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Thread: 540 differences 2001 - 2003

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    540 differences 2001 - 2003

    I'm pretty new to this forum, but am hoping for some help. I've been looking to buy a 540i 6 speed in the year range of 2001 thru 2003. I've noticed that the wheel style (and size) seems to vary from year to year. Some have "deep dish" for example. What changed during those model years? Any engine changes? What about options? Suspension? Colors?

    Any info would be of interest. Are there web sites with this info?

    thanks!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
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    E60 M5
    Any changes between those years are mainly cosmetic that i can think of. Different wheels and different steering wheel inside the car for sport packages. Other than that, i believe nothing is different since after 01 all of the 5's have the angel eyes and the celis tails. Oh yea, in 03 the 540/sport also for the M-technic front and rear bumpers.

    But like i said... everything purely cosmetic.

    Anyone correct me here if i'm wrong but i'm 95% sure of this.

  3. #3
    Join Date
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    1998 BMW 540iA
    i think hp goes from 282 to 290 also....
    1998 BMW 540iA Oxford Green

    Installed Mods: Eclipse 3434 headunit, 2 12" Alpine Type R subs, JL Audio 500/1 amp, ACS deadpedal

    Future Mods: Angel eye headlights OEM, Celis Taillights OEM, Exhaust, Intake, Chip, Software Download, Carbon Fiber Hood, etc.

  4. #4
    Join Date
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    '97 540i, '10 Vette GS
    I believe that the '01 and later models have the Vanos whereas the earlier versions did not ('97 thru 00). I may not have the years exactly correct, though.

    Some folks have stated that the non-Vanos models are better. I'm sure it can go either way, depending on who you talk to.








    04/1997 Build Date. 84,000 miles. Mods limited to black BMW roundel front license plate, wheel locks and an M5 rear trunk lip spoiler. 12" Kicker sub and amp in the trunk.

  5. #5
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by 540i6sport
    I believe that the '01 and later models have the Vanos whereas the earlier versions did not ('97 thru 00). I may not have the years exactly correct, though.

    Some folks have stated that the non-Vanos models are better. I'm sure it can go either way, depending on who you talk to.
    On my 99 i know for sure it's got vanos. But i believe it's only the single vanos. I'm pretty sure the dual vanos did not start until 2000. Then in 01 is when the hp went from 282-290.

    You really wont be able to feel too much of a difference for a car of the size of the e39. Some people say that the non-vanos is better because they are more reliable in the sense that you wont have vanos failure. Other's believe the increase in responsiveness compensates for the occassional failure.

    If you ask me, i think the #1 thing to worry about is the physical mechanical condition of the car you are seeking since that will be the most expensive to repair if there are problems. Dont worry about the angel eyes/bumpers etc... those can always be added on later.

    By the way, get the 6-speed.

  6. #6
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    single VANOS came in '99, and double VANOS sometime later. Not sure when. The boost in hp from 282 to 290 occured after 2001, since my 2001 is rated at 282.

    The pre-VANOS motors (97-98) were severely underrated from the factory. BMW said they had 282 hp, but there are quite a few people who dynoed their cars at 260-270 whp, which would put them in the 300+ hp range at the crank.

    On my 2001 sport package I have 17" radial spoke wheels. I believe on the 2002 and/or 2003 18" wheels were available. non-sport package cars had 16" wheels in 2001. Not sure about 2002-2003.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Phat Ham
    The pre-VANOS motors (97-98) were severely underrated from the factory. BMW said they had 282 hp, but there are quite a few people who dynoed their cars at 260-270 whp, which would put them in the 300+ hp range at the crank.
    I dyno'd my 97 at 252 RWHP and 272 RWTQ. FWIW seems pretty strong for a motor rated at 282.....
    coming soon, S54's for everything....

  8. #8
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    vanos?

    thanks for the replies and info. thought I'd educate myself on how vanos works:

    "The crankshaft drives a sprocket on the exhaust cam, and the exhaust cam sprocket is bolted to the exhaust cam. A second set of teeth moves a second chain that goes across to the intake cam. The big sprocket on the intake cam is not bolted to the cam, for it has a big hole in the middle. Inside the hole is a helical set of teeth. On the end of the cam is a gear that is also helical on the outside, but it's too small to connect to the teeth on the inside of the big sprocket. " [and so on... per http://www.bmwworld.com/technology/vanos.htm]

    nevermind.

  9. #9
    Join Date
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    1995 Porsche 993 Coupe
    Does extra weight come with the 8 hp jump for the 2002 and newer E39 540i 6 speeds?

  10. #10
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    540i6 -99
    Just for the record, there was no E39 V8 engine besides the M5 wich had dual vanos.

  11. #11
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    tank
    2002 & 2003 is the same except that sunroof is std. on the 2003 and a option on a 2002.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by sirtiger
    2002 & 2003 is the same except that sunroof is std. on the 2003 and a option on a 2002.


    As previously mentioned, the 2003 540/6 had the M technic bumpers and M parallel wheels, different from the 2002 wheels. I think the suspension was a little different on the 2003 too.

  13. #13
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    2003 Dinan SC 540/6 M
    Quote Originally Posted by Phat Ham


    As previously mentioned, the 2003 540/6 had the M technic bumpers and M parallel wheels, different from the 2002 wheels. I think the suspension was a little different on the 2003 too.
    As previously stated; The 2003 M sport package comes with the M Technic Bumpers, 18" M parallel wheels but also with the M sport II suspension Which is a bit more aggresive that the regular sport suspension. Also the sway bars are larger. The M sport II comes with 25mm in the front 15mm rear. The regular sport suspension is 24mm front, 14mm rear. The M5 is 27mm F / 16.5 mm R. There are other M bits in the car but they are for looks. This package was a great farewell to the e39 line up.

  14. #14
    Join Date
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    1967 Camero RS
    here are all the changes from 97-2002

    http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums...3826502&page=1

    if anyone has the 2003 page please post it.

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