One Week With: 2017 BMW 540i M Sport
Can the return of a lofty name do the E39 5 Series proud?
BMW's identity in the United States is inextricably linked to the now ubiquitous 3 Series, itself rooted in the heritage of the 2002. The larger 5 Series, however, is the lifeblood of Munich's the global sedan story. And though it's been somewhat forgotten about here in the U.S. amidst the massive shift toward the X3 and X5, BMW loyalists still prick up their ears when the 540i moniker is in the air. Particularly for fans of the much-adored E39 generation (1996-2003), that name represents the pinnacle of what an executive sport sedan could (and should) be.
Absent since 2010, the 540i is back for the 7th-generation 5 Series. The world has changed during its hiatus, as the pendulum has swung away from V-8 engines and toward forced-induction six-cylinders. That means you'll find a turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six under the hood. As much as we'll miss the 4.4-liter V-8 in the E60 540i, the new G30 brings a magnificent mill to the table. Not only is the boosted inline-six more powerful, more torque-rich, and more efficient than the V-8 it replaces, it maintains that beautiful smoothness that still makes BMW the last word in engine building.
Its output of 335 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque (up 35 hp and 32 lb-ft) should have Audi and Mercedes on notice. It pulls hard from launch and remains balanced all the way to redline, with more poise than either the supercharged V-6 in the A6 or the twin-turbo V-6 in the Mercedes-AMG E43. Fantastic, too, is the way the engine pairs with the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, which delivers consistently crisp and timely shifts. If I have one complaint it's the lack of a more emotional engine note, but having heard the bat-out-of-hell roar of the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 in the G30 M550i, it's probably better that the straight-six leave the power ballads to the professionals.
Beyond the excellence of its powertrain, though, the 540i is a long way from the engaging sport sedan that diehards remember. Yes, the G30 5 Series is up to 137 pounds lighter than the outgoing car, thanks in part to the use of aluminum for the trunk, trunk lid, doors, and roof. But even with the $2,600 M Sport package, $3,200 Dynamic Handling Package, and $650 M Sport brakes, the 540i left me feeling a little cold and uninspired.
The M Sport package adds 19-inch wheels with performance run-flats, a lowered suspension, a fat M Sport steering wheel, aluminum pedals, and a 155-mph top speed. Also included is an aero kit with meaner-looking front air intakes, side skirts, a rear diffuser, trapezoidal exhaust tips, and Shadowline exterior trim.
Dynamic damper control and active roll stabilization are they key ingredients for the Dynamic Handling Package and are intended to improve ride quality and reduce cornering lean. The dynamic dampers are constantly adjusting themselves in accordance with the chosen driving mode. Active roll stabilization, meanwhile, works by twisting the anti-roll bars on the front and rear axles, which is itself not new, but now works using faster-responding electric motors replacing the old hydraulic system. On all-wheel-drive models, BMW also offers rear-wheel steering.
