The Near-M5 Sedan | 2001 BMW 540i M Sport Review

The E39 BMW 5 Series was considered one of the best the brand ever produced, with legendary models like the M5 taking the spotlight on this generation. However you can get most of that performance without spending M5 money, by going with something like this 2001 BMW 540i.

In this episode of TestDrive Spotlight we go over the E39 BMW 5 Series and how this 2001 BMW 540i is configured. We know this vehicle could have been presented in a much better manner. The owner had known we were coming days in advance but didn't clean the vehicle. While we would prefer a clean and proper vehicle, we also have to make decision to continue to film a vehicle given the difficulty it is to secure them.

We go over the interior and exterior of this 2001 BMW 540i before hitting the streets of Oakville, Ontario to see why many consider this to be the best 5 Series generation, and why you might want to consider one of these 20-30 year old cars in today's market.

BMW's top-end 540i came with the M Sport Package in the US for 2003 only, but the rest of the world got them in 2001. We're behind the wheel of this 2001 BMW 540i M Sport on TestDrive Spotlight. We go over all the features of this midsize luxury performance car, take it for a rip, and go over everything you need to know if you're in the market for an E39 V8.

[maumuse]

Every time I see positive reviews on the E39 540i, makes me just want to get in mine and drive it (':

[WhiteBoardFinance]

Love my 03 540i M Sport 6spd. 77k miles. Smells like new.

[WikedTechniQz]

i have a 2000 540i sport man i was waiting for that reaction when you floored it.

[jonathanedwards]

The 540iA sport has a 3.15 rear end that helps it off the line. It's really an underrated car. People dismiss it because it's an auto but that rear end makes up for any possible discriminations...

[josephnicoletti]

these cars are not for the Faint at Heart with no Balls!, .or People worried about Gas Mileage or Up-keep. Buy one and Drive the Hell out of it every day but keep it up and Take CARE of It, Before you "DIE" or you won't go to Heaven !

[KMTVA]

Love my e39 540i M Tech. Had it 6 years for now, garaged it for two and bringing it back out now and it puts the same look on my face every time I take it out.

[oldsjunkie]

Although I didn't get lucky enough to get an M sport, I have been daily driving a 540i automatic for a while now and you CAN NOT beat the price to performance on these cars. I flog my 540i daily and maintain it every weekend. Near perfect relationship.

[TitaniumCountess]

I used to daily drive a 2000 540i 6-speed manual. The M-Sport and regular genuine Sport Package cars have the same suspension. The only functional difference, at least with US versions, is the 17 inch versus 18 inch wheels. The rest is cosmetic. The 540i 6-speed was almost an M5 with 30% of the maintenance costs. It was a brilliant machine, fantastic steering, one of the best manual transmissions to daily drive. I drove a few automatics, and they are a tad slower, but it's not really noticeable from the butt dyno. You need to be counting tenths of a second to really see a difference. So, as far as I'm concerned, the 540i sport pack and M-sport cars are fantastic daily drivers. Decent fuel economy, and also a good deal faster than the 740i Sport Pack cars...

[LuckyS.]

I had a 2002 6speed manual 3years ago..I give my car to my friend to make a spin and he crashed it...I miss that car..But i have e38 740i 6speed manual so this is even better than e39..sry for my english...Btw Great rewiew as always 💪

[tomallen]

Recently bought a 01 740i m sport from the original owner, test drove a 03 540i 6spd m sport during my search, they do run well. Sadly it was in too poor of condition to purchase. Watching your videos intrigued me enough to look into the e38's, glad I did, at least at this early point.

[Gamer-lcbg]

Have bought a Bmw 540i touring 1998, what a beast, you are right about that Beast With Wheels and it Goes.

[Studiosatoshi]

I own a 2001 540i with 270000 miles, drives amazing tough engine and still does 140+

[derrickg]

I've got an 03 540 msport 6-SPEED! Just did a muffler delete, and the steering is tight. It's just like that.

[marklaw]

The E39 5 series was designed under the direction of Wolfgang Reitzle, but the actual design of the 5 series was penned by one Chris Bangle of E65 66 (7) series and E60 (5) series fame.
Bangle didn't actually pen the E65/66 and E60, this was done by one Adrian Van Hooydonk, who was Bangles underling at that particular time.
The E38 & E39 are the pinnacle of BMW design language, they are still very good looking cars even now 20 yrs on. Your comments about the steering is interesting, as the V8's were all recirculating ball and nut, which went through a specially designed channel through the sump. All other E39's had rack and pinion steering, which one would think would be the best in the road feel department.
Anyway I really enjoyed this trip down memory lane. I purchased a black E39 540i executive trim model, it was a fantastic car. I changed the suspension over to the M Sport truly magnificent car.

[henzo]

Best sedan in the world, awesome machine

[richardprice]

The owner could have cleaned the interior, I would have done bearing in mind my car is being featured on a YouTube channel....

[maxthemaltesedog]

I had this exact car . Great drive . Can't go wrong but beware of the timing chain and coolant problems . Excellent review man

[epicon]

2:48 In 2001 (not early 2001) the gear switch direction was changed to backwards for upshifts and forwards for downshifts.

[kai-matthiasbast]

I just bought one of these 540i sport high tech(australia) absolutely inlove with it

[Bahjathaddad]

I owned a 540 M, aside from the few issues in the engine cooling system the car is a thrill to drive.