Great video! I just got the steel of the Century. 2000 bmw 540i with 91k original miles. Straight piped with corvette LS1 duel tips.fancy carbon fiber cold air intake. Super sprint headers I think he said. Titanium Silver that shines like new with maybe 5-6 small scratches on the car. Black leather interior which is 7.5 out of ten. Solo weeks Coil overs sitting on 19’s , the 2005 7 series staggered wheels , 19x9 and 19x10 rears. It’s automatic with sport fake Manuel shifting which is the sucky part. Was asking 7k and I got it for $5300. It sounds like an exotic beast. Beautiful car. Oh yea, M5 body kit, angel eye LEDs, red and clear tail lights, and clear side markers. Showed me dyno reports of 311HP. Beautiful car
Luke Harley some say the vanos cars are preppier but dynos show the power band is just a little different. The vanos cars make a small amount more power
I disagree with your points on performance. I’ve owned 3 4.4 liter m62 motors and 3 s62 motors. The m62 pre vanos was my favorite m62 as it did not have the vanos and had better top end performance. However the s62 is a far better engine for performance. 400hp over 286 is a huge difference and the 50 extra pounds of torque you feel it. Once you get over 3 grand on the revs you will pull bus lengths on any m62. Drive an M5 and you will never look back.
The 540i are tanks and really great cars for daily driving. I had both cars and when you say “almost” Identical performance ..no. not at all The lsd m-diff on the m5 really makes the car what it is. Low end Torque is similar between the 2 but the m5 pulls a lot harder after 4k until redline. In my opinion the s62 motor in the m5 is one of the most reliable m motors made. I sold mine with 248,000 km with at least 100k of hard abuse from me and it still ran mint.
Thanks for the video! I recently got a White 2003 540i M-Sport 6-speed (excellent condition). Just did the muffler delete and added a tip, sounds amazing! Great daily driver that doesn't break the bank.
I had an m5 recently totaled by a woman w no insurance and a 540i i still daily. I absolutely love the 540i that i prefered the sound of the 540i. I have a Dinan exhaust on it, Dinan intake and basicallt a bunch of stage 3 Dinan stuff on it. I decided not to buy another m5, 1 because i can't find myself spending 20k on one hundred extra horse power. Two i loved the m5 ,but most of the time i felt i couldn't drive it because i was scared it would get hit. Three and this is personal i loved stock for stock the way the 540i sounded. As for the m5 i also felt any mods done to it would decrease the price so i never really touched it and it was the reason for buying 3 540i's. My black 540i was totaled i used it for drifting My green 540i is currently getting ready to be my new drift can My white one has a lot of DINAN parts it is supercharged and i daily it until my jeep is back up
Ok. So the 540i 6 speed can and will put a smile on your face everyday, if you want it to. I have a well used 1999 (Nov. 98 build) so it have vanos. 230k km on it with chains and guides done. Put the 6 speed in myself. I put a remote exhaust cutout between the resonators and mufflers and got a good sound, but not enough. I just deleted the resonators, keeping the mufflers for when I need it quite. It has the sound of this car when you want and all the exhaust crackle you like. The car is a scream to drive!
How hard was the manual swap I’m being offered the vanos engine with 6 speed trans for 1k but I don’t want to spend the time manual swapping what’s your thoughts
540 sounds nicer than M5, and is much cheaper - that's enough for me. It doesn't have nearly M5 performance, though. This was true for E34, but the E39's additional 115hp cuts a whole second off 540's 1/4 mile, and six seconds off the 0-200 time.
Yes 540 has a way deeper less bangy tone Suspension is the same except sway bar and shocks/springs I think Consumption is 30%better Torque is the same maybe even better down low until ~3k About half the cost of buying, maintaining, driving and insure so unless you really want the m5, 540 is just the better option. As long as you get a 6speed! Autos are boring af IMO
Just bought an 03’ 540i M-tech. Awesome car but that doesn’t change the fact that an m5 trumps this car in every way lol. These are still amazing machines tho
M cars are way up in price you could still get a 540i for under 10k and for that price they ussually are pretty good condition find a beat one for around 5k maybe less
@@dswizzle4838 I purchased my 540i for $2,700 a couple months ago. 220k miles she still runs strong. Interior and exterior is in great condition as well
Thanks for watching, I hope you guys enjoy the video! If you want to see anything different or have future video ideas please let me know if the comments below! Once again thank you guys for the support! Cheers!
