BMW 540 is an inline 6 turbo where as the Audi and Mercedes are V6 turbo and Porsche Panamera base model is also a V6 turbo. And the bmw 540 inline 6 turbo is best in class 0-60 time and also yet retains the best fuel economy of those previous models mentioned. You can also get the 7 series seats on this car (multicontour seats 20 way power with passenger memory) if you get the luxury seating package.
When I was 27 years old back in 89-90 I was hired by a wealthy Beverly Hills Talent Agency & my job was to fuel the Agent's cars & take them in for service. All the cars (or should I say most) were either Beemers, Jags, MBZ's Range Rovers, Porsche's, Audi's & Lexus' so I know first hand how fun the 540i was. But I found the X-5's, Range Rovers & Cayenne's to be the ultimate driving machines because of their height in my opinion. When it comes to the BMW line-up in particular my choice would be (1) X-3M (2) X-550i (3) X-7 & (4) 540i. Thanks for sharing the 540i experience, you are the man!...CHEERS!
Thanks Greg! That must have been a really fun job, especially driving those cars around when they weren't as mainstream as they are today. Yeah, BMW's crossover lineup is pretty strong right now and would probably put them ahead of most of the sedans I driven so far. The 5 series definitely tops the list for BMW sedans though, even ahead of the M340i which I thought was a fun car. After all these years the 540i is still the one I'd recommend people buy because it's as close to being perfectly balanced as you're going to get.
I'm in a relatively loaded 2020 540i and I'm loving it! Not digging on the headlight refresh for this 2021 model. This one that you drove had the base seats. The good seats are the multi-contour. Leave the SUV's to the soccer moms, this sedan is hands down the best in it's midsize luxury segment and the perfect daily driver.
Same here, I'm in a 2018 530i and I wish the headlight upgrade was motivational enough to trade it in for a 2021 but I think they failed and went with a cheap look that is common. Apparently BMW hired some European designer from a chek company who brought headlights over from a cheap European model car he designed for them.
Not entirely true. The Dakota leather seats in this car are actually a $1,500 option. Sensatec (fake leather) are base, and Nappa leather are $2,500. There's an additional $1,000 Luxury Seating option one is obligated to add these days to the Nappa seats, to add multi-contour and ventilation. Just to clarify for people in the market for one of these puppies.
Same here, I’m in a fully loaded 2017 540i xdrive and I mean fully loaded with all the packages and I’m loving it to. Not digging that grill with bumper to much but definitely a luxury and sporty car 😃
Well it's not a new generation, it's just a facelift. The new 4 series is a new generation. For all we know, the new generation 5 series may have a larger kidney grill like the 4 series, but that's not for another 2-3 years.
I can't find the old comment, but I had told you I was looking for my dream, retirement car...and it really came down to the 540i, E450, E53 and M550i. At the time I had only tested the E450 and 540i, and was pretty set on the 540i. I asked your opinion, and you agreed, but added that the M550i would be the one for a car enthusiast. Well...that's me! I just bought a '21 M550i and I LOVE IT! Thanks for your great reviews!!
@@BostonAutoBlog Thanks! I'm always itching for cars...but now I have to scratch the itch by watching videos like yours...but you'll still find me looking at car lots! 🤣😂
@ErrolJ1 No! 😭 I thought I'd keep it forever, but I'm from the forest and wanted to have a vehicle to go camping when I retire. I had ZERO problems and that M550i was great! My wife has a '22 330i Xdrive...it's a turbo 4 that gets 40 mpg on the highway! Thanks for asking. 😁
@@yoursenpai1274 because it's optimal for this class. I own 2nd 5 series already and I would never like to see tesla style big touchscreen or different layout of cockpit, it's perfect. Only things to improve in 5 series are performance, efficiency, comfort and attention drawing look, and BMW does it in every generation. I loved my e39 530i and now loving F10 535D LCI, both are RWD and a lot of fun to drive, when you return at home tired and bored :)
Went from 2017 540i (M-Sport, near fully loaded) to a fully loaded 2020 M340i. Price was very similar. The 3 series is 90% as luxurious, but 150% more sport vs. the 540i. Way more fun to drive, much more engaging. Significantly faster. Better handling. Way more "BMW." So, you are wrong saying it's "better" than the 3 series. After owning both, m340i is best BMW.
