Could it also be the Active Steering incl w/Sport Pkg in the e60? This makes cornering seem very quick to me compared to non-AS e60 and 3-series I have driven. Never drove an e39 to compare.

 

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.

 

I had a '99 528i Sport 5-speed that I really liked. Very easy car to get along with - handling was excellent with the sport package, slightly larger wheels and tires and R&P steering. I went to an '07 550i Sport SMG so a vastly different animal in many ways, but the handling is definitely there. I'm still a little "afraid" of this car because where the 528i was turbine smooth with no real "push you back in your seat" feeling of acceleration, the 550i gains velocity at a ferocious rate and I'm still not used to the difference in power (drove the 528i for 8 years, I've had the 550i for 3 months).

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!

 

+ 1

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.

 

+1 I owned the same models and have to agree with this post still love my e60 but e39 was way more nimble and holds it's own when it comes to looks

 

My 2010 550 when on Winter 17 inch wheels drives very much similar to how my 2002 540 Sport did. BTW E60 definetly is not worse than E39 was and I am sure F10 will drive even better, despite being 400 pounds heavier.

 

 

 

You said it brother. Totally agree with you here.