1. Good value for money-true 2. Sounds exotic- false but sounds good when done right 3. No Vanos- true and false depends on if its pre facelift or post facelift. 4. Better MPG- true but idk what 540i gets 30mpg on the freeway. 5. Similar performance- you're joking right? They are far different in performance and cannot be compared in every performance aspect. That being said its still a great car for the price. Now go drive a e39 m5 and comeback to your b statement on similar performance
@@standyourground9973 that I'm unsure of. The tu engines are pains in the ass over vanos seal leaks. Other than that they are essentially the same engine just a tad better efficiency. I have a pre facelift non vanos 540i myself. Other than the standard shit that breaks on these ie window regulators and lock actuators and also full coolant system replacement its been good to me lol. Still selling it in the spring lol
I mean 1-2-4-5 reasons are correct but the 00-03 has Vanos on the 4.4L Also that’s not a stock knob, it’s a ZHP knob ($30) and M-Sports were only offered in 2003.
in denmark at this time if you straight pipe ur car and stopped by the police and they find out they will take ur car send it to a bmw workshot and you will have to pay them to make it legal or send it to the scrabyard :(
I just looked at a 2000 bmw 540i, he wants 6700. The car has 248,000 miles though. Hope someone sees it and gives me input on what to do and if that’s a fair price
Geez I just sold the ultimate 540i the official 2003 M-Sport 6 speed with 193k to my buddy for $3500. Where we're all of y'all when I initially listed it for $5000 a year earlier with less miles
XxmajorwolfXx90 Joshua allison Lmao I kinda do fit that typical BMW driver stereotype. 😂. Thanks for watching the video man! Hope you enjoyed it and continue to watch our videos as they roll out. The support means a lot to us!
Just got mine for 4900$ mint 140k miles timing done , coolant system rebuilt, valve and oil pan done. Need belts oil trans fluid etc. great deal check out my review also it’s 6 speed manual
@@johnthomasmoulton8934 damn dude nicer mine had 140k miles 6 speed black on tan paid 4900$ sold for 7k after driving for 3 months turns out daily a 6 speed manual in stop and go every day was not fun
@@johnthomasmoulton8934 damn wouldnt think you would buy the automatic? hey bro if you have that disposable income willing to do that im all for it1! better be posting some vids along the way for us!
214k when I got it, 219k now, it’s been a year at the end of this month. Yes the prices are all over the map, I looked all over the country, I found the best luck with cheaper prices in Wisconsin and Minnesota at the time i found mine. The seller drove it to me in driver from Minneapolis, I paid for his flight home
Actually suspension arms and chassis layout on the m5 540i ,535i v8 are the same and interchangeable including steering rack ,only differences are battery location and obviously lsd differential and brakes that would make a difference in handling
It certainly doesn’t cost more in maintenance compared to a vw 1.8 engine i have both and theres no difference in maintenance cost ..absolutely bullshit
@@drivenbyboost 160k miles all original good condition. Dark blue with tan interior 6 speed im going to try and buy one right now ill report back with the results
4.4tu is fatally flawed with timing chain guide failures. If you don't change them every 80-100k miles then they will grenade the motor. This is why these cars are so cheap.
Great video! I just got the steel of the Century. 2000 bmw 540i with 91k original miles. Straight piped with corvette LS1 duel tips.fancy carbon fiber cold air intake. Super sprint headers I think he said. Titanium Silver that shines like new with maybe 5-6 small scratches on the car. Black leather interior which is 7.5 out of ten. Solo weeks Coil overs sitting on 19’s , the 2005 7 series staggered wheels , 19x9 and 19x10 rears. It’s automatic with sport fake Manuel shifting which is the sucky part. Was asking 7k and I got it for $5300. It sounds like an exotic beast. Beautiful car. Oh yea, M5 body kit, angel eye LEDs, red and clear tail lights, and clear side markers. Showed me dyno reports of 311HP. Beautiful car
Thanks for the shout-out! I loved working on this car, been thinking of buying one ever since
You got it! Thanks for the wrap!
97-98 didn't have vanos but the later models did
Is there a lot of difference in power?
Luke Harley some say the vanos cars are preppier but dynos show the power band is just a little different. The vanos cars make a small amount more power
YEE SON GOT a 98 540i 6 speed check it on the chANNEL BRAH!
