I'm shopping for an e39 540i, sport package w/steptronic.
I'm looking at 2000-2002. The only difference in those years that I am aware of is that in 2002 I have been told that Angel Eyes comes stock.
Can anyone identify any other differences? Is one year better than another?

Many thanks.

2001 was the midlife update for the car. I don't know everything that entails for a 540i, but it did involve the angel eyes and CELIS tailights. Also, the rated power changed for 540i's in 01 or 02 I believe, but I may be off. Oh, yeah, the StepTronic mode for 2000's has manual mode reversed compared to later cars, as in push forward for shift up, back for shift down, instead of the way the later cars do it. This, however, is easy enough to fix if it bothers you. It requires one part (the panel with the symbols on it, so that it shows it correctly), and reversing 2 wires. There is a FAQ out there on how to do it.

Thanks for looking. I think I found what I'm looking for.

http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums/e39/forum.php?postid=3826502&page=1