Not to get heavy, but. This year, my dad gifted me his 2000 540i 6-speed before he passed from cancer in July. We've had it in the family for 24 years, he picked it up in Germany from BMW on European delivery in fall of 1999, after which it was shipped to the US. It's been such a great car. When I got my driver's license in 2001, he taught me how to drive manual in it. He let me take it to prom in 2003. He traded it for a Porsche 911 C4S in 2005 but missed it so much that he actually bought it back from the dealer later that week. He had a rotating stable of great primary cars; the Porsche, S500, S55 AMG, Z06, M6 Gran Coupe, X7, but sitting there in the driveway the whole time was the faithful 540i. And now it's mine. And I love driving it. It has 157,000 miles now so lots of little problems are popping up, and its deffffinitely showing it's age with deteriorating paint, dry rotting of the window seals, drooping of the headliner, and cracking of the wood trim, but it still drives like a dream and pulls like a glassy smooth freight train when you push the pedal down. I'm planning on having a full top to bottom restoration of it here in the near future. That alone will cost as much as a decent used car, but, totally worth it to keep this understate beauty with a great story alive and in its full glory.
Great story and my 97 540i has had its problems but I'm same as you. Each repair or maintenance step is a worthy investment. I have failing paint and a broken sunroof to contend with but the heart beats strong.
yes worth every penny.great story and i love how you have same love for this car.ive owned 2 e30s,3 e46,1 e60,1 e90,but... all i have now is my daily kia and my favorite car of all time...a 2000 e39 540i 6pd,its only non oem parts are dinan stage 2 upgrade done at the dealership and is registerd.ive kept it strictly oem and it runs so smooth and is a total thrill still to this day 25 yrs later.i really think if you maintain these cars they last...i know its alot of plastic ...ive got 90k on it and its had guides and flywheel replaced ,it will be my baby i never plan on getting rid of such a car,i get offers almost everywhere i go .
I absolutely agree with you - I bought almost the same one year ago here in Germany, same rims, manual, sports seats, but black leather interior and titan-silver paint. There is some maintenance to do, but no rust or anything severe. The driving experience and the styling are unbeatable. It is my time machine into the good old days for car enthusiasts.
This is great. I have a 2002 E39 540i in Sterling Grey Metallic. Exceptional car. If you have one, keep repairing it and keep it on the road. These cars were overbuilt, simply put. You can't find the same build quality in the newest models of BMW because they're a volume producer now. Great review of the E39 5 series and all the qualities!
I factory ordered a 540i6 w all the M Sport goodies in 2000. I couldn’t afford a M5. Awesome car. If I could buy a new one I would. This was 57K USD in 2000 I still have the window sticker.
I also have an E39 540i Wonderful machine. I will never sell it. Awesome review, truly appreciate your work. Everyone's doing M5 but you are very original 😃 Keep up the good work.
I have a 2002 530i. I don't care that it's not a V-8 or 4 speed,. And that's because I'm an old person who's owned many manual high performance cars and I'm tired of shifting gears. LOL I love my e39. It's fast, elegant and fun to drive. It has the M-sport package and loaded with options. It's in perfect shape, runs perfect and lately I've been getting compliments on the car from people who admire this classic when I drive it around town.
In the supermarket car park the other day, I saw a stunning bluewater 530i and decided to approach the owner to have an E39 owners bonding sesh. He told me he only had the car for a week, and I was the 3rd person to come and compliment it. He also told me he has had a new G30 for 9 months and nobody has said a thing to him about it.
I love the classics. I have loved BMW since the 80s when i was in my teens and dreamed to have one. I owned one a 2004 325i. I love how it ran and drove. I miss that.
Plus I love how the automatic sounds shifting in the BMWs well the older ones I don’t know anything about the new ones but I owned a 2004 325 and I loved how the engine sounded and how the car would shift can’t speak for today’s cars. I just don’t think they’re nowhere the same that they were.
I just purchased my boyfriend a 2000 540i, it’s a project car since it’s not in the best condition but i can’t wait to see the outcome. such a beautiful car
Great vid! Hard agree that E39 is peak BMW build quality. Used to have a 530 5-speed sport. Currently have a 525 auto touring that I'm gonna do a B30/5sp swap in soon. The 540 is a beast with one of the best sounding engines ever but the rack and pinion steering and lighter front end in a 6cyl makes it a better drivers car for me. 6 cyl steering is superb, with none of the vagueness of the V8's steering box. What a 3.0 lacks in grunt I think it makes up for in efficiency and reliability. The V8's are fussier. Super hot Thermostats (you can and should change them for lower temp), chain guides, etc. 530's also have the 540 brakes. I think the 530 is the best rounded of them. I think more attention is needed for the suspension design on E39's. It was the first time the 5 had a real, sophisticated multi link rear, which came from the 7. Between that and the double wishbone front, it is a spectacularly good handling car particularly for its size. It's not as good for track days as a 3 but it's a more sophisticated riding and handling car. It's unflappably and unrelentingly solid. The feel of it is bank vault solid. It's also a packaging hammer blow, particularly the wagon with the cavernous fully flat cargo area (thanks to using X5 rear suspension with angled shocks to move the towers out of the way). When I have my 530i 5-speed touring with E38 contour seats (and maybe a LSD and some headers) I may just have the perfect car ;)
Great review.. I bought a 97 540i/6 sport 9 years ago for 3,000$ . 2 previous owners and only 95,000 miles. Currently at160,000 miles and still running well. Maintenance and small repairs are pretty constant but lots of great info and cheap OEM parts on the internet make it possible to own one of the most enjoyable and truly satisfying sport sedans out there for the money. I ended buying a 2000 M5 6 years ago when prices were much lower. That car is a beast and tons of fun but I still love the long road trips in the 540. I just wish we had an autobahn near me to drive it the way it was intended because when it’s Approaching triple digit speeds is Just when the car is starting to wake up…. I think that’s what makes the 540i/6 so special, the acceleration at higher speeds doesn’t diminish, it just pulls all the way to its limiter. Feels a lot more powerful than only 282hp and 310Lb/ft. It’s a great car.
