2021 BMW 540i M Sport - Is Your Boss an Enthusiast? (POV Drive)
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- Опубліковано 30 вер 2024
- The 5 Series has always been an enthusiast's sedan, so is this new executive saloon still as fun and capable as the originals? Find out if your boss is an enthusiast in this drive of the LCI 540i M Sport.
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#RespectTheDrive #BMW #540i
My boss at my corporate job drove the pre-LCI version of this and I was curious if he was an enthusiast...Now I know. Thanks to the Patreon Supporters for making this content possible AND Motorized Coffee for offering my viewers 10% off your next order of freshly roasted Beans www.motorizedcoffee.com/discount/Tedward
americans calling 340hp adequate: *cries in UK spec 520d with 190hp*
Lool for real
Me crying in f30 316i 136hp
Ahsha Asd lmao join the club im getting E90 318d as first car soon, its slow asf yes but i dont need anything faster and insurance is cheap
@@shadowchrome_ yes welcome to the club man I always loved the e90 looks and it's a great car enjoy and be safe
Ahsha Asd thanks man i cant wait, enjoy yours too be safe as well :))
The 540i specifically is one of the only BMW’s that does not have fake noise pumped in (even the 530i has it) what you’re hearing (or not) is what the B58 actually sounds like.
I really appreciate how connected your reviews are to your typical car buyers and that everything isn't evaluated only through the lens of a true car enthusiast. The typical buyer of a car like this where I live in Seattle is a software engineering manager at Amazon, Google, or Microsoft. They commute 40+ minutes each way per day and come from an old Honda or a 2017ish lease, which in car years feels like an eternity ago (compare the 2016 K900 to the 2020). They'll sit in this thing and it will feel magical, and suddenly those horrible pull requests or the about-to-be-missed deadlines they got asked about will disappear. Everything will, to them, feel "sporty". They'll have more power than they'll ever be able to safely use. But they'll also have an incredibly comfortable, quiet ride paired with awesome tech to help them beat the slog to get onto I-90 from Mercer. When they finally get to the onramp, they'll hit the gas an be amazed at the kick. They'll turn on the cruise control and listen to a podcast. On the weekend or during a road trip, they'll enjoy wafting down the road and have a smile on their face when they take on/offramp. All those things are what this car does amazingly well. That's what people want. And that's what BMW is giving people.
I had a 540i as a service loaner and was pretty impressed, I think it’s the sweet spot in the range. The M5 and M550 are overkill for most places in the US.
You nailed it.
For most places...that is where the sentence should have ended. You hit the nail on the head.
Man I'm so glad I stumbled over your content, I'm loving it!
Thanks Daniel!
Great review. The G30 5 Series is the perfect size and I love the subtle styling. It will age just as well as the old E39.
Most BMWs age well, even those designed by Chris Bangle.
@@waverunner7063 do ou like this better or pre lci?
That backup memory function literally just blew my mind. Next time you are in a busy parking lot look at how many people don't know how to back out of a tight spot. When pulling into a spot you swing the car until you are fully in, however when most people back out they go straight until the nose is clear of the cars next to them, then they begin to turn. Problem is most tight parking lots do not give you enough room to do this and you end up in a tough situation. This feature is really impressive and I'm surprised this is the first time I am seeing it.
It might be cool but if you can reverse park, back out of a spot, parallel park or have an idea of where your wheels and bumpers are you shouldn't be driving. My car has a backup camera and parking sensors. I have the park sensors turned off and I never use the backup camera.
@@IKhanNot wow ur so cool bro
You have to be very careful and check if the surrounding cars didn't move ;) Especially if that was a tight fit.
I can tell you that the feature is also very useful in Day to day usage. Our 5 series is parked in the garage and it's a pretty tight squeeze between our other car and the neighbors car. This feature makes reversing out of the garage so incredibly easy :)
The purple shield on the wiring harness signals that this is part of the 48 Volt mild hybrid system. That means that you don't have a conventional starter motor and a separate generator anymore. Instead you now have a starter-generator which can give you a small boost of electric power if it's needed.
kinda cool but you can’t turn off the start/stop feature which is annoying
@@natemeanor4247 try it in Sport mode, I believe there it won't happen
One of the best lightly used BMWs you can buy is a 5 series. The 540 and 535 are both quick, but ultra comfy. 3 series interiors are seriously lacking in comparison
Coming from a 340i to a 540i I can totally agree. Then again, my 340i felt more fun on the road. Still, I can’t go back to a 3 series now. Now I’m trying decide between a 550i or an m5.
