[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Nah, S62 with the 6-speed would be much more worthwhile and valuable.

I don't think you can get the B58 and tranny in there. Better and easier to just do an LS swap.

Start with 540iT and drop in the M5 engine for M5T...good idea. Should be mostly plug & play. But that recirc ball steering. I know, shouldn't be a big deal, but let a guy dream... The theoretically better handling on the lighter 528i M sport front end w/R&P steering was how I rationalized this 25 years ago when I couldn't pony up for the V8.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

Start with 540iT and drop in the M5 engine for M5T...good idea. Should be mostly plug & play. But that recirc ball steering. I know, shouldn't be a big deal, but let a guy dream... The theoretically better handling on the lighter 528i M sport front end w/R&P steering was how I rationalized this 25 years ago when I couldn't pony up for the V8.

I have seen some nice Touring M5 conversions, wheels and all. Very sweet when done right and work a shitload of money!

[Chappers 71]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

Start with 540iT and drop in the M5 engine for M5T...good idea. Should be mostly plug & play. But that recirc ball steering. I know, shouldn't be a big deal, but let a guy dream... The theoretically better handling on the lighter 528i M sport front end w/R&P steering was how I rationalized this 25 years ago when I couldn't pony up for the V8.

Hmm.. you didn’t miss much, the V8 wasn’t that great, even with a 6 speed manual, comfortable & quick yes but a bit meh

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

Hmm.. you didn’t miss much, the V8 wasn’t that great, even with a 6 speed manual, comfortable & quick yes but a bit meh

What you talkin bout Willis? You saying the S62 in the E39 M5 or the N62 in the 540 were meh?

[Chappers 71]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

What you talkin bout Willis? You saying the S62 in the E39 M5 or the N62 in the 540 were meh?

Yes, indeed I am
I owned the V8 e39 for two years, took it to Le Mans with 3 passengers & our camping gear it was great, smooth, comfortable & for its day fast & you could spin the back wheels in 3rd….But it never felt as exciting or as much of an occasion taking it out as the E34 3.6 M5, that was just special & with the 540 the nose always felt heavy & the noise of the V8, for me just wasn’t/isn’t as good a noise as a straight six going full chat, but that’s just me

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

Yes, indeed I am
I owned the V8 e39 for two years, took it to Le Mans with 3 passengers & our camping gear it was great, smooth, comfortable & for its day fast & you could spin the back wheels in 3rd….But it never felt as exciting or as much of an occasion taking it out as the E34 3.6 M5, that was just special & with the 540 the nose always felt heavy & the noise of the V8, for me just wasn’t/isn’t as good a noise as a straight six going full chat, but that’s just me

We’re American. You know how we are. If 6 is good, 8 must be better!

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by NGT2

We’re American. You know how we are. If 6 is good, 8 must be better!

And 12...

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

I owned the V8 e39 for two years, took it to Le Mans with 3 passengers & our camping gear it was great, smooth, comfortable & for its day fast & you could spin the back wheels in 3rd….But it never felt as exciting or as much of an occasion taking it out as the E34 3.6 M5, that was just special & with the 540 the nose always felt heavy & the noise of the V8, for me just wasn’t/isn’t as good a noise as a straight six going full chat, but that’s just me

I think it depends on where we place the old E39 540i.

As described by AutoCar, for the 540i Touring; "We were staggered by the 540i's performance, smoothness and refinement. No estate will devour the miles as effortlessly as this one. If any car can poach the appellation "grand tourer" from its traditional roots, it's the 540i Touring."

Sure, some would prefer the E39 Alpina B10 Touring of the period, with the 3.2 I6 engine.

Must say my 540i Touring made for a superb machine, used regularly between Wiltshire and the Highlands. 500 miles in a day, so relaxed and enjoyable.