E39 BMW and BMW,s of that era. We're they the best BMW,s....
Discussion
Ever built?.Reason I ask is because I bought a high mileage (112,000) 530D SE last year for my wife as a commuter hack and everyday runner about. Everything about this car gives off an air of quality and a car that is extremely well built. The car still feels very tight to drive. No slop or vagueness that you normally get with cars of higher mileage. Even a mate who drove it(Merc fanatic) was quite impressed by it. There is no wear on the seats. All the buttons still show all their symbols and the car is a joy to drive. A proper drivers car. And reminded me of how my old E30 M3 was.
On the other hand I recently had a brand new F10 520 ED as a loan car after my own car was in for repairs. I wasn't impressed at all. Car felt not as we'll built. Part of the trim came away from the footwell,and the car was just bland to drive. It has lost that drivers appeal. It seems that all manufacturers are going this way nowadays. I didn't think BMW would be one of them.
On the other hand I recently had a brand new F10 520 ED as a loan car after my own car was in for repairs. I wasn't impressed at all. Car felt not as we'll built. Part of the trim came away from the footwell,and the car was just bland to drive. It has lost that drivers appeal. It seems that all manufacturers are going this way nowadays. I didn't think BMW would be one of them.
Some will say the era of the E34/E30/E32. Properly solid, easy to work on.
Early E36s were plagued with issues but largely sorted after a couple of years. A decent later E36 is a very very good car and much underrated imo.
When the E39 was released, BMW claimed it was the best car they had ever built. I've seen nothing since to discount that claim!
Early E36s were plagued with issues but largely sorted after a couple of years. A decent later E36 is a very very good car and much underrated imo.
When the E39 was released, BMW claimed it was the best car they had ever built. I've seen nothing since to discount that claim!
In MY opinion, BMW's were at their best with these models
3 series= e30
5 series= e34
6 series= e24 (based on the e28 5, not the earlier e12)
7 series= e32
the e36 (3 series), e38(7 series), e39 (5 series)appear to have more and more complex issues as they get older, compared to the "simpler" older cars
and don't get me started on the diesels..
of course, your opinions and experiences may vary!
3 series= e30
5 series= e34
6 series= e24 (based on the e28 5, not the earlier e12)
7 series= e32
the e36 (3 series), e38(7 series), e39 (5 series)appear to have more and more complex issues as they get older, compared to the "simpler" older cars
and don't get me started on the diesels..
of course, your opinions and experiences may vary!
I had the same car untill June. I bought a XJ8 recently that has a slightly better ride...that goes some way to show how well they whisk you along. Our 530d SE wafted us to Annecy and back a couple of times with no issue and returend 47mpg. Comfortable, economic, £5000ish in 18 months ownership (inc fuel) and was the best insulator of sound I have ever experienced (until the XJ).
I honestly feel that they are one of the best cars produced and at these prices you would be mad to get rid of one....oh wait...
I honestly feel that they are one of the best cars produced and at these prices you would be mad to get rid of one....oh wait...
ker?have run an e39 for 10 years and 100K miles the only weakness was cooling system. otherwise a stinker. mine was absolutely solid when it went ... couldn't justify cost of renewal of rear brake pipes and some other wear items for a 140k mile car when we had to downsize for space to three cars.
yupp E36/39/38 especially late model years were best looking (subjective, for me but also for many people) and best built, still with minor issues but that could be easily solved and then you have bullet-proof car for many miles, my E39 M5 has been great for these 20K miles I drive it and it has not been driven lightly...the most expensive part was the clutch which costed me 300 EUR + 100 EUR for the mechanic. Bargain for a 180 mph limo.
I have been a massive fan of E36 Beemers for years. I have had several, from 318iS Coupe up to M3 Convertible. All were high spec late cars with low owners/miles and they have all been fabulous. The 6 cylinder MSport cars are sensational. I have never had anything fail on any of them. I ran a 2000W 328i Auto Convertible Edition model with 144k miles on the clock from its one previous owner. It had 19 stamps in the history from the supplying dealer! I owned it for 2 years and put on another 20k miles without fault. A lovely car to drive and you feel very much part of the driving experience and it is a good driving machine. The amount of issues I have heard about from friends/colleagues with the newer shape models is frightening me away from buying a current car. I prefer to buy the best available e36/e46 model than a current car. I appreciate there may be numerous issues with poorly maintained older BMWs, but a sympathetically owned example is still a cracking car and something of a bargain. I would rather put my money into quality preventative maintenance than chuck it away on financing newer less reliable/envolving models. The only current BMWs series I aspire to are the M cars..
I'm a bit old-school. E28 M5 - Near perfect (except somewhat flighty rear in the wet) E30 3 Series, beautiful car. Compact size and fun.
E34 Was nice but a bit bloated in feel. E39 is technical feeling and more complex.
E36 was bit big, early models had a low-rent feel of build (I had a 320i Coupe) but driving position still great.
E46 feels bloated and the driving position is more 'on' rather than 'in' feeling, unlike the E36.
E34 Was nice but a bit bloated in feel. E39 is technical feeling and more complex.
E36 was bit big, early models had a low-rent feel of build (I had a 320i Coupe) but driving position still great.
E46 feels bloated and the driving position is more 'on' rather than 'in' feeling, unlike the E36.
Not to point and moan but the 316/320 was the worst of the bunch 328/325/323/318 all crackers and that straight six power curve was phenomenal.
The only real downfall was the @life time sealed automatic gearbox@ and cracking plastic cooling systems including the plastic waterpump but just get a manual or a ZF expert and change the cooling system before 100k.
one 323i manual and two 740's later that have been the tightest running beasts I have ever driven.
Jags of the era which I also had were not in the same class but looked a tiny bit better.
The only real downfall was the @life time sealed automatic gearbox@ and cracking plastic cooling systems including the plastic waterpump but just get a manual or a ZF expert and change the cooling system before 100k.
one 323i manual and two 740's later that have been the tightest running beasts I have ever driven.
Jags of the era which I also had were not in the same class but looked a tiny bit better.
Edited by ez64 on Wednesday 10th October 00:13
BLUETHUNDER said:
Never seen a rusty BMW of that era. The only other car i can think of with the same rust proof credentials are the Jag X300 on and the XK8. Merc on the other hand.........
I've just broken another E39 M5 that had collapsed on its jack point due to excessive rust. A couple of people I know run 2005 M3 CS's, both with Rust. I've had many E39 M5's show up at my door for parts, nearly all of which have rust.I agree the car is brilliant, certainly after taking a couple apart you can see just how well made everything is. But the rust protection is a joke and sadly I find myself put off BMW's abit because of it.
I agree that the new ones seem less well built which is a shame.
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