Just took a 4,000 mile road trip in my 1999 528iT. No problems whatsoever. Averaging 25 mpg. It has 267,000 miles. I get daily compliments from men and women. Engine is perfectly smooth and quiet. A.C. is cold and quiet. Brakes are the best.
That was going to happen regardless, Bavarian MOTOR Works had already built V8 post-War (Elvis's & John Surtees' multi-million $ 507) & had introduced 3 litre V8 in 530i to demonstrate they could get more bhp. out of smaller engine than their own I6 535i. Mazda built 1.8 l. V6 briefly also, before manufacturers defaulted to 4 cyls. for volume models.
I owned the MSport version of this car which was basically an M5 with the V8 engine. They only made 200 for the U.S market. I loved it and should have kept it but the upkeep was expensive.
The M60B40 engine indeet is about 30kilos lighter than the S38. Also the V8 is shorter and therefore the engine doesn't reach as far out the front axel as the Inline 6. I've had an 530i V8 e34 5 Speed with M-Paket. An absolut dream to drive this car! (drove the M5 once but not long enough to really tell the difference. My525's.. and there where many; never drove as good as the 530 V8 did)
I'd still take M240i, M340i, M550i over anything on the road today, or 330i or X3 turbo I6 for that matter. Watch Joe Achilles' M3 passenger response RUclips or Salzburgring introduction of Hybrid V8 M5, there are reasons BMW had record 2023 on 60 years of growth, are #1 global premium this century & Spartanburg largest American exporter of vehicles for past 8 years.
My E9 was automatic & only 170 bhp., didn't matter, still GT. Friend had 2002 Turbo, same bhp. but turbo was like off/on switch, went like scalded 🙀, said best part of ownership was scaring his passengers!
And there was an even better 540 on US soil they failed to mention..The 205 MSport versions. With M5 everything from Europe including EDC, Servotronic steering, body cladding and front and rear aero valences, and 17 inch wheels and even better brakes. However the European 3.8 M5 was still a better 5 series in ‘94-‘95. They forgot that one ;)
Yeah I think they are confusing things here, this is just a standard 540i with a 6 speed manual, didnt get the fancy M5 parts like the low production 540iM did.
Were there some American cars at that time actually able to compete to those BMWs? I mean not speaking of built quality but also suspension, breaks, steering and gearbox? Actually as a German I am not aware of any American cars in detail as they are not seen here in Europe but I think the reason is not only different style tastes but also the weak offering with regard to driveability?
Im trying to think of some comparable cars but nothing is coming to mind, at least not American sedans with the performance of an E34 540i. GM derived products known as the Holden Commodore VS and VR series 'SS' came in 5.0 V8s with manuals but were only sold in Australia/New Zealand during the mid 90s, and they were only rated at 248hp, a fair bit less than the 540i of the same year.
@@dmer-zy3rbVery true but just completely different cars. The Lincoln and Caddy were both kind of pillowy boats, albeit very nice riding cars! Just not very fast or athletic.
@@brianaust8897I owned 1974 E9 3.0 CSA & autobahn engineering is not just a myth, even with only 170 bhp. it cut my Ottawa-Toronto run in half, also could sail over elevated rail tracks without braking or a rattle (just keys in the ignition, why they went to fob?). Independent suspension & 4 wheel discs didn't hurt, either (& visibility from enormous greenhouse). There are reasons BMW went from unknown regional selling 1 4 cyl. 2 door sedan here to #1 global premium in half a century, only car resembling my E9 today is M240i, M340i modern E39 M5. Rust got it, when I rented V6 Grand Am it seemed like tin can by comparison, despite Pontiac's (failed) attempt @ kidneys.
@3UZFE In my opinion the facelift E39, especially with M bumpers, was the true introduction of BMW's modern styling that has continued until recently. I agree the pre facelift E39s are pretty bland compared to the E34.
Just took a 4,000 mile road trip in my 1999 528iT. No problems whatsoever. Averaging 25 mpg. It has 267,000 miles. I get daily compliments from men and women. Engine is perfectly smooth and quiet. A.C. is cold and quiet. Brakes are the best.
This car is probably why the e39 m5 came with a v8
That was going to happen regardless, Bavarian MOTOR Works had already built V8 post-War (Elvis's & John Surtees' multi-million $ 507) & had introduced 3 litre V8 in 530i to demonstrate they could get more bhp. out of smaller engine than their own I6 535i. Mazda built 1.8 l. V6 briefly also, before manufacturers defaulted to 4 cyls. for volume models.
@@unowen-nh9ov Reminds of Ferrari's GT4 in the 70's. A 2.0 Liter V-8.
Back when sport sedans had sidewalls! Can you imagine a manufacturer introducing a manual transmission today?
Cadillac still offers manuals.
@@johnjohnmcclane1818 chevelot corvett mustang
porsche 911
lots of options
@@christophercolumbus8944 sedans means 4 door
M3, Civic, Elantra N, Forte, Mazda 3.
Only ten thousand people know what they are missing in driving pleasure. Me too.
I've spent some hours wheeling my 540, I can say they hit the nail on the head with this.
I owned the MSport version of this car which was basically an M5 with the V8 engine. They only made 200 for the U.S market. I loved it and should have kept it but the upkeep was expensive.
I suspect this is lighter than M5 being a shorter aluminum engine. Perfect sedan.
whyd you think that? ? there is a $20000 price difference so i think NOT
@@christophercolumbus894430kgs difference in favor of the M5. That's still pretty impressive though.
M62 introduced in 540i & 740i in 1996, S62 introduced in M5 in 1998, also Z8, Wikipedia has page explaining their differences.
The M60B40 engine indeet is about 30kilos lighter than the S38. Also the V8 is shorter and therefore the engine doesn't reach as far out the front axel as the Inline 6.
