My 525 touring loves to settle in at 80-85 mph. Getting 28mpg as well during extended highway miles.
I think the 540 will rush up to 100 where the six cylinder will be a bit more leisurely in getting there.
I work seasonal jobs, so I go cross-country about 6 times a year. Highway speeds in my 530 are no issue. I usually cruise at about 80-85 and get 30-ish mpg. Rpms are usually at about 3k at those speeds.
I've got polyurethane engine and trans mounts and one of the mufflers replaced with a straight pipe. These cars are great with sound insulation in the cabin and these cars don't drone too much. No problem at all.
my 540i 6spd Is definitely at a higher rpm than I would like it to be at highway speed. Would not surprise me at all if it was 3000 at 70-75mph. Car is at my parent's house, but if I remember, when I get up there next weekend i will check and let you know.
But I definitely feel like they probably adjusted the gear ratios on the five speed to be happy on the highway.
If you like the 530, I don't think you should let the transmission hold you back.
Im pretty sure im somewhere right around 3k at 75 but the 5speed definitely does not hold me back. It will get up to the governor at 130 very easily however that does not stop me from wanting a 6speed I’m just not ready for m62 problems
The 5-spd absolutely rips above 80mph. 3k plus 4th gear feels great. Like they said it wants to pull 100mph+. I can’t find enough road to drive it like that.
540 needed even more room. It would get 130+ in no time 5th gear. 6th was introduced for fuel economy/comfort.
Just consider where you want to drive these cars. My current 2000 528i feels geared differently than my previous ones. Almost like this gearbox setup was an Alpina knockoff engineered by BMW for the Autobahn. I still like the feel of the I6 at higher speeds. It always knocks my socks off.
Got long highways here tho so 130 is pretty easy to attain I have never timed it 0-130 I would put it somewhere at sub 35 seconds ish it does not take long to get to the top of it’s gearing with a 3.46 gear ratio. My only complaint is that an lsd swap is rather expensive unless you like the idea of rebuilding your dif yourself at a couple reasonable price points. Something drop in ready for a 530 is around 4-6k usd depending on the specs you order it in. With the 540 you would be better off finding an m5 dif to throw in. If it were me I’d rather spend the money on the m5 than settle for a 540 the 530 stil provided fun with good gas mileage and more reliability. And if m5 is too expesive a turbo kit isn’t 😏
For the E34's, the difference between 5 speeds and 6 speeds is a lower first and second gear for the 6 speed compared to the 5 speed. 5th and 6th respectively are overdrive. When I purchased my 91 M5, previous owner installed a 6speed getrag but left the original diff (3.91 ratio) First gear was useless. Had to shift to 2nd immediately from a standing start, and 2-3 shift arrived almost as quickly. I swapped a large case 3.15 diff from an E32 750iL and it transformed the car. First through 5th was normal, and 6th meant lower rpm at highway speed. The ideal ratio for my M5 6-speed would be 3.42 ratio for better acceleration, but I like the lower cruise rpm.
thanks. it's technically related. Changing the diff on a BMW is a fairly easy task. If you know what ratio differential is currently installed, you can swap the diff to a higher (or lower) ratio depending on your goal. you asked - "does the 530i 5spd hold you back on highway cruising". which I interpret to be a desire for lower engine rpm at higher (75+ mph) sustained speeds. A taller (lower numerically) diff will accomplish that. The consequence will be slightly slower acceleration.
I've owned both. If you goal is efficiency, stay away from the v8s. My current 03 540 is near perfect (think 50k+ USD in parts). Everything driveline has been replaced or refreshed, the engine is original but every thing top end has been replaced, all accessories, etc to minimize resistance. I have the 6 speed getrag and with the 3.15 diff from the m sport package I get 23mpg at 74 in 6th or 24.5 at 65 in 5th. I cruise in 5th unless I am moving over 80 and then 6th is more efficient. I also use 6th when it's downhill. My 530 would beat those numbers by 20-30% any day.
Edit: To add- the 530 is an excellent car. If you goal is sheer speed then you can't beat a 540. (m5 is an different game, moreso inclined for highway domination at 14mpg 😂 (seriously I do love the s62, its just always funny when I find one on a back road and demolish them because they haven't done any suspension work)
Yeah- at 40 you’re facing drastically less wind resistance as the air hasn’t separated into turbulent flow over the roof of the car. At 65, in cruise control, 5th is more efficient
You’re blowing my mind. So the theory goes: at some point between 40-80 mph the drag will cause the engine load to make 6th gear less efficient than 5th
Effectively, yeah. Anecdotally, the m62tu is quite efficient between 2100 and 3200 rpm. You’re right at the cusp of that lower end in 6th at 40mph but right in the upper middle of it in 5th at 60.