BMW is still making good on the 5 Series. However, after 4 years /60k miles, you will need to get rid of it because the repairs in 3 years afterward you could have bought an 3 series.
Have you ever driven the E60 5 series and if so, did you enjoy it. I am asking because I own one and would like to see how it compares to the current 2021 model that you have driven.
Fuel economy of the 21 5 series changed 1mpg better for city and highway compared to the 2020. So it’s now 31 on the highway and I have been getting that actually on mine. It says 31mpg highway on the window sticker. On the 2020 window sticker it said 30mpg.
why for the us market, the headlights go without a blue stripe at the top?, as I understand it is a laser or something else, but if you look at other markets, there with a blue stripe, as for me, with a stripe is more stylish
Unfortunately you haven't gone into any detail on the ONE big change from the 2020 model: The Mild Hybrid driving experience. I don't care about the demographics of 5-series buyers or what kind of people drove the E39 back in the day! I came here to find out what is new about the 2021 G30, not what I already knew...
I ordered a 2021 M550. But if you watch your options. The 540 is a lot less $. Especially when most people lease them. All about the monthly. Most people don’t care about having that much power. Especially a midsize sedan with a V8.
The daytime running lights are like the daytime running lights of the 7 series.. not the 3 series. The 2020 and newer 3 series has much littler shape of the daytime running lights than the 21 5 series.
Next to the volume button are not radio presets, they’re presets to anything. In my F11 the first button sets the navi to Home, second button calls my wife etc. As long as it is in your iDrive, you can dedicate one of those buttons to it.
Great car except from the colour. San marino blue with BMW Individual full fine-grain Merino leather in Smoke White would be perfect for me. Great engine, but I wish BMW put M340i stronger engine. In Europe, the perfect engine for Autobahn blast is 540d or M550d if you can afford it...
The BMW 5 Series does well in the US. It's still selling at a higher volume per year in the US than the X1 and X2. But the best sellers are the X3 and X5.
I wasn't specifically talking about the 540i, because when you add in the M550i that's 523 hp and the M5 has 600 hp it's more powerful when looking at both lineups. The 540i isn't the 5 Series version of the M340i, as that would be the M550i. Also different offerings as you go from the 330i to M340i whereas the 5 Series is 530i, 540i, and M550i. There's a $12k price difference between a base 330i and M340i, unlike the $5k difference between the 530i and 540i which provides a nice middle ground for the 5 Series so consumers who can't spend $76k for the M550i still get a boost in performance at a more affordable price range. This is essentially an apples to oranges comparison unless the 3 Series has a car that slots in between the 330i and M340i, or if they had offered a 320i like they did for the F30 generation
The one he is driving, I'm picturing maybe 65-72k. You can upgrade it with some very worth it options. Mine is a 2020 that came out to be 81k MSRP. Honestly, it's one of the greatest cars I've ever driven. I actually had a 2017 530i and loved it so much that I went for a fully upgraded 540i. I'm loving this one so far as well to the point that I'm ready to get the M550i as my next one, though the power in the 540i is way more than enough for any need. It's fun, it's packed full of tech that makes Tesla owners question their own tech, and it's so freaking comfortable.
This car looks so good
When I see the 3 and 5 series I wonder what on earth happened with the 1, 2 and 4 from a design perspective. The 5 Series is a beauty 😍
Wish the same designers that worked on this car designed the new 4 series and m3/m4
BMW 540 is an inline 6 turbo where as the Audi and Mercedes are V6 turbo and Porsche Panamera base model is also a V6 turbo. And the bmw 540 inline 6 turbo is best in class 0-60 time and also yet retains the best fuel economy of those previous models mentioned. You can also get the 7 series seats on this car (multicontour seats 20 way power with passenger memory) if you get the luxury seating package.
I remember when I drove my manager's 2018 530e - at night. I felt so rich and special so I totally get how you feel about the 5 Series.
This guy does the best reviews hands down.
When I was 27 years old back in 89-90 I was hired by a wealthy Beverly Hills Talent Agency & my job was to fuel the Agent's cars & take them in for service. All the cars (or should I say most) were either Beemers, Jags, MBZ's Range Rovers, Porsche's, Audi's & Lexus' so I know first hand how fun the 540i was. But I found the X-5's, Range Rovers & Cayenne's to be the ultimate driving machines because of their height in my opinion. When it comes to the BMW line-up in particular my choice would be (1) X-3M (2) X-550i (3) X-7 & (4) 540i. Thanks for sharing the 540i experience, you are the man!...CHEERS!
