Re: GS300 vs 540i

Subject: Re: GS300 vs 540i
From: Jay Snyder <jay.snyder@domain.elided>
Date: Fri, 20 Sep 1996 07:23:29 -0400
As you are looking at E34 5ers (I love these cars), keep in mind that the
'92 and newer 525i has the M50 engine (24V 189HP 190~200ft-lb torque), and
'89 - '91 has the M20 engine (168HP, 164ft-lb torque), which is a great
engine in my 325i, but a little lacking for the heavier 5er.

I drove a 530i (the baby V8) that a friend was looking at.  The E34 platform
is a really nice one.  It felt just like my 325i (A little heavier feel, but
not much).  I like these cars more than the new 5ers, the new ones starting
to look too much like everything else.

Good luck with your purchase.  BTW, the M50 engined 525i is only .2sec
slower than the 535i.  You may be able to get a new 525i for the same price
as the 535i.   You will also get better fuel economy.  Another benifit of
the M50 525i is that it has a hydralic valve train and doesn't need periodic
adjustments ($$$ savings if you don't do your own maintenance -- not a bad
job to do yourself, 1.5hrs), the M30 engine in the 535i, and the M20 in the
'91 and order 525i's have solid valve train which needs this service.

- -- Jay
'89 325i
'74 2002 (project)
=============================================
Jay Snyder
email: jay.snyder@domain.elided
phone: 717-540-2895
Development Engineer, Automachine Systems Group
AMP Incorporated