If you’ve read this site before, you might know that I’m personally not a fan of the E34-gen BMW 5 Series (though, that might be more because of personal association that the actual car itself). However, credit where credit’s due, this E34 BMW 540i looks really quite good and it’s tempting me to change my mind about the third-gen 5 Series.
Currently up for sale on Bring-A-Trailer, this 1995 BMW 540i is a tempting car, especially considering its mileage and price (at the time of writing this). With only 58,000 miles, it’s still incredibly fresh. It helps that the E34 was one of the more reliable of BMWs of the er. The BMW 540i is also the most desirable non-M E34 5 Series, especially with a six-speed.
Under its hood lies a 4.0 liter naturally-aspirated V8, which makes about 282 hp and is capable of 0-60 mph in just over six seconds. That’s not anything to write home about in today’s market but it’s enough to be fun and enjoyable. What makes it most enjoyable is the sound and feel of a N/A BMW V8 sending power through a six-speed manual.
In terms of condition, the body looks to be in really good condition. The paint looks good, with no signs of fade or any major defects. The inside looks similarly clean and free of issues. There’s a bit of wear on the driver’s side bolster but that’s to be expected from people getting in and out over the years. Plus, ’90s BMW leather has never particularly aged well.
While I don’t love the E34, as it looks like a brick with wheels to me, the idea of a BMW 540i with a V8 and a six-speed is quite tempting. Especially for $6,100 (at the time of this article). It’d make me feel like I was in the car chase in Ronin everyday and you can’t really put a price tag on that.
[Source: Bring-A-Trailer]
