The other day I was going home and this 2k or 2K1 BMW 540i flew by me, so I decided to see if I could run with him. At the next stop sign we both floored it and he started pulling ahead of me at around 40 mph and maintained his lead until we had to shut it down around 60 mph due to traffic ahead. We were able to move around traffic and came side by side at around 50 mph at which point we both hammered it again. This time we were almost dead even up to around 100 mph, but he was beginning to slightly pull on me. Then we started coming up on traffic again so we had to shut it down. Damn I didn't realize the 540i's were so darn fast and could handle so well!!! When I did some research an saw that they have 282 HP @ 5400 rpm and 324 ft-lb of torque @ 3600 rpm, I found myself humbled a bit. I'd love to race him again after I do my y-pipe and full exhaust. My mechanic is also trying to talk me into doing and intercooler for my SCer, but that would mean that I would then have to add a torque converter and probably do a Level 10 tranny rebuild. (oh well, maybe someday down the road.)

<img src=http://home.beseen.com/family/dnmel/bay.jpg>

 

Yup, yup, those 540is can move. They've got the benefit of 324 lb ft of torquey V-8 AND a 5 speed auto tranny. Same with the GS400, Merc E420 or E430. Mating a 5 speed auto to those wonderful V-8s equals mega grin time ;-)

Lucky you had an SC, must have surprised all heck out of the Bimmer. A non-SCed Max couldn't stand a chance . . . but I'd still race anyway;-)

DW

 

Gun run. Even losing by a little bit is a victory! Those cars are awesome. Now...just imagine what an M5 is like......

 

they are also available with a 6-speed manual.

 

I know that the 6sp 540i are fast and even the auto's... but I am wondering since you are making a lot more HP than the 540i.... 290 HP (according to your 250 wheel Hp) vs. the 282 HP for the 540i, I know you have the auto 4sp. so do you think that that was a factor? My brother has a 528i auto and when he comes over, we'll play around a bit, and if we go on a rolling start he can keep up with me up to about 80mph, so I have respect for BMW's even the autos.

ould like to get a S/C for my 5sp. But don't know if it will take a toll on my engine and tranny. plus I don't have the $$$$ right now.

 

The peak power numbers are similar for a S/C Max and a 540i, but the average power produced by the 540i is much greater. Specifically, the 540i is making more power throughout the powerband, with the S/C Max making a bit more possibly at the very top. The S/C Max engine is quite peaky, while the 540i is not.

 

I could be mistaken....

I think the 540i = 6 spd and 540iA = Auto
anybody want to back me up on this?

 

 

you are correct the "IA" comes with an automatic tranny.

 

Oh, so now BMW distinguishes between the auto and the manual?? They neever used. In fact, further down the model line, a 528i is an auto. There's no 528iA. They better not keep that up. That's crazy.

 

In the service manual it will say 540iA, but on the car it still says 540i.

My friend has a 540i Auto with Sport package, the same Sport package that comes with 6-speed tranny.
You wouldn't be able to tell if it was Auto or 6-speed just by looking at it from outside.

 

I agree, I've never seen a 540iA...

 

yeah, I would have to agree.. never seen one marked IA. (but they should mark them RETARD cause that's what you are if you get the 540 w/o that cool 6spd, get the 528 auto if you don't care about driving it)