2003 BMW 540 consumer reviews

2003 was the last year for this series, and the 540 M Sport was probably the best balanced option of this series. The 4.4 ltr motor is powerful and bullet proof from this Era. 220,000 miles on these engines before work needs to be done on timing chain guides, then good to go again... they just run great and pull hard. Much more reliable and fun than the "twin power turbo" BMWs that have come and gone from my garage (while the 540 M Sport has stayed.) The 6 speed stick is the way to go. Awesome match up with the motor, and with the performance and solid handling of the M Sport suspension there is no comparison even on the market today. Classic lines... always compliments from other drivers. These cars are fun and are just going up in value. Strongly recommend. More fun than an 80's Porsche 911 stick shift and WAY less maintenance.

BMW did it right with this one. Perfectly balanced between a luxury and sport sedan...have to get the 6 speed manual though. Looks are timeless and on the aggressive side.

Legendary 540iT M-Sport Wagon, this BMW 4.4litre V-8 wagon has sport suspension, beefy front brakes, sport steering wheel, the coveted anthracite-colored headliner, shortened rear end and tuned transmission for sporty response, special aerodynamic front bumper cover and rear skirt, plus the super-rare factory rear spoiler. The E39 is a special car recognized by BMW fans world-wide as one of the finest series they ever produced. Less than 200 of the custom V-8 M-Sport Wagons were imported to the US in 2003 and very few have survived in this condition. If you know what it is, then you know what it is.

Always wanted a E39 539i, and finally found the one, 2003 6speed Msport, fantastic car to drive, drove it from Salt Lake City all the way to Atl when I bough it, no issues whatsoever, tough previous owner take good care of it, of course it's an "old car" but still pulls better than my new acura, strong V8 engine, really good driving dynamics, really nice interior, best lookin sedan ever designed, and the obvious own it only if you are a DIYer otherwise it is expensive to repair, cheers.

Runs great, i like the performance of the car. It will be a classic in the years to come. I think the car is a good value.

In 6 speed form, it doesn't get much better than this. Excellent handling, torquey engine and some would argue the best 5 series silhouette to date make the 540i M Sport a current collectible.

2003 BMW 540i M-Sport (M-tech) 6 speed manual. Rare find but worth the look (1,200 or so made). However, you either have to have a willingness to get your hands dirty to work on it yourself or have deep pockets to pay someone else to do it. Prone to minor issues that you can easily do yourself for little money and a lot of support form online forums. If you don't have the time/tools to perform your own maintenance, find a good independent shop (stay away from dealer service debts). If you do this, you'll have a very cool, sufficiently fast and torquey Beemer that wants to be driven "robustly". Keep up with regular oil changes and it'll last forever.

The manufacturer's body designation for a 540 between 1997 and 2003 is E39. I've just purchased my third E39 (used w/ 100k miles), and the second with stick shift, which my wife hates. Stick or automatic, however, the car is classic old-style BMW, before Chris Bangle became the lead designer for the marque and changed the look altogether. Whether you're a Bangle fan or not, the E39 is both elegantly proportioned and beautifully understated. On the highway or the twisties, the E39 is powerful, nimble, and a real joy to drive. The E39 is relatively reliable, too, with the exception of a very few known maintenance issues (e.g., I had three replacement radiators over 10 years with my last 540). Even if infrequent, repairs and maintenance are expensive when they do come due, so be prepared to spend +$500 for relatively routine maintenance costs, and north of $2500-$3000 for bigger ticket repairs / replacement. Inside the car, the controls and dials are well-laid out for the driver, and the back seats are roomy and plush; third and fourth passengers (with back seat temp controls) can ride in substantial comfort, even on long journeys. The interior of the car is beautifully manufactured and quiet, the ride is stable, and the handling inspires confidence, even at speed. It's a fine car.

The best car I've ever owned! Comfortable with all amenities. Good looking too! 8 cylinders under the hood and a tiptronic transmission make for quick and fun driving!

Fourth BMW I have owned and by far the best. Quick, smooth and powerful. Great style and quality in and out.