Good morning! Today’s Shitbox Showdown takes us to the southernmost cross-country interstate in the country: Interstate 10, from Jacksonville, Florida to Santa Monica, California. We’re looking at two sleek black stickshift V8s, one from each end. But first, let’s finish up with yesterday’s Subarus:
Yeah, I figured. That would be my choice too. Also, I see by the low comment count and voting total that you all shared my lack of enthusiasm for these two. Point taken, lesson learned. If I don’t care about the cars, you won’t either. So let’s move on to something more interesting, shall we?
Interstate 10 runs along the south of the country, from the Sunshine State to the Golden State. There is no chance of running into a snowstorm along this route, so it seems the perfect place to look for rear-wheel-drive V8-powered cars with manual transmissions. And lo and behold, I found a couple. Let’s check them out.
2001 BMW 540i – $3,900
Engine/drivetrain: 4.4 liter dual overhead cam V8, six-speed manual, RWD
Location: Orlando, FL
Odometer reading: 242,000 miles
Runs/drives? Yep
The E39-chassis BMW 5 Series is a popular car around here. Matt has one. So does Mercedes. Both of theirs, however, have BMW’s admittedly excellent inline six under the hood. This one does not. The 540i is powered instead by a 4.4 liter V8, which I’ve heard turns it into a completely different animal. I’ve never had the chance to drive one myself, but as good as a six-cylinder E39 is, I can only imagine that more horsepower makes it even better.
It also, however, makes it a hell of a lot more complex. These cars can be reliable, more or less, if the maintenance is kept up – but “maintenance” is a broad term that can include preventive replacement of the timing chains and the entire cooling system. With as many miles as this one has on it, we can assume it has received all that and more, or it wouldn’t still be running, but a thorough inspection is the only prudent course of action.
Overall, though, this car is in beautiful condition for its age and mileage. The paint is still shiny, the interior is intact and clean, and it looks completely stock, which itself is rare for an old fast BMW. There are a lot of electric and electronic gadgets in this car, and one can assume that at least some of it no longer works. But finding stuff like that is just part of the initiation ritual when purchasing a car like this; the first day, you push all the buttons and see which ones don’t do anything, and you start making your list of things to fix.
I don’t know that I would trust this car as a daily driver, at least without a backup, but it would be a fun weekend toy. The E39 is a fantastic handling car; it’s still the standard by which other cars are measured. This V8-powered one is an order of magnitude more complicated than the six-cylinder variants, but it’s still just nuts and bolts – if you have the knowledge and the patience, you can keep it going.
2006 Ford Mustang GT – $4,500
Engine/drivetrain: 4.6 liter overhead cam V8, five-speed manual, RWD
Location: Los Feliz, CA
Odometer reading: 200,000 miles
Runs/drives? Indeed
When it comes to three-pedal V8 fun, however, you can’t go too far wrong with a good old Ford Mustang. This simple, working-class hero has been available with a V8 and a stick since before Dylan went electric. (Well, if you don’t count 1974, that is.) For 2005, the Mustang was redesigned with a retro shape reminiscent of the first generation, joining the retro-styling movement alongside Volkswagen and Mini. Personally, I’ve never been too fond of this style Mustang, at least as a coupe, but I think it works as a convertible.
This Mustang is a GT model, and as such, has a 4.6 liter version of Ford’s “Modular” V8 under the hood. This one has three valves per cylinder, and sends a nice even 300 horsepower to the rear wheels through a five-speed stick. This one runs “excellent,” the seller says, even with 200,000 miles on the odometer. It isn’t quite stock; it breathes through a Roush cold-air intake that may or may not actually add any horsepower, but I bet it makes it sound faster anyway.
Compared to the BMW, this car is a bit crude inside, but when you consider their original price points and intended markets, that isn’t surprising. It’s in good shape at least, except for the carpet, and that can be solved with a set of floor mats. A black leather interior isn’t ideal for a convertible, though – those seats can get awfully hot in the sun. Here’s hoping the air conditioner works.
Outside, it looks good in basic black, except for some scorched clearcoat on the hood. It looks like the top is in good condition, but most of the photos show the top down, so it’s hard to say. At least the Mustang has a glass rear window, so you don’t have to worry about a plastic window going all opaque.
These cars weren’t competitors when they were new, but time is the great equalizer, and twenty years after the fact, they have more in common than it may seem at first glance. They’re similar in price, not too far apart in performance, both manuals, and both fun to drive in their own way. So the choice is yours: refined sports sedan, or rowdy pony car?
(Image credits: Craigslist sellers)
The M62 has maxed many a credit card, and you can be next! Six speed e39? Slap some fake M badges on it, and stop using turn signals. Buy coolant in 55 gallon drums. Leak oil from your house to whatever parking lot you left the rear tires shredded in. It will all be worth it when some 17 year old kid goes “holy shit, is that a manual 540!”. It’s a club, and you’re in it now. To love and hate the Ultimate Driving machine, is to know passion. To embrace suffering. And to understand that money is an invention of capitalism meant to chain the poor to the gears of the machine. Thus it’s totally cool to spend 500 bucks on a strut for a German sedan that is old enough to legally drink.
or buy the Boomer Barge to take to your Chamber of Commerce meeting. Expect the comfort of suburbia. Bland and without oil stains!
