Table 1 shows one common power train related problems of the 1998 BMW 540.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Clutch problems |
I have drive standard transmissions for over 40 years, I have never had a clutch problem until a purchased a '95 540i (know for poorly designed clutches, particularly the pressure plate). I bought this new '98 with hopes the problem was solved, no such luck. If I had the failure on a major highway or crowded road I easily could have been in an accident the time for the clutch to stop working entirely was very short.