FantasyCars BMW 540i Sport E34

BMW 540i Sport E34

BMW 540i Sport E34 Photo 221 While an E34 generation six-cylinder BMW M5 was never available in North America after 1993, a similar variant with almost identical performance could have been purchased, the eight-cylinder BMW 540i Sport. While sharing its dohc 32-valve 4-litre V8 engine and six speed manual transmission with the BMW 540i, the Sport also underwent many modifications centered on handling as well as improving straight line speed.The 540i Sport uses a modified suspension with double pivot McPherson struts in the front and track link semi trailing arm units at the rear with the same geometry and calibrations as the European spec M5. Self-leveling rear suspension and the adaptive M5 EDCII adaptive suspension program, 328x20mm fixed front brake rotors and 302x20 units in the back (12.91 and 11.89 inches, respectively) are the main features not found on the base 540i. Outside, the two models can be differentiated using the body coloured side rear-view mirrors, new front and rear spoilers and side sills and most importantly the 17 inch turbine-wheels that are identical to those used on the pre '95 BMW M5s.The speed limiter is increased from 129 to 155 mph, equaling that of the M5. While the 540i Sport trails the M5 by almost 60 horsepower, it is supplied with an identical torque rating and trails the European model by only .1 seconds to 60 mph. The gap opens up a bit more by 100 mph to over half a second (15.0 vs. 14.4) however it is still obvious that the E34 M5 not being available in North America is no tragedy. On the 300 ft skidpad the 540i Sport manages a healthy 0.88g, bettering the 540i by approx. 0.05g. The Sport package was an $8360 option bringing the price to just a shade under that of a '93 US M5. - by Traian Popescu

See more: BMW 540i Sport E34 Photos, BMW 540i Sport E34 Technical Data

BMW 540i Sport E34 Technical Data

Engine
3982, DOHC 32-valve V8
Horsepower
282@5800
Torque
295@4000
Max Speed
155
Speed 0 60mph
5.8
Speed 0 25mile
14.4@98