To all 545 owners,

Would you kindly share some driving experience on your 545? Especially owners from previous 540 or e39 M5.

 

I had two E39 540i six-speed before getting my E60.

I know this isn't exactly what you're looking for but I keep summing things up with the following statement:

"BMW took a perfect car and perfected it!"

 

My 540-6 absolutely rocked. Never had such a car before and for 7-8 years, it was a real love affair to the extent that I turned it to my son at a benevolent price. He says that if I'll come visit him he will let me sit in. How's that for a whipper snapper!

It took me almost a month to bond with the 545. I have never been this great of a driver before. Switching from a clutch to SMG was the toughest to accept. Today, I see the trade offs and the SMG wins. The only thing I might do better with a clutch is an all out speed shift. But there are benefits to the SMG that more than balance that one possible deficiency.

Active steering is amazing and that is what has improved my car handling. I really can't turn any sharper than before, but it sure is easier. So easy, as a matter of fact, that I find myself doing it all the time.

Fuel economy was a bit better in the beginning with the clutch than I have found with SMG. I think that's because SMG works more like an automatic transmission when starting and at low speeds.

There is no way that I would go back to the 540. The 545 rocks better!

 

JDN on RF,

Great. I'm hoping the same. How about the power?? Do you feel the power difference? Your experience on this would be nice. tks.

 

Well, tks, the 540 had all of the power I thought I needed. I have yet to really let this one out. In the low gears, it is much quicker. I guess that relates to power. It seems to get going so fast around town that I am always having to let off, just when I would really like to let it eat.

Rudy can probably give some worthwhile input. Our cars delivered very close together and similarly equipped. I think he has more miles than I do.

I'll get it out for a good run to Florida in mid to late June. Looking forward to that.

NO TICKETS - puhleeze!

 

I need to agree with Rudy on this. My '00 540iA was a truly amazing automobile. I was in awe of the perfect design balance and the feeling of security and control every time I got behind the wheel. The 545iA is better is pretty much every way. At only 300 or so miles (after 10 days), I can feel it asking me to please step more on the gas, that it's there for me and it can't wait! It's all I can do to resist opening it up. HTH.

Sam