Fwd: Advice in moving from an E36 M3 to an E39 540i 6 speed

[Pearson-Franks Family <pearsonf@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Chris:

Having recently 'gone the other way', I have a perspective
a little different than your plan!  ;~)  I have been enjoying
my '95 540i/6 for about 8,000 miles now, including 5 days at
the track, and still love it.  I am a long-time 5er, so no
big surprise to my friends and associates.  I hunted for the
right '91 M5 for about 6 months, but 'settled' on the 540i.
No regrets!  Front stress bar, JimC (of course!) and the new
Yoko Sports on 17" rims are the only mods (if you don't count
stereo gear!).  The Sport suspension is perfectly suited to
my overall needs; a bit stiff for highway driving, but lively
in the daily grind, and very respectable in the twisties (the
chacanne at SIR is awesome!).  My only gripe is that the sport
seats grip by butt so fiercely that it is a bit confining.

My 20-year-old son had 'hinted' for a long time that a '95 M3
belonged in the family some day, and when a silver specimen
came up as a blow-out-before-the-end-of-the-century sale some
$7K under market here in the Northwest, I could not resist.
Only 800 miles later, it is still hard to compare.

They are such radically different cars!  The steering is *so*
different; in feel and turn-in - the M3 makes the 540i seem
doggy there, where it was *not* a perceived problem before . . .
The quicker handling is very welcome, but the rear is much
*much* looser than my 540i - I have had to relearn the limits
on my commute track, where I love to use the mucho macho torque
of the V8 to push my way out of turns - the M3 will break loose
far before the 5er.  On the other hand, it responds more
smoothly to the breathing off of the throttle and feeding in a
little less lock than the 5.

Do I prefer one to the other?  Hard to say.  I have the extreme
privilege of driving them both.  I look forward to another track
season with both cars at the track, switching off with my son.
I'll let you know how that comes out.  I expect something
vaguely to the left of YEEEEHAAAAAA!!!!!

Larry F.  :)  :)

>Date: Fri, 28 Jan 2000 00:13:31 EST
>From: Osbcso@domain.elided
>Subject: Advice in moving from an E36 M3 to an E39 540i 6 speed
>
>I have had my 1995 M3 for 3 years and comtemplating a move to the 540i 6
>speed to get a little more room, luxury and a better ride.  I still want to
>continue going to the track (once or twice a year).  I am also beginning this
>year to do some autocrossing.
>
>Has anyone out there made such a move to an E39 540i 6 speed??
>
>I would appreciate your comments.  Will I miss the rock solid "go kart"
>handling of the M3, etc.  The 2000 M5 is at least a few years away from being
>a possibility.
>
>Thanks....Chris Osborne
>BMWCCA #92573

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Pearson-Franks Family
Issaquah, Washington

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