Hmm....seems I'm a bit off in pricing. Earlier 540s go for around 20K. 2001s on the other hand seem to going for ~30K. Either way, the prices of the cars are comparable.

 

any one ever tried to race a 540i??? or any one herd stories???? what are the results

 

page one and read mine

 

its funny this thread was started because i planned to give up the 350z in no more than 3 years and get a 5-series BMW. That was my whole plan before buying my 350Z. I love my Z to death, but i knew eventually i wanted a BMW 5-series for the longest time. Both are awesome cars in their own classes.

 

No. They are NOT comparable. You really can't compare new to used. If we did that, then a REALLY used Ferrari is comparable to both these cars and would blow both away. Car mags could run comparison tests between a new Scion TC, used Z, old beat-up Delorean, etc, etc.

There is no fairly comparing these cars, IMHO. V8 luxo sedan vs. a V6 sportscoupe. Just doesn't make sense to me.

Having said all that, IF I could only have one car and IF I was able to completely ignore the money factor, I'd pick the Bimmer.

 

I have raced my cousin in his 545i from a highway roll and I beat him soundly but I do have some weight reduction, with headers, and exhaust mods. I put about 4 cars on him from the bottom of third to the top of fourth gear. You got to remember those cars might have more power but they are way heavier than the Z. They do feel faster than the Z because of the torque but the weight kills them in a race.

 

We have a 94 540i and that thing moves. Clearly not like a 2001 but even back in 94 they had around 250HP (or something around there). What's it at now?

From a stop, the weight of the 540 would hold it back. But once it's moving, it'd be a fight.

And FWIW, we got our mint 94 540i w/ 80k miles for $10k. Amazing car for the money....we love it.

 

My buddy has 540 and he loves it but it is really expensive to maintain at least compare to the Z.

 

It is an apples to oranges comparison, but the original poster said he was looking for a 2001 540. Since this is the case, the prices would be comparable. Even if you compare a used Z, the prices would still be comparable. Don't know how you can argue that.

Magazine racing aside, this happens all the time when people look into buying a car. A M3 and a boxster are almost twice the price of the Z, but low and behold, when you compare used or CPO'd models, they all of a sudden become comparable.

 

Does he have an automatic? I don't doubt you beat him, with mods and weight reduction, but 4 cars is huge. Also take into account that weight plays less of a factor at speed.

I have no doubt my stock 545 would take my stock Z on a third gear run.

 

That's a nice pickup. I have an a '92 525i that is super slow, but still fun to drive.

 

IF your saying that a new e60 545i is slower than 350z then wow. 350z is fast. How about the M3 is it faster??? about the price its the same
the nissan track is 32 000 at kbb.com and the bimmer is 33 000 no tmuch difference. So you guys are saying that 350z will kill the 540i at drag???

 

I'm saying that a 545i will take the 350 from a roll. But another poster had the opposite result.

 

Get the 350z cause i think it's faster on the highway, if that's what you are looking for.

 

Why the hell does it matter that much anyway?? Bolth are nice cars, if you want something that is ONLY fast, save a grip of $$$, get a mid 90s camaro and put a blower on it.

 

Yes, he has an automatic. Last time I took my Z to the drag strip a couple a years ago I trap over 104 and I didn't have any weight reduction. I don't remember what all the mods I had at the time but I know I didn't have many since I had just got my car. My car is now significantly faster than it was a couple of years ago.

 

The M3 would own both the Z and 540i.

 

if you don't need the space and the car is purely for you, then get the Z. i was going to get the 2006 bmw 330i, but i figured i'm still young and i can always get a bmw down the line. just my opinion though...decide what you want and ride with it