I have a 540 too. Just wanted to comment that I had a similar issue in starting the car. Some time I switch and the car take few seconds till it starts. It turned out to be normal. Try to hit the ignition onetime and leave it. It starts automatically. It is not a problem. It is a feature.

I have the same starting issue with my 540i. It has become more and more rare in occurance, thus may be related to how I turned the key when the car was new to me. Dealer did not find any problems and the car always starts after turning the key to off and re-trying.

This is, by far, the best car I have owned. It does everything very well. Very good acceleration, best brakes I've ever used.

All 540 series are equipped with an automatic engine start. To start the vehicle you should turn the key in the ignition once, release, then wait for the car to start itself. Before it starts the car performs a few checks and prepares all systems to go. This can take a few seconds. Turning the key in the ignition again does nothing as the car is in the start mode already. Reading the manual before going to the dealer is a good thing.

I love the car, just hate spending $45,000 on vehicle that is all over the road, I mean it's getting to the point you have to spend $100,000 to get some exclusivity.

One should feel comfort in the fact that there are so many 5 series out there. It means people are now choosing wisely. Maybe people will choose there president with the same smarts. And yes exclusivity comes at a price. After owning two simi-exotics I will say money is better spent on the BMW. No one needs a car to be cool you are or you are not...