BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Go Back   7Post - 7 Series Forum > BIMMERPOST Universal Forums > Classic BMW (Pre-2005 Models)

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      03-13-2023, 09:53 AM   #1
Chihuahua
Brigadier General
Chihuahua's Avatar
4011
Rep
3,171
Posts

Drives: E30 329iS, E65 Alpina B7
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ATL

iTrader: (0)

E39 hype

Am I the only one that thinks the E39 is over-hyped? I have driven them all (US cars that is), even the M5, and I just don't get it.
Appreciate 0
      03-13-2023, 10:34 PM   #2
BMWCCA1
BMW Owner Since 1971
2236
Rep
1,393
Posts

Drives: 1964 700 Sport Cabriolet
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Central Virginia

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2013 BMW 128i  [10.00]
I have a 2002 530i Sport/Premium, 5-speed manual, DSP, Heated Seats, leather, new Contis, Jet Black with black leather sport seats, SSK, ZHP knob, S/R, garage kept under cover, never wrecked or painted, perfect stock modular wheels, etc. I've owned every previous 5-series and loved my E34 so figured I'd really love the E39. Mine has just ticked 80k-miles and I never drive it. Owned it over seven-years. My 128i M-sport 6-speed is just so much more fun. Hate to give up and sell the E39, but it might just ring the bell on BaT and I'm nearing retirement . . .
Appreciate 2
      03-14-2023, 08:17 AM   #3
W///
Lieutenant General
W///'s Avatar
7434
Rep
12,293
Posts

Drives: F82GTS, E36/E92M3, Z4M
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SC

iTrader: (13)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chihuahua View Post
Am I the only one that thinks the E39 is over-hyped? I have driven them all (US cars that is), even the M5, and I just don't get it.
Oof, careful now, you'll start a riot on a BMW forum.

Personally, I think the E39 is one of the best designed BMW's (visually) inside and out.

All I will say is, I've driven my E92 M3 back to back with an E39 M5 and I will always pick the S65 over the S62, but that's completely personal preference. I think a 530i 5MT would make an absolutely wonderful daily though.

So no, I don't think they're overrated, but I also would pay the silly prices the E39 M5's are going for as there are other cars I'd prefer in that price range.
__________________
Current:
16 F82 M4 GTS, Black Sapphire/Black, DCT
08 E92 M3, Sparkling Graphite/Bamboo Beige, 6MT
07 E85 Z4M Roadster, Alpine White/Red, 6MT
99 E36 M3, Techno Violet/Dove Grey, 6MT
Appreciate 1
KevinM2931.00
      03-20-2023, 09:37 AM   #4
OEM3
Second Lieutenant
OEM3's Avatar
United_States
1570
Rep
261
Posts

Drives: 2021 BMW M3
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: Tampa, FL

iTrader: (0)

I would say they are the best looking BMW sedan for sure. I have a 2000 528i. I would say they are over hyped cuz they can be a maintenance nightmare lol
__________________
YouTube: OEM+ IG: @_oem3_
2021 BMW M3, 2021 Porsche Macan S, 2022 VW atlas cross sport, 2000 BMW 528i, 1987 BMW 635CSi, 2024 Porsche Carerra S (April delivery)
Appreciate 0
      03-20-2023, 01:07 PM   #5
335i54n
Lieutenant
241
Rep
449
Posts

Drives: e90 335i, e39 m5
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: socal

iTrader: (0)

the e39 chassis with rack and pinion isnt hyped enough imo but the e39 m5 Stock definitely is overhyped. the e39 m5 is without a doubt the most reliable bmw ever made imo with a true v8 grunt that make it the best dd

Last edited by 335i54n; 03-20-2023 at 07:49 PM..
Appreciate 2
KevinM2931.00
      03-20-2023, 03:10 PM   #6
HighlandPete
Lieutenant General
6659
Rep
15,858
Posts

Drives: BMW F11 535i Touring
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Scotland, Highland Region

iTrader: (0)

How can anyone over-hype the E39? According to many, probably the pinnacle of BMW's ability to put together a genuine spread of talents, virtually no other BMW (or competitor) has ever matched.

That applies, whether we look at the 530i, the brilliant M5, or the impact the 530d had on many markets. The proportions, the interior design, fit, finish and detail, excelled. The handling and comfort on M-Tech suspension was so well balanced, it earned its praise and accolades from the motoring press and users alike.

AutoCar here in the UK described the E39 5-series, "So close to perfect". My own observation, owning a 540i wagon, BMW produced a truly refined model which was 'complete' down to the smallest details, like the precise damping of switches and controls. No wonder the E39 earned the title of "Executive Car of the Year", most years of its production, here in the UK.

I expected the E60 to improve on the E39, it didn't. Even the F10/11, based on the 7-series platform and parts, although a good car, just doesn't ooze the same "sum of the parts" BMW achieved in the E39.

