4 out of 5 stars
Love owning BMW 540i!
by AJ
from Northern CA
on Sat Jun 28 2014
I've owned a 2000 BMW 540i sport 5 yrs ago and I loved it - had to let it when I moved.
Now I own a 2001 model, what a joy it is to ride! Other cars in this class do not compare to 540i & I've owned many top of the line V8 sedans (Lexus, Infiniti, Jaguar & Cadillac) - this BMW just does everything better, I like it more than a Mercedes Benz or Audi.
Now, as any BMW, it does require more $$ on service than a Japanese car (I'd say $1,000 a year more), but if maintained properly, this car would serve you well for a long time.
If you want to buy a used 2001 540i, they are a great value now. Find a well maintained 540i with a clean title, Carfax report & all service records (whether it was maintained by dealer or independent mechanic). If you buy it from a kid in his 20s, chances are high its been raced or neglected & behind on mechanical maintenance - then you'll have to invest a lot of money to fix someone's problems.
Now, if you will own this car: find a trustworthy, independent shop that charges much less than $200+/hr that a dealer would (my mechanic charges 4 times less). Also, buy parts from Amazon, etc. (I save 70+% compared to retail prices). So when you need to do a tune up - you'll pay 80% less, enjoy riding this beauty/beast more & spend the money you save on a nice vacation.
5 out of 5 starsComfort
5 out of 5 starsValue for the Money
5 out of 5 starsInterior Design
4 out of 5 starsReliability
5 out of 5 starsPerformance
5 out of 5 starsExterior Styling
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5 out of 5 stars
Best car ive ever had
by Rhino822
from Chicago il
on Sun Aug 06 2017
Meet all my needs. Perfext powet, perfect looks. E39 or go home. Everytime i get in the car its absolutely breath taking.
5 out of 5 starsComfort
5 out of 5 starsValue for the Money
5 out of 5 starsInterior Design
5 out of 5 starsReliability
5 out of 5 starsPerformance
5 out of 5 starsExterior Styling
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Did you?
5 out of 5 stars
Very fun Sedan. Very Reliable. Very Fast
by Bradley
from Greer, SC
on Sat May 12 2018
Everything I look for in a European Sport Sedan! Safe and Secure, Beautiful, Stylish, easy to maintain, Fast!
One of the best vehicles I've ever owned out of 31 cars!
5 out of 5 starsComfort
5 out of 5 starsValue for the Money
5 out of 5 starsInterior Design
4 out of 5 starsReliability
5 out of 5 starsPerformance
5 out of 5 starsExterior Styling
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5 out of 5 stars
Best BMW I've Ever Owned
by 60 Nomad
from Connecticut
on Wed Jun 16 2010
I bought an 01 540I 6speed manual w/sports pkg last summer. It's the closest thing to an M5 without the extra 100 ponies and $$$$ parts. It's a rocket ship and a pleasure to drive. Handles like a dream w/Z rated tires.
I've owned it for a year w/ no problems. Bought it w/124K w/all service records. Only issue was a blown radiator hose last February. Pixels on the dash will go and the cupholders are fragile. That's about all on the downside.
This is my 4th 5 series starting with a 72 Bavaria. Great cars. My last 5er was an 89. I owned it for 10 years and put over 150K on it w/ no problems. I bought it w/95K. My son still drives it to school. I highly recommend the 540I w a stick. It's an awsome vehicle to drive.
5 out of 5 starsComfort
4 out of 5 starsValue for the Money
4 out of 5 starsInterior Design
4 out of 5 starsReliability
5 out of 5 starsPerformance
5 out of 5 starsExterior Styling
31 out of 32 people found this review helpful. Did you?
5 out of 5 stars
This was my car
by Ed
from Nirthridge ca
on Sat Aug 04 2012
This exact car belonged to me. It s a great vehicle and has an added Dinan Chip not mentioned in this ad. The only problem is the cooling system. I maintained this car carefully and kept a waranty on until I traded It in this May. I installed the XM radio system too. Lot of fun to drive but with the stick stay out of heavy traffic.
4 out of 5 starsComfort
5 out of 5 starsValue for the Money
3 out of 5 starsInterior Design
1 out of 5 starsReliability
5 out of 5 starsPerformance
5 out of 5 starsExterior Styling
6 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Did you?
5 out of 5 stars
Best Car I've Ever Owned
by AJ
from Indian Wells
on Tue Aug 07 2018
This has been an exceptional car and has done everything I've asked of it in superior fashion. The reliability has been fantastic and maintenance minimal. I love this car and truly hate to have it up for sale. But the time has come to move into something else. I'm strongly considering another BMW and taking a good look at the 550's. Basically the same car but newer. I can only hope to have the same luck with my new car as I've had with this 540I. It's truly been a fantastic ride!
5 out of 5 starsComfort
5 out of 5 starsValue for the Money
5 out of 5 starsInterior Design
5 out of 5 starsReliability
5 out of 5 starsPerformance
5 out of 5 starsExterior Styling
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5 out of 5 stars
Stellar performance and luxury sedan
by andlloyd
from Los Angeles, CA
on Tue Oct 16 2018
Outstanding driver's vehicle that comes as close to having it all as you can get - power, great looks, pinpoint handling, comfort and luxury. It has its issues but on the whole, reasonable to own and maintain. Great driving excitement.
5 out of 5 starsComfort
5 out of 5 starsValue for the Money
5 out of 5 starsInterior Design
3 out of 5 starsReliability
5 out of 5 starsPerformance
5 out of 5 starsExterior Styling
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