I purchased my 2003 530i on a BMW Owner's Choice program in '03. The balloon came due in early February. The balloon was more than the trade-in value of the car, so I let BMW have it back.

The car was in absolutely pristine condition. It had 53,000 miles on the odometer. The car was tight (never a rattle), quiet, drove and rode beautifully, and was without any blemishes. It was Alpine White with Sand Beige interior, Sport and Premium packages, and xenons. After 3 1/2 years, and 53,000 miles, it was as if the car was still brand new. It never disappointed me.

I miss it immensely.

A friend has been generous enough to loan me a Mercedes CLK 430 to drive until my '08 535 arrives. While I truly appreciate my friend's generosity, this Mercedes is not even close to my e39 in terms of comfort, driver experience, quietness, rattles, etc. I say this not to offend any Mercedes lovers, but to recognize and pay homage to just how good the e39's were. I assume that my e39 experience was not unique.

I am hopeful that my '08 535 will be just as rewarding to own.

For those of you that had e39's and now e60's, what has been your experience? Have you been just as happy with your e60 as your e39? More happy, or less so?

 

I had a 1998 and a 2001 E39, both 540i sport packages with 6-speed transmissions. I loved those cars -- they were perfect.

3 years ago, when I got my 2004 E60 545i sport with SMG, many people asked me if I liked it better than the old car. My answer was (and still is), "BMW took a perfect car and perfected it!"

You're gonna love your new car...

 

I'll let you know in 3 weeks. My E39 is a joy, but I can't wait for my '08 (I swear I didn't try to make that rhyme).

 

I ran a 535i E39 (not a US model - basically a smaller engined 540) for 8 years, and I'm now happily driving a 535d E61 (yet again not a US model). Happy with both cars. The E60 uses space better and it's a sharper drive (despite the Touring body), but I'm experiencing a few electrical niggles that just weren't there on the E39.

 

I've had four 5ers and have my fifth on order. But my third one - a MY98 (E39) 540 Sport, 6-speed manual, was my favorite.

Now I'm not one of those purests who long for the perfection of the past, but I do feel as though my current 545 is somewhat more isolated than the 540, both from a steering and road feel perspective. Also, the stick is not as satisfying.

With that said, the 5er is still the best, and for me the only, car to buy. I'm really hopeful that the new 550 Sport brings back more of the E39 feel - "enhanced" sport package, short-throw shifter, etc.

 

Nothing beats the lines of the E39. I too, had a 2003 E39 530i Sport and loved it! I was very hesitant about moving into the E60 and considered buying out my E39. However, I have to say that after owning my E60 since June of last year, it is by far a much better car than the E39. The looks and the lines of the car will grow on you, but to me, nothing will ever beat the lines of the E39. That was hands down one of the best looking sedans ever made by any car manufacturer. Period! Don't worry though...you will LOVE your new car. Over time, you won't miss your E39 anymore.

 

I had a 2001 530i/sport, and now I drive a 2007 530i/sport. The E60 is a big jump in handling and sportiness, but the E39 had more soul and much better road feel. Part of the problem is the runflats, the rest of the problem is whatever they did to the suspension and the steering to compensate for those runflats.