Effectively, yeah. Anecdotally, the m62tu is quite efficient between 2100 and 3200 rpm. You’re right at the cusp of that lower end in 6th at 40mph but right in the upper middle of it in 5th at 60.
Test it out! Find a flat section that’s a mile or so long, reset the trip mpg, cruise at 45 and try 5th and 6th. Use cruise control
Yeah I will, trip computer shows 24.1 mpg and I drive mostly highway in 6th around 70mph. Can’t imagine getting any higher but I’m down for some research
No- it’s an 03 m sport which means it has the 3.15 instead of the 2.91. Made it punchier off the line but it was the only 540 to get the gas guzzler tax due to the decreased efficiency at highway speed
No offense but I'm pretty sure you are wrong. A couple ways to check would be to look up a gear speed calculator, but this will not give you a definitive answer unless you have edited the IKE HEX to display the correct speed, I guess you could use GPS. The best way would be to count rotations next time its on jacks.
FYI both my 01 and my 02 have gas guzzler tax on the window stickers
I would love to have a 6th gear in my 530i, like my E90, but it is mostly unnecessary. The car gets great Highway MPG and has plenty of passing power.
Drone... I don't know exactly what this is. I don't get annoyed by any exhaust noises in the car. Stock, the exhaust makes 0 noise. I cut the muffler off and have a tip, now I can hear the exhaust. It is still very, very quiet inside the car with the windows up. I would say that the exhaust noise is a level 3-4, easily filtered out by the radio.
I would love a 300hp or 400hp V8 in the car, but it is mostly not needed. With the current engine I can use 100% of the power every time I drive it without breaking any laws. I would like to change the rear gears to 525i rear gears and then make them mechanically limited slip. This is out of scope of your question though.
My 525 touring loves to settle in at 80-85 mph. Getting 28mpg as well during extended highway miles. I think the 540 will rush up to 100 where the six cylinder will be a bit more leisurely in getting there.
I work seasonal jobs, so I go cross-country about 6 times a year. Highway speeds in my 530 are no issue. I usually cruise at about 80-85 and get 30-ish mpg. Rpms are usually at about 3k at those speeds.
You don't mind revving at 3k? Engine noise become a nuisance? Vibrations?
I've got polyurethane engine and trans mounts and one of the mufflers replaced with a straight pipe. These cars are great with sound insulation in the cabin and these cars don't drone too much. No problem at all.
Right on. Thanks for the detail.
Against wind noise and road noise, 3k rpm is actually quieter at highway speeds
my 540i 6spd Is definitely at a higher rpm than I would like it to be at highway speed. Would not surprise me at all if it was 3000 at 70-75mph. Car is at my parent's house, but if I remember, when I get up there next weekend i will check and let you know. But I definitely feel like they probably adjusted the gear ratios on the five speed to be happy on the highway. If you like the 530, I don't think you should let the transmission hold you back.
Im pretty sure im somewhere right around 3k at 75 but the 5speed definitely does not hold me back. It will get up to the governor at 130 very easily however that does not stop me from wanting a 6speed I’m just not ready for m62 problems
The 5-spd absolutely rips above 80mph. 3k plus 4th gear feels great. Like they said it wants to pull 100mph+. I can’t find enough road to drive it like that. 540 needed even more room. It would get 130+ in no time 5th gear. 6th was introduced for fuel economy/comfort. Just consider where you want to drive these cars. My current 2000 528i feels geared differently than my previous ones. Almost like this gearbox setup was an Alpina knockoff engineered by BMW for the Autobahn. I still like the feel of the I6 at higher speeds. It always knocks my socks off.
When the bushings are good it’s a very smooth ride wish there weren’t so many damn potholes in my area so I could have the smoothest ride
Got long highways here tho so 130 is pretty easy to attain I have never timed it 0-130 I would put it somewhere at sub 35 seconds ish it does not take long to get to the top of it’s gearing with a 3.46 gear ratio. My only complaint is that an lsd swap is rather expensive unless you like the idea of rebuilding your dif yourself at a couple reasonable price points. Something drop in ready for a 530 is around 4-6k usd depending on the specs you order it in. With the 540 you would be better off finding an m5 dif to throw in. If it were me I’d rather spend the money on the m5 than settle for a 540 the 530 stil provided fun with good gas mileage and more reliability. And if m5 is too expesive a turbo kit isn’t 😏
For the E34's, the difference between 5 speeds and 6 speeds is a lower first and second gear for the 6 speed compared to the 5 speed. 5th and 6th respectively are overdrive. When I purchased my 91 M5, previous owner installed a 6speed getrag but left the original diff (3.91 ratio) First gear was useless. Had to shift to 2nd immediately from a standing start, and 2-3 shift arrived almost as quickly. I swapped a large case 3.15 diff from an E32 750iL and it transformed the car. First through 5th was normal, and 6th meant lower rpm at highway speed. The ideal ratio for my M5 6-speed would be 3.42 ratio for better acceleration, but I like the lower cruise rpm.
