Buying advice e39 530i or e38 735i

[Charley85]

Hey guys
I would really appreciate your thoughts.

I currently drive an e39 525i. The car is amazing to drive but I feel that it is a bit sluggish once in gears 3 and 4 when I need that acceleration in the city. On the open road it is a dream to drive and has no problem propelling me for comfortable over taking.

However I have driven the 530i e39 and the power difference is noticeable. I feel that the 530i will satisfy my power requirements.
However I also have the option of purchasing an e38 735i with a similar model year and mileage as the 530i which I am considering currently.

My concern is that the 735i May be as sluggish as my current e39 525i.

What do u think.

 

[Alex E34 525]

Depending on the diff ratio I don’t think you would notice too much difference between the two the 735 is a half litre bigger capacity and not that much heavier, only my opinion though


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[AdiS]

I would not go for the 735i. If I'm not mistaken, it has a low output version of the M62 V8, and frankly all you are going to get is a much bigger fuel bill.

The 530i is the better choice as the M54 will be much less problematic. The 530i will also likely have fewer electronic issues compared to the E38.

 

[RonCT]

No question... easy decision E39 530i is an amazing car, one of the best build quality

 

[rodga]

530i

But I would look for a 530d if you can find a neat one.

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[Ralf*]

Have owned
1) E39 530d
and
2) E38 740i

The 530d was awesome torque , but a solid car
The 740i was sluggish in comparison, but WOW, it was the height of driving comfort, I could easily fall asleep in the 740 because it just soaked up the road effortlesly

The 740 had twice the town consumption of the 530d, thus it only saw the road once or twice a week.

You are asking about the 735, so if my comment that the 740 seemed sluggish, I would suspect that the 735 would be even more sluggish
but
I am using a diesel E39 as a comparitor though.

 

[frs1]

735i was a straight six, not sluggish

 

[Budleigh]

735i was a straight six, not sluggish

An E38 735i will be a V8. You're thinking of the E32.

To the OP, I would say buy the one in the best condition, since neither of them will set the world on fire, but neither of them will be slow either. 530i is an awesome real-world car - smooth, responsive, and all the other cliches.

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[VinceM]

530i ---- the issues of M54 cars are a lot more documented than the 735i (I would think) as the M54 motor was in various models in BMW (3 series, which pushes high volumes, Z4, X3, 5 series and a few more) so parts wise, you have more latitude

that being said though, it depends on what you want to achieve. I saw a well maintained 735i E38 in Silver (PTA), that car looks and drives "special". Very comfy....I wouldn't mind it for a once in a while trip.

For a lot more duties than "once in a while trip" --- take the 530i

 

[S1NGH 911]

E39 530i without a doubt, it's arguably the best of the E39 range bar the M5

The 540i was known for sloppy handling

 

[individj]

if you purchase a 530D auto theres a big chance youll have an issue with the gearbox down the line..the D has even more torque than the i..just be aware of it.

---

540i sport is fantastic

 

[ecKARd]

E38 looks cooler :fencelook:

 

[VinceM]

Like so:

https://www.olx.co.za/item/bmw-735i-e38-iid-1059378360

 

[Ralf*]

Like so:

https://www.olx.co.za/item/bmw-735i-e38-iid-1059378360

ag sies man

THATS PORN RIGHT THERE !!

(BMW PORN)

---

Like so:

https://www.olx.co.za/item/bmw-735i-e38-iid-1059378360

ag sies man

THATS PORN RIGHT THERE !!

(BMW PORN)

---

Like so:

https://www.olx.co.za/item/bmw-735i-e38-iid-1059378360

ag sies man

THATS PORN RIGHT THERE !!

(BMW PORN)

 

[Bonez007]

740i with engine and gearbox swap from E39 M5 :cartel:

On a serious note, the 740i is just magical to drive. The comfort is amazing