I have a problem beleiving this! I bought 2000 540I auto two months ago without realy knowing to many specs. on it, now on the other side of the garage I have had 1997 m3 5spd sitting for last two years, and in my opinion quick enough car. So one wonderfull afternoon, I let my friend drive an 540i and I am in m3, so we did 20mph roll start sence 540i does not have lsd. I could not beleive my eyes, 540i was pulling on me and I was never shifting faster in my life!! By 120mph he was 1 car ahead of me. Now my m3 has 240 hp & 236tq + 3150lbs and 540i has 282hp & 324tq + 3800lbs, is this possible?????

nice! i never lost to an e36 m3 with my 540i...so yes its possible

M50 mani. 3.5" hfm, 24 lbs injectors, conforti chip, lwt flywheel and a 3.38 lsd and you can pull on them like i do!
Edit* software for you.

All times Ive seen show 540i > E36 M3 stock vs stock

I just bought 2000 540i 6 speed. I really liked this thread becasue I was wondering about the same thing. It looks like I am gonna enjoy this car and I will not regret for not paying too much for M3 just for the name.

iforti wuts ur nationality?

Try racing an M3 from a stop, with two equal drivers the M3 will get at least 1car lead before the 540i/6 starts to real him in. However the 540i auto is slower in the 1/4 mile then the M3, that's what I have read. COuld somebody clarify this for me?

It has 324lb-ft of torque?

What I have been trying to find out is why the early e39 non-vanos 540 is faster than the vanos e39 540. I know it takes about 10hp to run vanos,according to Dinan himself, but I would still think the vanos equiped should be faster due to power delivery i.e not peaky.

iforti wuts ur nationality?
I am Albanian. Are you Albanian too?

very informative thread (no sarcasm intended)

What I have been trying to find out is why the early e39 non-vanos 540 is faster than the vanos e39 540. I know it takes about 10hp to run vanos,according to Dinan himself, but I would still think the vanos equiped should be faster due to power delivery i.e not peaky.

the '97 and '98 non vanos 540i's were the fastest. They are the ones that hit 100mph in the Q/M and can run 14 flat stock. Most other 540i's run low 14's and trap 97ish.

By the way is 540i 3800lbs or 3600lbs? In the title it shows 3600lbs.

Nice. I've been wondering about this battle for awhile, although I have an e34, there isn't much difference.

It has 324lb-ft of torque?

that is the factory rating. stock they have been dynoed with 306 WTQ

how do e34 540s compare to early e39s in performance?

+1

My friend has an E34 540i and I believe that I could take him from a roll, but at hwy speeds that V8 is hard to beat.