I found this on the web and was curious if it is correct. It was stated that the 2003 production run of 540's was 3600 and of that # 2185 were in the US. That seems like an awfully low #. I am assuming that I misread what was writen, but I lost the link.

Actually BMW does not release production numbers, only sales figures. It is possible you saw those figures at this web site.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/bmw/540.htm

I was not able to determine where he got those numbers or verify them from other sources. You could email him for source data. I, for one, would be curious, since I have a 2003 540i //m sport 6 speed.
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n176/chiefwej/c3.jpg
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n176/chiefwej/c3.jpg)

Yuppers, that is exactly where I got the info. Seems really low.

Wow, that seems low. I would of thought at least 2-3x that number

The number is about right. More so the production numbers of the M-Technic version of the 540 was even less. 03 540/6 M's are less than 1200 for 2003. Don't forget they stopped production of the E39 in 07/03 so essentially the E39 was only built for half a year.

If anyone knows where I can find similar production/sales figures for 1998 5 series/540i/540i 6-spd, please advise.

The number is about right. More so the production numbers of the M-Technic version of the 540 was even less. 03 540/6 M's are less than 1200 for 2003. Don't forget they stopped production of the E39 in 07/03 so essentially the E39 was only built for half a year.

If those numbers are correct, I would doubt there could be 1200, 03 540/6 M's. With only 2185 540's of all types, I would expect the majority to be auto trans. I know that my local dealer laughed when I told him I wanted an 03 540/6. He said that in five years he had only sold one 540/6. I had to do a nation-wide search for my car, as there were no 540/6's of any year for sale in Tucson. My local BMWCCA chapter has twice as many E39 M5's as 540/6's. However, they don't seem that rare among members on the various E39 forums.

If those numbers are correct, I would doubt there could be 1200, 03 540/6 M's. With only 2185 540's of all types, I would expect the majority to be auto trans. I know that my local dealer laughed when I told him I wanted an 03 540/6. He said that in five years he had only sold one 540/6. I had to do a nation-wide search for my car, as there were no 540/6's of any year for sale in Tucson. My local BMWCCA chapter has twice as many E39 M5's as 540/6's. However, they don't seem that rare among members on the various E39 forums.

I mispoke, I meant 540 M-Technic, encompassing both Auto and 6-Speed. I believe BMW produced only M-Technic for the last few months but the trans was in both flavors. Most want the 540/6 though and yes they are rare. I spent 3 months trying to find one in the configuration I wanted.

in years that they didnt make the m5 i think the numbers may be higher, but this is a guess, i went to tampa flordia for my 540i6, off ebay

i live in kansas and may have the only 540 in the state

in years that they didnt make the m5 i think the numbers may be higher, but this is a guess, i went to tampa flordia for my 540i6, off ebay

i live in kansas and may have the only 540 in the state

I doubt that, but you may have the only 540i/6 of that year in the state. I think I have the only 03 540i/6 in Tucson, since none were sold by the Tucson or Phoenix dealers in 02 or 03.

BTW - Fellows, I just came across this info.

http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums/e39/8110422-1.html

He says, based on the vin #s that 1,265 540i/6's were made for US market after 6/02. Not all of those would be 03's. But, how could that be correct, and the preceding number (per Ken Rockwell) of 2,185 total 540i of all types for US market? It mean over half of all 03 540i's of all types (both //m-sport and non-sport) were 540i/6 speed, standard transmision //m-sport models. That seems very unlikely.