540 or Evo VIII

[Matt H330]

Honest opinions please. If I go for a 540 next it will be fully loaded with sat nav, elec everything etc etc and will be at best a 51 plate. If I go for the Evo it will have elec windows and mirrors, climate and that is about it but it will be at least a 53, prob an 04 with less than 10k on the clock. Which way should I go?

[lee330sport]

I would probably go for the 540 and mod that :D .

But for fun you cant really beat the EVO, i nearly bought one a few months back.

[BigFas]

Never overlook the fact that when you buy an Evo, you're signing up for 4500 mile service intervals or every six months at a cost of £300-£500 a pop

[M5 SC]

Tough one mate!!!
I'd have to go for the 540, but the EVO VIII is a f***ing great car performance wise but a bit 'boy racer' in the looks department for me.
Its a very close call for me but the 540 shade's it - just...

[330-Singh]

The running costs and service intervals are a joke on the Evo's. If that doesn't bother you and the fact that the quality of the Evo is crap - then go for it.

I personally couldn't drive a car that quick knowing it is built so bad!

Go for the 540 IMO

[Tin]

alittle biased here, but go for the 540, and then once your bored of the power etc, all very linear, semi auto box etc..... get it supercharged!!! checkout www.jimmy540i.com for info on what could be done to a 540!

On the otherhand, I do like the Evo7's, insanely quick with the added effect from the turbo pushing ur neck back for full effect... very sure footed 4wd yaw control etc etc, but the interior is the biggest let down imho.. servicing yep oil change every 4.5k miles around 100quid, sparks etc every year..

If your into modding whichever car u get (and most likely, as ur a member here), both have good modding paths, although the bimmer will be the most expensive one ;) but suspect the insurance will be cheaper on the 540 anyhow.. which adds to the apeal aswell as the "Qness" of the normal sedate looking sedan..

[Nickleback]

Tough call !!

Evo- B...dy good car, great handling, high servicing costs, will die @ 100k if really used, young image.
540 - cruiser with B.lls, last longer, more fun long term, cheaper to servicel, better for modding.

540 just edge's it for me too !! :D :cool:

[Matt H330]

Yeah the Evo would need 600-1000 servicing every yearbut the 540 would be a fair bit too. I do about 10k a year. Another concern would be the warrentee. Evo would still have a good 2 years left where I would have to renew the BM one.

[Lucky Bob]

Matt

you did ask for honest opinions, can't see why you put a 540 up against Evo ?

you could make a 540 go a lot faster (big money) but you could never make an Evo look classy, yes the Evo is a great performance car, but the oceans of cheap plastic and tacky trim :eek:

What about a used S-Type R as consideration against a 540 thats straight line M3 performance and the quality is really good, don't belive the old bad rep about Jags , just check the J.D Power survey over the last five years.

Residual values just may not be as good as the 540, but the Bridgend V8 is considered to be one of the best, only eight years old and its even been revamped once in those eight years.

LB

[Big m.o.]

did anyone mention a 51 0r early 52 E55 AMG?

[Chaos]

I'm right with Bob. I drive an M3 now but used to have a 325 coupe. Once a month on average I go rallying in Imprezza. The difference is comparable to the 540 v Evo8 you're thinking about and let me tell you it's total chalk and cheese. You can't compare them. You just can't. I get out of the Beemer, do 100ish miles flat out in the monster, then when I'm thoroughly roadsick (nothing gets you feeling like that quite like co-driving in a full-on tuned rally car) I get back into my civilised ride and drive about for a while until it subsides and I can start to chill out a bit. Driving it or riding in it, it's like going from an armchair to a go-kart - they're not even close in comparison.

The Beemer will be civilised, torquey, quiet, cruiseworthy. The Evo will be bonkers, loud, expensive, demanding of constant hard driving to respond well, and maintenance is heavy. Our Scooby is road legal (it has to be) and my driver uses it for work, and for every time he's come in grinning I've seen him come in swearing about it. It'll be the same with the Evo. You'll have to love it to bits, almost lust after it, to put up with it's constant needs.

You're talking about comparing a housewife with no emotional baggage to a supermodel with an insecurity complex - we all know we'd shag the supermodel given half a chance but honestly which one would you live with?

[Shuriken]

That is quite possibly the most amazing comparison between two cars I have read! Well written Chaos.

I have no experience of either but I think the 540. For the simple reason that the Evo has to be driven hard to really enjoy it and realistically you don't get the chance to drive like that all of the time. Most of your driving will be to and from work, to your mates house, around town, whatever, you won't be able to drive an Evo hard enough to enjoy it. The majority of your driving will be relaxed and thats why I think the 540 has it, lets not forget that a 540 must move like s**t of a shovel anyway.