This was my childhood's dream car....I will never forget the first time I saw one parked on a road on my way home from school... It looked like a spaceship compared to all cars around, and it was painted in nice metallic green with beige leather interior... I remember being stunned there thinking "What is this thing,???" Back to those days we were so poor we could not even afford the phone inside it 😆✌️... Incredible how much time has passed, and things have changed... I have my own Jaguar now because the 5 series of today although full of modern tech is still far from inspiring those emotions my childhood's 5 series did.... And to this day, I still never had the opportunity to have a ride in one... They are quite rare now...
since i was in highschool i wanted one of these cars. nearly 15 years later I got a 03 530i sport package for $4,000. all it needs is to fix a coolant leak, clean headlights and and a fresh black paint job and the car will look immaculate. looking forward to holding onto it for many years
I had one of these with 250k miles. Bought it for 1000 and did the timing chain myself like another 700 with timing tools and timing chain set. I lost my job and needed money and now I miss that car so much. Had a muffler delete on it and had so much fun with that car.
I have an E39 Alpina B10 3.3, which almost has as much power as the 540i but with a straight six, which i prefer the steering on (rack and pinion instead of reciprocating ball on the V8s), and it’s wonderful
My 03 540 sport wasn't my first bmw but it may favorite. I had an e90 335 and currently have an f15 x5 50i. I still enjoy driving the 540 more than both of those. It currently has 214k and I don't plan on getting rid of it.
I found the E90 chassis to be awesome. A huge step up from the E46 and better than my current E38. Haven't driven an E39 do so I'd be curious about where specifically your 530i outshines the 335i?
@@getdealtwithquick build quality is the biggest thing. Driving enjoyment and driver engagement. Even tho the 335 was fast as hell, it just didn't feel fast. Handling wise it's a wash. The 540 to me is just a more fun car. Maybe if my 335 was a stick that may have changed my mind but I was impressed with 6hp performance
I have a Black 2000 540i automatic 86k miles, same wheels in the video but black interior. Though I don't drive it much these days working from home. I'm the 2nd owner, the first owner was the doctor that delivered me.
I love my 97 540i. Black on black. Its automatic but its still very strong at 300.000 km. Well built vehicle. I would buy another 540i. Probably a 2002. But I'd rather sink the money into the 97.
i own the 2003 540i auto transmission , i had problems with starter and alternator , sat for a year and wanted to give up , even wanted to sell the sedan . fast forward to last week and i just drove 150 miles on a road trip with it !
I have a 2003 Bmw E39 540i Sport 6 speed manual Sterling grey with comfort seats last 9 years i been driving it and what a machine you can't get enough of driving experience.
I have owned the exact same car in BC since 2018 except mine has the optional sport seats and Style 32 staggered wheels Only 25 2003 540i/6 Sport (not M-Sport) cars came into Canada so its rare. Five of the 25 were Sterling.
I also absolutely love the phone! It's also what drew me to mine lol. I'm lucky here the in built phone uses standard 2G networks in the UK from the 90's and those legacy networks are still in use today as a fallback when 3/4/5G isn't available, just needed a Vodafone uk SIM card so very cool!
Your steering feels loose because e39 v8 cars could not be fitted with rack and pinion steering, the large engine prevents that. Six cylinder cars have rack and pinion and are more responsive.
I just got an Active Autowerke Tune on mine and WoW the difference is Very clear. Smoother Power delivery, smoother cold starts and it just pulls all the way to the new redline.
I had a 2003 540i touring sport. What a machine! Mind you, I needed more space so traded it for a Volvo XC90 V8 Sport, which I still have. Both special machines
After selling my E46 M3 MT (best sports car bmw made imho), i bought a e39 540i MT touring/wagon, the raw non vanos engine! after 6 years it's still a blast to drive, one minor point, the brakes upgrading is recommended for sporty drivers, and with an LSD, you're golden! It's a car for life! By the way, if i see the US specs from a performance point, there's still a small difference with EU models, in my case i checked the engine on a dyno after big maintenance, and it produced 295 and 420nm. It's the perfect classic daily driver.
