http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=231676547&dealer_id=3386618&car_year=2003&model=M5&num_records=25&make3=&make2=BMW&start_year=2003&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&search_type=both&distance=0&marketZipError=false&model2=540I&search_lang=en&first_record=51&make=BMW&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=33594&advanced=&end_year=2003&pager.offset=50&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=2536

I'm looking for another 540i or M5. Currently have an 03-540i M-Sport w/58K, and am shopping for another (for me to drive this time). Found the above listing, and while a long way away for me, check out the link and let me know what you think. The VIN checks out at realoem as a 540i6, but the gauge cluster, wheels, mirrors, and maybe the exhaust are M version items. Front end looks M-tech, and there are no pictures of the engine bay. For the miles (13K), and the price, it might be worth the trip to WA (from FL), just for the drive back! Looks like a modded 540i6 that never got driven.

DAL

WBADN53493GF71996 --- the GF7 indicates that it is a 2003 540i 6-speed with all the M-tec additions. Add M5 wheels, gauge cluster, mirrors, lip spoiler... looks like maybe Dinan exhaust? SUPER low mileage for sure!

Mine is high mileage (75k) and I'm on the other side of the country but it is for sale at $22.5k. I'm not yet allowed to post a link but if you pull up roadfly.com and look for 2003 540iA M-Sport, Pittsburgh, PA you should be able to see a couple pics and the vin.

Since you are studying the market, I'd appreciate your comments.

CORRECTION:
Sorry dal1955, thought you were located in WA and now see you are on the east coast also. Still 1k+ miles apart.

Looks to be a DINAN supercharged, dual exhaust, DINAN Brakes, full M parts addition 540. Somepne spent a lot of money to upgrade this 540.

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb84/dal1955/th_DSCF2665.jpg (http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb84/dal1955/DSCF2665.jpg)
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb84/dal1955/th_DSCF2659.jpg (http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb84/dal1955/DSCF2659.jpg)
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb84/dal1955/th_DSCF2664.jpg (http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb84/dal1955/DSCF2664.jpg)
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb84/dal1955/th_DSCF2663.jpg (http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb84/dal1955/DSCF2663.jpg)
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb84/dal1955/th_DSCF2662.jpg (http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb84/dal1955/DSCF2662.jpg)
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb84/dal1955/th_DSCF2661.jpg (http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb84/dal1955/DSCF2661.jpg)
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb84/dal1955/th_DSCF2660.jpg (http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb84/dal1955/DSCF2660.jpg)

It looks like that 540 has an alcantara headliner, I thought that was strictly M5.

Are you shure it's not an M5, it looks like it has M5 seats, too.

I agree, lots of M stuff, but the VIN says 540. The seats, headliner and stuff are std on the 540 M-Tech version. Supercharged 540 i6, lots of Dinan Stuff, dual exhaust and an M5 badge can be confusing. Price and VIN says 540 though.

whoa! that's bad ass!

I agree, lots of M stuff, but the VIN says 540. The seats, headliner and stuff are std on the 540 M-Tech version. Supercharged 540 i6, lots of Dinan Stuff, dual exhaust and an M5 badge can be confusing. Price and VIN says 540 though.

540 v8

540 v8

I know the 03-540 is a V8, I have one. 540i/6 is the 6 speed manual transmission. Something like only 1250 of them were imported into the US.

DAL

Carfax shows it to be an 03 540i. Doesn't say if its /6 or Auto. Also shows only one owner and no entries past its first registration.

I bought my great condition 540iA with 78k and BMW CPO for a tad under 20, but the market prices suggest I could get more like 23 if I sold it.

don't the M5's have more of a center mounted dual exhaust? this seems to be more to the outside, like a 540 would be. would you guys rather have this supercharged 540 over an M5? my initial thought was resale value down the road....you'd have to find a special buyer that truely see's the value in this car, where with the M5 it just.....well it is what it is.

don't the M5's have more of a center mounted dual exhaust? this seems to be more to the outside, like a 540 would be. would you guys rather have this supercharged 540 over an M5? my initial thought was resale value down the road....you'd have to find a special buyer that truely see's the value in this car, where with the M5 it just.....well it is what it is.