@@PhilipWeberAB That’s no question. m5 all the way they are crazy fast
I am an enthusiast and i would buy this car and i would like to travel the world in it and listen to my fav music and jusg relax and hit the backroads when needed im in love with the design and the refined more grown up bmw's at least the amature bmw fanboys will get turned off so we can enjoy it and our bad rep goes away
Exactly what I've been doing in my 2017 540iX, except traveling the world (I'd like that too). Cheers!
In Germany we say: „Lecker!“ and that’s what this car is, very lecker. 😂
Correction* sehr lecker!
Correction* Schmeckt
Saftig
Like a Dutch lekker?
@@AreOut like a lick out man
That mocha leather is amazing.
I'm ordering that leather.
Convinced my dad to buy an F82 over this. This is a great car, but the smiles on his face when he pulls that S55 to redline tells me it was the right choice
B58 best engine!!
@@bmwsincekid I know, my M240i has the B58 😂 but the lighter body and stick-shift really help that engine come alive
@Franz Fanon M4
@Franz Fanon Nice!
im lookin at an F36 but that interior is sooo basic
I had a loaded 2018 M550i. Mediterranean Blue and Mocha Nappa. A totally enjoyable car in many aspects although isolation was a priority, even with your foot in it. And yes, it was easy to over drive into corners. Especially in a decreasing radius uphill, I lost the front mid corner. It pushed out a foot into the other lane before I knew what happened and had it corrected. Now I own an X3M a more visceral driving experience. I do think BMW tries very hard to match the market segment, whether an executive sedan, base SUV, or sports coupe, and still provides a good driving experience whatever the market.
@Franz Fanon earlier V8s were a concern but I've heard the latest ones are much better. On the other hand, the B58 in the 540 is rock solid so far and its plenty of pep for most.
Bmw is getting lazy with their interiors. The 3 series and 5 series interiors are pretty much the exact same thing. No more variance in models
I love this kind of review, it's like casually hanging out with a knowledgeable friend and getting honest and genuine feedback on a car. Definitely looking to more reviews!
After watching a ton of online videos trying to pick between the BMW 4 grand coupe, Audi A6 and the 540i, your review was the final confirmation of my decision to go with the 540i (non M). I'm the older guy you talked about who after a crazy day at work wants to settle into an exciting yet relaxing car for the drive home. If I try to "carve a canyon" I will do it at a lower speed "for a few turns with a unflappable chasis and then cruise again. Good job!
Glad it helped and congrats on the new car!!
I don't think a lot of those people who expect a current gen 5 series to be as agile, and raw as an e39 would buy this car new. I personally wouldn't buy one but I believe it does an excellent job on what its intending to do.
I have this car and absolutely love it. I think its the absolute best of everything. Good gas mileage, super fun to drive in sport plus mode, super mellow in comfort mode, All the tech, mine has the massaging seats, super fun to drive and I got the Bavsound audio upgrade with a full subwoofer. currently going for around 35-40k. Highly recommend and the B58 is plenty tunable. Ditch the run flats and get proper sport tires and winter tires.
I thought 2020+ couldn’t be tuned due to locked DME. Sure you can unlock it but not the most convenient and simple option.
That car is nice and I'm early this time. Id actually get one some day if I could.
I have the 2021 m340 with this motor. I took it on its first road trip a few weeks ago. I was going down steep hills that you could easily go 80-90 down if not careful. Car held 60 MPH and even started decelerating. That little 11 HP Gen/starter makes for good one pedal driving. That being said, apparently they decided to mute the exhaust of the 2020 due to most likely Euro regulation and/or being too close to the M3.
That double pull for the hood is great until the stupid thing breaks. It might have happened to me, won't confirm that :)). For me, I think I like the pre-lci version more just because the B58 didn't need further complications with the 48 volt system. It was more than fuel efficient enough before they added this system. Plus, reasonably sized grilles. Cool video!
@Franz Fanon Speaking from personal experience as that double pull mechanism broke on my last car :/
As a BMW owner myself the 540i is probably the best BMW sedan out there
It is a mild hybrid car, that’s why it “charges”
Just bought one, I love it and they drive great. Coming from a F30, this was a great upgrade. Very different.
I'm hoping to buy one in a year or two!
True luxury sedan 💪
If your boss is a real enthusiast, he'll be driving a 2003 540i M-Sport. Just sayin'
100%
M5
7:00 very important point. I grew up, and still am around very high end M cars. Nostalgia sometimes ruin's stuff, and I also think a lot of people who don't own BMW's just like to hate on them.
Havent seen a Mercedes sedan driven in quite a while on this channel.
Tedward has been dropping heat lately!
this is like the perfect commuter car. relaxing but not quite on a phantom level. you can still have a little fun on the highway if you're bored.