the v8's have a reciculating ball steering setup on the e39 the i6's a rack and pinion, thats why alot of ppl say the 530i is "the car to get", but lets be frank even the r&p steering is still on the comfortable side and horsepower is always nice. its always nice to see that most e39 owners are very happy about the car, i got myself a 1 owner late 96 build one in 2010 and its still my main car ❤ if you keep proper maintenance its reliable and i have no worries to push it whereever i go. i was never stranded on the side of the road
Currently saving up to either get a manual e39 540i or a manual 3rd gen 4Runner. Whichever I come across first as a good deal as they are both desirable and hard to find with
If you don't have that much torque under 3000 something is probably wrong. Mine (with a 6 speed) shoots forward in low rpms. Its when i feel the power the most. Make sure to check for vanos codes or similar with a scan-tool
The only two classic Beemers I ABSOLUTELY LOVE are the E30 3 series (I had a 325i SE - fricken brilliant 'Drivers Car'), and the E39 5. I would LOVE to own a 525/530d (had a long term drive in one, yup, LOVED it, like you said, drives superbly). But also, an old friend had a 540i with a, erm, 'Freer zorst' 😏 and cool air intake, oooooh THAT sound! I think he's still got it (lucky b'stard) 😎🇬🇧
Bravo William pour ton canal et merci d'offrir du contenu intéressant pour le public Canadien/Québécois. Content de savoir que tu as apprécie tout comme moi les BMW du "Golden Era" !
That loose steering is not normal, my 98 540 6sp with 115k miles does not do that, any move is felt by the wheels. I did have the control arms and bushings changed some 4k miles ago, but even before that, there was no play in the steering wheel. Also, low end acceleration should be very strong, that's why I fell in love with this car way back in 96; I do have a Dinan chip which helps, but even stock had very good low end torque on start.
I have a 2000 540i sport it's silver with the GPS stereo and it sounds pretty good.I kept it all original .it's a stage 2 dinan car with cold air and chipped .the car is very smooth with style 32 with Bridgestone potenzas
Really nice cars. However on RHD models at least the V8 variants got a steering box rather than a steering rack which ruined the driving experience somewhat. The 530i models were only a bit slower but were much more fun to drive. We had both a 540i auto and a 528i manual.
Ive owned both, when Hurricane sandy killed the 528 I found a 540 an a lot 2 months later same Year same Color which they were having a hard time selling because it was stick 70k miles......I bought it that day at a huge discount. 11 years later it is sitting in my driveway with 123k miles on
I’ve a E39 535i V8 (1999) Msport Full Package as in front and rear bumpers.charcoal headlining witch i like.electric glass sunroof,all door panels are leather.my interior trim id say is alloy.seats are a blueish grey id say 🤷had this car coming up to 12 years now..just had brand new full box seals fitted.galvanised cost abit but ha the car is much better than some of the stuff out there today.fantastic ride so comfy 🤷you just have to keep maintaining them,now coming up to (24 years old) great car…steve 🇬🇧
Brilliant review of a great car. Thanks so much for this, wonderful looking car as most BMWs are apart from the new "buck teeth" looking jobs, absolutely hideous. I have run BMWs since around 1987 and so miss my 628CSI with manual gear box but now run a 325 E36 and absolutely adore her and have owned since 1999 when she was four years old and one owner. Now got 170k on clock and runs so amazingly. Love your car and hopefully many miles of very happy motoring.
The e39 is a nice platform and maybe a better engine, but! I’m totally drawn to the more overlooked e34 540i with the 4.0 M60b40 engine. The style was just sharp unlike the e39 witch is more rounded. Power wise they are similar. What’s your opinion? The e39 is more luxurious and have a lot more “modern tech” still useable. But I like the raw e34.
Go for the E34! The M60 is more reliable, even the 535i with the M30 is a great buy and if you want something similar but with better handling get an E36.
I like the E34 exterior as much as the E39, and the interior style as well. The disadvantage of the E34 is the much lower interior build quality, especially the materials are not as durable as the ones in the E39. But if you can deal with it one way or another, go for it!
The e34 is a wonderful car, the build quality is fine, but, door cards are a problem as delamination is unavoidable. I had an e34 525i that I installed e34 m5 door cards into (which are leather and not prone to delaminating) and fixed that issue. It was an expensive endeavor. Unfortunately, it was wrecked and totaled and I know have an e39 M5
I have had 4, e39 540i- 3 of them sports. I now have a E39 525i (non sport). I tend to get bored, and sell my cars after a couple years, but always end up with another E39! I tried an E60 550i-hated Idrive! I miss the power of the v8, but I like that I can easily work on my 6 cylinder 525i. It has only 90k on it, and is smooth and quiet. My wife has a 2008 Highlander with 30k on it. If we go on a trip, we take the BMW because it is much quieter!
If you want a more reliable car with more precise steering, better get one of the i6 versions (520i-530i). They use a different steering system which only had to be changed to fit the big V8 (535i, 540i and M5). Parts are generally cheaper and the i6 engines are more robust. As the engines are lighter, there is also less stress on the suspension parts and the front brakes. With lower weight you get better handling as well and they also need less fuel. The 528i and 530i at least come close to the performance of the 535i. The 540i and M5 of course have better acceleration.
The loose on center feel has less to do with the fact that it’s hydraulic steering and more due to the fact that v8 powered BMWs of this era did not have rack and pinion steering and instead used recirculating ball steering (like a truck). If you felt a 530i sport, that on center sloppiness is just not there.
@@claveyscorner3220 well; I'm in St-Hubert, but the E39's in our province are rare and I've been watching the list for some time. I ended up getting a 530i auto as it had the LeMans blue exterior color.
Just converted mine to manual and MAN I'm like the happiest guy in the world! Fuel prices are ridiculous here and we never had the manual as an option, but I was determined to get one haha
Why does it look like an SE if it's a sport? It should have sport bumpers etc? Also BMW DID plaster the M logo everywhere on Sport models just like they do today. I have a real E39 sport, and it has an M steering wheel, M door sils, M badges on the front doors behind the wheels, and M badges on the wheels themselves, all in the same places as my newer F30 M Sport.
