Have I ever mentioned I love my car?

[Angleplug]

I read about a lot of "problems" folks have with their 5er on this forum, but I just want to say that I'm really glad to be the owner of a very fine automobile. I've had my 540 for about 4 years and I still enjoy it every time I get in it. I enjoy blowing away any punk next to me with a big wing and an oversized tailpipe. I enjoy driving past the SUVs in the ditch on my way to work. I teach Calculus first hour at the Air Force Academy and I've never been late, even in the winter. I enjoy the timeless good looks and classic lines that always draw attention in a sea of lookalike clonemobiles. I enjoy the 29 MPG that it gets consistantly. I even enjoy the 160 MPH top speen on occasion thanks to the Dinan chip.
OK, I'll be back next week to get advise on the problems.

[JimLev]

I think she is getting her revenge for me taking the V70 to New Mexico and leaving her in the garage. Got back last Monday night and took her out for a spin on Tuesday. After the third ride that day "Failsafe Engine Prog" popped up.
Then two days later the V70 must have get pi$$ed off, the CEL came on.
Evap Emission Leak."
And I thought I could make it thru a whole year without any bimmer problems, ha maybe next year.

[Steve]

Both of my E39s have been great cars. My son still is driving my first one. No problems other than pixels and radiator on either car.

I was hoping to move to the new F10, but after test driving and reading the reviews, I'm keeping my precious E39 for now.

[edjack]

Ed in San Jose. BMW CCA member since 1987 (Nr. 62319). Golden Gate Chapter. '97 540i 6 speed. Build Date 3/97. Aspensilber over Aubergine leather.

[larrychew]

Did you drive both the I6 and V8? What did you think of the interior?

[540sport]

Unless you dutifully stay involved and up to date with the maintenance, it's gonna cost you.
Vin
98 540 Sport with everything & extra hots
BMW CCA, Boston Chapter
"The 540 is the head-case supermodel girlfriend..." Eric S.
"The worst thing you could do with your money is save it." ~ Jackie Gleason
If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. Mario Andretti
The United States is a nation of laws: poorly written and randomly enforced. - Frank Zappa

[JimLev]

Checked everything, no codes, put it all back together (MAF, throttle body, checked all wiring from connectors to DME for continuity, etc.
Turned the key and it ran like a fine Swiss watch. Took it out for a spirited ride last night, it ran like a champ. This is the third time in the last 4 or 5 years that the failsafe engine prog has popped up only to vanish after trying to hunt it down. I'm sure it will rear it's ugly head again.
Maybe I'll break down and shell out some cash and have it connected to BMW's MoDic or GT1 to see if it can turn up anything.
And I wanted to drive the 540 on that 6K road trip with the wife........

[cmbg]

[JimLev]

"Drive It Like You Stole It, A Sickness for Quickness"
The Bottle Rocket "King of Spray" 2 Stage Nitrous Oxide
Dare to be different and stand out among the crowd of me-to-cars!
No guts, no glory! Tire smoke, not traction control!
Zionsville all aluminum radiator to replace the 3 leak prone Nissens Radiators!

NOS Progressive 2 Stage Controller with port injection
Snow's Performance Methanol/Water Injection
Dinan downloads, VAC Under Drive Pulleys
Dinan Carbon Fiber CAI
Dinan Front Strut Bar
Electric Cooling Fan w/PWM controller
NGK Iridium Plugs
DDE Enhanced Angel Eyes, Smoked Lenses
Koni FSD's/H&R Springs, BAV Brass Caliper Bushings
Eisenmann Race Exhaust (from H8-Rain's car)
///M5 3.15 LSD
///M5 Sway Bars, Front & Rear
Energy Suspension Polyurethane Sway Bar Bushings
///M5 Gauge Cluster Rings ///M5 Lip Spoiler
///M5 Mirrors and Switches
Leather Z weighted shift knob (thanks H8-Rain)
Rogue “Octane” Short Shift kit w/WSR
Rogue Tranny Mounts
StopTech Brake Lines Front & Rear
Axxis Deluxe Plus pads Front & Rear
Staggered M Parallel 66, Xenons
Modified CDV, UGDO
Euro Storage Tray (thanks Zombywolf)
Redline in Diff and Tranny
Passport 8500 X50, Escort ZR3 Laser Jammer
G-Tech/Competition Pro Data Logger
Auto Enginuity OBD-II Scan Tool
25% Tint, X-Pel, LoJack
PIAA Driving Lights
BMW CCA Member Boston Chapter

[Steve]

I like the look inside and out. Much better for my taste than the E60.

However.....

The F10 does not feel like a sport sedan to me. It is significantly heavier and larger than the E39. The steering feel is totally different, lacking the feel responsiveness. It may be responsive, but it does not feel like it is. Also, it comes only with run flat tires and the two F10s I drove felt like I was riding on rocks. BMW has apparently moved the 5er to be a luxury sedan. It will be great for that purpose, but it is not for me. My 540i put a grin on my face every time I turn key. F10=no grin.

[Steve]

I only drove the 535i.

[larrychew]

when it comes out. It'll be probably a little bigger so it'll be the size of the 5er from a few generations back.

[Steve]

With the 5 approaching the size of the previous 7, it is likely that the 3 will grow a little bit to make room for the 1.

Hopefully, the driving characteristic of the new 3 will retain that legendary BMW ultimate driving machine feel.

[Bimmer5Michael]

[zack]

+1000

Then she leaves you...[Oops!]

[zack]

I say remake the e28