6. BMW 540i E39
The E39 generation of BMW`s 5-Series was on the market from 1995 to 2003 and it still is widely regarded as one of the best executive and performance sedans ever made. The best and most respected model is, of course, sublimely good M5 with a 4.9-liter V8 engine and 400 hp but there is more to E39 5-Series than just M5. Next in line is almost as good and fast, the 540i sedan.
Looking almost identical and featuring a 4.4-liter V8 engine, the 540i delivered 291 hp and pretty quick 0 to 60 mph times of around 6 seconds. The top speed was electronically limited to 155 mph so this was a pretty fast sedan for its day. While the prices of M5 are slowly going through the roof, the price for 540i is surprisingly low.