Pre 2001 540is had no M logos anywhere. The sports had the same front end as the regular E39, only the wheels, tire spec and seats changed as well as some subtle mechanical alterations.
Difficult call as to which BMW is the "Best". Handling, performance, design, economy, every day usage? Different criteria, different results. I have two 2001 E39 530D Tourings, one manual, one automatic. When towing our 1.8 tonne caravan I'd always choose the manual, for lazy driving the auto and if I wanted some fun on the road again the manual. I also have a 1993 E34 520i Touring. Nowhere as performant as the E39s, obviously, but still fun to drive and reminds me of the Triumph 2500S Estate I owned at a time. Then again there is the Briliant Rot E30 2.0i Touring my wife had, that was fun to drive. Sadly the seats were too flat and didn't grip you and the oil consumption was a bit high (normal for the M20 engine). The Best BMW of all Time - certainly before 2002 other than that it depends what you want out of your BMW.
I was just watching The Straight Pipes' review of the new M5. I'm not joking, I got grossed out and had to click away. I'm here to wash away the image of that with the prettiest 5 series ever made.
Well actually it's factual. I own a E39 540 touring coming from a Subaru Forester STI SG9 and I'm enjoying the BMW much more. P.S. How did you get this steering wheel in the pre-facelift?
Not to get heavy, but. This year, my dad gifted me his 2000 540i 6-speed before he passed from cancer in July. We've had it in the family for 24 years, he picked it up in Germany from BMW on European delivery in fall of 1999, after which it was shipped to the US. It's been such a great car. When I got my driver's license in 2001, he taught me how to drive manual in it. He let me take it to prom in 2003. He traded it for a Porsche 911 C4S in 2005 but missed it so much that he actually bought it back from the dealer later that week. He had a rotating stable of great primary cars; the Porsche, S500, S55 AMG, Z06, M6 Gran Coupe, X7, but sitting there in the driveway the whole time was the faithful 540i. And now it's mine. And I love driving it. It has 157,000 miles now so lots of little problems are popping up, and its deffffinitely showing it's age with deteriorating paint, dry rotting of the window seals, drooping of the headliner, and cracking of the wood trim, but it still drives like a dream and pulls like a glassy smooth freight train when you push the pedal down. I'm planning on having a full top to bottom restoration of it here in the near future. That alone will cost as much as a decent used car, but, totally worth it to keep this understate beauty with a great story alive and in its full glory.
Its worth every penny bro,just keep it forever,the memories you had with that car can not be bought
Great story and my 97 540i has had its problems but I'm same as you. Each repair or maintenance step is a worthy investment. I have failing paint and a broken sunroof to contend with but the heart beats strong.
yes worth every penny.great story and i love how you have same love for this car.ive owned 2 e30s,3 e46,1 e60,1 e90,but... all i have now is my daily kia and my favorite car of all time...a 2000 e39 540i 6pd,its only non oem parts are dinan stage 2 upgrade done at the dealership and is registerd.ive kept it strictly oem and it runs so smooth and is a total thrill still to this day 25 yrs later.i really think if you maintain these cars they last...i know its alot of plastic ...ive got 90k on it and its had guides and flywheel replaced ,it will be my baby i never plan on getting rid of such a car,i get offers almost everywhere i go .
May your father rest in peace it's a beautiful car too god bless you and your family.
I'm an original owner of a 2003 530i 49k miles. Sport and premium package. Best 5 series ever made.
Wish I had something like that. I would baby it, keep it garaged and only use it maybe weekends. I doubt I'll ever have that though.
Me 2
Does the premium package come with the leather seats and sunshades?
@@jakrispy3005 yep
@@craig9843I just got one it’s a 540i for cheap
I absolutely agree with you - I bought almost the same one year ago here in Germany, same rims, manual, sports seats, but black leather interior and titan-silver paint. There is some maintenance to do, but no rust or anything severe. The driving experience and the styling are unbeatable. It is my time machine into the good old days for car enthusiasts.
I wholeheartedly agree with you. I have a 2002 540 I and M5 and I don’t think I will ever sell them. Cars aren’t built this way anymore!
This is great. I have a 2002 E39 540i in Sterling Grey Metallic. Exceptional car. If you have one, keep repairing it and keep it on the road. These cars were overbuilt, simply put. You can't find the same build quality in the newest models of BMW because they're a volume producer now. Great review of the E39 5 series and all the qualities!
I have a 1997 540i and I think it's the best. 370000km and still puts a smile on my face.
I have 1997 540i touring manual 6 too. 😅 Greetings from Hungary!
This is why I love my e39 540
Amen!
I miss mines I had red 540i
98 540i/6
LUCKY B'STERD! 😏😏. 😎🇬🇧
this is why I'm envious. Sinful, but worth it 😊
I factory ordered a 540i6 w all the M Sport goodies in 2000. I couldn’t afford a M5. Awesome car. If I could buy a new one I would. This was 57K USD in 2000 I still have the window sticker.
I also have an E39 540i
Wonderful machine. I will never sell it.
Awesome review, truly appreciate your work. Everyone's doing M5 but you are very original 😃
Keep up the good work.
Thank you sir!