My next door neighbour bought an E39 535i back in 1998, ran it almost 300,000 miles, until an accident wrote it off. He went out immediately and found another genuine example. His wife still drives it most days, still looks good on the road, the 'purr' of the V8, as good as it gets.
Appreciate 2
KevinM2931.00
      03-20-2023, 03:26 PM   #7
DubaiRich
Private
123
Rep
54
Posts

Drives: 2010 Z4
Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: Naples, Italy

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2010 BMW Z4  [7.25]
If I could do it all over, I would've kept my '97 540i/6. By far the best of all worlds, and the design is timeless.
Appreciate 2
KevinM2931.00
      03-20-2023, 03:39 PM   #8
PYE46M3
Captain
852
Rep
658
Posts

Drives: E46 M3, E92 M3
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: CA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chihuahua View Post
Am I the only one that thinks the E39 is over-hyped? I have driven them all (US cars that is), even the M5, and I just don't get it.
how old are you OP? just curious
Appreciate 0
      03-20-2023, 03:49 PM   #9
tom @ eas
General
tom @ eas's Avatar
United_States
8056
Rep
18,786
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Anaheim, CA

iTrader: (19)

Garage List
2018 BMW i3s  [0.00]
2010 BMW M3  [6.50]
2015 BMW M4  [5.25]
One of my favorite BMW commercials to date:



Still miss my e39 540.
__________________
Tom G. | european auto source (eas)
email: tom@europeanautosource.com · web: https://europeanautosource.com· tel 866.669.0705 · ca: 714.369.8524 x22

GET DAILY UPDATES ON OUR BLOG · FACEBOOK · YOUTUBE · FLICKR · INSTAGRAM
Appreciate 4
PYE46M3852.00
GERMAN M34176.50
KevinM2931.00
      03-20-2023, 08:00 PM   #10
IcewaterPete
Major
IcewaterPete's Avatar
United_States
2021
Rep
1,464
Posts

Drives: 2020 F33 M Sport, 2021 M2C 6MT
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Illinois

iTrader: (0)

Great commercial! Great car.
Appreciate 2
tom @ eas8056.00
KevinM2931.00
      03-21-2023, 12:10 AM   #11
KevinM
Brigadier General
KevinM's Avatar
2931
Rep
3,285
Posts

Drives: 2002 M5;2007 M Coupe;2020 M2C
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tucson

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2020 M2 Competition  [10.00]
2007 E86 M coupe  [8.38]
2002 E39 M5  [9.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chihuahua View Post
Am I the only one that thinks the E39 is over-hyped? I have driven them all (US cars that is), even the M5, and I just don't get it.
Yep, just you. Seriously though, my E39 M5 is still my favorite BWW ever. And I've owned (and own) a lot of BMWs. It just does everything so well. It was my DD from 2004 - 2015 because I couldn't find anything I'd rather drive. Now it's a garage queen (well, I suppose my 2007 Z4M coupe is as well), but every time I drive it I feel so connected. Manual box, NA engine, mechanical limited-slip differential = huge driver involvement. Same for the Z4M coupe, but the S62's torque makes daily driving so enjoyable.







__________________
2020 F87 M2C Hockenheim Silver/MT
2002 E39 M5 Sterling Gray/Caramel
2007 E86 Z4M Coupe Silver Gray/Black
2021 Kia Telluride (hauler)

Last edited by KevinM; 03-21-2023 at 12:17 AM..
Appreciate 8
gnx751.50
GERMAN M34176.50
CSBM52695.50
OEM31569.50
Almuliman414.50
Nkc1600.50
W///7434.00
      03-21-2023, 11:59 AM   #12
PYE46M3
Captain
852
Rep
658
Posts

Drives: E46 M3, E92 M3
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: CA

iTrader: (0)

Fantastic color combo there. E39 M5 is easily one if
Not the best looking BMW ever made. Beautiful from every angle right down to the wheels.
Appreciate 1
KevinM2931.00
      03-21-2023, 12:12 PM   #13
Chihuahua
Brigadier General
Chihuahua's Avatar
4011
Rep
3,171
Posts

Drives: E30 329iS, E65 Alpina B7
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ATL

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by PYE46M3 View Post
how old are you OP? just curious
47. I got into BMW when the current 5 series was the E34, so I definitely have an appreciation for the 'older' generations of BMW (hell, I have one). I've never understood the fascination with the E39. It looks decent in wagon and M5 forms, other than that it's bulbous; it looks like a bloated turtle to me and it's really, REALLY showing its age now. I don't think they drive that well either, especially the V8 cars. I had an E60, and in my opinion it was superior to the E39 in every way imaginable (even looks). I'd rather have an E46. Just my $.02 obviously.
Appreciate 0
      03-21-2023, 12:12 PM   #14
a5m
Lieutenant
United_States
595
Rep
514
Posts

Drives: 2011 BMW E90 M3
Join Date: Jan 2023
Location: Chitown

iTrader: (1)

Agreed. Fantastic combo. Don't usually see the lighter interior.

