The poor mans M5: The 540i Review.

An E39 540i is the best next thing to an M5. With a 4.4 liter V8 and an optional 6 speed manual, the 540i has proven itself against Porsche Cayman’s, Mustang GT’s, and even E46 M3’s! My model is equipped with a power rear sunshade, factory navigation, and power leather seats, all of which is unreal for a 2001 car.

So let’s get to the interesting stuff.
The good-

• It has a V8. Nuff said.
• No one knows what it is. All people see is a shiny blue BMW 5 series that rolls backwards on hills. They look down on it. No one gets the memo of don’t f*ck with that car until it walks away from a Porsche Cayman S without a problem.
• It’s cheap. My dad only payed $8,600 for the car and we have spent $1,500 on maintenance and various necessities (LED headlights and bluetooth.) Compared to an E39 M5 that is quite the bargain.
  The bad-
• You don’t get the full 400 horsepower and complementary M5 badges and stickers. Yes, mine is equipped with the M Performance package but it is NOT the same. I have raced against an E39 M5 and it has a noticeable power difference that sometimes I wished I had.
• No one knows what it is. Yes I stated this in the good section, but admittedly, it would be nice if F10 M5 or general M car owners acknowledged. It’s an enthusiast car! And maybe a retired golfers as well.

I hope everyone who read this enjoyed as it is my first review. Leave some comments and let me know so pointers and your own comments about the car!