I'm looking at a 2000 540i do I have to change the timing chain?
@@CityTunes do you want to keep driving the car? then, eventually yes. if it recently has been done you dont. but get receipts.
@@CityTunes then dont and destroy your engine. lol
@@CityTunes ooooh like that. ok, that i dont know. on e39? youhave to at some point, thats what i know. goodluck on your hunt.
I have a 2002 530i. I don't care that it's not a V-8 or 4 speed,. And that's because I'm an old person who's owned many manual high performance cars and I'm tired of shifting gears. LOL
I love my e39. It's fast, elegant and fun to drive. It has the M-sport package and loaded with options. It's in perfect shape, runs perfect and lately I've been getting compliments on the car from people who admire this classic when I drive it around town.
ah you got an automatic for convenience. cant be mad at that.
In the supermarket car park the other day, I saw a stunning bluewater 530i and decided to approach the owner to have an E39 owners bonding sesh. He told me he only had the car for a week, and I was the 3rd person to come and compliment it. He also told me he has had a new G30 for 9 months and nobody has said a thing to him about it.
I love the classics. I have loved BMW since the 80s when i was in my teens and dreamed to have one. I owned one a 2004 325i. I love how it ran and drove. I miss that.
Have 2003 530i M Sport 140K miles...its a Blast!
Plus I love how the automatic sounds shifting in the BMWs well the older ones I don’t know anything about the new ones but I owned a 2004 325 and I loved how the engine sounded and how the car would shift can’t speak for today’s cars. I just don’t think they’re nowhere the same that they were.
I just purchased my boyfriend a 2000 540i, it’s a project car since it’s not in the best condition but i can’t wait to see the outcome. such a beautiful car
Nice!
You’re an awesome girlfriend
Great gf but he will never finish it
Great vid! Hard agree that E39 is peak BMW build quality. Used to have a 530 5-speed sport. Currently have a 525 auto touring that I'm gonna do a B30/5sp swap in soon.
The 540 is a beast with one of the best sounding engines ever but the rack and pinion steering and lighter front end in a 6cyl makes it a better drivers car for me. 6 cyl steering is superb, with none of the vagueness of the V8's steering box. What a 3.0 lacks in grunt I think it makes up for in efficiency and reliability. The V8's are fussier. Super hot Thermostats (you can and should change them for lower temp), chain guides, etc. 530's also have the 540 brakes. I think the 530 is the best rounded of them.
I think more attention is needed for the suspension design on E39's. It was the first time the 5 had a real, sophisticated multi link rear, which came from the 7. Between that and the double wishbone front, it is a spectacularly good handling car particularly for its size. It's not as good for track days as a 3 but it's a more sophisticated riding and handling car. It's unflappably and unrelentingly solid. The feel of it is bank vault solid.
It's also a packaging hammer blow, particularly the wagon with the cavernous fully flat cargo area (thanks to using X5 rear suspension with angled shocks to move the towers out of the way).
When I have my 530i 5-speed touring with E38 contour seats (and maybe a LSD and some headers) I may just have the perfect car ;)
Well resumed sir!
@@claveyscorner3220 I have a BMW problem 😂🫣 also nice car!
Thank you!
Lol funny cause I have a e46 325i with the same engine and I just swapped in a 5spd manual tranny and in the process of putting a B30 motor right now
What kind of steering rack M5 uses?
I have my 99 540i now for 7 years, still love it
Great review.. I bought a 97 540i/6 sport 9 years ago for 3,000$ . 2 previous owners and only 95,000 miles. Currently at160,000 miles and still running well. Maintenance and small repairs are pretty constant but lots of great info and cheap OEM parts on the internet make it possible to own one of the most enjoyable and truly satisfying sport sedans out there for the money. I ended buying a 2000 M5 6 years ago when prices were much lower. That car is a beast and tons of fun but I still love the long road trips in the 540. I just wish we had an autobahn near me to drive it the way it was intended because when it’s Approaching triple digit speeds is Just when the car is starting to wake up…. I think that’s what makes the 540i/6 so special, the acceleration at higher speeds doesn’t diminish, it just pulls all the way to its limiter. Feels a lot more powerful than only 282hp and 310Lb/ft. It’s a great car.
Such a fantastic review, bravo! 👏
‘01 540i manual proud owner 🤝
MY GUY! Thanks for showing love all around to the non m
You are welcome sir!
This was my childhood's dream car....I will never forget the first time I saw one parked on a road on my way home from school... It looked like a spaceship compared to all cars around, and it was painted in nice metallic green with beige leather interior... I remember being stunned there thinking "What is this thing,???"
Back to those days we were so poor we could not even afford the phone inside it 😆✌️... Incredible how much time has passed, and things have changed... I have my own Jaguar now because the 5 series of today although full of modern tech is still far from inspiring those emotions my childhood's 5 series did....
And to this day, I still never had the opportunity to have a ride in one... They are quite rare now...
since i was in highschool i wanted one of these cars. nearly 15 years later I got a 03 530i sport package for $4,000. all it needs is to fix a coolant leak, clean headlights and and a fresh black paint job and the car will look immaculate. looking forward to holding onto it for many years
I had a 2000 E39, a 528i. What a superb car that was.
buying a 1997 6 speed manual 540i tomorrow! Aspen silver colour with no rust anywhere, hopefully I won't be disappointed.
how'd it go!?