Lusted after the E39 M5 since seeing it in magazines in high school. Don't know why I thought it had a supercharged V8 making 400hp. Learning it was NA made it that much more special.
Appreciate 1
KevinM2931.00
      03-21-2023, 12:38 PM   #15
tom @ eas
General
tom @ eas's Avatar
United_States
8056
Rep
18,786
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Anaheim, CA

iTrader: (19)

Garage List
2018 BMW i3s  [0.00]
2010 BMW M3  [6.50]
2015 BMW M4  [5.25]
This was a real treat to see visit the shop a while ago. The closest to a e39 M5 Touring we'll see:









Full flickr album can be seen here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmSV5WUb
__________________
Tom G. | european auto source (eas)
email: tom@europeanautosource.com · web: https://europeanautosource.com· tel 866.669.0705 · ca: 714.369.8524 x22

GET DAILY UPDATES ON OUR BLOG · FACEBOOK · YOUTUBE · FLICKR · INSTAGRAM

Last edited by tom @ eas; 03-21-2023 at 01:21 PM..
Appreciate 6
OEM31569.50
Almuliman414.50
Nkc1600.50
KevinM2931.00
W///7434.00
      03-21-2023, 01:34 PM   #16
Chihuahua
Brigadier General
Chihuahua's Avatar
4011
Rep
3,171
Posts

Drives: E30 329iS, E65 Alpina B7
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ATL

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by KevinM View Post
Yep, just you.
Very possible!!!

Nice stable you have there.
Appreciate 1
KevinM2931.00
      03-21-2023, 07:20 PM   #17
PYE46M3
Captain
852
Rep
658
Posts

Drives: E46 M3, E92 M3
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: CA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chihuahua View Post
47. I got into BMW when the current 5 series was the E34, so I definitely have an appreciation for the 'older' generations of BMW (hell, I have one). I've never understood the fascination with the E39. It looks decent in wagon and M5 forms, other than that it's bulbous; it looks like a bloated turtle to me and it's really, REALLY showing its age now. I don't think they drive that well either, especially the V8 cars. I had an E60, and in my opinion it was superior to the E39 in every way imaginable (even looks). I'd rather have an E46. Just my $.02 obviously.
Ok that is fair. But you are among the few because both E46 and E39 are universally loved because of how beautiful they are and how they are so similar in exterior design. E60 was a huge step down that disappointed a lot of people but it has aged well. With every generation cars become "better" aka more comfortable and luxurious but I don't think E39 looks dated on the exterior or interior. To me its a perfect design. E60 interior on the other hand is terrible. Just compare the steering wheels and door cards.
Appreciate 0
      03-22-2023, 11:32 AM   #18
Chihuahua
Brigadier General
Chihuahua's Avatar
4011
Rep
3,171
Posts

Drives: E30 329iS, E65 Alpina B7
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ATL

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by PYE46M3 View Post
Ok that is fair. But you are among the few because both E46 and E39 are universally loved because of how beautiful they are and how they are so similar in exterior design. E60 was a huge step down that disappointed a lot of people but it has aged well. With every generation cars become "better" aka more comfortable and luxurious but I don't think E39 looks dated on the exterior or interior. To me its a perfect design. E60 interior on the other hand is terrible. Just compare the steering wheels and door cards.
I'm a big fan of the E46. I think it's arguably the best 3er to date. The E60 definitely didn't disappoint me, I owned one and of all the BMWs I've had over the years that's one I wish I would have kept. Other than the interior soft touch surfaces that peeled if you looked at them wrong it was superior to the E39 in every way (just my $.02).

Last edited by Chihuahua; 03-22-2023 at 11:40 AM..
Appreciate 0
      03-22-2023, 01:53 PM   #19
Thorsveinyhammer
WSB Ape
Thorsveinyhammer's Avatar
70
Rep
59
Posts

Drives: BMW X3
Join Date: Feb 2023
Location: West Coast

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by KevinM View Post
Yep, just you. Seriously though, my E39 M5 is still my favorite BWW ever. And I've owned (and own) a lot of BMWs. It just does everything so well. It was my DD from 2004 - 2015 because I couldn't find anything I'd rather drive. Now it's a garage queen (well, I suppose my 2007 Z4M coupe is as well), but every time I drive it I feel so connected. Manual box, NA engine, mechanical limited-slip differential = huge driver involvement. Same for the Z4M coupe, but the S62's torque makes daily driving so enjoyable.







Love it. Oldie, but goodie.
Appreciate 1
KevinM2931.00
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:36 AM.




7post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST