't float up and hit the garage roof, the dog screen can be mounted below the back seats so when the seats are folded, the dogs have the whole trunk area without getting in the front seat, etc. The only time the weight is really noticable is on hilly roads, with quick elevations changes, the car carrys a lot of momentum up over a hill, otherwise it handles very well and is almost tossable for such a big car. I still miss the M3, but they are so different, it isn't fair to compare. I do wish they made the wagon in a manual transmission though. I've had it about five months and so far no maintenance issues. Let me know if you have specific questions, I'll try to answer what I can. __________________ Josh (PA) - '19 X5 '17 991.2 C2 Cab '11 135i Convertible '11 328xiT '09 X3

12-02-2005, 06:40 AM	#7
Josh (PA) Hello. Join Date: Mar 2004 Carmudgeonly Ride: '09 X3, '11 328xiT, '11 135i C, '17 c2, '19 X5 Location: Downingtown, PA Posts: 5,536	Just a note on the 9 year old design comment: you also have an automobile in the e39 that is arguably the pinacle of BMW styling, design and blend of ergonomics, performance and functionality. My parents have an E60 530xiT loaner (long story on issues with their x3). I took it for a long drive last night to see what I thought. Some of the "improvements" are big steps forward (the new 3 litre, the bi xexon head lights, PDC - I can't believe how much I like this feature, the quality of the video screens-for what it's worth), some things are tech for tech's sake like electronic controls of ventilation balancing, adjusting the balance of the heated seat and some things are just plain annoying like the electronic turn signal and I-drive (I like the idea for a navigation/OBC controller, but not to change radio stations,FM/AM band climate air flow and the milion other things they burried in there). the performance is good, but the steering feels very artifically weighted at speeds (I'm not sure if it has active steering, or just variable assist power steering) The 540 you can get in and drive for the very first time, feel at home and operate all controls without having to think. Newer BMWs take a long time to get used to and some areas you learn to deal with but never like. Good luck either way you go. __________________ Josh (PA) - '19 X5 '17 991.2 C2 Cab '11 135i Convertible '11 328xiT '09 X3 Last edited by Josh (PA); 12-02-2005 at 08:22 AM.

12-01-2005, 04:45 PM	#2
wdc330i dogged Join Date: Dec 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: '22 M440 xDrive GC Posts: 13,335	Others feel free to chime in!

12-01-2005, 08:58 PM	#5
wdc330i dogged Join Date: Dec 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: '22 M440 xDrive GC Posts: 13,335	Thanks, Josh. We're torn between the new E90 325xiT and a 3-year old 540iT. The 5 would be cheaper, bigger, and more luxurious. The 3 is a hoot to drive, but snug for all we need it to do. We'll likely just end up doing nothing and I'll banish myself to Perseverators Anonymous.

12-02-2005, 08:18 AM	#10
John V No more BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8 Location: Glenwood, MD Posts: 14,753	When the E39 540 came out I wasn't particularly interested in big sedans with big engines but I wanted a 540 badly. They definitely got the look of those cars right. And they sound great with straight pipes. I have no love, nevermind lust, for the E60 .