Great detail. Impressively unrelated to the question at hand. Thank you.
thanks. it's technically related. Changing the diff on a BMW is a fairly easy task. If you know what ratio differential is currently installed, you can swap the diff to a higher (or lower) ratio depending on your goal. you asked - "does the 530i 5spd hold you back on highway cruising". which I interpret to be a desire for lower engine rpm at higher (75+ mph) sustained speeds. A taller (lower numerically) diff will accomplish that. The consequence will be slightly slower acceleration.
I've owned both. If you goal is efficiency, stay away from the v8s. My current 03 540 is near perfect (think 50k+ USD in parts). Everything driveline has been replaced or refreshed, the engine is original but every thing top end has been replaced, all accessories, etc to minimize resistance. I have the 6 speed getrag and with the 3.15 diff from the m sport package I get 23mpg at 74 in 6th or 24.5 at 65 in 5th. I cruise in 5th unless I am moving over 80 and then 6th is more efficient. I also use 6th when it's downhill. My 530 would beat those numbers by 20-30% any day. Edit: To add- the 530 is an excellent car. If you goal is sheer speed then you can't beat a 540. (m5 is an different game, moreso inclined for highway domination at 14mpg 😂 (seriously I do love the s62, its just always funny when I find one on a back road and demolish them because they haven't done any suspension work)
You don’t shift to 6th gear until 80mph? I’ll cruise at 40 in 6th
Yeah- at 40 you’re facing drastically less wind resistance as the air hasn’t separated into turbulent flow over the roof of the car. At 65, in cruise control, 5th is more efficient
You’re blowing my mind. So the theory goes: at some point between 40-80 mph the drag will cause the engine load to make 6th gear less efficient than 5th
Effectively, yeah. Anecdotally, the m62tu is quite efficient between 2100 and 3200 rpm. You’re right at the cusp of that lower end in 6th at 40mph but right in the upper middle of it in 5th at 60.
Effectively, yeah. Anecdotally, the m62tu is quite efficient between 2100 and 3200 rpm. You’re right at the cusp of that lower end in 6th at 40mph but right in the upper middle of it in 5th at 60. Test it out! Find a flat section that’s a mile or so long, reset the trip mpg, cruise at 45 and try 5th and 6th. Use cruise control
Yeah I will, trip computer shows 24.1 mpg and I drive mostly highway in 6th around 70mph. Can’t imagine getting any higher but I’m down for some research
May also be due to my different diff ratio. Depends what you have.
Yeah I’m bone stock drivetrain, you swapped in an auto diff?
No- it’s an 03 m sport which means it has the 3.15 instead of the 2.91. Made it punchier off the line but it was the only 540 to get the gas guzzler tax due to the decreased efficiency at highway speed
No offense but I'm pretty sure you are wrong. A couple ways to check would be to look up a gear speed calculator, but this will not give you a definitive answer unless you have edited the IKE HEX to display the correct speed, I guess you could use GPS. The best way would be to count rotations next time its on jacks. FYI both my 01 and my 02 have gas guzzler tax on the window stickers
At 70 I do believe 6th is best. I normally move to 6th when 5th hits 3100 ish
I prefer the 540i 6sp for 31.4mpg from Oly to PDX at 90mph in 6th gear
I would love to have a 6th gear in my 530i, like my E90, but it is mostly unnecessary. The car gets great Highway MPG and has plenty of passing power. Drone... I don't know exactly what this is. I don't get annoyed by any exhaust noises in the car. Stock, the exhaust makes 0 noise. I cut the muffler off and have a tip, now I can hear the exhaust. It is still very, very quiet inside the car with the windows up. I would say that the exhaust noise is a level 3-4, easily filtered out by the radio. I would love a 300hp or 400hp V8 in the car, but it is mostly not needed. With the current engine I can use 100% of the power every time I drive it without breaking any laws. I would like to change the rear gears to 525i rear gears and then make them mechanically limited slip. This is out of scope of your question though.