What am I missing...
Discussion
... by not owning a BMW E39?
M5, 530D, 530i, 540i, they just seem to be one of the most common suggestions in any 'What Car?' thread.
Are they superior to the E60 or earlier E34 for example?
Is it another PH cliche or are they really that good? I may/may not be looking at another car to log up 30K+ per year in and every what car thread I've read seems to have this suggestion.
So tell me what makes a 8 year old + BMW the definitive (apparently) choice?
M5, 530D, 530i, 540i, they just seem to be one of the most common suggestions in any 'What Car?' thread.
Are they superior to the E60 or earlier E34 for example?
Is it another PH cliche or are they really that good? I may/may not be looking at another car to log up 30K+ per year in and every what car thread I've read seems to have this suggestion.
So tell me what makes a 8 year old + BMW the definitive (apparently) choice?
My dad is picking one up tomorrow, so we only have the first impressions on the test drive to draw on, but from that they feel incredibly well screwed together and all the materials have a nice feeling of mass to them. In all honesty, comparing it to my mates dad's E60, the E39 feels slightly nicer, rides better and has a better air of quality to it.
The E39 was certainly a benchmark and considered by many at the time of release to be the best all-round car in the world. Depending on who you talk to, it still is.
They're a good balance between the old school BMW world of solid, dependable cars but with a modern twist that is in keeping with most current cars out there today.
Dynamically, they don't hold a candle to an E34 unless lightly fettled but you can't argue with their comfort and equipment levels.
The 540 is a stormer and the M5 is, of course, another level. They're not without their foibles but that's part and parcel of old BMW ownership.
They're a good balance between the old school BMW world of solid, dependable cars but with a modern twist that is in keeping with most current cars out there today.
Dynamically, they don't hold a candle to an E34 unless lightly fettled but you can't argue with their comfort and equipment levels.
The 540 is a stormer and the M5 is, of course, another level. They're not without their foibles but that's part and parcel of old BMW ownership.
My 530i M Sport was my best all round car, loved it..
Had loads since then including 535d, 335i etc. But still think the 530i is better.
My brother has it now so still get to take it for a spin occasionally and still all the car you would even need in reality, only vanity made me get something newer.
Had loads since then including 535d, 335i etc. But still think the 530i is better.
My brother has it now so still get to take it for a spin occasionally and still all the car you would even need in reality, only vanity made me get something newer.
I worked at a BMW dealer from '01 to '07 as a driver, delivering new cars and also moving workshop and bodyshop cars around.
Always enjoyed E39s more than any other; for me they had the best compromise between performance/handling and refinement/comfort.
So much so that I bought one in '08 (528iSE auto).
Bought an e46 328i to replace it last year, but I was disappointed - sold it on and still have the '5'.
Had it nearly 3 years now - a record for me (driving since 1971).
Always enjoyed E39s more than any other; for me they had the best compromise between performance/handling and refinement/comfort.
So much so that I bought one in '08 (528iSE auto).
Bought an e46 328i to replace it last year, but I was disappointed - sold it on and still have the '5'.
Had it nearly 3 years now - a record for me (driving since 1971).
I have had an E34, E39 and E60 (530i V8, 540i and then 545i respectively, all Tourings) and the E39 wasn't just the most rounded, it was also the one I loved the most. How can a car so adept and refined at everything have character? It did, though. Took a while to realise it; I thought it was a bit ordinary after the E34 but it got under my skin and I owned it longer than I've owned any other car.
The E60 545i lasted little more than 6 months/9k miles in my possession...
The E60 545i lasted little more than 6 months/9k miles in my possession...
And yet an E39 visually, inside & out, leaves me cold.
E60 (and I suppose the F10) makes it look antiquated - but for some, nostalgia forms part of their decision making.
That said, I am considering going a bit against what I've said by contemplating an E38!
That's partly because of colour/interior and price, and with a view to throwing LPG on it, even though my mileage won't justify doing so for at least 3 years, if it warrants keeping for 4 years like the Accord, then it'll have been the right choice.
Still fighting against the E60 530i for obvious reasons - newer/i-Drive/mpg on petrol.
E60 (and I suppose the F10) makes it look antiquated - but for some, nostalgia forms part of their decision making.
That said, I am considering going a bit against what I've said by contemplating an E38!
That's partly because of colour/interior and price, and with a view to throwing LPG on it, even though my mileage won't justify doing so for at least 3 years, if it warrants keeping for 4 years like the Accord, then it'll have been the right choice.
Still fighting against the E60 530i for obvious reasons - newer/i-Drive/mpg on petrol.
PJ S said:
E60 (and I suppose the F10) makes it look antiquated - but for some, nostalgia forms part of their decision making.
I'd happily have an F10 over an E39 and will do so; I've had one for a week on loan and it was brilliant. All the things the E60 wasn't; a proper E39 replacement, IMO.Oddly the ones I've liked best are the ones whose looks didn't appeal as much though; I love the E34 and E60's looks.
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