Thanks Greg! That must have been a really fun job, especially driving those cars around when they weren't as mainstream as they are today. Yeah, BMW's crossover lineup is pretty strong right now and would probably put them ahead of most of the sedans I driven so far. The 5 series definitely tops the list for BMW sedans though, even ahead of the M340i which I thought was a fun car. After all these years the 540i is still the one I'd recommend people buy because it's as close to being perfectly balanced as you're going to get.
Bimmers
The 5 series is I C O N I C !!!
It looks literally *E* *P* *I* *C*
Not gonna lie though, the 5 Series always looked epic, but this is next level.
Wonderful.
Cannot help but agree!
Beautiful from every angle...m8 gp and 4series grancoupe beautiful as well
I'm in a relatively loaded 2020 540i and I'm loving it! Not digging on the headlight refresh for this 2021 model. This one that you drove had the base seats. The good seats are the multi-contour. Leave the SUV's to the soccer moms, this sedan is hands down the best in it's midsize luxury segment and the perfect daily driver.
Same here, I'm in a 2018 530i and I wish the headlight upgrade was motivational enough to trade it in for a 2021 but I think they failed and went with a cheap look that is common. Apparently BMW hired some European designer from a chek company who brought headlights over from a cheap European model car he designed for them.
Not entirely true. The Dakota leather seats in this car are actually a $1,500 option. Sensatec (fake leather) are base, and Nappa leather are $2,500. There's an additional $1,000 Luxury Seating option one is obligated to add these days to the Nappa seats, to add multi-contour and ventilation. Just to clarify for people in the market for one of these puppies.
Same here, I’m in a fully loaded 2017 540i xdrive and I mean fully loaded with all the packages and I’m loving it to. Not digging that grill with bumper to much but definitely a luxury and sporty car 😃
I'm happy, we can still enjoy a classic sedan like BMW 5; I just ordered a new one.
This guy is hard to impress. Great work, love to hear the US perspective.
Im glad they didn’t put those big grills from the 4 on this car 😅
That would have been a disaster.
Soon.
Yeah man, that would really suck. Those on the 4er were really hideous
Apparently its a different designer. He did a youtube video criticising the guy who designed the 4 series
Well it's not a new generation, it's just a facelift. The new 4 series is a new generation. For all we know, the new generation 5 series may have a larger kidney grill like the 4 series, but that's not for another 2-3 years.
one of the best luxury and sporty sedans u can buy, traded in my 2015 550i for 2021 m550i and its so so good, commuting of 100 miles is easy and fast
yo did u buy your 2021?
@@Good_Luck11 yes i did ,,
I can't find the old comment, but I had told you I was looking for my dream, retirement car...and it really came down to the 540i, E450, E53 and M550i. At the time I had only tested the E450 and 540i, and was pretty set on the 540i. I asked your opinion, and you agreed, but added that the M550i would be the one for a car enthusiast. Well...that's me! I just bought a '21 M550i and I LOVE IT! Thanks for your great reviews!!
Congrats on your new M550i! I remember talking about which one might be a better car to go with and you definitely made the right choice!
@@BostonAutoBlog Thanks! I'm always itching for cars...but now I have to scratch the itch by watching videos like yours...but you'll still find me looking at car lots! 🤣😂
How is yours doing? Still have it? I have a 2021 540i
@ErrolJ1 No! 😭 I thought I'd keep it forever, but I'm from the forest and wanted to have a vehicle to go camping when I retire. I had ZERO problems and that M550i was great! My wife has a '22 330i Xdrive...it's a turbo 4 that gets 40 mpg on the highway! Thanks for asking. 😁
Outstanding review! I drove all the cars in that class, and I'm going to get a 2021 540i xdrive...your review only makes me more excited! 😁
Great review 👍 Adaptive suspension will make you fall in love more with this car 🤩 Cheers from Cambridge MA 🍺
just a great car in and out. everything you need in one package, excellent review Mike.
Thanks Arthur!
I’ve seen this color in person and it is beautiful! Tan seats make the car near perfect. Good review! 👍🏾!
great review and i agree with your opinions, it truly is an amazing car
great review yet again brother. Love the personal input!
