2003 BMW 540i M-Sport for Sale
FOR SALE:
2003 BMW 540i M-Sport
Year: 2003
Model: BMW
Make: 540i M-Sport
Doors: 4
Mileage: 168,000
Engine: 4.4L V-8
Price: $7,500.
Location: Meridian, MS
Contact: CLICK TO EMAIL GREG
- Transmission: Automatic w/switchable manual Steptronic mode
- Switchable Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
- VIN: WBADN63463GN89570
BMW sent the E39 5-Series out with a bang for its final year of production in 2003. It has the huge 4.4 liter V8 of the big 645i, the gargantuan 740i, 740Li, and behemoth 745i and 745iL, but in the smaller and lighter body. It also has the same torque converter as the M5. Because of the combination of the big engine and M5 torque converter, this car goes like a bat out of hell. The best description I ever read of it was that it’s “spooky fast.” Seriously — be aware of that if you ever put the pedal to the metal in this thing. On the open road, you can go from 55 to 100 in a shockingly small amount of time, and you’ll hardly notice because it’s such a smooth ride.
This 5-Series, called E39 by BMW, was offered in the US from 1997 through 2003. It does everything well, all at the same time. The BMW 540i has the smooth, silent and luxurious ride of a huge luxury car, with the nimble, agile handling of a small sports car. It has a number of luxury conveniences, yet is small enough to park anywhere. The 4.4-liter V8 is impressively powerful, smooth, and quiet.
There were 3,306 2003 BMW 540s made for the entire world. Only 2,185 made it to the USA.
Of the 2,185 540s that came to the USA, only a fraction were the M-Sport model. Only 408 were Sterling Gray automatics, and this is one of them.
The fun of driving a 2003 BMW 540i M-Sport is well known by BMW enthusiasts. It’s fast of course, but also luxurious and nimble. It’s as much of a kick in the pants as a tiny sports car, and also packs more punch than a 1960s hot rod, while still being quiet and comfortable.
FUEL ECONOMY: 17 mpg city, 21 mpg Highway
ACCIDENTS: No accidents.
Click here to see the CARFAX PDF
MAJOR MAINTENANCE
- New brake master cylinder at 115,000 miles.
- New timing chain and guide at 146,000 miles. This was done at the mileage recommended by many M5-series fanatics. No issues with the timing chain and guide were encountered before this replacement, but having read stories about M-series timing chains, I wanted to get out ahead of it. The expected lifespan of the current timing chain and guide is about 110,000 more miles.
- New tires all around May 2025 (less than 200 miles on them).
MAINTENANCE AND COSMETIC NEEDS
- Driver’s seat needs tightening at mounts.
- Passenger seat needs new cables.
- When braking between certain speeds, there’s a vibration in the steering wheel. One mechanic has told me this is because one of the rims is slightly bent.
- The little “garage door” that covers the flip-out drink holder in the center console is no longer there.
- On the driver’s side front pillar is a small, shallow indentation about the size of your thumb. Not noticeable until you walk right up on it.
- A storm sent small tree limbs flying across the trunk while I was parked in my office lot, leaving behind some scratches.
- There are a few pixel outages in the dashboard display. This is very common for E39s of this era.
- The windshield has two cracks and could use replacing, but is sound as is.
If you’ve read this far, it’s likely you know what you’re looking at and I don’t need to tell you this, but just so we’re clear: Maintenance on these cars is no joke, so please be aware of that. BMW’s M series are designed for a special driver, one who understands that they’re high-performance sedans which need regular care and attention. If you’re one of those drivers, then this classic 540i M-Sport will quicken your pulse and put a smile on your face for years to come.
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Click here to see the CARFAX PDF
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