Originally Posted by Bavarian

OK We all feel the burn when we fill the X5 up at the pump, especially those with 8-pot engines...

So what is happening lately is that the monthly payments to BMWFS are paid, but the car stays in the garage. I don't dare to drive the thing cuz of the fuel costs.

A year ago when I got the X, it was directly useful because I had some renovations going, and I made full use of its utility part. Nowadays I'm done with moving large things.

The fuel economy on the 2002 4.4i is 13/17 (city/highway) in mpg. It does 60MPH in 7.6 seconds I think. It's an impressive machine no doubt.

But I was thinking of perhaps moving back to a sedan, while trying to retain a good level of performance, and decent cabin space. The natural choice would be the 5-Series, but I'm not sure an E60 with those eyebrows heats me up.

So I'm thinking about a CPO 2002 or 2003 540i from the E39 era. They use the same 4.4L V8 making 290 horses. Except the fuel economy is 25% better in the city and 30% better on the highway. It does 60MPH in 6.2 seconds, making it worthy to even race 4.8is X5s.

What do you think of the following car:

2002 540i
Steptronic, Ski Bag, Rain Sensor, PDC, Auto-Dimming Mirrors
38K Miles costing $29K

Mileage in USA miles and cost in USA dollars.

Advice? Opinions?