I've had an 530i V8 e34 5 Speed with M-Paket. An absolut dream to drive this car! (drove the M5 once but not long enough to really tell the difference. My525's.. and there where many; never drove as good as the 530 V8 did)
4:00 because america. In Europe 17 in was an available option.
My dad bought a Volvo 850 turbo in 95 for under 30k. This is 20k more!! Well worth it.
Airdate: April 15, 1995.
BMW at its best. 30 years ago!
I'd still take M240i, M340i, M550i over anything on the road today, or 330i or X3 turbo I6 for that matter. Watch Joe Achilles' M3 passenger response RUclips or Salzburgring introduction of Hybrid V8 M5, there are reasons BMW had record 2023 on 60 years of growth, are #1 global premium this century & Spartanburg largest American exporter of vehicles for past 8 years.
No mention of forward opening hood. Semi trailer arms gave way to e39 master piece chassis. IMO
I miss my 95. It was an automatic but I don’t care
You had a truly unique car. If I ever find one that's affordable, I'll buy it, and keep it until I leave here.
@@texan903 I feel you. It was dark grey with Throwing stars, didn’t run right but it was so clean. Lol
@@boss12 I had a 95 540i sport auto white over white I bought it pre-owned from BMW only had it for about 6 months had to sell it ☹️
@@geemanbmw I wish I never sold mine.
My E9 was automatic & only 170 bhp., didn't matter, still GT. Friend had 2002 Turbo, same bhp. but turbo was like off/on switch, went like scalded 🙀, said best part of ownership was scaring his passengers!
And there was an even better 540 on US soil they failed to mention..The 205 MSport versions. With M5 everything from Europe including EDC, Servotronic steering, body cladding and front and rear aero valences, and 17 inch wheels and even better brakes.
However the European 3.8 M5 was still a better 5 series in ‘94-‘95. They forgot that one ;)
Yeah I think they are confusing things here, this is just a standard 540i with a 6 speed manual, didnt get the fancy M5 parts like the low production 540iM did.
I owned an MSport and loved it except for the maintenance.
BMW M5 is beautiful and nice car
@@fernandorocha-dx1wvApparently G90 is a beast, 1st Hybrid V8, ZM already has Pikes Peak record.
My 530i was great! Unfortunately my neighbor crashed into it!
I like this body style more than the later generation. Very sad about your neighbor, my friend did that to my first car but thankfully it was a Camry.
V8?
@@user-jr8xh1je4w yes, it was it was the smallest displacement 3.0 V8.
@@davidsherrick898 I know. My father have a 540i. Im from Germany. You?
@@user-jr8xh1je4w USA. Mine was black on black, automatic though. They only imported it for a couple years.
Some of the best ever
I love this BMW 540i
At 102? I suspect it made more power than published numbers.
They are really strong performers with the manual transmissions. As an owner of one the peak power band is still impressive, even today.
14,2 on the quarter is rappid
Especially for that mph! Strong indeed.
❤❤❤❤
My 1999 540i was less than half of the M5 and almost as fast.
Who is that mid 90s smoke show?
i am going to buy this car so just to smoke in it
The E34 is without a doubt the best car BMW has ever made. Today, BMWs look like downmarket Buicks 🙈.
Followed previous M550i from stoplight to 🛑, looked & sounded great, Buicks now Chinese 4 cyl. SUVs.
Were there some American cars at that time actually able to compete to those BMWs? I mean not speaking of built quality but also suspension, breaks, steering and gearbox? Actually as a German I am not aware of any American cars in detail as they are not seen here in Europe but I think the reason is not only different style tastes but also the weak offering with regard to driveability?
Im trying to think of some comparable cars but nothing is coming to mind, at least not American sedans with the performance of an E34 540i. GM derived products known as the Holden Commodore VS and VR series 'SS' came in 5.0 V8s with manuals but were only sold in Australia/New Zealand during the mid 90s, and they were only rated at 248hp, a fair bit less than the 540i of the same year.
cadillac seville/eldorado and lincoln mark
@@dmer-zy3rbVery true but just completely different cars. The Lincoln and Caddy were both kind of pillowy boats, albeit very nice riding cars! Just not very fast or athletic.
@@brianaust8897I owned 1974 E9 3.0 CSA & autobahn engineering is not just a myth, even with only 170 bhp. it cut my Ottawa-Toronto run in half, also could sail over elevated rail tracks without braking or a rattle (just keys in the ignition, why they went to fob?). Independent suspension & 4 wheel discs didn't hurt, either (& visibility from enormous greenhouse). There are reasons BMW went from unknown regional selling 1 4 cyl. 2 door sedan here to #1 global premium in half a century, only car resembling my E9 today is M240i, M340i modern E39 M5. Rust got it, when I rented V6 Grand Am it seemed like tin can by comparison, despite Pontiac's (failed) attempt @ kidneys.
I have one (automatic) 1993
Automatic NOT the same! Heard Z8 accelerate out of downtown corner once, 400 bhp. E39 M5 V8 sounded like American muscle car.
least favorite
it's somewhere between the old design and the late 90s design
it's kind of lost and confused
Na, most favorite. A very nice looking comfortable yet well handling sedan.
@@peterl3417 agreed
Thats the E39, very odd looks, bland. E34 is BMW at the peak end of its classic era of styling, a future classic!
@3UZFE In my opinion the facelift E39, especially with M bumpers, was the true introduction of BMW's modern styling that has continued until recently. I agree the pre facelift E39s are pretty bland compared to the E34.
I drove it, doesn't matter what it looks like. This & M3 V8 manual called 3rd gear automatics - so much torque you didn't have to shift, true!