540i M package confusion

[RDroz]

I am shopping for a 2000 or so 540i with the 6 speed manual. I've looked at a couple, and done some reasearch, but am confused about the options.

From what I've read, all 6 speed manual 540's should have the sport package as standard. Yet the last one I looked at had the 4 spoke steering wheel. Is this correct?

Another claims to have the "M package". It had the 3 spoke steering wheel, but multi spoke wheels. Not the 5 spoke (with centers cut out) wheels I would have expected.

Neither had the black headliner....did htis come later?

Is there a source that explains (preferably with pictures) what these packages include, especially for year 2000?

I'm in Canada, but I expect we get the same cars as USA.

Thanks in advance for any help,

Richard

[Eric S.]

First off, I think there are probably differences between US and Canada 540s, but are all of the 540/6's you are looking at from model year 2000? I ask because in 1997 and 1998 the 540/6 had the 4-spoke steering wheel. Beginning in 1999 (my car's year), it had the 3-spoke steering wheel with the little "M" on the bottom spoke and the little "M" on the shifter knob. I believe MY2000 is pretty much identical to MY1999, except for the key fob and some other very minor differences. My 1999 540/6 (and I believe 2000 and even 2001) has the Type 32 "multi-spoke" rims, staggered - 17" x 9" wide rear, 17" x 8" wide front.

I've never seen a black headliner.

Try the roadfly E39 forum and do a search. Someone on there posted the definitive list of model year differences a few months back and it gets resurrected from time to time.

Just my 2 cents. I hope this helps.

[superdeadman]

yeah, roadfly.com is the way to go
you can also try bmwtips.com and click on specifications tab on the left side

[sidneyj]

Originally Posted by RDroz

I am shopping for a 2000 or so 540i with the 6 speed manual. I've looked at a couple, and done some reasearch, but am confused about the options.

From what I've read, all 6 speed manual 540's should have the sport package as standard. Yet the last one I looked at had the 4 spoke steering wheel. Is this correct?

Another claims to have the "M package". It had the 3 spoke steering wheel, but multi spoke wheels. Not the 5 spoke (with centers cut out) wheels I would have expected.

Neither had the black headliner....did htis come later?

Is there a source that explains (preferably with pictures) what these packages include, especially for year 2000?

I'm in Canada, but I expect we get the same cars as USA.

Thanks in advance for any help,

Richard

I'm looking at the 2000 5 series catalog as we speak. The sport steering wheel is standard on the 540 6 speed. On the wheels the mixed radial were standard for the sport 6 speed and automatic but the Mixed Parallels Spoke (5 spoke w/centers cut out) are actually optional on the 6 speed. The black alcantra headliner only came in 2003 540 w/sport pkg. I also just confirmed this in my catalogs as I have the 2000 through 2003 5 series catalogs. Keep in mind when looking at used BMW's lots of people modify their cars especially wheels. But, I can't imagine how a 4 spoke steering wheel got on a 2000 540 6 speed? I think there's more to the story. My friend has a '97 540 6 speed but it does not have a sport steering wheel as I think these steering wheels started maybe '98, '99? Don't know! I do know for a fact that later model Canadian BMW's especially the 2003 530 can be different. I have a US '03 530 and I know Canada has an "M-Tech" version which has M bumpers and some other stuff so maybe the 540 Canadian cars fall in that category also as being different is some respects. Don't assume anything with BMW's. Good luck.