^^agreed

Although, I'm not going to lie, I'm pretty surprised that a 3rd gen TL can beat a 540 in a straight line...Odd...makes me think the TL was manual and the 540 was auto at the least...

 

lol

Try going 130mph in a TL and 130mph in a 540i... there's a big difference.

 

I can shoot a video of a prius beating a veyron in a street race. Doesn't always speak to the performance of the car.

MT test of the 540i with six speed
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/..._overview.html
MT test of 2004 TL with an auto (couldn't find numbers for a 6 speed)
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/..._overview.html

Granted its auto vs. manual, a manual is not going to make up the amount of difference in times between those two tests.

 

true...so BS on that vid then...

 

LOL... What's not to believe? Compared to a TL, the 540 has only 12 more hp but is 300 lbs heavier.

 

Where in north america are you gonna go 130 mph without getting arrested in like 5 seconds? If I lived in germany and drove on the autobahn then I'd care but not here.

 

TL : 270 HP SAE @ 6,200 rpm; 238 ft lb , 323 Nm @ 5,000 rpm

540i : 290 HP @ 5,400 rpm; 324 ft lb , 420 Nm @ 3,600 rpm

torque monster. I rest my case.

 

Yes lots more torque. That, plus its rwd, is why it can take off so much faster and has a better 0-60 time. But the TL catches up eventually once the vtec kicks in.

 

Okay, I own both 03 540iA M-Sport and 03 TL-P, the 540i is a great car especially at the current price point, you can find a low mileage one for $15k or so.

My 540 has over 100k with no major issues, cooling system had been replaced, valve cover gasket, few sensors, cluster display (missing pixels), all "common" E39 issues. Replaced tranny fluid @ 100k, just so you know BMW now claims "lifetime fluid" lasts 100k so it should be replaced. That being said, don't expect BMWs to be as reliable as TLs, it required a lot more attention for the small things here and there, higher maintenance cost as well (suspension bits, tires!!). Since I love the neck snapping torque and good handling (TL feels like a floaty boat after driving the 540), I put up with the maintenance.

As of winter driving, I have Michelle PS2 summer tires, no way I can drive it in snow. If you planning on driving in the winter, best to get a set of winter wheel/tire and you'll be fine. Hope this helps.

 

In comparison, I bought TL new and have 43k on it, except few occasional rattles (sunroof shade and seats), all it needs are oil change and other regular maintenance, the "regular" maintenance list for the 540 is much longer.