12-18-2017, 03:07 PM | #1 |
Enlisted Member
56
Rep 38
Posts |
E39 M5, historically the best?
Featured on BIMMERPOST.com MotorWeek & the e39 M5 Classic 5-er - No Bangle Ignition think the Chevy SS has finally surpassed the e39 M5. Chevy SS Vs e39 M5 - Streets of Willow circuit |
12-18-2017, 03:20 PM | #2 |
Brigadier General
4058
Rep 3,194
Posts |
Meh, I'd still rather have an E34 or an E60. But I do get the appeal of the E39. I certainly remember all of the hype surrounding it when it came out.
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-18-2017, 03:49 PM | #3 |
Enlisted Member
56
Rep 38
Posts |
I was surprised by the comments under MotorWeek's video. It seems a lot of people now like the V8. Times seem to have changed. It might have something to do with the fact BMW has gone back to the V8 since the e60. The V8 was always an easier format to appeal to buyers, especially in America. That's why Audi tried to put a 4.2 V8 into everything they made. Dream Car Garage's Tom Hnatiw said they were trying to appeal to baby boomers who grew up in the muscle car era.
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-18-2017, 04:19 PM | #4 |
Brigadier General
4058
Rep 3,194
Posts |
Makes sense. I'd rather have an E34 for the pedigree, or the E60 for that glorious V10.
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-18-2017, 05:19 PM | #5 |
Major
447
Rep 1,060
Posts |
The E39 was and will always be the best looking BMW of modern design.
__________________
JB4 Tune, MHD backend flash, E85
VRSF 7" Intercooler, BMS OCC VRSF CP & TIAL 50mm BOV, BMP PI DocRace 6266 single turbo. |
Appreciate
0
|
12-19-2017, 03:31 PM | #6 |
Enlisted Member
56
Rep 38
Posts |
On the subject of pedigree a shout out to the Alpina B7 too. It held the 1979 world record for fastest 4 door at 155 mph. In 1981 the B7S had a 3.5 liter with 330 hp and hit 162 mph. In March 1979 the B7 cost $42,100!
e12 Alpina B7 |
Appreciate
0
|
12-19-2017, 06:54 PM | #7 |
Brigadier General
4058
Rep 3,194
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-19-2017, 07:07 PM | #8 |
Major
658
Rep 1,118
Posts |
It has its mark made by what it did to the competition at the time - blew them all away.
It also compared very well against sports cars of the time. Best sports sedan of all time? Not for my vote. |
Appreciate
0
|
12-19-2017, 08:03 PM | #9 |
Brigadier General
895
Rep 3,141
Posts |
I love the simplicity of the E39 M5. No turbos, clean body lines, and an NA engine. I bet if BMW were to bring back that body style and add LED lights, xenons, a 450-500hp+ naturally aspirated engine, and hydraulic steering, it will take the top spot for the best sports sedan. Today’s BMW lineup has lost its “Ultimate Driving Experience.”
|
Appreciate
1
YXEM5185.00 |
12-19-2017, 08:28 PM | #10 |
Major
447
Rep 1,060
Posts |
The E60 looks like something Honda or Toyota would make. The E60 was the ugliest BMW ever made. Nothing was special about it. On the other hand, the E39 is known as one of the best BMWs ever made.
__________________
JB4 Tune, MHD backend flash, E85
VRSF 7" Intercooler, BMS OCC VRSF CP & TIAL 50mm BOV, BMP PI DocRace 6266 single turbo. |
Appreciate
0
|
12-20-2017, 09:12 AM | #12 |
Major
447
Rep 1,060
Posts |
All I am saying is, the E60 wasn’t the car that many people wanted. One reason the design was not speaking much of BMW, it had Japanese styling. That's why, after the E60, they went back to a more simple look like the E39.
__________________
JB4 Tune, MHD backend flash, E85
VRSF 7" Intercooler, BMS OCC VRSF CP & TIAL 50mm BOV, BMP PI DocRace 6266 single turbo. |
Appreciate
0
|
12-20-2017, 03:45 PM | #13 |
Brigadier General
4058
Rep 3,194
Posts |
FTFY.
