There is without a doubt a “honeymoon phase” when it comes to acquiring a classic car. In just a few weeks of ownership, my friend (and devout BMW enthusiast), Lawrence, has put about 2,000 miles on his newly acquired 1995 BMW 5-Series. He just can’t seem to get enough time behind the wheel. And who could blame him? BMW, after all, prides itself in building the “Ultimate Driving Machine.”
Lawrence’s road-tripping adventures took him first and foremost from the Bay Area of California to Phoenix following his initial purchase. Then, he promptly took the car back to California for RADwood and, most recently, he joined a group drive to the Tucson area for some canyon carving. Specifically, he ascended Mount Lemmon, one of the most panoramic roads in the southwest region.
BMW 540i Backstory
The 1995 BMW 540i was an autobahn-cruising powerhouse in its day. It represented the final model year of the “E34” chassis 5-Series, boasting a potent 282-horsepower 4.0-liter DOHC V8 under the hood. Best of all, for enthusiasts like Lawrence, the car could be optioned with a six-speed manual transmission for the most engaging driving experience possible. When equipped with options like the M-Sport package, heated seats, and other amenities, the manufacturer retail price could soar into the low $60,000 range when new. That price tag comes out to a jaw-dropping $120,000-plus in modern-day money when accounting for inflation.
Thirty years ago, the 540i was at the cutting edge of automotive innovation. Standard equipment included anti-lock brakes, cruise control, power-adjustable steering column, dual-zone automatic climate control, remote keyless entry, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and dual-position electric sunroof. Well-optioned, indeed, and well-kept, low-mileage examples usually come at a premium price. Lawrence’s car has only about 91,000 miles on the odometer.
While the 540i was sometimes criticized for its fuel economy, not too many people cared about that. It was an executive sedan with a sporty side. The New York Times said, “With the new manual transmission, zero-to-60 acceleration takes only 6.2 seconds, making it a half-second quicker than the same car with BMW’s five-speed automatic. The top speed is electronically limited to 128 mph, which is no doubt zippy enough for the craziest among us.” The powertrain was praised for its strong low-end torque and smooth power delivery. No wonder one of the most popular magazine ads for the car said it was the “Torque of the Town.”
Mount Lemmon Experience
The Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway, also known as the Catalina Highway, is a 28-mile stretch of twisty road that climbs about 6,000 feet from Tucson to a small town called Summerhaven in the Santa Catalina Mountains (at about 8,200 feet in elevation). There are only about 71 residents who call Summerhaven home year-round.
The spirited roads were the perfect place for Lawrence to assess his BMW’s handling capabilities. Our group dined at Sawmill Run Restaurant and enjoyed the fall colors—something we don’t get to see in the Phoenix area due to the climate at lower elevations. My 1992 Acura Integra GS-R (the same car that was featured on Jay Leno’s Garage a few years ago) did the best it could at keeping up with Lawrence’s 4.0-liter V8 sedan. A few other vehicles in the convoy were a Honda Accord, Honda S2000, Acura TL, and Ford Ranger Raptor pickup.
At the end of the day, it was a satisfying excursion among car enthusiasts—and here’s to hoping Lawrence’s honeymoon with the 5-Series continues for a long road ahead.
Where are your travels taking you this fall?
