E39 vs. E60 Driving Feel
04-23-2010, 09:35 PM
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My Ride: 2008 528i - Alpine White - Cream Beige - Light Poplar - Premium - Cold Weather - iPod/USB - Steptronic - Navigation
2007 335i (E92) - Monaco Blue - Black Leatherette - Dark Burl Walnut - Sport - Cold Weather
Just took a test drive in my friends "new" e39 530i with basically no options...a really nice car! I always idolized the E39 and wanted to own one but never got a chance to do so. I was quite surprised to find out that it drove JUST LIKE my 528i without sport. I expected it to be closer to the E92 since from what I read on the internet, the E39 "was the ultimate BMW, the best blend of sport and luxury" and it really is! It is such an amazing car! What I dont get though, is why people say the E60 so much worse, when in reality it's almost the same thing if not better! Have your experiences been the same?
Dave
Dave
04-23-2010, 09:48 PM
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Just took a test drive in my friends "new" e39 530i with basically no options...a really nice car! I always idolized the E39 and wanted to own one but never got a chance to do so. I was quite surprised to find out that it drove JUST LIKE my 528i without sport. I expected it to be closer to the E92 since from what I read on the internet, the E39 "was the ultimate BMW, the best blend of sport and luxury" and it really is! It is such an amazing car! What I dont get though, is why people say the E60 so much worse, when in reality it's almost the same thing if not better! Have your experiences been the same?
Dave
Dave
04-24-2010, 06:23 AM
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My Ride: 2008 528i - Alpine White - Cream Beige - Light Poplar - Premium - Cold Weather - iPod/USB - Steptronic - Navigation
2007 335i (E92) - Monaco Blue - Black Leatherette - Dark Burl Walnut - Sport - Cold Weather
04-24-2010, 07:35 AM
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I liked the way my E39 540I Sport handled more than my E60 550I Sport. The 540 felt more nimble, tossable and responsive. My 550 is more stable, corners flatter (props to ARS) and has more ultimate grip but is not as nimble.
04-25-2010, 06:16 AM
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My Ride: Current rides:
2011 Z4 35i MSport DCT (pictures coming)
2010 535i MSport
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I am very surprised top hear some of these responses. IMO-the E60 feels much lighter and more nimble than the E39. In slow speed manuevers, the E39 feels like an abasolut tank compared to the E60. Perhas because I am comparing a 540 to a 535?
04-25-2010, 12:12 PM
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I had a e39 540 non sport and now have an e60 530 sport. The E60 feels much more nimble in the curves. The anti-roll component of the sport package really keeps the car flat in hard cornering. I just wish my e60 was a v8. Maybe next time....
04-26-2010, 04:51 AM
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I own both an E39 540i sport and an E60 545i sport. I actually hadn't driven my e39 for a few months because I had to replace my PS and water pumps. Finished all that this weekend as well and took her for a spin. I have to say that I agree with many others, my e39 makes me happier every time I drive it. Love my e60 but there is just something about the e39 that I like better.
04-26-2010, 05:39 AM
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Not surprising. The E39 540 had a recirculating ball steering plus was considered nose-heavy because of the extra weight the 4.4 v8 added to the front end. The sport suspension also makes a big difference (stiffer springs). The 3.0 I6 in your E60 is lighter plus you also have rack and pinion steering on the E60.