2003 540 Sport vs. 2003 M5 - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

himebaum · 21st December 2007, 03:00

I love this forum. Really helpful and informed people.

I have a 540 Sport Automatic that I love. It handles great and the black/black looks fine. I have always wanted an 'M' car and lately the 2003 M5's are becoming affordable.

Anyone out there had/have both cars? What points would you make for making the change?

Thanks

IRISH M5 · 21st December 2007, 03:08

I have a 2001 540 Sport 6 spd and a 2003 M5.

Anyway, test drive a M5 and you will be hooked. A totally different animal. There is no looking back so be prepared to buy...

azaytsev · 21st December 2007, 03:31

test drive one and you will not look back at your 540

Ben Carufel · 21st December 2007, 03:43

One of our members, Dave, has extensive experience with an E39 540, E39 M5, and an insanely modified E39 M5.

He should chime in soon.

In my opinion, the two are very different and the M5 is noticeably better than the 540 in all categories.

Vossen10 · 21st December 2007, 04:20

Same classic looks and quality fit and finish with crisper handling and power that will put a grin on your face from ear to ear every time you get on the gas. drive one, youll love it!

chowdah · 21st December 2007, 06:21

It might come down to how hard you like to push your cars. If it's "not too much" or "not too often" I'm not sure you will gain that much beyond the joy of torque.

It might also come down to if you are using this as a daily driver. Your automatic is less hassle -- and smoother -- than the M.

Disclosure: I have only driven the stick 540 & M.

FAST 5 · 21st December 2007, 08:13

originally, I got a new 2001 540 sport pack car. After 2 yrs, I got the itch for more power. I had to take the leap and get into a new 2003 M5 sedan. In 2004 I did the complete Dinan S2 package conversion. This held me over for about 2 yrs. When mid 2006 came along, I had to do the final upgrade and bump up the car's power to the Dinan S3 package. basically, you get accustom to the power and you want more and more and more...........

drfv · 21st December 2007, 08:30

I currently own a '01 540I auto sport and a '01 ///M5. I much prefer to drive the ///M over the 540 anyday of the week. However I am horsepower biased (been so all my life) So I would suggest going for a test drive in one.

I do also love my 540I sport it is a great car in its own right but the beast is in a class of its own imho. If it helps any my Mom always prefer I drive the ///M if I have to take her anywhere, but I do drive alot tamer as well. She is very much a beast (the car not my mom) but she definetly has manners when you need her to.

M5boy · 21st December 2007, 09:33

Had both, put insane amounts of money into my 540 to make it faster, handle better, stop better, than an m5. Great journey with my first car, loved it. Test drove an m5, and all of a sudden i didnt care that it didnt make as much rwhp as my 540 or anything else for that matter, walked away with the car on the spot. The m5 is the greatest car i have driven in my short life, and if you think it cant get better than your 540...give your left foot a go in an M5 and thats all it will take!

Edit:

Notable things to differentiate between the two:
1) Engine, looks good, feels good, sounds good
2) Interior and exterior, leather and alcantara everywhere! The exterior is sporty but suggestive, quad pipes, m-mirrors, 18 inch wheels, sport bumpers
3) Suspension, stiffer than a 540 sport, still very nice for daily driving and the occasional tussle with some curvies
4) Prestige(not snobbery but being proud), i never understood this when i had my 540, but the m5 is admittance in to a rare club, even rarer than the 540! M says it all
5) This should be number one, but, the overall experience, just amazing.

There are plenty more i am sure but there are some for you...

TopEnd · 21st December 2007, 15:27

Owed a 540i before my ///M. However it was a 6-spd. I thought nothing in the world could out-do that car, good power, good torque, good features. The ///M5 transforms all those goods into GREAT!!..