E39 vs. E60 Driving Feel
04-26-2010, 06:08 AM
#11
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My Ride: 2004 545i, 6-speed Manual, Silver Grey Metallic, Grey Dakota Leather, Cold Weather Pkg, Premium Sound Pkg, Sport Pkg, Lumbar Support
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.
04-26-2010, 07:01 AM
#12
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My Ride: 545i/6
Well having owned a 540i sport auto and test driving a 540i 6 speed over the weekend that my little brother purchased, I have to say I still love the e39, but I love my e60 more! The e39 does feel more "raw" and the 6 speed cars really add to the high reving 4.4L fun factor but my e60 def feels more mature and solid. 545i pulls harder but not by much, the mid range torque on my 545i is alot more pronounced than the 540i which makes it easier to putt around in traffic.
04-26-2010, 07:44 AM
#13
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My Ride: 535xi Sport
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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
I picked the 528i over the 540i back in '02 because the 2.8i had "adequate" power for me and the handling was far superior to the 540i (as others have pointed out). If the handling had been a dead heat, I would have bought the 540i.
The 550i has more interior room, more trunk space, is faster, is more comfortable and in my opinion looks better (stock ground effects). The 528i was smoother, more tossable, and I think a little more fun to drive. The 528i would routinely get 30+ mpg on the highway vs. 25-26 mpg for the 550i. The 550i has become the default family road-trip car whereas the 528i never was.
But both great cars and I'd never steer anyone AWAY from an E39. If I could have found a nice example in short order when I was looking, I likely would have bought it. But the wife talked me into finding something newer so I decided on an E60, and then the 550i found me!
04-26-2010, 09:04 AM
#14
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I had the E39 and now have the E60. Both are/were 535d M Sports - The E60 is and feels much lighter and "fly like" in every way.
The technology in the e60 far exceeds the e39.
You'd be crazy to choose the e39 over the e60, unless money was an issue.
04-29-2010, 12:21 PM
#15
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My Ride: 2004 545i, 2004 zx10r, 1980 te72, 96 c1500 slammed show truck, 95 e36 m3 supercharged, more on the way :-) 69 ford f250 390 big block military 4x4 spec for those days u wanna get muddy
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.
04-29-2010, 01:48 PM
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My Ride: 2007 BMW 550, Sport, Navi, PS, CWP, Sirius
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
04-29-2010, 09:42 PM
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My Ride: 2008 550i
You said it brother. Totally agree with you here.
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