Resale value... the M5 wins. Personal enjoyment value... well this 540i might just be in the lead.

don't the M5's have more of a center mounted dual exhaust? this seems to be more to the outside, like a 540 would be. would you guys rather have this supercharged 540 over an M5? my initial thought was resale value down the road....you'd have to find a special buyer that truely see's the value in this car, where with the M5 it just.....well it is what it is.

The M3's have the more center mounted exhausts. This one is true to the M5. A SC 540 should be pushing 480HP based on some stuff on the internet, should be at least as quick as an M5, just the insurance would be much less. Resale wise, the price is about what a 540 would bring with the mileage, so if you found the right buyer, you might get on that appreciates the value in the added mods... my guess is that someone put about 20K into this car.

DAL

The GF7**** vin number is specific to a 2003, 540i 6-speed //M-tech. The OEM M-par wheels have been replaced w/ M5 wheels. The instrument cluster has been replaced w/ an M5 unit. The dual M5 type exhaust probably mean the trunk (spare tire well) has been altered. Several Dinan bits have been added including, of course the supercharger. Not to mention the car is the ultimate poser. The owner went added the M5 emblem and went to extremes to make the car look like an m5. But strangely didn't remove the M-tech bar in the front grill.

Someone invested a lot in this car, but it's those mods that kill the resale value on the car. It's market value is very limited.

BTW seats, headliner, etc. all std on the /M-tech.

The GF7**** vin number is specific to a 2003, 540i 6-speed //M-tech. The OEM M-par wheels have been replaced w/ M5 wheels. The instrument cluster has been replaced w/ an M5 unit. The dual M5 type exhaust probably mean the trunk (spare tire well) has been altered. Several Dinan bits have been added including, of course the supercharger. Not to mention the car is the ultimate poser. The owner went added the M5 emblem and went to extremes to make the car look like an m5. But strangely didn't remove the M-tech bar in the front grill.

Someone invested a lot in this car, but it's those mods that kill the resale value on the car. It's market value is very limited.

BTW seats, headliner, etc. all std on the /M-tech.

I would remove the Badge and just let folks guess. My view on the resale value is that it should always be worth what a similar mileage 540 should bring and as long as you don't expect more you shouldn't be disappointed.

The M3's have the more center mounted exhausts. This one is true to the M5. A SC 540 should be pushing 480HP based on some stuff on the internet, should be at least as quick as an M5, just the insurance would be much less. Resale wise, the price is about what a 540 would bring with the mileage, so if you found the right buyer, you might get on that appreciates the value in the added mods... my guess is that someone put about 20K into this car.

DAL

just a few things. a dinan supercharger for the 540 will produce nowhere near 480hp. it tops out just above 400hp for the 4.4l V8. dinan only allows 5.5psi of boost so that you actually can rely on your motor 50,000 miles down the road. $33,000 for a 540 is ridiculous (my opinion). why not spend $30,000 for a real M5 that will handle, accelerate and stop better than the 540 your considering?

p.s just saw the brakes. ok, ok it will STOP better than an M5.

just a few things. a dinan supercharger for the 540 will produce nowhere near 480hp. it tops out just above 400hp for the 4.4l V8. dinan only allows 5.5psi of boost so that you actually can rely on your motor 50,000 miles down the road. $33,000 for a 540 is ridiculous (my opinion). why not spend $30,000 for a real M5 that will handle, accelerate and stop better than the 540 your considering?

If I could find an 03M5 with 13K miles, I'd buy it in a heartbeat, but 30K for that car is not realistic unless you find a divorce sale where "she" is selling "his" M5. I don't know if you've checked prices lately, but most of what I've found for an 03-540 w/less than 25K miles are going for $31K+, or an 03M5 with similar mileage are going for $45K+. Do an autotrader search for 540/M5 limited to 2003, and look at price and mileage. Yes, there are a lot of high mileage both models for less money, but the extreme low mileage gets a premium. Also, my son works for a large GM dealer and has access to a lot of nationwide sales records. The $33K is not greatly out of line(maybe $2K high) for the year and mileage. A similar age and mileage M5 would go for about $45K. I think I pulled the 480HP off the jimmy540.com site. That is probably not a realistic number, 400 is OK though.

DAL