Now we know. The 540i's automatic transmission is simply better than its manual counterpart. That statement is difficult to comprehend until one drives them both, but it's true. Somehow, the 5-Series is better off with a torque converter directing traffic than with the conventional clutch, the gremlin of our previous test. The ride is equally as impressive as the drive.
Front seats offer perfect seating positions, and front passengers get individual climate controls.
Wind and road noise are non-existent, making the 540i feel as tightly sealed as a vault. Our test car came with Dynamic Stability Control, which slowed understeer and prevented oversteer. It also came with the sport-tuned suspension, which includes BMW's patented magical perfection dust. The sport suspension somehow manages to smooth out harsh road irregularities while providing the driver with a sixth-sense perception of the tarmac. Interior ergonomics are not as pleasing as the engine.