2001BMW5-SeriesBMW 5-Series2001 BMW 540i SedanSedanSedanRWDGermanyThe former base 2.8-liter engine gets bumped up to 3.0 liters, with an expected horsepower and torque increase to go along with the larger displacement. A new 2.5-liter engine premieres this year, as do rear seat head airbags and a slightly freshened exterior. BMW also improved some of the optional equipment, including Park Distance Control for both the front and rear of the vehicle, a bigger LCD screen for the navigation system, and an optional single-disc in-dash CD player.Thrilling to drive, luxurious ride quality, clean exterior styling.Confusing interior markings, demanding manual transmission, high-end models are pricey.The 5 Series follows BMW's fine tradition of embodying a "true driver's car" and is offered in three flavors for 2001 - the base 525i, the mid-level 530i, or the top-end 540i. In addition to the sedan body style, a wagon (or estate, as they say in Deutschland) is also available in 525i and 540i versions. A new 2.5-liter inline six-cylinder engine that makes 185 horsepower moves the 525i models. This base model comes with a standard five-speed manual transmission, or it can be optioned with a five-speed Steptronic automanual transmission. Step up to the 530i and you get a new 3.0-liter inline six that makes a healthy 225 horsepower at 5,900 rpm and 214 foot-pounds of torque at 3,500 rpm. This engine creates a broad torque band and offers commendable acceleration while meeting low-emission vehicle standards. Under the hood of the 540i sits a 4.4-liter, 32-valve V8 that manages zero-to-60 times in the low sixes. With 282 horsepower at its command, these Bavarian barnstormers are a blast on the open road. This powerplant comes mated to either a six-speed manual or a five-speed Steptronic automanual (the 540i Sport Wagon comes only with the auto) for those who find the BMW stick shifts a bit too demanding in stop-and-go traffic. The suspension is pleasantly firm on this lively model, making even the most docile of drivers feel like Michael Schumacher. Of course, if you really want to experience the pinnacle of BMW performance in a luxury sedan, skip the 540i and step up to the wonderful (and wonderfully expensive) M5 sedan. As one would expect in a top-end, luxury/sport vehicle, equipment levels are first rate. Standard fare includes a 10-speaker premium sound system, car and key programmable memory, dual-zone air conditioning, eight-way power adjustments with memory settings, and cruise control with steering wheel controls. All-Season Traction (AST), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Dynamic Brake Control are standard on all 5 Series cars. Standard safety equipment includes dual-stage front airbags, door-mounted front side airbags, and head-protection airbags for front passengers. The optional rear side-airbag package also includes head-protection airbags. Three-point seatbelts at all seating positions, impact sensors that unlock the doors and activate the hazard lights in the event of a serious accident, remote keyless entry, two-step unlocking, coded drive-away protection, and a vehicle security system are also standard. Audi A6Lexus GSLincoln LSMercedes-Benz E-Class450,000450,000450,0006UnlimitedNANANA84.4 litersV8282 hp @ 5400 rpm324 ft-lbs. @ 3600 rpm188 in.70.9 in.56.5 in.3748 lbs.111.4 in.37.4 in.37.2 in.56.8 in.55.9 in.NANA41.7 in.34.2 in.11.1 cu.ft.StandardStandardStandardStandardNot AvailableStandardStandardRating = Not TestedRating = Not TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot Tested18.5 gal.15 mpg / 23 mpg278 mi. / 426 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$48,670$53,9007.35%$645$1,300No Holdback525i SEDAN (5M): 2.5L I6 DOHC SMPI 24-valve engine with variable valve timing (requires premium unleaded fuel); 5-speed manual transmission; 120 amp alternator; rear-wheel drive, traction control, 2.93 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust; electronic stability control, front independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, gas-pressurized front shocks, rear independent multi-link suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs, gas-pressurized rear shocks; rack-and-pinion power steering with engine-speed-sensing assist; 4-wheel antilock disc brakes; 18.5 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; front and rear body-colored bumpers with body-colored rub strip, body-colored bodyside molding; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen headlamps with delay-off feature, daytime running lights; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; driver's and passenger's body-colored heated folding outside mirrors, driver's power remote outside mirror,passenger's power remote tilt down outside mirror; 16" x 7" silver alloy wheels; P225/55HR16 BSW A/S tires; full-size alloy spare wheel; dual-zone front air conditioning, air filter, rear heat ducts, residual heat recirculation; premium AM/FM stereo radio, seek-scan feature, cassette player, CD changer pre-wiring, 10 speakers, theft deterrent, window grid diversity antenna, steering wheel radio controls; cruise