What year did the 540 6 speed come out

[duby55]

When did sales start in the USA. This is kind of trivia, research and brain spam for me all in one. Anyone know any history websites on the E34?

[timandbim]

don't believe everything you read on wikipedia, but i got this from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E34

A rare 540i M-Sport model was built in 1995. This package included not just a firmer suspension and sport seats, but used many parts from the M5, save for the engine and transmission. 200 "Sport" models were built, 135 of them with a 6-speed manual. Canada also got a special version – the M540i, which was similar to the American 540i Sport but had even more M5 parts, such as 345 mm floating front rotors, 18 inch wheels, and various trim pieces. Only 32 of these cars were built, all with a manual transmission. Australia was the final market that received one of the M5 enhanced 1995 540i 6 speeds. 70 '540i Manual Limited Edition's' were produced, all manual and all individually numbered. They all came with full M5 running gear and interior and the 'throwing star' M-System II wheels, but didn't have the M-tech exterior kit fitted.

[Paul in NZ]

were there any "normal" 540 six speeds?Were the first 540s sold in 1993?Were any of them six speed manuals?

[Dragunov]

I was wondering about the availability of manual 540s too. The regular manual 6 spd 540i seems to be rare in my part of the world. In fact so rare i can't find one on sale on the internet. There's 2 or 3 up at a time and they're all autos so far.

So my question is, how many manuals were made compared to autos? And if i can't get one from my homeland, what part of the world should i look at to find one?

And what's the adventage with manuals anyways? I'm not much of a car guy so i don't really get how having to push a knob around all the time enhances your driving experience, but i assume the manual tranny allows better performance?

Does it make a significant difference or will an auto satisfy me? When i buy something i always aim for the best i can get my hands on, but if it isn't significantly better than the second best choise i might just stick wit that.

[Macv]

Wasn't it like only 700-800 540i/6's built? Thats just a guess, don't hold me to it.

[repenttokyo]

as far as I know, 6 speed 540's went on sale in north america in 1995.

[nirvana19]

95 model year. I BELIEVE some were delivered in 94, according to my neighbor (bought a 530iM in that time period, considered 540i/6).

[BuckNaked]

1994 was the first year for the 4.0 liter V-8 in the e34.
The 6-speed transmission was not available until the 1995 model year.
There were approximately 1300+ 1995 540i 6-speeds shipped to the USA, approximately 700-800 are believed to still exist.
The expert on the subject would have to be a gentleman from Sweden that currently owns 5 of them. He posts on these forums regularly and goes by the name Stephan735i.
He has some pretty impressive information to go with his amazing stable, like factory production data.

[ThoreauHD]

I didn't know there were so few of them. That kinda upsets me.

[Paul in NZ]

even fewer RHD ......