im on the prowl for a E39 2001+ 540I unfortunatly the car has a Minimum age of 23! so im waiting till then but thats whats on the horizon! i can get insurance on one for £2k odd but ill pass on that methinks!
Its known as the Poor mans M5 the 540 is get as late as you can buy early ones do have a problem with there Alusil engines but most should have been dealer recalled!
Leather heated seats & Navigation are the most desirable options on used ones
M5s are getting cheaper everyday too

The Tossers have ditched there bimmers now and gone to Audis so BMWs are now safe Theyre Great cars and i think theyre Motto is The Ultimate Driving Machine In ther case of the E46 M3 i think theyre right!!
Only problems are Service costs and parts are stupidly expensive not many pattern parts for the later cars ie Crank pullys so you have to face dealer parts prices!