Shuriken.

[Big m.o.]

one thing not mentioned is that would you be able to sleep well at night, be the evo parked in the garage or on the drive? The thought
of constantly looking in your rear view mirror for anyone tailing you home????? I live in that constant fear all the time...........well at least until I slightly modded my vert and now everyone thinks i'm a gangsta and won't touch me.

[Lucky Bob]

did anyone mention a 51 0r early 52 E55 AMG?

And another top motor.

[Tin]

also just to add, I find that driving a 4wd car fast is far far easier than doing the same in rwd car.. scoobies/evo's are frightening quick of the mark, mainly cos of the turbo and traction control, but driving around bends its re-assuring.. doing the same in the m5 is more of a challenge and find its a better drive.. I am by no means an expert driver (far from it ;) but you sometimes feel that you've learnt more by the experience in the rwd car. just my 2p's worth, not sure if they do (or you looking for) a manual 6spd 540.. but definately take both for a test drive and see for yourself.

[Matt H330]

Excellent replies, cheers guys.

I like the comparison that Chaos makes with the supermodel. This is probably why I like the idea of the Evo.

540 is the sensible option, but who wants to be sensible all the time???

Also the point that Big Mo makes is a good one. This is why the Scooby was not even a consideration as I would expect it to be nicked before I got to the front door.

I need a car that you can fit a pushchair in, that wont be woth £2.50 after 5 mins of ownership, but is great fun for the 95% of the time when I am in it alone.

They are very different cars and I know that the switch gear will fall off in my hand in the Evo, but that's not what it is about.

I suppose at the end of the day the question should be, have I grown up or am I still a big kid? :D

[lee330sport]

Looks like you answered your own Q's there.


I need a car that you can fit a pushchair in, that wont be woth £2.50 after 5 mins of ownership, but is great fun for the 95% of the time when I am in it alone.

Def 540 manual, you can still be a big kid with a 300bhp RWD saloon. ;)

[Lucky Bob]

As Tin sayes a manual 540, :cool: I looked for on of these for months, Found one on BMW web site at Ashridge BMW, when I went there they told me that they had sold it months ago, but left on the site because attracted a lot of attention, and was told if people turn up they will almost certainly buy a car ?

FWD car have one problem, you can fry the clutch on fast standing starts (Audi TT ) to overcome the big power the clutch needs to be as tuff as a manhole cover, and becomes a real pain to use, and you end up with a left leg like Arnie's


LB

[peppernick]

I agree you have to really lust after an Evo to justify owning one, especially if it'll be your main car. Running cost is scary and the car can tire you easily. It'll be a blastif it's a weekend toy.

The 540i drives very similar to the E46 330, civilized yet quick enough on everyday roads. However, sometimes it can be downright boring.

If it's my only car or I use it a lot, and I needed space, I would want something that has a Jekyl and Hyde personality. One that switches over as and when you want it.

Have a look at Mercedes. They are not boring to drive if you get an AMG. AMGs are completely different to standard Mercs bar the body shape and the supercharged engines are refined and torquey. You don't have to go for an all singing and dancing V8 Kompressor, even the older V6 Kompressor is more than adequate.

Given the choice of an E39 540i and a 2001/2002 W203 C32 AMG, I'll take the AMG. It'll blow the 540 away. I know there are a lot of reliability issues with Mercs but not everyone of them has a problem. Even if one did, Merc problems tend to plaque newer cars. The older cars that have been running for a few years are the ones that are ironed out, so shouldn't be a concern.

Plus they are so pretty [ok

http://www.tuningnews.net/news/040217a/01.jpg

[Matt H330]

I agree the AMG would be nice but would cost an extra 7 grand. Both the Evo and the 540 can be picked up for 18k. Currently the cheapest AMG C32 is 25k.

[Big m.o.]

failed to mention an RS4. Bit more (lowest price seen £30k approx), cracking estate - wolf in sheeps clothing. Add Revo plug and play chip and all 450 BHP is yours

[Ali_]

Hmmm Matt,

Size wise the Evos not all that bad you can throw a push chair in and still have room for a body ;) remember it just a race spec lancer. Looks wise im with the evo the 5s starting to look a little dated if you ask me.
Draw back: the rear seats wont fold and the suspension is hard as nails.
Quick!!! Quick isnt the word i would use ;)

MMM the mighty 5, my mothers got a 530 fully loaded and i love it to bites. It class and holds its own in the land of V8 down under...

Funny enough dad works for Mitsubishi and although we fly the BMW flag at home im still sure one day i will own an EVO, i think some time in your life you have to know that its you thats keeping the lid on all hell braking loose.