540i touring - advice please!

[Hunky Dory]

I’m looking at replacing my 340i touring over the next 6 months and my local dealer is telling me they are nervous about availability of replacement 340 or M340 being available within that timescale so in an effort to retain my custom, have started to try to sell me a 540 instead.

They seem to think they’ll get there for “similar money” whatever that means and, while I know there are deals to be had on the 5, I’m not naive enough to think the end result will be that similar financially to the 3!

That said, I like the 5 a lot, very nice car, but I probably can’t afford to spec as highly as I would a 3, so my question is; does anyone have experience of the 540 (or other 5 tourings ) and what options would you recommend I don’t ignore?

Also, if anyone has experience of new 540i’s and can give me their opinions on the car, I’d be all ears as well!

TIA

[stuart_83]

I think anything in the 3 or 4 series range with the b58 engine is going to be an M-lite now, so as far as I'm aware there's not going to be a 340i and M340i, just the latter.

The 5's nice, I had a look at one not so long ago, but the M340i looks to be more driver focussed and has a much higher spec as standard. Plus it has the new interior, which is far nicer than the current 5.

I guess if you want something with a lot of space and to just waft around, go for the 5. If you want something more enjoyable to drive, push for the M340i.

[Wills2]

With the current discounts on the 540i M sport touring I don't think there will be much difference between that and the M340i touring, 540i can be had for around 44k after discount, the saloon for 42k vs the M340i saloon at 41k after discount.

The 540i M sport saloon is on offer at the moment for 599 in 599 per month as an example

Edited by Wills2 on Tuesday 27th August 12:11

[Mr_Yogi]

I know it's a different model, but the 2 things I love about my F11 are the head up display and adaptive drive.

I've not driven the current gen 5 series but the ride of the F10 520 M Sport I had for a week, I thought was awful. Much like the ride of the 320 M Sport I had about a month ago.

[BFleming]

stuart_83 said:

The 5's nice, I had a look at one not so long ago, but the M340i looks to be more driver focussed and has a much higher spec as standard. Plus it has the new interior, which is far nicer than the current 5.

The 5 is available with the new virtual instruments now, also seen on the high end new 3 & 8 series.
As options on a 5 series touring, I would have the adaptive damping, panoramic roof, comfort seats and electric tailgate (if that's not standard these days).

[Wills2]

Mr_Yogi said:

I know it's a different model, but the 2 things I love about my F11 are the head up display and adaptive drive.

I've not driven the current gen 5 series but the ride of the F10 520 M Sport I had for a week, I thought was awful. Much like the ride of the 320 M Sport I had about a month ago.

You can spec adaptive drive and HUD on the new one...