💯
God I adore this channel!
Thank you!
Can't stand the digital gauges in the newer BMWs.
No kidding. They suck. They should have 1930s aviation styled gauges.
They are awesome when you sit in it.
“Would advise you get to know this vehicle a little better before...”
O O O’Reillllleeeeyyyyyyyyy. 😐
It would have been nice to see the screen on with the navigation system. I wish you guys weren't so anti navigation. Whether it's updated or not, I love the looks of it in a car. Especially on a nice sized screen like this.
@Franz Fanon
I care lol. It's one of my favorite features inside a car or truck.
@Franz Fanon
Sorry, I just saw your reply now. It's all good. I know some people don't like them. I have an Infiniti Q50 and I didn't like the two screens at first, but now I love them haha. Go figure lol
9:00 can you explain your experience with the nauseous smooth suspensions ? ive only driven and ridden around in shitboxes and the asphalt here is pretty much Lunar soil
RIP
Maybe try an X6 40i? I'm interested in what you think about it. We like it. Great video, the B58 is just one of the best in the market!
Just bought one actually, I love the car. Black sapphire metallic with tacora red interior.
Could the 540i be a poor mans M5 with a 500hp tune? And the LCI 540i is a mild hybrid meaning there is a 48 volt system.
probably not. It would still lack the feeling even if it had the speed.
@@TedwardDrives I see. btw, the LCI 540i is a mild hybrid meaning there is a 48 volt system.
Correct. It serves to fill torque and allow the engine to turn off when coasting in certain conditions...It's not really a boost. In fact I think its slower that the non 48v system of the previous year.
For me Giulia is the ultimate driver's car :) Do a review of that one please, if you already haven't.
la giulia no vale verga
Man, I love my Hyundai Tucson but these BMWs are so fantastic
Fun fact: a few modest mods and the 540 turns into a monster, as with all b58s.
Yep.💯💯
Hello there, sadly I didnt see this video before I bought my 2017 540i pre-LCI not an Msport, 5 months ago and it was a mistake, possibly. Dont get me wrong, I got the car for around 30k USD, (I am european, it was the cheapest on market at the moment) been running it for 25k miles now. Been on nurburgring with it, but many things I want to do to it. I am getting sport air intake, decat, imma put in stage 2. On nurburgring in its stock form it was just so good, but I saw many things it lacks. Stiffer suspension(got the M sport one, but it isnt good enough in my opinion) breaks are great, maybe more buckety seats, feel through the steering wheel wasnt great but it wasnt really bad either. Car felt relatively light (1700kg vs new M5 2500kg, makes a difference) maybe new swaybars once I get the suspension would be great. I would love to try the M540i you got to drive in this video, with the adaptive suspension, tho my car is purely RWD not X-Drive and I would definitely not want to change that for sporty driving (maybe in the winter, then x-drive would make a lot of sense)
Interesting take tho, liked to hear your opinion and to see what things i missed on by focusing on ventilated seats and cheapest B58. ACC, Adaptive suspension and better audio are definitely options I would've kept in my mind If I knew better 5 months ago. Still loving it tho!
It has a 11hp electric engine
The 48v system is so mild that it’s kind of an odd integration
@@TedwardDrives ua-cam.com/video/mHFHvGavRMY/v-deo.html Okay I saw this video before and was quite impressed by how much it effected driving🤔
The 48v system is only designed to fill torque in this model. It never once moved under electric power alone. The engine must be on unless coasting in ecopro mode where it will "sail"
@@TedwardDrives Okay thx for the answer :)
So sick if I was an executive type person I would get this
5series is nowdays much more oriented towards 7 series if you want feeling of enthusiastic sport vehicle you have to try M2 with manual ;)
btw B58 is capable of brutal sound you have to to get either m performence exhaust or some custom akrapovic etc.
Preferably with catless downpipe and remap.
People tune this engine between 400-600 hp depends on how much want to spend
I think the 5 series is the 7 series nowadays but you don't want to be driven rather you want to drive. Its like a 90% sportiness of the 3 series and 90% of comfy and grownup ness from the 7 series in a package. If someone wants a M5 like experience with a simple and nice engine like a B58 should rather look for M340i or 340i generally. The lower amount of weight and shorter wheel base will help having more of a M car feeling.
