[kamal-s]

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Hi guys,

First time posting here, hope ive asked in the right place.
Been looking around for a decent 540i M sport in the UK for a while, First BMW for me. Seen two and was wondering what would be a better choice and if there are any major differences.

Option 1: 2017 BMW in Mediterranean Blue, 55,000 miles, 2 owners
Comes with near enough every possible option i've seen including:
- Comfort Seats (massage, ventilated)
- Nappa Leather
- Driving assist plus, Parking assist plus
- B&W Speakers
- Tech, comfort, Visibility and premium packs
- Adaptive suspension

Option 2: 2018 (late model) BMW in carbon black, 45000 miles, 4 owners
Comes with:
- Comfort seats (massage, ventilated)
- Premium, comfort and tech options such as HUD
- Carbon Fibre Trim styling (been told this was an option on the G30 at time of original purchase)

The difference between them is 1k (Option 2 being more expensive).
I'm siding with the car with more options but not sure how it is in reality considering ive not had a BMW before. They are each around 27K GBP and are BMW CPO vehicles with full service history. Also not looking to have the car for long term, potentially 2/3 years of ownership so i am considering the resale values but that could change if I enjoy myself too much in either of them.

Really appreciate any advice you can give thanks!

[Moh]

It's a no trainer really. Med blue is a fab colour, I love mine but the black is newer and less miles.

[ezaircon4jc]

I would question 4 owners in 6ish years on the 2018. Ownership averaged, what, a year and a half? Is there something wrong with the car? Could the owners not make payments and the car repossessed?

[AP]

If it were me, I’d go for option 1
Very nicely specced up car there. Would have cost a fair amount new

Engine is rock solid so nothing to worry about
Only thing to be aware of are coolant leaks that are common across the range( just search these forums). This may have already been addressed previously potentially

Cracking engine, one of the best out there

The semiautonomous stuff is good

Yeh I’d go for the loaded up one to be honest
You won’t be disappointed with the 540. I had a 2017 540 for 5 years and really enjoyed it
Fast, very refined, economical if you want it to be. Quality interior

I would recommend you get your connected drive setup and subscribe to at least the RTtI ( real time traffic updates) well worth it . Saved me countless hours of being stuck in traffic over the years

Map updates also worth having. The other subscriptions less so imho

[kamal-s]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

I would question 4 owners in 6ish years on the 2018. Ownership averaged, what, a year and a half? Is there something wrong with the car? Could the owners not make payments and the car repossessed?

I did question this but did some digging, first owner was BMW covering a few thousand miles. Second owner had it for roughly 20,000 miles, 3rd owner had the car for less than 3 months in 2020. Not sure why but it was during covid so maybe something to do with that. 4th owner had the car for an additional 20,000 miles approx

[The Zimmer]

Hey bud

Do you have links to these cars I presume they are saloons ?

I saw a gorgeous individual 540i touring for sale with absolutely all options including rear seat entertainment up for sale.

I love my 2017 540i Touring and I know Junebug on here loves his too

Thanks

[The Zimmer]

Here is the touring

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/186354096...mis&media=COPY

1 of 1 Yas Marina

[kamal-s]

Originally Posted by The Zimmer

Hey bud

Do you have links to these cars I presume they are saloons ?

I saw a gorgeous individual 540i touring for sale with absolutely all options including rear seat entertainment up for sale.

I love my 2017 540i Touring and I know Junebug on here loves his too

Thanks

Hey!

What a spec on that beauty! Not a massive fan of touring's just yet but hopefully one day!

I dont have a link of option 2, carbon black but here is a pic:

The link for option 1 is here:

https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/2...9779&enquire=1

[The Zimmer]

Go with the Blue for sure

A few 540i owners from here are going to the ultimate BMW meet at the end of April.

It’s always a great meet

Hope to see you there bud

[Jemster68]

+1 on the blue, it looks a great spec and great colour combo. I'd certainly have it...

Has the exhaust has been upgraded? Those look slightly larger than the regular tailpipes but the spec. doesn't mention anything beyond the normal M-Sport / M-Sport Pro.

[AP]

Having seen option 1 now , that looks very nice indeed
Nice number plate aswell!

Looking forward to the bmw ultimate meet. Last year 1100 cars there apparently.

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by kamal-s

Hi guys,

First time posting here, hope ive asked in the right place.
Been looking around for a decent 540i M sport in the UK for a while, First BMW for me. Seen two and was wondering what would be a better choice and if there are any major differences.

