Custom or Kuztom? 2000 BMW 540iT 6-Speed

There is an old Latin saying: de gustibus non est disputandum, which means "in matters of taste, there can be no disputes." Now, those old Latin dudes were good at building aqueducts, designing the calendar, and minting coins with their faces on them...but did they really expect us to believe that there isn't an objective perfect (a paradigm of beauty, perhaps) in this world? Ha!  And to prove it, I'm going to let you guys tell me if this next car is awesome or awful.  Find this 2000 BMW 540iT 6-Speed offered for an undisclosed chunk of cash somewhere near Chicago, IL via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

10k: The Right Stuff: 2003 BMW 540iT Wagon E39

On the list of cars that BMW should have built/sold in the US market, it goes like this.  BMW Bavaria Turbo, BMW M7 (e32), BMW M-Compact (E46), and BMW M5-Touring (E39).  It wouldn't have been that hard to make a touring (wagon) version of the M5, and many folks have done it by themselves.  At least BMW was kind enough to sell us the wagon version with the M62 V8, but it was only available with a slushbox. If you want the 6-speed you'll have to go searching for a cheap sedan where a seller is going to be desperate soon.  Find this 2003 BMW 540iT Wagon here on eBay, bidding for $7,100 with less than one day to go, located in Montebello, CA.

10k: 6-Speed Swap: 1999 BMW 540iT Wagon

The E39 (1995-2003) BMW 540i is one of the few decent BMW performance bargains available on the used car market today.  Prices for the all-alloy V8 engined cars start around the price of a winter beater and even the nice/rare examples trade for well less than the price of new Nissan Versa...actually, you might have a hard time picking up a nice E39 for les than the $11,990 MSRP of the 2015 Versa...but there is no comparing the two cars.  Find this 1999 BMW 540it with 6-spd swap offered for $12,000 in Anderson, SC via craigslist.

Reader Ride: Sir Montalbon's 540iT

Time for another edition of Daily Turismo's Reader Rides, where reading or riding are optional and discouraged.  Today's subject comes to us from a regular DT commenter who goes by the name Sir Montalbon and has earned his title from an engine/trans swap in a long roof BMW.  Sir Mont's ride is a 1995 BMW 530i automatic wagon into which he swapped a 540i engine and 6-speed manual gearbox.

15k: Non Stock Item: 1995 BMW 540iT 6-spd E34

 The e34 generation BMW 540i should be on the short list for anyone looking for a fast 90s rear-drive sedan.  BMW did offer a touring (wagon) version for the US market that could be had with three pedals or with a V8, but not both. Thankfully, today's offering has recified this abysmal situation with a 6-speed from an M5 and 7-series V8.  Find this 1995 BMW 540iT 6-spd E34 offered for $15,000 via craigslist.  Tip from slowcarSLOW-MPGlol.