I had one of these with 250k miles. Bought it for 1000 and did the timing chain myself like another 700 with timing tools and timing chain set. I lost my job and needed money and now I miss that car so much. Had a muffler delete on it and had so much fun with that car.
I have an E39 Alpina B10 3.3, which almost has as much power as the 540i but with a straight six, which i prefer the steering on (rack and pinion instead of reciprocating ball on the V8s), and it’s wonderful
Pics please
I have 535i manual. Also a V8, manual, 40 HP less than yours but still sounds and drives like a dream. I'm its last owner for sure
Love the orient blau color! I love my 2003 titanium silver 540i and it's rare to see others on the road. Cheers from the Laurentides
Merci!
E39 BMW 540i owner... fave car ever... drive it 2800 miles NY - Vegas.... top up the oil,,,, go back... like sitting on a lounge suite... lovely
My 03 540 sport wasn't my first bmw but it may favorite. I had an e90 335 and currently have an f15 x5 50i. I still enjoy driving the 540 more than both of those. It currently has 214k and I don't plan on getting rid of it.
I found the E90 chassis to be awesome. A huge step up from the E46 and better than my current E38. Haven't driven an E39 do so I'd be curious about where specifically your 530i outshines the 335i?
@@getdealtwithquick build quality is the biggest thing. Driving enjoyment and driver engagement. Even tho the 335 was fast as hell, it just didn't feel fast. Handling wise it's a wash. The 540 to me is just a more fun car. Maybe if my 335 was a stick that may have changed my mind but I was impressed with 6hp performance
Nice video as the E39 is a great car. I have a triple black 2002 530i sport.
Sweet, and thanks!
I have a Black 2000 540i automatic 86k miles, same wheels in the video but black interior. Though I don't drive it much these days working from home. I'm the 2nd owner, the first owner was the doctor that delivered me.
I have 1999 540i sport with Dinan goods and stage 4 tune with 110k miles. I love this car.
Good video! Love that generation
Thanks!
I love my 97 540i. Black on black. Its automatic but its still very strong at 300.000 km. Well built vehicle. I would buy another 540i. Probably a 2002. But I'd rather sink the money into the 97.
Emissions Exempt now. 2 more years for my 2000.
Nice mate. Great info and well put together. Keep em coming
Thank you!
i own the 2003 540i auto transmission , i had problems with starter and alternator , sat for a year and wanted to give up , even wanted to sell the sedan . fast forward to last week and i just drove 150 miles on a road trip with it !
I used to own 2001 bmw 530i with sport pakage. Best car ever in every catagory
Wonderful car! I own a 523i from 98 in Oxford green metallic, 300.000 km on the clock. Would never sell it!
I am looking to restore a 2001 540i. I love the car so much, I can't let it go.
I have a 2003 Bmw E39 540i Sport 6 speed manual Sterling grey with comfort seats last 9 years i been driving it and what a machine you can't get enough of driving experience.
I have owned the exact same car in BC since 2018 except mine has the optional sport seats and Style 32 staggered wheels Only 25 2003 540i/6 Sport (not M-Sport) cars came into Canada so its rare. Five of the 25 were Sterling.
I am another long term E39 540 owner and I to would NEVER move it on, ever.
Good on you sir!
I also absolutely love the phone! It's also what drew me to mine lol. I'm lucky here the in built phone uses standard 2G networks in the UK from the 90's and those legacy networks are still in use today as a fallback when 3/4/5G isn't available, just needed a Vodafone uk SIM card so very cool!
Sweet!
Your steering feels loose because e39 v8 cars could not be fitted with rack and pinion steering, the large engine prevents that. Six cylinder cars have rack and pinion and are more responsive.
I just got an Active Autowerke Tune on mine and WoW the difference is Very clear. Smoother Power delivery, smoother cold starts and it just pulls all the way to the new redline.
I had a 2003 540i touring sport. What a machine! Mind you, I needed more space so traded it for a Volvo XC90 V8 Sport, which I still have. Both special machines
Been driving me 540i m sport six speed for almost 20 years....its awesome..
Great video, you taught me things about my car, like what that rest button does lol. I will never sell my 540i.
Greetings, I had a 5 series. One of the Best cars I’ve driven. My Daughter cried when we had to get rid of it. The good news is you can find them👍🏾
True beauty 540i m sport has it all a collector!
After selling my E46 M3 MT (best sports car bmw made imho), i bought a e39 540i MT touring/wagon, the raw non vanos engine! after 6 years it's still a blast to drive, one minor point, the brakes upgrading is recommended for sporty drivers, and with an LSD, you're golden! It's a car for life! By the way, if i see the US specs from a performance point, there's still a small difference with EU models, in my case i checked the engine on a dyno after big maintenance, and it produced 295 and 420nm. It's the perfect classic daily driver.
the v8's have a reciculating ball steering setup on the e39 the i6's a rack and pinion, thats why alot of ppl say the 530i is "the car to get", but lets be frank even the r&p steering is still on the comfortable side and horsepower is always nice.
its always nice to see that most e39 owners are very happy about the car, i got myself a 1 owner late 96 build one in 2010 and its still my main car ❤
if you keep proper maintenance its reliable and i have no worries to push it whereever i go. i was never stranded on the side of the road
98 540i 6speed black on black great car.
