[Alberta Alex]

I’m a first time poster. I’ve had many BMWs over the years, starting with a ’72 2002 tii and ending with an ’88 M5, which I sold 2 years ago when I bought my Boxster. I'm going to replace my present 2nd car ('94 Audi 90Q). I'll be using the car mostly in the winter, but it will come in handy when I need to carry more than 2 people.

I’d like to hear opinions on both the ‘97/’98 M3 or ‘97/’98 540 6-speed. Because it will be primarily a winter car, and we do get 5+ months of winter here in Alberta, I’m especially interested to hear how the traction control works on each car in icy and snowy conditions.

I’ll be posting this on both the 3-series and 5-series boards in order to get as balanced a view as possible.

Thanks in advance.

 

[bmw325]

Hey Alex-

Given that you'd primarly be using this car in the winter, why wouldn't you go w/ another Audi quattro? Did you have a really bad experience w/ the 90 or do you just really crave the BMW feel again? The one issue w/ a 97 540 might be the engine block. As you may know, many of the BMW V8s produced through 1997 were suseptible to excessive bore wear due to the high sulfur fuel in North American reacting w/ the Nikasil cylinder wall coating. Many people had their engine blocks replaced as a result-- you should check this out if you go w/ an early 540-- have a dealership perform a "leakdown test". Both of the cars you're interested are certainly more of the higher performance models- and could be more likely to have been driven hard, and are more expensive to fix. Of course, I don't know what your financial situation is-- but again given that this is a winter only car-- might it be better to get a lesser model? An e36 328 or 25 perhaps?

 

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

The 540i would make a lot more sense, overall, especially when any potential loss of fun is more than balanced out by the availability of your Boxster.

 

[DrBimmer]

The one issue w/ a 97 540 might be the engine block. As you may know, many of the BMW V8s produced through 1997 were suseptible to excessive bore wear due to the high sulfur fuel in North American reacting w/ the Nikasil cylinder wall coating. Many people had their engine blocks replaced as a result-- you should check this out if you go w/ an early 540-- have a dealership perform a "leakdown test".

The 1993-1995 models were effected by this problem. This includes the 3.0 and 4.0l V8's used in the E34, E32 and E38 530i, 540i, and 740i/iL. The problem was solved by the time the 4.4l was introduced in the 1996 model year. By the 1997 model year when the E38 was released, there were no more problems. The 4.4l V8 is a relatively bulletproof engine and did not suffer from any of the engine block issues.

 

[Nat Brown]

Pass

As a former owner of a 97 540i, I would avoid this model year (and all BMW V8's).

--gary

 

[Mystikal]

Re: Pass

As a former owner of a 97 540i, I would avoid this model year (and all BMW V8's).

--gary

I always found CR's reliability reports very questionable. I mean, some of the cars that changed so dramatically over the years weren't even modified in any way by the manufacturer. Early bugs aside, they seem really fishy to me.

I had my eye on a 97-98 540/6 when I bought my car, what stopped me was the severe weight discrepancy between an E46 and a V8 E39 and the accompanying gas guzzling.

I think the E39 sounds a lot better for Alex, especially with the winter car status and the 540 coming standard with DSC (E36 M3 was AST only).

 

[Alberta Alex]

Hey Alex-

Given that you'd primarly be using this car in the winter, why wouldn't you go w/ another Audi quattro? Did you have a really bad experience w/ the 90 or do you just really crave the BMW feel again?

You make some excellent points. I like everything about the Audi except the V6 engine. The throttle response is awful, and it would cost big $$$ to increase the hp and torque to a reasonablelevel, say 220 hp. However, I still may go with another Audi, say a low mileage S6, which has the turbo 5 cylinder engine..... but I do miss the BMWs. I had at least one in my garage from 1972 to 2000. Although Audi makes a nice car, it still takes suspension upgrades to equal the handling of BMW sport suspension.

Thanks for the heads-up on the engine block. I'll keep this in mind while I'm car hunting. Who knows, since I've got all summer to look, I may end up with a demo or 1 year old 325/330 xi 5-speed.:thumb:

 

[Clem]

I'm a first time poster. I've had many BMWs over the years, starting with a '72 2002 tii and ending with an '88 M5, which I sold 2 years ago when I bought my Boxster. I'm going to replace my present 2nd car ('94 Audi 90Q). I'll be using the car mostly in the winter, but it will come in handy when I need to carry more than 2 people.

I'd like to hear opinions on both the '97/'98 M3 or '97/'98 540 6-speed. Because it will be primarily a winter car, and we do get 5+ months of winter here in Alberta, I'm especially interested to hear how the traction control works on each car in icy and snowy conditions.

I'll be posting this on both the 3-series and 5-series boards in order to get as balanced a view as possible.

Thanks in advance.

Hey Alex, I've had my 323i for the past 3 years, ASC plus a good set of winter tires have worked awesome for me in Edmonton.

 

[Alberta Alex]

Thanks Clem.

It's good to know that DSC, coupled with a good set of winter tires, works well in Edmonton winters.

You have a great looking car. I hope to see you on the road sometime. I live in the westend, not far from the Valley Zoo. If you see a guy waving at you who is driving a red Audi 90Q (for the next couple of weeks) or a triple black Boxster, that'll be me.

 

[Clem]

Re: Thanks Clem.

It's good to know that DSC, coupled with a good set of winter tires, works well in Edmonton winters.

You have a great looking car. I hope to see you on the road sometime. I live in the westend, not far from the Valley Zoo. If you see a guy waving at you who is driving a red Audi 90Q (for the next couple of weeks) or a triple black Boxster, that'll be me.

I have ASC, but DSC would be even better in the winter. I highly recommend a set of rims and tires dedicated for winter driving.

Thanks for the compliment, I hope you'll have the same opinion after this spring. Some interesting developments on my car if the spring ever arrives.

Looking forward to meeting you Alex. There's a few of us that get together once in a while to BS about cars we'd be glad to have you along. I live in the Callingwood area and a couple of the others are in the west end as well so we usually meet up in the west end.