@@Elwooddudes there is a 20 torque increase in the vanos engines. Also you’ll have to deal with more timing guides and vanos issues
97-98 engines has better sound, but Vanos makes it happier from lower rpm
Didn't know Freddy Mercury had kids. Queen stills alive
Actually, depending on what year 540, it can come with vanos
It definitely has vanos lol just single. M5 has double vanos
@@gabrielyeamans7289 mines a 540i 97 - no vanos ..late 98 vanos came in on v8
I disagree with your points on performance. I’ve owned 3 4.4 liter m62 motors and 3 s62 motors. The m62 pre vanos was my favorite m62 as it did not have the vanos and had better top end performance. However the s62 is a far better engine for performance. 400hp over 286 is a huge difference and the 50 extra pounds of torque you feel it. Once you get over 3 grand on the revs you will pull bus lengths on any m62. Drive an M5 and you will never look back.
The 540 is still not bad though
With the $15k saved you can make the 540i pull city lengths on an m5😂
@J B And that's the whole point: Nearly all the perks of the M5, without the price- and it rides much better.
I got a pre vanos m62 540i/6speed check it on the channel brah!
Haha not everyone can afford an m5 that’s why I got the 540i 98 6 speed lol 😝
The 540i are tanks and really great cars for daily driving. I had both cars and when you say “almost” Identical performance ..no. not at all
The lsd m-diff on the m5 really makes the car what it is. Low end Torque is similar between the 2 but the m5 pulls a lot harder after 4k until redline. In my opinion the s62 motor in the m5 is one of the most reliable m motors made. I sold mine with 248,000 km with at least 100k of hard abuse from me and it still ran mint.
waht year would you buy rig tnow?
Great video, great cars! I just picked up a '97 540i auto, 227,000 miles, excellent condition for: Free.
Congrats! That’s an amazing pick up💯
How
That hurts my feelings! But well done!
Only mistake is auto. But if you like it more power to you. Check out my 6 speed 540i pre vanos on my channel
Starting Tech 540
Thanks for the video! I recently got a White 2003 540i M-Sport 6-speed (excellent condition). Just did the muffler delete and added a tip, sounds amazing! Great daily driver that doesn't break the bank.
Wylander Sangcap absolutely! This car is blast to drive, enjoy your new baby!
I just sold my white 03' 540i/6 M-Tech to a buddy. I miss it dearly, but now I can finally focus on my Red E39 M5 😎
1:11 I laughed so hard at that moustache
Freddy Mercury? Lol
Pornstache from 1st season of Orange is the New Black
I had an m5 recently totaled by a woman w no insurance and a 540i i still daily.
I absolutely love the 540i that i prefered the sound of the 540i. I have a Dinan exhaust on it, Dinan intake and basicallt a bunch of stage 3 Dinan stuff on it.
I decided not to buy another m5, 1 because i can't find myself spending 20k on one hundred extra horse power. Two i loved the m5 ,but most of the time i felt i couldn't drive it because i was scared it would get hit. Three and this is personal i loved stock for stock the way the 540i sounded.
As for the m5 i also felt any mods done to it would decrease the price so i never really touched it and it was the reason for buying 3 540i's.
My black 540i was totaled i used it for drifting
My green 540i is currently getting ready to be my new drift can
My white one has a lot of DINAN parts it is supercharged and i daily it until my jeep is back up
The way it made yall smile no words needed, yeah that’s why I bought mine. Ps these engines after ‘98 got the vanos
Ok. So the 540i 6 speed can and will put a smile on your face everyday, if you want it to. I have a well used 1999 (Nov. 98 build) so it have vanos. 230k km on it with chains and guides done. Put the 6 speed in myself. I put a remote exhaust cutout between the resonators and mufflers and got a good sound, but not enough. I just deleted the resonators, keeping the mufflers for when I need it quite. It has the sound of this car when you want and all the exhaust crackle you like. The car is a scream to drive!
How hard was the manual swap I’m being offered the vanos engine with 6 speed trans for 1k but I don’t want to spend the time manual swapping what’s your thoughts
Important to note that the M62TUB44 (1998-2003 / e39 540i) has a single vanos.
540 sounds nicer than M5, and is much cheaper - that's enough for me. It doesn't have nearly M5 performance, though. This was true for E34, but the E39's additional 115hp cuts a whole second off 540's 1/4 mile, and six seconds off the 0-200 time.
it actually has more than more than six seconds on the 0-200, iirc about 9-10
Yes 540 has a way deeper less bangy tone
Suspension is the same except sway bar and shocks/springs I think
Consumption is 30%better
Torque is the same maybe even better down low until ~3k
About half the cost of buying, maintaining, driving and insure so unless you really want the m5, 540 is just the better option. As long as you get a 6speed! Autos are boring af IMO
The mustache doe 🔥🔥🔥 ayee
Just bought an 03’ 540i M-tech. Awesome car but that doesn’t change the fact that an m5 trumps this car in every way lol. These are still amazing machines tho
I’m about to buy a ‘99 540i 4.4L hope everything goes well
I don't remember clicking on the link to watch 'Fargo'.