Option 1: 2017 BMW in Mediterranean Blue, 55,000 miles, 2 owners
Comes with near enough every possible option i've seen including:
- Comfort Seats (massage, ventilated)
- Nappa Leather
- Driving assist plus, Parking assist plus
- B&W Speakers
- Tech, comfort, Visibility and premium packs
- Adaptive suspension

Option 2: 2018 (late model) BMW in carbon black, 45000 miles, 4 owners
Comes with:
- Comfort seats (massage, ventilated)
- Premium, comfort and tech options such as HUD
- Carbon Fibre Trim styling (been told this was an option on the G30 at time of original purchase)

The difference between them is 1k (Option 2 being more expensive).
I'm siding with the car with more options but not sure how it is in reality considering ive not had a BMW before. They are each around 27K GBP and are BMW CPO vehicles with full service history. Also not looking to have the car for long term, potentially 2/3 years of ownership so i am considering the resale values but that could change if I enjoy myself too much in either of them.

Really appreciate any advice you can give thanks!

Four owners is a bit questionable, but here in Europe, this is common for any car that has some performance.

That aside, based on the description alone, I would be inclined to go for the black car.

The blue car seems more luxury oriented (with the dreaded adaptive suspension), and appears to have a lot of added options-based weight. The cosmetics are also less sporty (med blue, wood trim with white leather, etc.).

That said the blue one does appear to have the MPE, which is a very nice extra.

[AP]

What’s dreaded about the adaptive suspension in your view?
Suspension obviously a personal choice , the adaptive does at least give you 2 distinct modes , comfort and sport depending upon your requirements at the time
You’ll get an adaptive mode as well although that’s not refenceing the suspension specifically but a mode that adapts as required

Not driven se or msport on a g30 so can’t comment on them

[Chappers 71]

Originally Posted by AP

What’s dreaded about the adaptive suspension in your view?
Suspension obviously a personal choice , the adaptive does at least give you 2 distinct modes , comfort and sport depending upon your requirements at the time
You’ll get an adaptive mode as well although that’s not refenceing the suspension specifically but a mode that adapts as required

Not driven se or msport on a g30 so can’t comment on them

I’d be interested to know how much time he’s spent driving a G3x with adaptive…. I rather suspect very little, if indeed any

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by AP

If it were me, I’d go for option 1
Very nicely specced up car there. Would have cost a fair amount new

Engine is rock solid so nothing to worry about
Only thing to be aware of are coolant leaks that are common across the range( just search these forums). This may have already been addressed previously potentially

Cracking engine, one of the best out there

The semiautonomous stuff is good

Yeh I’d go for the loaded up one to be honest
You won’t be disappointed with the 540. I had a 2017 540 for 5 years and really enjoyed it
Fast, very refined, economical if you want it to be. Quality interior

I would recommend you get your connected drive setup and subscribe to at least the RTtI ( real time traffic updates) well worth it . Saved me countless hours of being stuck in traffic over the years

Map updates also worth having. The other subscriptions less so imho

Agree with all of this but just get CarPlay and use Waze or google maps instead of RTTi on the BMW nav. My 2019 is nearly the same spec as option 1 and it’s a fantastic car.

[Chappers 71]

Originally Posted by The Zimmer

Here is the touring

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/186354096...mis&media=COPY

1 of 1 Yas Marina

That was on AT a little while ago…rather expensive I thought, I paid less than that for my 2018 G31 back in Sept 2022

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by AP

What’s dreaded about the adaptive suspension in your view?
Suspension obviously a personal choice , the adaptive does at least give you 2 distinct modes , comfort and sport depending upon your requirements at the time
You’ll get an adaptive mode as well although that’s not refenceing the suspension specifically but a mode that adapts as required

Not driven se or msport on a g30 so can’t comment on them

Longer, softer springs on adaptive. The 704 setup is lower and stiffer and matched to provide consistent results. The springs on the adaptive cars have to work with two damper settings, which of course means more compromise.

The only complaint I have with the 704 is the rebound. The initial deflection from the springs is quite controlled, but the dampers feel a bit too comfy when hauling the chassis back to earth. Easily addressed by some Konis or something equivalent.

Not bad, ofc, but rather what the Germans call "Restkomfort."

[MauiSteve]

Option 1 no question. B&W stereo is a great spec to have, though I would have preferred a 704 vs a DHP suspension.