control; power heated door locks with 2-stage unlock, remote keyless entry, child-safety rear door locks, power remote trunk release; cell phone pre-wiring, 1 power accessory outlet, front lighter elements, driver's foot rest, retained accessory power, smokers' package; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, in-dash clock, exterior temp, systems monitor, check control, trip computer, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, water temp, battery, low oil level, low coolant, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, low washer fluid, bulbfailure, door ajar, trunk ajar, service interval, brake fluid; driver's and passenger's front airbags, driver's and front passenger's door-mounted side airbags, overhead airbag; ignition disable and panic alarm security system; tinted windows, power front and rear windows with front and rear 1-touch down function; variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers with heated washer fluid jets, sun visor strip, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front bucket seats, power adjustable tilt headrests, center armrest with storage, driver's seat includes 8-way power adjustment, passenger's seat includes 4-way adjustment; rear bench seat with adjustable headrests, center armrest; height-adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners; leatherette seats, leatherette door trim insert, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering, leather-wrapped shift knob, chrome interior accents; driver's seat memory includes settings for exterior mirrors, steering wheel, and headrests;interior lights include dome light with fade, front and rear reading lights, illuminated entry; leather-wrapped steering wheel with power tilt and telescopic adjustment; dual illuminated vanity mirrors; day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, locking glove box with light, front and rear cupholders, 2 seatback storage pockets, driver's and passenger's door bins, rear door bins; carpeted cargo floor, cargo light; chrome grille, chrome side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and body-colored door handles.
525iA SEDAN (5A) (in addition to or instead of 525i SEDAN (5M) equipment): 5-speed electronic OD automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter; driver's selectable multi-mode auto-manual transmission; 4.1 axle ratio.
525i SPORT WAGON (5M) (in addition to or instead of 525i SEDAN (5M) equipment): roof rack; rear step bumper; trunk pull-down, fixed 1/4 vent windows; flip-up rear window, rear window wiper, 60/40 folding rear bench seat with adjustable headrests, cargo cover, cargo net, cargo light, and locking concealed cargo storage.
525iA SPORT WAGON (5A) (in addition to or instead of 525i SPORT WAGON (5M) equipment): 5-speed electronic OD automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter; and driver's selectable multi-mode auto-manual transmission.
530i SEDAN (5M) (in addition to or instead of 525i SEDAN (5M) equipment): 3.0L I6 DOHC SMPI 24-valve engine with variable valve timing;front and rear body-colored bumpers with body-colored rub strips; daytime running lights; dual-zone front air conditioning with climate control and leather-wrapped steering wheel.
530iA (5A) (in addition to or instead of 530i (5M) equipment): 5-speed electronic OD automatic transmission with lock-up and driver's selectable multi-mode auto-manual transmission; 4.1 axle ratio, and body-colored bodyside molding.
540iA SEDAN (5A) (in addition to or instead of 530iA (5A) equipment): 4.4L V8 DOHC SMPI 32-valve engine with variable valve timing, 2.81 axle ratio; dual stainless steel exhaust; recirculating-ball power steering with engine speed-sensing assist; front express open/close sliding and tilting glass sunroof with sunshade; clearcoat monotone paint; projector beam high intensity headlamps with delay-off feature; garage door opener, rain-detecting wipers, driver's and passenger's seat includes 8-way power adjustment; leather seats, leather door trim insert, genuine wood dashboard insert, genuine wood door panel insert, genuine wood console insert and auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror.
540i SEDAN (6M) (in addition to or instead of 540iA SEDAN (5A) equipment): 6-speed OD manual transmission; sport-ride suspension, black bumper insert; body-colored bodyside molding with chrome bodyside insert; front 17" x 8" silver alloy wheels, rear 17" x 9" silver alloy wheels; P235/45WR17 BSW performance front tires; 255/40 WR17 BSW performance rear tires; front sports seats, driver's and passenger's seat includes 10-way power adjustment, aluminum dashboard insert, aluminum door panel insert, aluminum console insert, and black side window moldings.
540iA SPORT WAGON (5A) (in addition to or instead of 540iA SEDAN (5A) equipment): 150 amp alternator; 3.15 axle ratio; auto-leveling suspension, rear air shocks; roof rack; rear step bumper; trunk pull-down, fixed 1/4 vent windows; flip-up rear window, rear window wiper, 60/40 folding rear bench seat with adjustable headrests, cargo cover, cargo net, and locking concealed cargo storage.