SICK. They finally added some black and sporty ness to it
It‘s always an option just people barely get it
I am glad I waited for the refresh. Just traded-in my 2014 535 msport for the 21 540 msport.
did u buy 21?
@@Good_Luck11 leased
I currently have a Q7. Its a nightmare of a car. I mean, I shouldn't complain, but I am going for this early next summer.
thats how i b feeling too lol
Bernina Grey is this Color. Love it!
This color suits this design well. What a beautiful exterior! Wish BMW updated their interiors too, kind of getting bored of it.
Why do all the bmws have the same old interior
@@yoursenpai1274 because it's optimal for this class. I own 2nd 5 series already and I would never like to see tesla style big touchscreen or different layout of cockpit, it's perfect. Only things to improve in 5 series are performance, efficiency, comfort and attention drawing look, and BMW does it in every generation. I loved my e39 530i and now loving F10 535D LCI, both are RWD and a lot of fun to drive, when you return at home tired and bored :)
Went from 2017 540i (M-Sport, near fully loaded) to a fully loaded 2020 M340i. Price was very similar. The 3 series is 90% as luxurious, but 150% more sport vs. the 540i. Way more fun to drive, much more engaging. Significantly faster. Better handling. Way more "BMW." So, you are wrong saying it's "better" than the 3 series. After owning both, m340i is best BMW.
I need it in white
A beautiful monster 😍
Wait a minute, the sales hasn't dropped in 20yrs? Wow!
woooow thats a beast !!! look at this car :-)
I’m from Massachusetts you earn my subscrib
Rented this vehicle from Enterprise for a week, just worked out that way. Planning on owning a BMW now.
i didnt want a beemer til i drove one.
Awesome review!!
Love the refresh. Do the m550i 😀
You better 😄
I hate how new bmws use the brake lights as turn signals and not have a separate turn signal from the brake light
I love my bluestone metallic 2019 540i 🎉❤
BMW is still making good on the 5 Series. However, after 4 years /60k miles, you will need to get rid of it because the repairs in 3 years afterward you could have bought an 3 series.
Indeed
Damn it. I have a 2019 540 and now I want to upgrade.
Me too lol
This guy is a great salesman.
PLEASE REVIEW 2021 M5 COMPETITION
Have you ever driven the E60 5 series and if so, did you enjoy it. I am asking because I own one and would like to see how it compares to the current 2021 model that you have driven.
This review made my day! Thumbs way up!!!
Thanks Christopher! 👍
@@BostonAutoBlog I've come back to watch this review five times, this will be the sixth. I think I found my car, or found my heroin! LOL. 👍😊
Fuel economy of the 21 5 series changed 1mpg better for city and highway compared to the 2020. So it’s now 31 on the highway and I have been getting that actually on mine. It says 31mpg highway on the window sticker. On the 2020 window sticker it said 30mpg.
Great review, love this car!👍🏽
Thanks KaRon!
I think you like to look in the camera, for me to often, I would like to see more from the car!
I have the same car but I feel the Audio system isn’t the best
Great review
Love the music in the background💯
Good review! I reviewed this bmw and I loved it. Same color as you reviewed 👌🏼
This car is so beautiful
Excellent video. Thanks!
We just want to hear the exhaust.
What's the name of the exterior color? It looks fantastic!
Nardo grey
why for the us market, the headlights go without a blue stripe at the top?, as I understand it is a laser or something else, but if you look at other markets, there with a blue stripe, as for me, with a stripe is more stylish
11:24 The 7 Series is not popular because people got tired of its engineering defects and high (5 digit) repair costs.
Future is now
Damm this looks like the m5
it does! What an insane car
Keep up the good work
Unfortunately you haven't gone into any detail on the ONE big change from the 2020 model: The Mild Hybrid driving experience. I don't care about the demographics of 5-series buyers or what kind of people drove the E39 back in the day! I came here to find out what is new about the 2021 G30, not what I already knew...
I wonder why people who buy this car dont pay 10k extra and get the M550 with 523 hp , that one is a monster .
I ordered a 2021 M550. But if you watch your options. The 540 is a lot less $. Especially when most people lease them. All about the monthly. Most people don’t care about having that much power. Especially a midsize sedan with a V8.
nice job
What color paint is this called?
