I am considering replacing my '90 525i with either a '98/99 528i (with Sport package) or a 98 540i. Manual trans with either. Does anyone have any firsthand experience with either/both of these models
and could give me some advice on which is a better car?

Thanks,

it really depends if performance is the matter, if so, 540i, if money's the matter, then 528i. but in the 5-series, nuthing beats a 540i :wink:

Yeah, my dad has an '01 540i 6 speed, its a great car, with bottomless torque and major pickup. He's even pulled sub 5.5 second 0-60 runs with it. I'd recommend the 540i as long as money isn't too much of an issue.

it really depends if performance is the matter, if so, 540i, if money's the matter, then 528i. but in the 5-series, nuthing beats a 540i :wink:

Thanks for the feedback!!

Yeah, my dad has an '01 540i 6 speed, its a great car, with bottomless torque and major pickup. He's even pulled sub 5.5 second 0-60 runs with it. I'd recommend the 540i as long as money isn't too much of an issue.

I think you gave me the answer I was looking for!

Thanks.

obviously the 540i is better than the 528i. they both come in a stick, but the 528i is a 2.8L I6 194 hp and it comes in a 5 speed or auto. the E39 540i comes with a 4.4L V8 engine and it comes with either auto or a 6 speed and it packs about 220-230 hp. the price difference between the two is a lot, but you can get a 97 E39 540i 6 speed (its the same with the exception of a few lux options) and the 528i's will be about 3-5k cheaper, but i would pay the extra for the 6 speed, and for the V8 engine along with all of that hp that comes with the 540i.