Overview & Reviews
This year a standard CD player, climate control and power seats. The 4.4-liter V8 of the 540 now makes 290 horsepower, up 8 from last year. Rear side-impact airbags are now a no-charge option, rather than standard.
- Thrilling to drive, luxurious ride quality, clean exterior styling.
- Confusing interior markings, demanding manual transmission, high-end models are pricey.
User Reviews:
Showing 81 through 90 of 147.00-
Great car but low reliability - 2002 BMW 5-Series
By LuvChiana - June 1 - 2:00 amThis was my first BMW, and it was the best car I ever owned -- until its second birthday. Great handling, braking, overall feel. Above average marks on luxury and comfort. No problems until the two year mark, then all sort hit in fairly quick order. Including: electrical system problems stranded me three times in two weeks, rotting trim, radio & climate controls, and computer display panel fading out. Traded car after Internet research - - BMWs OK reliabilty in general but if you get one that goes bad it really goes bad.
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excellent - 2002 BMW 5-Series
By jogkjfiufuif - May 30 - 2:00 amthe best car Ive ever owned. This makes the 2nd 540 Ive owed and I can not wait for the next version in 2003.
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Everything perfect so far... - 2002 BMW 5-Series
By Snow Queen - May 18 - 2:00 amDespite my reluctance to move from a Z3 to the 530i sedan, I feel like Ive sacrificed just a small amount of performance that is far outweighed by the luxuries and amenities of this outstanding car. I might beat others out of a light a little slower now, but not by much, and Im doing it in comfort. This is a grown-up, safe, well-built car that I can still view as a toy.
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The best - 2002 BMW 5-Series
By headcracker - April 11 - 10:00 amI tried everything in this class, and a manual was a must. The A6 biturbo, very nice but not an equal. The M5, well I still think about it. 500 miles a tank on the road. With the fold down rear seat it does better than I expected. Could not however have dealt with the trunk without the fold down rear seats. Did I buy this car to drink while driving!!!!!!!! I really dont care about the cupholders. Simply the best 4 door car in the world. Gas mileage is much better than anticipated, car now 10 months old and I have averaged 21.8 overall.
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Death by cupholder rage - 2002 BMW 5-Series
By thassarodge - January 24 - 2:00 amBest car there is. I bought it in Germany, took it down the Autobahn, got it up to 140 mph. Car sat on the road rock solid and seemed to say to me "Now what?" It wanted to go faster but speed limiter said no. This car is awesome and the curves are gorgeous. The blue color looks wonderful at night, but kind of blah purply in bright sunlight. The seats are comfortable and the instrumentation is logically placed. Only bad thing is the cupholders are absolute crap. Wont even hold a soda can - BMW should not have put them in if they couldnt design them right. One of mine is alread broken from holding my narrow-based coffee cup.
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You Are What You Drive! - 2002 BMW 5-Series
By Stetamrunning - January 6 - 2:00 amThe 2002 BMW 530i with Premium / Sports Package and add the Steptronic Automatic is all the car one could ever ask for! This is my 7th BMW over the years. My Wife thinks I was nuts to purchase another one until she drove this wonderful machine. Now we fight over the keys!
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Fun fun fun til wife takes the bmw away - 2002 BMW 5-Series
By shortyusa - December 5 - 10:00 amMy 540i drives like its on rail road tracks. Fast, takes curves like no other sedan. Build is great. Sound of the engine can make a grown man cry with joy. Cost is only about 10k too high. But there is no car that comes close for less than 80k. Why could BMW not make a better cup holder?? Come on Herman it just has to hold a darn cup from McDonalds!!
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Cheetah on the autobahn - 2002 BMW 5-Series
By Jim Reed - December 5 - 10:00 amThe car is impeccable in quality, fit and finish and a pleasure to drive. She easily accelerates to 125 mph and continues to climb effortlessly from 140. I pushed the accelerate button from 140 and it took off like most cars do from 65. The factory limit is 156 mph. At this speed the car is very stable although imperfections in the roadway, absence of road crowning and non-banked curves on the autobahn become apparent. At 156 mph she turns 4500 rpm, well below the peak hp of 5500 and below the redline of 5750. Theoretically the car could do 190 but you would need a good road. Write me if you have any doubts about the thrill of driving this car.
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Excellent - 2002 BMW 5-Series
By jiggly - October 25 - 2:00 amThis vehicle is the best ive ever owned! Its my first BMW and i must say that im extremely impressed. The ride is exemplary, the engine quiet and smooth and the performance very good. I have recommended this car to many of my friends who are looking for a new car. They have all been just as in awe as i was and still am. You wont be dissapointed i you choose this car!
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Make a good choice - 2002 BMW 5-Series
By frankzm - September 16 - 2:00 amOver audi a6, lexus gs300, I chose BMW 530ia with prem&sports pkg. The engine is more than adequate with rich torque across the band for everyday commute and some fun in between. The sports seats with the thigh support is a plus for 6+footers like myself. sport suspension is a little firmer than standard but still provides comfortable ride and minimal bodyroll in corners. Interior and exterior designs are one of the classics. And the smooth inline6 which hums the best engine music in its class. Of course, you can hardly hear it in low rpms. overall, its a joy to drive and ride.I often have to beg my fiancee(The car was bought for her)for the keys.