😂
The reason to overlook a six-speed manual is that the manual gearbox on this e39s is very hard to fix
E39 540 + VF Super charge + lsd = E39 M5 killer
The drive is no wear the same as a m5 I own a e39 540i and we have a e39 m5 in our family to m5 all the way
Not everyone can afford an M5 like you bud. That’s the whole point of this video is to get the M5 feel without the M5 price.
M cars are way up in price you could still get a 540i for under 10k and for that price they ussually are pretty good condition find a beat one for around 5k maybe less
@@dswizzle4838 I purchased my 540i for $2,700 a couple months ago. 220k miles she still runs strong. Interior and exterior is in great condition as well
@@TheEpicHitmarker nice bro I’m putting a running engine in mine found one with 110k miles I’m checking out soon
@@dswizzle4838 sweet, goodluck with the build 🤙🏼
they dont make em like that anymore the best
Bryan Mitchell you got that right!
Thanks for watching, I hope you guys enjoy the video! If you want to see anything different or have future video ideas please let me know if the comments below! Once again thank you guys for the support! Cheers!
Subscribed! Love the videos
Thanks man I appreciate it!
2003 m sport 540i 6 speed + LSD + big turbo + a P1SC pro-charger or some other pro-charger.
I might be picking one of these up next week for a drift car!
400hp vs 286hp, nope it's not the same :)
394hp vs 286hp*
No but it’s 20-40k to 5k-10k for 540i 6 speed. I have pre vanos 540i too I can see it on my channel if you wish
IT sounds!
The 540i models after 1999 had vanos system pre 1999 had no vanos
Nice video man! Looking forward to future videos!
Thanks joe!
Fantastic job on the videos, man; the 5 series sounds great. If you're ever in Massachusetts I'd love to collab.
Thanks man I really appreciate it! I’d love to do a collab!
@@drivenbyboost You're very welcome! Feel free to DM me on Insta @TheKidWhoSavedTheWorld
Not-So-Handy Car Guy will do!
1. Good value for money-true
2. Sounds exotic- false but sounds good when done right
3. No Vanos- true and false depends on if its pre facelift or post facelift.
4. Better MPG- true but idk what 540i gets 30mpg on the freeway.
5. Similar performance- you're joking right? They are far different in performance and cannot be compared in every performance aspect. That being said its still a great car for the price. Now go drive a e39 m5 and comeback to your b statement on similar performance
wasn’t the tu available in the PFL cars?
@@standyourground9973 that I'm unsure of. The tu engines are pains in the ass over vanos seal leaks. Other than that they are essentially the same engine just a tad better efficiency. I have a pre facelift non vanos 540i myself. Other than the standard shit that breaks on these ie window regulators and lock actuators and also full coolant system replacement its been good to me lol. Still selling it in the spring lol
Tu's have a major flaw: timing chain guides. It's not a matter of if but when. And if you don't catch it early then say bye bye to your motor.
From 1998-2003 the m62 got the vanos (tu)upgrade , and if its not the 540i msport i woulnt recommend buying it
I mean 1-2-4-5 reasons are correct but the 00-03 has Vanos on the 4.4L
Also that’s not a stock knob, it’s a ZHP knob ($30) and M-Sports were only offered in 2003.
Thechristopherryan 00 was the first year for m sport I have my bmw build sheet
True only in the USA. Other countries had the M-Sport option in earlier years, whereas the U.S. only got it in 03'
in denmark at this time if you straight pipe ur car and stopped by the police and they find out they will take ur car send it to a bmw workshot and you will have to pay them to make it legal or send it to the scrabyard :(
Is this just a muffler delete or did the cats get removed also?
Guys can you tell whats the exact specs of the exhaust!Incredible work there ✋🏻
I just looked at a 2000 bmw 540i, he wants 6700. The car has 248,000 miles though. Hope someone sees it and gives me input on what to do and if that’s a fair price
Depends on condition of the car. Try and get it closer to 6k and if it’s good condition then it’s a definitely a good deal
Geez I just sold the ultimate 540i the official 2003 M-Sport 6 speed with 193k to my buddy for $3500.
Where we're all of y'all when I initially listed it for $5000 a year earlier with less miles
Rich Ski man bro no hate but you took an L , cheapest ones I can find are over 5k with over 200k miles
$1500...
@@tristenreyna guys for 1500u will get the most shittiest bmw ever.
