Price: SOLD
Mileage: 188,200 Miles
Engine: M60B40 V8 Engine
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual Getrag 420G D-Type Transmission
Exterior color: Alpine White Exterior (300)
Interior: Parchment Bison Leather Interior (L3PE)
Additional features:
Fine Wood Trim
1 of 205 540i U.S. Market M Sports
1 of 139 540i/6 (6-Speed) U.S. Market M Sports
1 of 8 Alpine White / Parchment Bison Leather 540i M Sports
Eurosport Performance ECU Chip
Racing Dynamics Pedals
M Sport Package:
M5 Brakes
M5 EDC (disabled)
M5 Aero Mirrors
M5 Front Valance
M5 Rear Valance
M5 Side Skirts
M-System II 17-Inch Wheels w/ Throwing Star Covers
Sport Seats
Euro 3-Spoke Steering Wheel
E34 Cup Holder
Wooden Storage Box
Bilstein Sport Shocks
Automatic Stability Control (ASC+T)
Self-Leveling Suspension
Powered Seats w/ Memory
Shadowline Trim
Headlight Washer System
Clear Indicators
Power Telescoping Steering Column
Power / Heated Sport Seats
Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror
Ski Pass-Through
Clean Carfax
Colorado Title
In 1993 the BMW (E34) M5 was discontinued for the U.S. market when the engine was upgraded to the larger 3.8-liter S38 engine. These were the most rare and the best of the E34 M5s, the last of the hand-built BMW M cars. Besides the largest in-line 6-cylinder engine BMW ever put in a production car, they were outfitted with other exclusive kit that we never saw on this side of the pond. Then in 1995 BMW threw us Yanks a bone with 200 (205 if you count 5 pre-production models) 540i M Sport models. The U.S. Market 540i M Sport was based on the regular 540i, but featured many M5 bits including: M5 brakes, M5 EDC (electronic damper control), 17-inch M System wheels, late-model M5 mirrors, and the M5 front spoiler, side sills and rear apron. Inside they were outfitted with sport seats, M doorsills, and an illuminated M5 shift knob. It was powered by the M60B40 540i engine, an all-aluminum V8 that produces 282 horsepower (29 less than the S38B36 engine in the US spec M5), but it makes up for that by producing exactly 29 more foot-pounds of torque—295 foot-pounds vs. the M5’s 266 foot-pounds. And torque is what you feel. That power is routed through a 6-speed manual Getrag 420G gearbox, an option never available in the US spec M5.
This U.S. Market 540i M Sport is 1 of only 8 M Sports delivered in Alpine White over Parchment leather. It is completely stock with the exception of a Euro 3-Spoke steering wheel and Bilstein sport shocks in place of the M EDC suspension, which has been disabled. It was originally purchased in 1996 in Florida, and then lived in the Carolinas before coming to Colorado in 2002. We personally know both owners since then. The first was a local BMW Car Club member, who was president of the BMW CCA at one point. The second is a local BMW enthusiast and Glen Shelly regular, who sold it to me after taking delivery of an Imola Red E38 740i Sport. There are detailed records dating back to 2006, showing frequent and regular services at Autosport Werks, Schomp BMW, and Yanzito Imports. Notable maintenance in the last year includes: replaced steering column bearing and clock spring, replaced the alternator with a Bosch remanufactured unit, A/C recharge, and a new mass airflow (MAF) sensor. In the near future it will likely need a front suspension bushing refresh, but I wanted to price it less expensively and leave that up to the buyer. We can help address when that time comes or complete now for additional cost. As it sits, it is a very nice driver-quality example of a 540i M Sport in a rare color combination (for an M Sport). It has excellent ownership pedigree, and it presents like a much younger and lower mileage example as a result of. It will certainly need continued care and maintenance, and it deserves it. We would like to find a new owner who will continue its owner shop pedigree for the next chapter of its story.
Overall, the Alpine White paint is in excellent condition and presents fantastically. This 540i has clearly spent its life indoors and been spared harsh winter weather. There are no glaring paint ships, scratches, or clear coat failure. The front clip and both front doors have been repainted. The front end of the hood and fenders are protected by clear bra; the mirror caps and front bumper have some light chipping. The driver’s side lower front bumper has a crack in it. All body panels are original with the exception of the hood and driver’s side fender, which are both DOT-R replacements. The passenger side fender is missing its VIN tag. The Carfax is complete, reports one minor accident and one minor damage incident. There is no rust; all common E34 areas are clean. The windshield glass is crack-free. The side and rear window glass are tinted and in excellent shape. The headlights, fog lights, indicators, markers, and brake light lenses are clear and crack-free. The side markers and rear turn signals are clear and crack-free. The M System II wheels and throwing star covers are in excellent shape, with the only imperfections being some small chips.
The interior is likewise in excellent condition. There are no odors and it has never been smoked in. It still retains the wonderful leather smell that it left the factory with. The carpet is free of stains or tears. The Bison Leather seats are in excellent shape, the notable imperfection being some wear on the driver’s outer seat bolster. The power seat adjustments and seat heaters operate correctly, as they should. The rear seats are optioned with adjustable headrests, a center armrest, and a ski pass-through. The dashboard is crack-free and the passenger side airbag cover is not warped (a common issue). There is a slight warp in the dash close to the windshield, but it is tolerable. The wood trim is in good shape, although has some cracking in the finish as is typical of these cars. The shifter trim piece is flat and not warped or lifting on the edges (a common issue). The center console is in good condition. The Euro steering wheel is a desirable upgrade over the standard 4-spoke wheel, and is in great shape. The power telescoping function works. The instrument cluster has no failed bulbs or pixels and shows no warning lights; the SRS does not function with the Euro Steering wheel. The onboard computer functions correctly and shows no check items. The HVAC control panel works as it should, the heat blows warm and the AC blows cold. The factory stereo is in place and sounds great, although the rheostat can be a little crackly. All switches, power windows, sunroof, and door locks work correctly. The trunk carpet is clean, the cargo straps are present, the tool kit is complete, and an M System spare tire resides under the trunk floor. Two keys are included with the sale.
The M60 fires on command, idles smoothly, and pulls strongly to redline. The clutch take up is correct, the shifter is crisp, and the gearbox shifts smoothly. There are no driveline or wheel bearing vibrations, the suspension is firm, but compliant, and the brakes are strong. The front suspension is getting tired and will be due for replacement soon, as noted in the summary paragraph. The A/C compressor is leaking slightly and the upper strut mounts need to be replaced. The transmission seals and valve cover gaskets are seeping. The tires are fresh Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3’s with 80% tread remaining.
Like any BMW this M540i will certainly need continued care and maintenance—and it deserves it. We would like to find an owner who will continue its ownership pedigree and appreciate and enjoy it for years to come.
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