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 11 through 20 of 147.00-
Fun to Drive Expensive to Own - 2002 BMW 5-Series
By Dick Bange - December 21 - 7:21 pmLove to drive this vehicle bought new. However, have spent over $12,000 repairing everything from A/C, water pump, CD player, starter and thermostat several times. Wont buy another one.
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Great performance. - 2002 BMW 5-Series
By Roger K. - August 7 - 10:12 pmArguably the best sports sedan of its time (M5 excepted) and a classic in the making. This car is all about driver synergy and performance. You feel integrated with the machine: it does what you want, when you want. Reliability is a problem: radiator, digital displays, door seals, HVAC have all failed. Although problems are expected four years out, I never had this much trouble with Japanese cars. That being said, try finding a Japanese sedan that is as good to drive. Low profile tires and sports package make for cautious parking (but I cant blame BMW for that). Buy this car if driving experience is the priority.
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540i cannot be beat - 2002 BMW 5-Series
By raj - May 7 - 12:51 amBest car I have ever driven. Also own a CL500 and I prefer the 540 over the Merz. Great car and the only reason I would replace is if I get a 545i. Performance cannot be beat, great ergonomics. BMW really builds a car around driving. Dont get this car if you like eating or drinking in the car, thats what American cars are for.
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Excellent Value! - 2002 BMW 5-Series
By BTinDallas - November 14 - 9:08 pmI was in the market for a car after losing my company car. I looked at a lot of offerings and finally decided on the 530i. I bought it about 4 mos. ago and love it. This is my 2nd BMW (my other is a 1988 M6) and it is everything I thought it would be. I bought mine with 65K on the odo, but it is a CPO car with the 100K warranty. It is probably the best value out there. I got one of the best sport sedans made, with a factory warranty, for under 21 grand! Im glad I got the sport package, it really adds to the looks and handling!
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Disappointing - 2002 BMW 5-Series
By Anonymous - February 5 - 3:08 amGiven the uniformly positive reviews on the e39 body 5-series, I was prepared to love this car. But it has been so disappointing that Im considering selling it after five months of ownership. The problem is simple -- and no its not the cupholders, which I agree are flimsy but they dont bother me. Its the constant and apparently unfixable creaks, squeaks, and rattles from the doors, the rear hatch, the seats, etc. (Ive had it in at the dealer several times.) Also disappointing is the junky sound of the doors when slammed closed. Of the about 10 cars Ive owned, this is one of the biggest bucket of bolts of the lot. If I could go back in time, I would NOT have bought this car.
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Awesome - 2002 BMW 5-Series
By Duff - July 22 - 7:44 pmThis car cannot compare to any other vehicle in the same class. The car handles the same at 40 as it does at 120. It has the power to handle almost any situation and handles just as well in foul weather with the exception of snow! If you have considered something other than a BMW, think again! Everyday is a new driving experience with a BMW. Be careful, once you stepped up to a different class driving machine, you will never take a step backwards.
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Lookn Good - 2002 BMW 5-Series
By Robbiee69 - July 12 - 10:00 amAll I can say about my new Beemer is that, "I cant stop driving it." I love the looks the feel and the exhilaration of driving this machine. I would have liked to get the 530 for the extra pep, but opted for the options and really dont regret it. Not as much power but I can live with it. The ride is so smooth that, I often find myself at 80mph, thinking Im going around 65mph. Over all I like everything about the car.
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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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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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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!!