Currently saving up to either get a manual e39 540i or a manual 3rd gen 4Runner. Whichever I come across first as a good deal as they are both desirable and hard to find with
I know, I got really lucky, low mileage, but I had to put a bit of money in it to refresh it.
My first car was a 5 speed 3rd gen and I loved it my second car a 540i 6 speed and I love it so fuck it get both 😭
If you don't have that much torque under 3000 something is probably wrong. Mine (with a 6 speed) shoots forward in low rpms. Its when i feel the power the most. Make sure to check for vanos codes or similar with a scan-tool
Its got lots of low down torque, but the curve rises sharply after 3000 and it makes it feel sluggish at low rpms.
The only two classic Beemers I ABSOLUTELY LOVE are the E30 3 series (I had a 325i SE - fricken brilliant 'Drivers Car'), and the E39 5. I would LOVE to own a 525/530d (had a long term drive in one, yup, LOVED it, like you said, drives superbly). But also, an old friend had a 540i with a, erm, 'Freer zorst' 😏 and cool air intake, oooooh THAT sound! I think he's still got it (lucky b'stard) 😎🇬🇧
I have a remapped 530d. I love it!
One big issue with the v8 e39 was the circulating ball steering box vs rack and pinion in the 6 cylinder e39.
Bravo William pour ton canal et merci d'offrir du contenu intéressant pour le public Canadien/Québécois. Content de savoir que tu as apprécie tout comme moi les BMW du "Golden Era" !
Merci à toi!
That loose steering is not normal, my 98 540 6sp with 115k miles does not do that, any move is felt by the wheels. I did have the control arms and bushings changed some 4k miles ago, but even before that, there was no play in the steering wheel. Also, low end acceleration should be very strong, that's why I fell in love with this car way back in 96; I do have a Dinan chip which helps, but even stock had very good low end torque on start.
Purchased a ‘98 540i 6 spd in Oxford green for $4k cad. 180k original kms. I’m super excited!!
I have a 2000 540i sport it's silver with the GPS stereo and it sounds pretty good.I kept it all original .it's a stage 2 dinan car with cold air and chipped .the car is very smooth with style 32 with Bridgestone potenzas
Amazing!
Really nice cars. However on RHD models at least the V8 variants got a steering box rather than a steering rack which ruined the driving experience somewhat. The 530i models were only a bit slower but were much more fun to drive. We had both a 540i auto and a 528i manual.
I sold my E39 and have regretted it ever since. Mine was a 2002 2.5L MSport. I have sold my E60 and am looking for another E39 to replace it.
Did the E39 540i have the rechargeable flashlight in the glove compartment? As does the E39 528i.
Yes it does!
Ive owned both, when Hurricane sandy killed the 528 I found a 540 an a lot 2 months later same Year same Color which they were having a hard time selling because it was stick 70k miles......I bought it that day at a huge discount. 11 years later it is sitting in my driveway with 123k miles on
I’ve a E39 535i V8 (1999) Msport Full Package as in front and rear bumpers.charcoal headlining witch i like.electric glass sunroof,all door panels are leather.my interior trim id say is alloy.seats are a blueish grey id say 🤷had this car coming up to 12 years now..just had brand new full box seals fitted.galvanised cost abit but ha the car is much better than some of the stuff out there today.fantastic ride so comfy 🤷you just have to keep maintaining them,now coming up to (24 years old) great car…steve 🇬🇧
Brilliant review of a great car.
Thanks so much for this, wonderful looking car as most BMWs are apart from the new "buck teeth" looking jobs, absolutely hideous.
I have run BMWs since around 1987 and so miss my 628CSI with manual gear box but now run a 325 E36 and absolutely adore her and have owned since 1999 when she was four years old and one owner.
Now got 170k on clock and runs so amazingly.
Love your car and hopefully many miles of very happy motoring.
Thanks for the video. Your steering wheel airbag is not installed properly.
Very informative review👍👍
I had an E39, a 528i, not a 450i, but still the best car I ever had, including my current X4M sport.
Some angel eyes, m-package, chrome delete and its perfect
The e39 is a nice platform and maybe a better engine, but! I’m totally drawn to the more overlooked e34 540i with the 4.0 M60b40 engine.
The style was just sharp unlike the e39 witch is more rounded. Power wise they are similar.
What’s your opinion? The e39 is more luxurious and have a lot more “modern tech” still useable. But I like the raw e34.
I used to think like you, but as time passes, I find the E39 better looking.
Go for the E34! The M60 is more reliable, even the 535i with the M30 is a great buy and if you want something similar but with better handling get an E36.
Thanks for the input :D
I like the E34 exterior as much as the E39, and the interior style as well. The disadvantage of the E34 is the much lower interior build quality, especially the materials are not as durable as the ones in the E39. But if you can deal with it one way or another, go for it!
The e34 is a wonderful car, the build quality is fine, but, door cards are a problem as delamination is unavoidable. I had an e34 525i that I installed e34 m5 door cards into (which are leather and not prone to delaminating) and fixed that issue. It was an expensive endeavor. Unfortunately, it was wrecked and totaled and I know have an e39 M5
not me watching it to actually get something similar and then realizing you're in quebec as well :o
I have had 4, e39 540i- 3 of them sports. I now have a E39 525i (non sport). I tend to get bored, and sell my cars after a couple years, but always end up with another E39! I tried an E60 550i-hated Idrive! I miss the power of the v8, but I like that I can easily work on my 6 cylinder 525i. It has only 90k on it, and is smooth and quiet. My wife has a 2008 Highlander with 30k on it. If we go on a trip, we take the BMW because it is much quieter!
