My friend just purchased a 2002 540i with an auto and the M package. Very nice car and I really enjoyed driving it. It is nice to see your own vehicle being driven because of course, you never see this. We never dragged side by side because there was too much traffic but we did a quick run up a hill. He was ahead of me and floored the C32. I knew he was going to do this because there was no one ahead so I floored the Bimmer as well. The hill was quite steep and the C32 put car length after car length on the 540i. It was really no contest. I knew that the C32 is a faster car but he sure was surprised that he pulled that much in my C32. I also drove another buddies 2005 545i and this car was really nice. Quicker than the 2002 (more power obviously) but the tight BMW feel was in both rides. Beautiful cars.

I don't want to turn this into a BMW vs. Mercedes thread. I knew my cars' abilities so the result wasn't a surprise. Of course an M3 race would be different race (I have driven a 2002 M3 and the speed is similar) but my friend wanted to drive the C32 and I wanted to drive the 540i. The thing we both commented on was the different steering feel. The 540i feels more tight and the connection between the road was much more there (like my 1992 500E). The C32's is still good but not the same, more of a grand tourer feel. The seats were more comfortable in the 540i but it is a 5 series. E class seats fit me better. The C32's are very nice but a bit small for my build (6'2" and 210 lbs). One thing I must say, I am very impressed with the speed of the C32. When I sat in the Bimmer and gave it some gas early on I was wow, this car is quick (it really is), this maybe a close match.

I do love all German cars so I really have nothing bad to say about the 540i. If you are considering one, great, it is a very nice car. The 6 speed would be better/quicker but the auto/triptronic was still very good.

When I was thinking about buying the C32 I did my research and unfortunately read every C32 vs. M3 and BMW/Mercedes thread. Bottom, line Mercedes and BMW make great cars, period. Enjoy them for there differences and don't be like the people from the car magazines. Unfortunately, the car mags feel have to pick a winner. You become the winner if you pick/drive either one

Cheers!

Shaun

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1992 Pearl Black 500E (08/91) SOLD
1997 White C36 AMG (T-Boned by Chevy truck)
2003 Silver C32 AMG (lease due, traded up)
2002 Pontiac Montana VisionSOLD
2007 Volvo XC90 3.2
2005 E55 AMG (newest ride)