[porscheguy9999]

Well the E39 (BMW's name of that generation 5 series) is a rediculusly cool car and by far the handsomest 5 series ever IMO. I work at a BMW dealership and I am actually looking for an E39 (528 looks the most likely for me) to buy. ANd I was looking at a 540i and asked a tech there about how the 540i fares. He said to stay away from the 540i unless you have money for repairs. The biggest reason is that the 540i has issues with its coolant system and other things (but he naever said what). So you can always get it but remember that you might have mechanical issues with it. The 540 has a the N62 (4.4L V8) and the M5 has the S62 (4.9L V8). The S62 is just a high output N62 so any problem the N62 has the S62 will have. If you want a solid E39 5 series, get a 530i and put some performance mods on it. Its a rock solid engine an will last into 200K+ miles if well taken care of. The 530i has the M54 engine and its a 3.0L Inline 6 with 255 hp (as far as I know).

Its really a matter of what your willing to pay. 540i/M5 will have the coolant issues and other things but the perfromance speaks for itself and may be enough to justify the added costs. But theres pretty much no way to go wrong with a 530i. They have a high residual value because people think they look better than the new (E60) 2004-present 5 series. Its got quality thats much better than youd expect froma German car (most BMWs do anyways) and its a 6 so the MPG is in the low to mid 20's in city driving (est., Im going by memory here for everything Im saying so you might want to double check my "facts").

But I hope you get any E39 5 series because they are spectacular cars. I love driving them every chance I get and want to buy one myself ASAP. The one Im looking at is a 97' 528i, but my dream car is a 2001-2003 530i. So live my dream and the dream of my countrymen and get a 530i. Its the best one IMO. But go ahead and geta 540i or M5. I guarentee you wont be disapointed with any of them.