I recently found a 2000 540i for 3k with 166k miles was wondering if I should buy it how reliable are they?
Af that kind of mileage it's important to check the timing chain and overhaul the entire cooling system with new piping. Otherwise, yes, solid car!
@@claveyscorner3220 ok cool thanks I’m going to look at it today hopefully everything checks out
I had the 540i e39 auto version. Loved it.
Buthsineths.. love you man ❤️
The only reason I will always take a 530i over the 540i is the steering, 530i doesn't wobble at all
Can you please elaborate on wobble steering? Is this a bushings issue? 540 suspension?
Little correction: E60 was designed by Davide Arcangeli (†) not by Chris Bangle himself.
I’m thinking of getting a 2000 bmw 540i for my first car. Should I?
Could be a handful as a first car since these cars need steady maintenance.
@@claveyscorner3220 good to know thank you
No, You will either Kill or Financially ruin Yourself. Get a nice 3 Series and go from there.
I have a 1998 528i. Still going strong
I have a 2001 540i in Tampa. Does anyone know where I can have it restored?
Beautiful Car the 540i
Sir, your check engine light is on. Overall my favorite car of all time!
I had a blue 540i 6 speed short shift with cold air induction. Wonderful car, but upkeep is a little high. Sadly minor crash totaled it.
Nice car! One of my favorite. 530i straight 6 has different steering, they say it's better than what the 540i has but you got less power
If you want a more reliable car with more precise steering, better get one of the i6 versions (520i-530i). They use a different steering system which only had to be changed to fit the big V8 (535i, 540i and M5). Parts are generally cheaper and the i6 engines are more robust. As the engines are lighter, there is also less stress on the suspension parts and the front brakes. With lower weight you get better handling as well and they also need less fuel. The 528i and 530i at least come close to the performance of the 535i. The 540i and M5 of course have better acceleration.
My 2003 e39 530 Msport wagon has been my favourite car …so far……..
The loose on center feel has less to do with the fact that it’s hydraulic steering and more due to the fact that v8 powered BMWs of this era did not have rack and pinion steering and instead used recirculating ball steering (like a truck). If you felt a 530i sport, that on center sloppiness is just not there.
Just realized you’re in my town and I saw your car for sale before I picked up mine.
Magog? Yeah, I put it for sale not long until I realized I love it too much.
@@claveyscorner3220 well; I'm in St-Hubert, but the E39's in our province are rare and I've been watching the list for some time. I ended up getting a 530i auto as it had the LeMans blue exterior color.
Amazing, congrats!
I have a 2016 535i m sport and I want this car so bad 😩
i love my 01 540i6 it is the ultimate driving machine
I'm looking at a 2000 540i do I have to change the timing chain?
85k to 123k Miles Absolutely. While You are in there there are a bunch of other things You also need to take care of.
The era when BMW was not competing with anyone, they were just focused on being BMW.
I own a 530i 2002 model.. drives better than my e90 330i
Is there also the voice from my Papa & mama in that radio inside. I think after we use it, that car is damage... VPO.. TY!
Just converted mine to manual and MAN I'm like the happiest guy in the world! Fuel prices are ridiculous here and we never had the manual as an option, but I was determined to get one haha
That's so cool!
Good for you.mine is manual too and it's brilliant.
@@reggiesparks4357 very nice!
If you put a 540i sport rear differential in it it’ll be even faster. 5.3sec
Why does it look like an SE if it's a sport? It should have sport bumpers etc? Also BMW DID plaster the M logo everywhere on Sport models just like they do today. I have a real E39 sport, and it has an M steering wheel, M door sils, M badges on the front doors behind the wheels, and M badges on the wheels themselves, all in the same places as my newer F30 M Sport.
Pre 2001 540is had no M logos anywhere. The sports had the same front end as the regular E39, only the wheels, tire spec and seats changed as well as some subtle mechanical alterations.
Difficult call as to which BMW is the "Best".
Handling, performance, design, economy, every day usage? Different criteria, different results.
I have two 2001 E39 530D Tourings, one manual, one automatic. When towing our 1.8 tonne caravan I'd always choose the manual, for lazy driving the auto and if I wanted some fun on the road again the manual.
I also have a 1993 E34 520i Touring. Nowhere as performant as the E39s, obviously, but still fun to drive and reminds me of the Triumph 2500S Estate I owned at a time.
Then again there is the Briliant Rot E30 2.0i Touring my wife had, that was fun to drive. Sadly the seats were too flat and didn't grip you and the oil consumption was a bit high (normal for the M20 engine).
The Best BMW of all Time - certainly before 2002 other than that it depends what you want out of your BMW.
I was just watching The Straight Pipes' review of the new M5. I'm not joking, I got grossed out and had to click away. I'm here to wash away the image of that with the prettiest 5 series ever made.
Dashboard is somwhow different from Euro spec models, its thicker around glovebox area-'q
Really? Interesting.
I miss mine, A LOT
Well actually it's factual. I own a E39 540 touring coming from a Subaru Forester STI SG9 and I'm enjoying the BMW much more. P.S. How did you get this steering wheel in the pre-facelift?
Dashboard is much nicer than in modern cars!
03 525i 5 speed love it m54 a champ
Love my 01 530i