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[tunnie]

Yes, yes i swore...... but hang on...

Been looking at these.... if i sell the project lpg i fancy a change.

I have been looking at 535's

It looks like they have a V8 engine? - Also been looking at 528's

Few questions, are the engines belt or chains, any major problems? Anyone had some experiance of them??

Btw looking at the previous shape, not current ones. 1996-1999 cars....

[JamesV6CDX]

You Traitor  [smiley=evil.gif]

[CaptainZok]

I bet TB is on his way over to slap you right now

[tunnie]

he does not know my address  

[Jay w]

i believe they are chain driven, but please dont quote me on that

why a BMW, why not put the money into something that you represents better value for money, they are overpriced and will have intergalatic mileage on them, and from wat the father in law has told me the electrics can be a bit ropey as they get older

[tunnie]

i want something with more grunt, and can cruise better at higher motorway speeds.

I am not a fan of the V6.....

[JamesV6CDX]

I am not a fan of the V6.....

Is that because you've never owned a good example of one?

My old 2.5 CDX, was one of the best running Omega's I ever come across, it used to really light up my face, much more than some 3.0's I have driven

Do you really need more power?

[Paul M]

Yes they are chain driven, and the earlier ones have duplex chains that will out-last the engine as long as the oil is changed on schedule... 300k miles is not unheard of!

I owned a 540i which is a V8, as is the 535i, same block but about 60 BHP power difference. You can get the 540i with a 6-speed gearbox, and it's a great cruiser, much more torquey than the 3.0 Omega, and it's got noticably more top-end too being a 32V engine that peaks around 6,000 RPM. Very well put together too. I'd imagine the 535i is much the same, but a bit less power, probably lower spec, and I think they were 5-speed too. Sport spec is best, you get nicer seats, better suspension and they look better too (different bumpers). I expect 535i and above will all be at least SE spec so most of the toys inc leather will be standard.

If I could find a good 6-speed 540i at the right price I'd have another in a heartbeat. It was a great car which handles really well for its size, and the engine is a great combination of lazy torque but also top-end power when you want to drop a few cogs and thrash it a little. A lot more expensive than the Omega, yes, but personally I think it's a much better car -- the engine alone is a huge bonus, on the Omega the 3.0 is underpowered for the top spec model on a car weighing 1650 Kg.

[tunnie]

I am not a fan of the V6.....

Is that because you've never owned a good example of one?

My old 2.5 CDX, was one of the best running Omega's I ever come across, it used to really light up my face, much more than some 3.0's I have driven

Do you really need more power?

I have driven TB's 3.0 MV6 quite a few times.... just does not feel fast.

I just don't find the V6's very insipring compared to the Senators.

[Markie]

I am not a fan of the V6.....

Is that because you've never owned a good example of one?

My old 2.5 CDX, was one of the best running Omega's I ever come across, it used to really light up my face, much more than some 3.0's I have driven

Do you really need more power?

I have driven TB's 3.0 MV6 quite a few times.... just does not feel fast.

I just don't find the V6's very insipring compared to the Senators.

im with you Tunnie....going back for a second test drive on  330ci clubsport tomorrow....i fancy a change too.....


be aware of the nikasil issue on  v`8s

[Paul M]

I am not a fan of the V6.....

Is that because you've never owned a good example of one?

My old 2.5 CDX, was one of the best running Omega's I ever come across, it used to really light up my face, much more than some 3.0's I have driven

Do you really need more power?

I have to say I agree completely with Tunnie. I have never been particularly impressed with the grunt of the Omega, and seeing as mine is the quickest retail model you can buy (bettered only by the very rare manual 3.2) there's no real upgrade from here other than big bucks on aftermarket modifications. It's a heavy car, the 3.0 V6 would probably be great in the Vectra B due to lower weight but it just doesn't cut it in the Omega IMO. The high gearing doesn't help either -- it's not unusual for me to drop to 3rd gear at 70MPH when I need a bit of grunt.

Funnily enough though I'd say motorway cruising is one thing it's pretty good at, it's pretty refined and quiet at speed, and there's reasonable torque for when you need to adjust speed a little even going up hills.

Maybe I'm just too used to gutsy cars having owned an Impreza WRX STi, BMW 540i and BMW 840Ci as my last three (along with a few runarounds, some of which were slower than the Omega and drove me insane!) but I think that V8 that was almost released, along with the 6-speed gearbox would have made the Omega a much better proposition.

[Paul M]

I am not a fan of the V6.....

Is that because you've never owned a good example of one?

My old 2.5 CDX, was one of the best running Omega's I ever come across, it used to really light up my face, much more than some 3.0's I have driven

Do you really need more power?

I have driven TB's 3.0 MV6 quite a few times.... just does not feel fast.

I just don't find the V6's very insipring compared to the Senators.

im with you Tunnie....going back for a second test drive on  330ci clubsport tomorrow....i fancy a change too.....


be aware of the nikasil issue on  v`8s

My dad has a 330Ci Sport (not CS) and it's a great car, very chuckable and well balanced, and the steering is much more responsive than the Omega. Brakes are a little over assisted for my liking but they're reasonably strong. Try and get the 6-speed version if you can, as even though the engine is torquey it really likes to be revved to get the best out of it, and a 6-speeder would work really well. Or does the CS come with SMG? That would be interesting! Never driven one but I'd like to try it some time, not convinced I'll like it but you never know.

BTW Nikasil isn't an issue on the M62 V8, which is fitted to all E39 V8 models (except the M5 which is S62). They have alusil liners so no problems there.

[VXL V6]

How about a minor modification to the V6 project car.....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Lotus-Carlton-Ex-development-engine-complete-rare_W0QQitemZ260172659210QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item260172659210

That should give it a little more acceleration....

[amigov6]

 :-/BMW's are cracking motors, despite the twits that drive some of them. Probably better build quality than vx, but i've no real experience of 540i's... although i do like them. I've also never driven a 3.0 Mig (yet) so accept that given their weight they may not be the quickest thing in their class, but having driven 520/30's i can say that despite more solid feeling switchgear, after a Mig they feel very small inside. Not easy, i suggest you run both!!!!!!!!! 8-)

[Nickbat]

Sorry Tunnie, but sometimes you have to look beyond the engineering. Here in North London, Beemers are status symbols and they are often driven by aggressive prats.  

To me they have just become automotive bling.  

For that reason, I wouldn't get behind the wheel of one (...except maybe a "vintage" 630CSi  ).