Ricracing

The E39 was introduced in 1995, and the E60 in 2003.

It was and is, a nice and good BMW and was woted for a couple of years as the worlds best car.

But the evolution goes on...

doug_999

Not to take the thread off topic, but a friend claims the E39 was a more "solid" car. I disagree however there were three years between owning my 2000 540ia and my 2006 550 (which turned year old today sniff sniff).

Any thoughts here? Personally I think the E60 is a more solid car (door closing and all).

Ricracing

Both swajames and 550isport do write very well.

It's so true that it is easier (and cheaper) to be the copycat.

But also the real competition has been getting harder by M-B, Audi and Toyota/Lexus (copycat).

What comes to the 7-series - it's an oldie, with a new version coming out soon
and the E60 will be facelifted the spring.

The new E70 (X5) will also bring the SUV market a new boost.


I'll be looking forward to the introduction of the new small 1-series coupe in US...

Amauvis

I currently have an E39 528i (113K miles) on standard suspension, and an E60 535d (8K miles) on sport suspension. This is a poor start for a comparison as the suspension is not a like-for-like comparison. Also the E60 is less than a year old and the E39 will be 9 years old this year. I've had both cars from new.

The E60 obviously feels tighter than the E39 but the ride is not as good, and is therefore not as comfortable. Also, to confound matters further, the E39 has a 5 speed manual box while the E60 has a 6 speed auto box making comparison even more difficult.

I will say this though. While I love the sheer grunt of the 535d, the automatic transmission spoils it. Overall it's less precise and less enjoyable to drive on a twisty road as the autobox is dimwitted and slow. Steptronic override is dire because it will not react fast enough, and despite being in manual mode, it will override my gear choice from time to time. IMO, it's a pointless feature as I cannot rely on it to hold a gear properly in a corner and that spoils the overall handling package.

Thankfully, I kept the E39 when I bought the E60. My wife now uses the E60 as a daily drive (she loves it) and I have gone back to the E39 which feels smaller and less cumbersome, simply by allowing me to make the gear selection myself, and therefore has more predictable handling. With a manual box, it's also much quicker than the auto and I think that while the E60 has more power and torque and is therefore quicker in a straight line, the manual E39 would complete a mountain road course quicker. The rack and pinion steering on the E39 6cyl is also much better than the recirculating ball system on the V8 models as well, therefore, IMO, making it the pick of the lot.

I've never driven a manual E60 but all I can say is if the E60 535d was available in manual it would embarass many a more expensive and "sportier" car. But it isn't and so my vote based on my experience is that MY E39 is a better all-round car than my E60. Sad but true.

JDN

I had the E39 Sport for eight years and then the E60 Sport for going into the third year. The steering on the E39 had a better road feel, and I could tell the difference initially. However, today I cannot fault the road feel of the E60. The E39 was a great car and is still doing well within the family.

aosman

Thank you all for your replies. it is all appreciated.