Hey.....No offense but you guys are getting out of hand. It's a matter of preferance!!! I've owned a 540 sport and got rid of it!!! I still have my E-34 Euro M5 Touring which I am selling. I would take it over a 540 or a new M5 anyday. 540 sport couldn't keep up with my car at all. And just because these cars may be older doesn't mean they are rust buckets. The E-34 are the most solid ///M's built. Mine dynoed at 384 hp and is a real smooth stiff car. And will go up to 175 mph or higher but 175 was the cut off for me. I had to see wat the car was made of. And like I said before......No 540 sport could keep up or compare. You should try driving one. My car is stock except for a chip & short shifter.
But like I said it's a matter of preferance!! And I have had both of these cars along with every other ///M car that was produced for the US & Europe. I'm what you call a real BMW Enthusiast.

Paul Tags
well first of all. the new 540 sport 6-spd will out gun the old m5 1/4 mile and 0-60 school kids know that., unless the old m5 is an alpina, but then imagine if you put twin turbo on the 540 sport. ok. second so what so it was hand build. so what. does that mean its a better car no it just means its more expensinve to maintain this 7 year old rust bucket with parts too expensive.
but thast me followups welcome!!!! so if you got 35-40k to spend on a bimmer spend it on 540sport 6spd

No need to shout. I think your forgetting that M5's are more than just 0-60 and 1/4 mile times. It's the whole last hand-built package.

E34 M5 vs E39 540 SPORT 6 SPEED???? WITH ALL MY LOVE TO THE E34 M5 IN THIS COMPARISON I WOULD HAVE TO SAY 540 6SPD ALL THE WAY. OR ATLEAST EQUAL. E34 M5 IS ONE OF THE GREATES CARS IN THE WORLD, ONE OF MY FAVORITE BUT THE MARKET TODAY IS COMING OUT WITH SIMILAR PERFORMANCE CARS IF A 94-5 EOURO 3.8L M5 COST 40-5K YOU CAN GET FOR THE SAME MONEY A 99 OR A 98 540 SPRT 6SPD, AND NOT LOOSE TOOMUCH ON PERFORMANCE, BUT IN CONTRAST GAIN ON RELIABILITY AND LENGTH OF LIFE OF THE CAR. BUT E34 M5 STILL RULZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!! IN MY BOOK