Dont u guys have Mustangs, Corvettes, RAM etc....?`why go for BMW e39 v8?
A car that's 400hp and the same car that's 285hp will feel worlds different..
Your friend looks like the car is natural to him cause he kinda looks Russian or German
XxmajorwolfXx90 Joshua allison Lmao I kinda do fit that typical BMW driver stereotype. 😂. Thanks for watching the video man! Hope you enjoyed it and continue to watch our videos as they roll out. The support means a lot to us!
Dreams bro
Are all 1998 540i v8?
is that real leather or fake?
I heard from BMW mechanic to stay away from the V8 BMW to many problems and high maintenance cost.
I had mine over 5 years and prices for parts and labour are the same like for a vw 1.8 engine😂😂😂 the only difference being fuel cost 😅
The m62b44 motor in the 540i has single vanos. The m5 has double vanos
M62b44 = no vanos
M62b44tu=vanos
@@jonsse7254 you're right my bad👌
Got distracted by the old man stash lol
Neil542 definitely understandable 😂
It has a single Vanos M5 has double
2003 E39 540i does have vanos I thought but okay
6:57 why is the girl standing there just for no reason? can somebody tell me that its actually real spooky
She’s a ghost...
Ok that is spooky.
Wtf???
i love this car, only thing is it is 4.4 L man it gonna kill me at the station - in canada they are more expensive, i saw a mint one for about 9k USD
Just got mine for 4900$ mint 140k miles timing done , coolant system rebuilt, valve and oil pan done. Need belts oil trans fluid etc. great deal check out my review also it’s 6 speed manual
@@startingtech3900 just bought one with 40k miles.
@@johnthomasmoulton8934 damn dude nicer mine had 140k miles 6 speed black on tan paid 4900$ sold for 7k after driving for 3 months turns out daily a 6 speed manual in stop and go every day was not fun
@@startingtech3900 I'm debating on:
Vf supercharger + 6sp (convsersion) + lsd = essentially = m5
Or
Vf sc + lsd = essentially = alpina b10
@@johnthomasmoulton8934 damn wouldnt think you would buy the automatic? hey bro if you have that disposable income willing to do that im all for it1! better be posting some vids along the way for us!
The 98-03 540i's have Vanos
Paid 6 grand my my M5 with the same miles and condition as that 540i, so I guess this video doesn’t apply to all
6 grand? That is ridiculous cheap, it must have issues
@@larryjohnson8168 just got lucky, I still drive it semi daily
@@bigSchwaG92 no shit, how many miles on it? There are m5s on Craigslist for 40k
214k when I got it, 219k now, it’s been a year at the end of this month. Yes the prices are all over the map, I looked all over the country, I found the best luck with cheaper prices in Wisconsin and Minnesota at the time i found mine. The seller drove it to me in driver from Minneapolis, I paid for his flight home
lmfao that 5th point was bullshit
Sincerely, a 540i owner.
Anyone else see the random person standing at 7:00 😭😭
I watched this and I still bought m5 lol
I doubt it has similar handing to the M5
Actually suspension arms and chassis layout on the m5 540i ,535i v8 are the same and interchangeable including steering rack ,only differences are battery location and obviously lsd differential and brakes that would make a difference in handling
Automático
540i didn't come with VANOS? What?? The vast majority of 540s had VANOS.
No..540i,535i had no vanos until late 98..i have a 97 40i no vanos 😊
“$5,000”. Today maybe but how much more in maintenance
Thing is, the m5 would more than likely require maintenance as well. 20+ year old car, the gaskets will be dead/leaking etc.
It certainly doesn’t cost more in maintenance compared to a vw 1.8 engine i have both and theres no difference in maintenance cost ..absolutely bullshit
Buy the m5 over the 540.... that is all.
No way it gets 30mpg on hwy. that’s a flat out lie
is this guy short?
LOL Only in Narnia is an M5 comparable to a 540i
Not 100% correct. . my 2000 e39 540i has vanos. . and it's loud and annoying lol
How much do one of these go for?
5-7k usd roughly depending on conditions
@@drivenbyboost 160k miles all original good condition. Dark blue with tan interior 6 speed im going to try and buy one right now ill report back with the results
@@Conker999 good luck keep me posted!
Your buddy did a bad job with that wrap!! At 1:32 look at the roof rails
540 isnt that fast
Yup. Looks good 🙂Sounds good😃 it’s slow☹️
4.4tu is fatally flawed with timing chain guide failures. If you don't change them every 80-100k miles then they will grenade the motor. This is why these cars are so cheap.