540i police car

Punter · #1 (**permalink**) 12-16-2001, 12:09 AM

We have a BMW 540i police car here in Spartanburg, lights, paint job, the whole deal. Are some cops allowed to supply their own cars or did the police department actually buy a 540i and make it into a patrol car? That would seem like a HUGE waste of money to me, I mean they are great cars but if you are just looking for speed a lot more can be had for a lot less, why does the cop need to ride around on leather interior all day?

UR2FAT · #2 (**permalink**) 12-16-2001, 12:19 AM

In New Zealand there are a couple of Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 6 police cars aswell as some WRX's

Magnus · #3 (**permalink**) 12-16-2001, 12:39 AM

I'm sure they get a great deal from the factory, if they're not given to the dept. for free.

I'll put it to you this way, my brother has a State troopers decomissioned car. It's a 97 Caprice with a modded 97 Corvette C5 engine in it. What do you think the original price for that was? I'm sure a bmw is a much cheaper way to go........if they paid.

Dinan540i · #4 (**permalink**) 12-16-2001, 12:42 AM

It was probably a gift from BMW, they've already given them an E34 M5.

Magnus, I'm sure a Caprice w/LS1 would be cheaper. You can get those engines for NOTHING compared to BMW engines.

Punter · #5 (**permalink**) 12-16-2001, 12:44 AM

They've already given who an E34 M5?? The Spartanburg, SC police department?

Dinan540i · #6 (**permalink**) 12-16-2001, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Punter
They've already given who an E34 M5?? The Spartanburg, SC police department?

Yes.

Alibabajun:. · #7 (**permalink**) 12-16-2001, 03:25 AM

dont they have M3 cop cars in europe

djbeemer · #8 (**permalink**) 12-16-2001, 04:24 AM

autobahn patrol cars here in my area are 911 porsches
and the metro ones are supercharged benz's

sweetlikealemon · #9 (**permalink**) 12-16-2001, 04:31 AM

I used to live in South Africa, there the highway patrol people drive 325i, 535i and E36 M3's, they also drive Opel Kadett 200TS's(ridiculously fast standard)

Here in Engalnd the police have just received a delivery of 10 530d cars, they GO some too.

AlfaNick · #10 (**permalink**) 12-16-2001, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Punter
We have a BMW 540i police car here in Spartanburg, lights, paint job, the whole deal. Are some cops allowed to supply their own cars or did the police department actually buy a 540i and make it into a patrol car? That would seem like a HUGE waste of money to me, I mean they are great cars but if you are just looking for speed a lot more can be had for a lot less, why does the cop need to ride around on leather interior all day?

Those cars are "gifts" by BMW North America. They want to be a "good citizen", and support their local Police force.

The M5 was "shelved" by the Police Department a few years ago due to the fact that it was a high cost maintenance item. Bimmers (particularly the high strung ones) need more money to make them run than your average Impalas or Crown Vics.

"Nice thought BMW, but no thanks".

BTW, BMW assembles certain models in the former Soviet Union. Guess what Moscow cops prefer, AND drive? Ford Crown Victorias. Cops ain't stupid! Well...

John Mc · #11 (**permalink**) 12-16-2001, 07:05 AM

That police dept. leases the white M5 for $1 a year. When there was a drug bust of sorts in Akin, SC the M5 police car beat the helicopter to the scene! The driver said it would go 170. They lifted the top speed govenor on this one.

Punter · #12 (**permalink**) 12-16-2001, 12:52 PM

How do you all know so much about the Spartanburg, SC police department? Do you live near Spartanburg or something?

onebadm5 · #13 (**permalink**) 12-16-2001, 12:58 PM

maybe he went to the M school at spartanburg. or maybe he likes to drive from Winston-Salem, NC to Spartanburg SC to check out the cop cars. who knows. Winston-Salem is right around greensboro, which is about 150 miles from spartanburg. maybe he likes road trips?????

just playin

AlphaLead · #14 (**permalink**) 12-16-2001, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AlfaNick

Those cars are "gifts" by BMW North America. They want to be a "good citizen", and support their local Police force.

The M5 was "shelved" by the Police Department a few years ago due to the fact that it was a high cost maintenance item. Bimmers (particularly the high strung ones) need more money to make them run than your average Impalas or Crown Vics.

"Nice thought BMW, but no thanks".

BTW, BMW assembles certain models in the former Soviet Union. Guess what Moscow cops prefer, AND drive? Ford Crown Victorias. Cops ain't stupid! Well...

yea, it's probably a gift from BMW NA, I think they also donated like 10 X5's to NYC to replace the cop cars that were destroyed during 9-11

Magnus · #15 (**permalink**) 12-16-2001, 01:58 PM

Bmw gives 100 motorcycles and 10 X5's to NYC
Story:
http://www.americanmotor.com/news.cfm?newsid=1778