The other day it was a coin toss for me. Today it’s a double nope. Used BMWs are to be admired but not owned, and I just don’t like convertibles.
Did no one read yesterday’s BMW article? Best suspension ever!!!
Even without that, I’m biased against convertibles, being of cold Midwestern stock. Much rather have the refined quiet warmth 8 out of 12 months of the year.
V8, RWD, stick, AND the top goes down?
Sign me up for the Mustang!
I’ll take the BMW.
The BMW will be expensive to repair and maintain, but this car is in great shape and these cars are very fun to drive (E39s are also the best looking BMWs ever made; that is a fact and not an opinion). The BMW would be a bad decision for someone who has $3900 to spend and needs a transportation appliance, but it would be a great choice for someone who wants a fun second car and has a budget of $10,000. Buy it for $3900 and put $6100 in a high yield savings account to fund future repairs. This car is an exceptionally good choice for the right buyer.
I wanted to click the BMW, but as a former BMW owner, I can assure you that the purchase price is merely the down payment. The Mustang is much cheaper and easier to maintain for a weekend fun car, so it was my choice.
Went with the Pony, always wanted a stick shift convertible anyway. The BMW looks clean and well cared for but that V8 scares me, if it had been an i6 my vote may have changed.
The 540 for sure.
The E39 aged very well, and it is one of the most beautiful BMW of all time in my opinion. This one seems to be have been well cared , but can become a money pit in a split second.
Still, after a good and careful inspection, could be a good second car, even a daily if you are not really willing to give a bit of rest to this old machine.
The BMW definitely comes from a car guy home. Look at the Land Cruiser & Lexus ISF (?) in the background of the photos. This makes me think it was at least cared for.
I noted that and the jet-ski (old, but anyway), and also the house may be a sign that the guy had the funds to keep this in order. Unless he parked the car in front of someone else’s house just to take the pictures.
Bimmer for me. As noted the M62 has some pricey needs, but if it made it this far its been at least somewhat cared for. It even looks like the mileage pixels are working in the ad photos which is shocking for an old E39. This chassis with the six speed would be pretty fun, but definitely would want a backup car.
As always, if I’m going broke on an old German car, it’s at least going to be a Porsche or a V12. A 540i is just not worth the effort and cost.
Mustang. Should be easy and fairly cheap to keep on the road for a long time. I have a 2011 GT and prefer the 2010+ styling (and 2011+ power). While I have no doubts that the BMW is an excellent choice I’m wary of the long term running costs.
If I were going to get an E39, it would have to be the 6-cylinder like my mom had when I was growing up. I’ve heard stories about the 8 that make me hesitant – more power yes, but more headaches as well?
So as much as I love the E39, going with the pony today.
Clearly someone loved this BMW enough to keep it on the road in excellent condition for 242k miles. Yes it will have issues but I imagine a lot of the more expensive things have probably already been fixed. I bet $20 this has a folder full of receipts for maintenance and repairs, too.
I’d go with the BMW. Hell it may even go up in value one day.
Went with the horsie for ease and (lack of) cost of keeping it on the road. Plus it’s a drop top.
I have a lump of sugar fer that little pony car.
You’ve heard this from me before: seeing that newly-minted 64 1/2 Mustang up on that pedestal at the New York World’s Fair (64 – 65) left an impression.
Yes, I’m a simple man.
Mustang, just because of running costs. Plus, I might get the chance to crash it at cars & coffee and make it to an article on this website
Can’t stand those retro Mustangs, by far the ugliest version in my book (and yes, I’m including the Mustang II).
Heart says BMW
Brain says Mustang.
Follow your heart my friends, follow your heart.
Id definitely go Mustang. The E39 is an icon but it’s going to be way, way more of a headache…whereas pretty much any mechanic can work on the 4.6/parts are plentiful. It’ll make for carefree weekend fun…and I actually think 300 horsepower is the perfect amount for a car like this. You can have some fun without losing your license.
Having driven a GT with the 4.6 it felt slow to me. Still fun but for a GT I expected more.
Swapping the stock 3:55 differential gearing to a 3:73 makes a world of difference in these cars.
That BMW sure looks like a cherry example, but I’m never buying a 22-year-old BMW. Give me the Mustang and I’ll re-upholster the seats, put a new carpet in, and pay to get it re-sprayed nicely. The lines are clean and beautiful and I’d feel comfortable working on it.
To put the BMW into perspective, the small plastic ring that surrounds the headlight switch costs $300.
I’m a BMW fan, Mustang fan, and a convertible fan. I’d love either, but the Bimmer is the better car. I vote BMW.
I had a 540i six speed before, and it’s one I’d like to have again, so that gets my vote, even though I know the maintenance will be spendy.
The Mustang. Because the other car is German.
The German. Because the other car is a Mustang.
German car …… never liked the Mustang