I'm a merc fan but this guy is making me like bmw's
I would buy this car! So good 🔥 thanks!!
are there plans in the works to drive older/project viewer cars or is the channel focused on new production cars going forward? (i know time of year is probably a factor either way)
100%. It's winter and the roads are salty. Those cars are all put away. They'll be out soon =)
Do a video on the 330e, its great 👍
it's a great jalopy yeah
I think that unless you're going M5 or nothing, the 540 is the sensible 5 series to buy. It's plenty fast and will be more reliable. The B58 is pretty well-proven at this point. You say it's not that fast, but this car does 0-60 in about 5 seconds and runs the 1/4 mile in the 13's. That's still pretty quick.
4.6 seconds to 60 with x drive. With $500 tune it can do 0-60 in about 4 seconds.
@@rachelgreen1368what’s the tune I’m about to get 540i m sport package today with 40k miles on it
@@Eiitotpwpaqo jb4
Is one of these with xdrive used for $30-35k USD with around 40k miles worth it? Or the 530i xdrive for $25-30k? Heard the reliability of the B58 and B48 is good but still thinking about maintenance costs for other things out of warranty.
Autobahn cruiser from the gods.
There's no car I would rather go on a road trip with.
HEY😡! I feel attacked! lol! I owned an E39 540i before I got my E39 M5!
Drove this and the new A6. Actually, the A6 was the 2020 version without the mild hybrid, but the gearbox was so sluggish it was irritating. Don know if they fixed it this year. Also, it lacked elbow support for my left hand while driving :) And the central console is all touchscreens.
To be honest, A6 is the looker - outside and inside the design is stunning.
But the BMW after the facelift is not far behind. And I'm the driver, so the choice is obvious :)
Tedward with more BMW videos let's go!!
You think this is expensive at 77000$ ??? Where I live (Austria) it costs 112000€ (with taxes), but still with about 1€ = 0.8$ it's pretty crazy
Ich find‘s auch immer lustig, was die schon als teuer bezeichnen. Selbst ein 520d mit guter Ausstattung kratzt schon an der 90.000€ Marke bei uns 😬
Tedwards fan here from Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦
I'm still struggling with my next car choice. I'm seriously looking at a 540i, and an E Class. If I can afford it, also an M550i and E 53. But, realistically, how would you compare the 540i with an E450? Thank you.
Dude u got it right on the money from 7:20-7:56. That’s exactly how I feel when people say BMW has lost their way.
I disagree though, because there are companies that do better. Alfa Romeo, Porsche, even Mazda - all have suspension and steering figured out. BMW does not. Nothing is as good as it used to be, but that doesn’t give it an excuse when other brands are still getting better.
@@scotthilly5653 steering wise I agree but with suspension absolutely not. Porsche is the benchmark when it comes to chasis and suspension tuning, however a base Panamera and Cayenne isn’t much better than a 540i or X5 meaning that they feel about the same and that includes other brands. Now when you talk about the performance trims then definitely BMW is more than in the game
For everyone who bitches and cries about bmw not being the same. Welcome to the world where no one wants a race car for a daily , but a daily with good handling and enough power to make the pretty face sitting to you smile too
Do you miss E chassis non-M BMWs? Even though they're not exciting they still have that BMW feel that purists are missing.
@Franz Fanon I know but he's driven BMWs of various generations that I'd like to hear his take on this.
Woow, this channel is really nice i will subscribe
I love that reverse assist. That's so fucking nice for some hypothetical person (definitely not me) who hates and sucks at reversing.
hahaha
well this is awkward as an enthusiast who owns a g30 540i :D. but you're right its not a corner carver. i spend my life on interstates and this thing is killer for that. would have gotten an m550i if the wallet would have allowed it though lol.
I would gladly commute in this over my m3 haha. It’s awesome
Dude a 13.3 e. t. in the quarter mile is far from adequate. Its downright fast.
BMWs a nice until they hit 80,000 miles after they did become money pit
I like this car.
I think if you upgrade the intake, add sportier exhaust, and tune the ECU, you'll feel you bought an M5.
lol no way. Power is not the issue. It’s tactility
Love your reviews, have you ever considered a saab review, aero, turbo x etc?
Crying in US spec F15 X5 xDrive35i with 300hp
Most folks with M cars aren't going to the track either
definitely true
The issue is for decades luxury cars were focusing on being sports cars. Then at some point Mercedes pivoted to Cadillac style luxury after every one else abandoned that and their sales exploded. The years followed by everyone else building actual luxury sedans. If you want a m type car the mustangs and Camaros get you all that performance with alot of the the noise and cheap plastics too.
