Sick of it all, going to look at OBD-1 540i's tomorrow
10-02-02, 03:59 AM
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Sick of it all, going to look at OBD-1 540i's tomorrow
I'm tired of owning a slow car. I don't want an American car. I can't get a fast Japanese car for under $30k and an insane amount of effort. So, I'm going to find a 540i with a manual tranny and low miles, I'm starting out looking tomorrow. Then on to Dinan in San Francisco. The Japanese do a great job of making cars that have severe inherent flaws, and produce very few truly great cars. **** 'em.
10-02-02, 04:24 AM
#2
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Wow, 2 teaspoons of frustration, 2 cups of anger, and a dash of impatience... I smell what you're cookin'. Well I'm sorry you've had it with the SC400, but with any car, especially luxury, you have to PAY to play. You'll find that out soon enough with service repair tickets on the Bimmer. Hopefully you're able to find a relaible 540i. Are you selling the SC?
BTW, heard of the WRX?
BTW, heard of the WRX?
10-02-02, 04:28 AM
#3
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I just pulled up a picture of a 1995 540i. Are you sure you want to give up the sleek sexy styling of an SC for the 540i?
BTW '92 SC300 5-speed + Toyomoto Stage 3 >= $30,000
Food for thought.
BTW '92 SC300 5-speed + Toyomoto Stage 3 >= $30,000
Food for thought.
10-02-02, 04:30 AM
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Yeah, I'll be selling the SC. The 1995 will be the year I look for since the sleeve problem has been taken care of in that model, and I've got a friend that can work on them and give me pointers for finding one that's in good shape.
10-02-02, 04:35 AM
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Imagine that car in black, with nice 18 inch wheels on it. I can't turbo an SC here without dealing with smog... I looked into the SC300 for a motor swap, but as I posted in the motor section a decent price 5 speed sold the day it was posted in the auto trader and they recieved almost 100 phone calls on the car the same day. They're just like Supras these days.. hard to buy and rarer than a clear day in LA.
10-02-02, 04:39 AM
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The Dinan website says they can get a lot out of chip intake and exhaust.. I might do a blower if I feel like I really need to have a monster 
All I really want is a nice car that can tick off a low 14 and handle well.
All I really want is a nice car that can tick off a low 14 and handle well.
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10-02-02, 04:40 AM
#8
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Originally posted by MadMaxSC400
Imagine that car in black, with nice 18 inch wheels on it. I can't turbo an SC here without dealing with smog... I looked into the SC300 for a motor swap, but as I posted in the motor section a decent price 5 speed sold the day it was posted in the auto trader and they recieved almost 100 phone calls on the car the same day. They're just like Supras these days.. hard to buy and rarer than a clear day in LA.
Imagine that car in black, with nice 18 inch wheels on it. I can't turbo an SC here without dealing with smog... I looked into the SC300 for a motor swap, but as I posted in the motor section a decent price 5 speed sold the day it was posted in the auto trader and they recieved almost 100 phone calls on the car the same day. They're just like Supras these days.. hard to buy and rarer than a clear day in LA.
10-02-02, 06:22 AM
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540 information
Model Tested: 1995 BMW 540i
Drive System: Rear
Drive Ratio: 2.9:1
Transmission: 5-Spd Auto
Brakes: F/R Power, vented discs/vented discs, ABS
Engine: 4.0L V8
Horsepower: 282@5800rpm
Torque(lb/ft): 295@4500rpm
Compression Ratio: 10.0:1
Valve Train: 32 Valve
Standing Start Acceleration
0-35 mph 3.56 seconds
0-55 mph 6.54 seconds
0-60 mph 7.4 seconds
0-100 km/h 7.79 seconds
0-city block (500 ft) mph 66.7 mph, 8.75 seconds
0-quarter mile 92.2 mph, 15.69 seconds
540? not bad at all but it look like old man car. I like 740 or 2002 M3
Drive System: Rear
Drive Ratio: 2.9:1
Transmission: 5-Spd Auto
Brakes: F/R Power, vented discs/vented discs, ABS
Engine: 4.0L V8
Horsepower: 282@5800rpm
Torque(lb/ft): 295@4500rpm
Compression Ratio: 10.0:1
Valve Train: 32 Valve
Standing Start Acceleration
0-35 mph 3.56 seconds
0-55 mph 6.54 seconds
0-60 mph 7.4 seconds
0-100 km/h 7.79 seconds
0-city block (500 ft) mph 66.7 mph, 8.75 seconds
0-quarter mile 92.2 mph, 15.69 seconds
540? not bad at all but it look like old man car. I like 740 or 2002 M3
10-02-02, 06:30 AM
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The six speed ticks off a 6.2 0-60 and a 14.2 1/4 mile (personally saw a guy run that at Sears Point) and a number of small upgrades can get it sub-6 easily. A quick and abundant car.
10-02-02, 07:03 AM
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I'd be happy with my car if it had a manual transmission.
Dinan chip and transmission upgrade: $700, intake, $70. My chip and intake for my SC: $1100. Gains: pretty much the same. The exhaust they sell is ridiculously expensive, so forget that.
"Again, a tc from the PI group buy - what 900$ and install. N2O for around 700$ installed and I would think you can pull 14's. LSD, shift kit, and headers - In a SC400, how much more nice can it get?"
let's see.. headers are 700, the tc. 900, LSD, NOS and shift kit... what's that add up to, about 4 grand after install, if I'm lucky??? Why would I want that again??
Dinan chip and transmission upgrade: $700, intake, $70. My chip and intake for my SC: $1100. Gains: pretty much the same. The exhaust they sell is ridiculously expensive, so forget that.
"Again, a tc from the PI group buy - what 900$ and install. N2O for around 700$ installed and I would think you can pull 14's. LSD, shift kit, and headers - In a SC400, how much more nice can it get?"
let's see.. headers are 700, the tc. 900, LSD, NOS and shift kit... what's that add up to, about 4 grand after install, if I'm lucky??? Why would I want that again??
Last edited by MadMaxSC400; 10-02-02 at 07:04 AM.
10-02-02, 10:23 AM
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Why not sell it and buy a SC300 and then turbo?
I'm glad that you have a BMW mechanic friend so then you won't have to deal with the workers at BMW. My friend has a 98 M3 and is planning on getting the 2004 when that one comes out and he told me one thing I've learned about BMW sales people is that you have to go them, have the funds, and be prepared for an arrogant salesmen. Good luck on your next car though and keep on thanking your friend for not having to go the dealership as much
I'm glad that you have a BMW mechanic friend so then you won't have to deal with the workers at BMW. My friend has a 98 M3 and is planning on getting the 2004 when that one comes out and he told me one thing I've learned about BMW sales people is that you have to go them, have the funds, and be prepared for an arrogant salesmen. Good luck on your next car though and keep on thanking your friend for not having to go the dealership as much