Yeah, what is the name of that Color?
He looked so small next to it. That 5 series is quite large.
What a nice looking car. What happened with that 4 series though?
is it possible to add a separate cd player in glove box?
The daytime running lights are like the daytime running lights of the 7 series.. not the 3 series. The 2020 and newer 3 series has much littler shape of the daytime running lights than the 21 5 series.
How come the 5 series doesn’t have the new grill?
wait this lci model is available with the 540i???
1:28 please don’t ever say facelift when referring to a bmw please
The correct term is LCI
How about no
@@BostonAutoBlog then I’m gonna cry like a baby
2021 M3 COMPETITION IS NICE AS WELL
Is open pore natural, non-gloss wood trim available?
I'm sold.
Is that color alvitgrey?
What kind of color is this?
I need this
No, you want it.
can you kindly give your excellent opinions for bmw X7 m50i.
I should be reviewing one next month
Next to the volume button are not radio presets, they’re presets to anything. In my F11 the first button sets the navi to Home, second button calls my wife etc. As long as it is in your iDrive, you can dedicate one of those buttons to it.
What is this colour?
The e39 540i is the equivalent of the m550i of today.
I want one!
So do I!
what's the color called?
I have no problem buying this car in 4 years when the price is between 24,000-36,000
my elantra sedan with full bolt ons f’ed this car. but the leather seats justify the 70k, right???
My E39 540 was the best car I owned.
Is it available without xdrive
RWD comes standard for the 540i. Xdrive is an additional $2300
The 550 isn’t worth the 10k more save your money and get the 540 totally worth it
Great car except from the colour. San marino blue with BMW Individual full fine-grain Merino leather in Smoke White would be perfect for me. Great engine, but I wish BMW put M340i stronger engine. In Europe, the perfect engine for Autobahn blast is 540d or M550d if you can afford it...
Also is this the sport version 🤔?
Yes and no. It has the M-Sport package but isn't a "M" car as the M550 (baby "M" car) or M5 is.
The Word You Were Searching For Was “Goldilocks” . It’s A “Goldilocks” Car .
Audi s6 or this
i think 5 and 3 series are the most selling models of bmw😁
Hari Hara Sudaan that’s actually not true the 5 series is one of the least selling models I think
@@AidenRZ777 Where do you live? I'm really wondering because 5 series is the best selling Bmw
The BMW 5 Series does well in the US. It's still selling at a higher volume per year in the US than the X1 and X2. But the best sellers are the X3 and X5.
GD's LIST there not to many in my area I see more e classes then 5 series
Boston Auto Blog oh really I didn’t know the 5 series sold that well
Love the color.
How tall are you
What is the name of colour ?
Bernina Grey Amber Effect
Actually, it is less powerful than both the 2020 330I and m340I. 255 hp and 386 hp respectively and more torque.
I wasn't specifically talking about the 540i, because when you add in the M550i that's 523 hp and the M5 has 600 hp it's more powerful when looking at both lineups. The 540i isn't the 5 Series version of the M340i, as that would be the M550i.
Also different offerings as you go from the 330i to M340i whereas the 5 Series is 530i, 540i, and M550i. There's a $12k price difference between a base 330i and M340i, unlike the $5k difference between the 530i and 540i which provides a nice middle ground for the 5 Series so consumers who can't spend $76k for the M550i still get a boost in performance at a more affordable price range.
This is essentially an apples to oranges comparison unless the 3 Series has a car that slots in between the 330i and M340i, or if they had offered a 320i like they did for the F30 generation
I can't wait to spec mine with the optional M Seats or is that only for the EuroSpec.
Not liking the blacked-out look. That may have run it course.
Totally agree. Hate these black rims
I agree, I like the chrome grill trim.
Price of this car ?
The one he is driving, I'm picturing maybe 65-72k. You can upgrade it with some very worth it options. Mine is a 2020 that came out to be 81k MSRP. Honestly, it's one of the greatest cars I've ever driven. I actually had a 2017 530i and loved it so much that I went for a fully upgraded 540i. I'm loving this one so far as well to the point that I'm ready to get the M550i as my next one, though the power in the 540i is way more than enough for any need. It's fun, it's packed full of tech that makes Tesla owners question their own tech, and it's so freaking comfortable.