I miss my poor man's m5, she was a beast
I love the way you descibed the car and I agree with majority of it, minus the "car enthusiast" part, unless by enthusiast you meant someone who prefers sports cars. I do consider myself enthusiast and I've just gotten myself a G30 530ix M Sport and I absolutely love it. Though it's not a B58 but it's little brother (B48), it is still very capable, is faster than almost any other car on European roads and does return good gas mileage. Maybe one day I will consider upgrading my car to 540i, but so far I am very happy with 530i and it is almost exactly like you said: this car can do almost everything and is quite relaxing after a hard day at work. Though not entirely, the M Sport suspension and sport seats are relatively comfy, but do provide a lot of road feedback - by no means this car puts you to a sleep, at least my version. Maybe the ones with adaptive suspension + comfort seats.
I too got the mocha Nappa leather seats! Have kept this video as a favorite for two years, as motivation, since I finally got my 2023 BMW 540i, in an individual color no less: ua-cam.com/video/mjocS18MGvU/v-deo.html
Thanks for your awesome videos, Tedward!
Maybe I’ll look for a recently used one of these when I change my 2014 Audi A7. I absolutely love my car but they’ve spoiled the new ones for me with touchscreens. This BMW has everything - traditional layout, AWD option, strong turbo 6 and a smooth daily drive.
I have owned a 2008 535i and a 2015 328d x-drive wagon, and a 2014 Mini cooper s (lets be honest its a BMW too), and I am a true believer that BMW have lost their fucking minds. Even my 328d has lost a solid half of the DNA that made the 535i great, such as its limp electronic steering. You can see this split in design philosophy in the mini cooper line. Genuinely fun, driver oriented cars made by """BMW""" with that early 2000's BMW soul.
I really don't think the complaints about BMW loosing their driver focus are coming from the M car buyer crowd.
If anything i think the people who can afford the actual M-cars in my experience are the people who care the least about how it drives, and more about the clout the name brings, as well as luxury.
It makes me really sad that the only BMW with any genuine attachment to driving emotion anymore comes from Mini Cooper.
I know u won't see this comment but i had a 2002 bmw e39 540i that i had straight piped lol
Of course I’ll see this comment! And I bet it sounded awesome
@@TedwardDrives wow u actually responded and yeah it sounded nice unit i got t-boned by a ram 2500 at a 4 way stop
Plastic with purple highlights? From the driver's seat, it looks like a Game Console. From an old school driver's perspective, a high end 5 series should still have leather and burled French Walnut with a clutch and a 6-speed Getrag. - Oh, and a driver, not a poser !
The purple shield is an indicator that it's a mild hybrid 48V system.
'Driving' in 'Ultimate Driving Machine' has many forms. It doesn't just mean, balls-deep need-for-speed canyon-carving! I want smooth and fast from my 5 series thank you very much.
Fake v8 sound haha Seriously, if it wasn't for the interior fake sound, it'd really be about sensory deprivation.
"The car tries to relax you first before egging you on to be a psychopath"
I've driven an 2020 Audi A6 with the 2.0 TDI Quattro with rear turning axle and active suspension, and that car feels exactly like you said - it promises a relaxing drive, and despite being quite fast and having insane handling characteristics for a car of that class, it just does not feel like the car wants you to do that. You can, but it simply does not feel right in that car.
On the other hand, my daily (E90 330XD) with the M suspension does the opposite, in which it tries to coax you into driving like a psychopath and only reluctantly promises you can relax behind the wheel.
it is a such nice car, but I am soo sad that BMW will ruin the next gen by removing all physical buttons and plastering it with useless screens all over :(
Stupid car, stupid commentary.
It’s better than any 5 series because it’s xdrive and when you modify the b58 it can make the same and way more power than the m5. Except you have the amazing awd and can turn off xdrive for rwd fun
Bmw owners are switching over to Tesla’s. No way I’m paying 70 thousand for a bmw 5 series
Good sounding car
M550i was always M550i an not 540i... M550i had/has 4.4l 530ps. same engine as in m5 only not tuned...
0-100 in ~5 seconds and a sub 13.5 1/4 mile is not bad at all, hot hatch killer for the buissness man,, although for my money id have an a7 55tfsi
Hell yeah i want this car for my boss if he crush with 70km/h there is 99,9% to get his damn hot wife and insurance...
Without Active Sound (through the speakers) there wouldn't be any sound 😭 BMW is lost!
Love the content friend! I just ordered my 540i yesterday! I got mocha Napa but couldn’t decide on the trim between aluminum/ grey poplar wood. Do you like the aluminum?
These new cars are just money pits compared to the previous ones... too much tech not enough sense.... that make it a money pit... LOL
Fresh camera angles lets gooo
The reversing camera is rubbish when reversing into your garage or darkish area for vision against the competition (jag xf)
This engine sounds almost exactly like the 2004 BMW 530i E60 3.0i
bmw 540i vs lexus LS 500h what would be your choice guys