The E60 was released in late 2003, so we'll use that as our reference point. Go take a look at a 2004 Toyota Camry. Now look at the redesign for 2007. notice anything? Look at the 6th gen Accord c. 2004, then the redesign for the 7th gen in 2007. See anything? I could go on, but I won't. If you don't like the looks of the E60, that's fine. Looks are 100% subjective. But to deny its influence on the automotive industry as a whole is beyond delusional. Say what you want about the man, but Chris Bangle almost single-handedly revolutionized the automotive industry. Honda and Toyota were some of his biggest fans; the proof is in the pudding. His design elements are STILL being emulated to this day. |
Appreciate
1
oolas3388.00 |
12-21-2017, 02:04 AM | #14 | |
Lieutenant
158
Rep 455
Posts |
Quote:
I think it had the greatest impact, and is one of the best, but maybe not THE best sports sedan. Maybe the best in a certain subcategory of sport sedan. You have to consider the first Merc E55 AMG had just come out, and people thought 349hp was insane. Then BMW comes and throws down 400hp, 6MT only, great handling, looks that are still timeless and gorgeous to this day. It ran with the Corvette of its time while being incredibly comfy and luxurious. Now everyone and their mother has a super sedan, so it's hard for anything to make the same kind of leap ahead. The E39 M5 will still be a classic years later when other super sedans aren't. As far as best performance sedan... As an all-around package and daily driver it is hard to beat. It's incredibly comfortable and classy - there's a certain muscular confidence to it. Its ability to be cosseting at one moment and a brute the next, while balancing high tech to achieve performance with simplicity in the driver interface, is impossible to match. However, I do think on a challenging road, our E90 M3s are significantly better suited and more exciting. Much better steering, smaller/lighter, more neutral and aggressive chassis setup, 8,400rpm... The M3 drives like a sports car that happens to have 4 doors, while the E39 M5 drives like a muscle luxury car that handles very well. Hope that makes sense. I miss mine and all its character, and it's still one of my favorite cars of all time, but I like driving my M3 even more.
__________________
2011.5 E90 M3
White/Red, 6MT, ZCP, slicktop Past: '02 S2000, '01 M5, '98 Integra w/many mods |
|
Appreciate
2
Law6379.00 DelGriffith325.00 |
12-21-2017, 05:39 AM | #15 |
Mr. OEM
542
Rep 796
Posts |
I do love the E39 M5 styling and it has a very nice interior design.
The E34 is cool, but I don't like the interior that much and teh E60 is just meh. Although I would want one just for that S85. But I'd take the M6 then.
__________________
'1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio • Alpinweiß III auf Schwarz • Deutschland-ausführung • 1 von 12 • SMG • SRA • PDC • AUC • GSM • HK • UURS • IHKA • FGR • MFL • |
Appreciate
0
|
12-21-2017, 06:22 AM | #16 |
Emperor
1613
Rep 2,753
Posts |
I thought it was universally agreed that the e60 is ugliest one, by a huge margin. Normally I'd say styling is subjective, but the e60... thought that was an objective viewpoint :P
__________________
2005 M3 Coupe, 2004 M3 Wagon, 2001 M5 Sedan, 2008 M5 6MT Sedan, 2012 128i M sport |
Appreciate
0
|
12-21-2017, 06:24 AM | #17 | |
Colonel
1458
Rep 2,336
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-21-2017, 10:31 AM | #18 |
I know a thing or 2 about a thing or 2...
3101
Rep 3,470
Posts
Drives: E36 M3 Coupe, e39 M5, i3s
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: LI, NY
|
Hands down, the greatest M5 of all time, IMO. I still go to Enthusiast Auto and drool at their e39 M5 lineup. It is my goal to own one in my lifetime.
One of the most beautiful examples: http://enthusiastauto.com/qsearch/?i...orm_display=51
__________________
2019 Imperial Blue Metallic i3s BEV
2003 Le Mans Blue e39 M5 Dinan S1 1997 Alpine White e36 M3 (the old gal) 2013 Mineral White e92 M3 (sold ) 2014 Carbon Black 650i M-sport (sold) |
Appreciate
0
|
12-23-2017, 09:09 PM | #19 |
Captain
875
Rep 611
Posts
Drives: 2013 M3 coupe' 6mt
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Under a Waterfall in Highlands NC
|
e39 was the best overall car of the twentieth century. Appearance, performance, quality, safety, reliability, and panache- e39 had it all.
e39 M5 is the best of the best.
__________________
memories: '71 2002 (new), '72 Bavaria, '74 2002tii, '00 540i Sport |
Appreciate
2
Germanauto9698.00 CoolBreeze41.00 |
12-23-2017, 09:33 PM | #20 | |
Major General
10783
Rep 8,852
Posts
Drives: '15 SO M4/'20 Z4 M40i
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Austin, TX
|
Quote:
__________________
Tejas Chapter, BMW CCA, mem #23915, President 27 years, www.tejaschapter.org
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-29-2017, 01:55 AM | #21 | |
Major General
9698
Rep 6,081
Posts |
Quote:
With that being said, the E60 remains "modern" even today both inside and out. It's a car BMW could put in showrooms tomorrow and it wouldn't look that dated. The E39 on the other hand? It clearly harkens back to a different era. It's a beautiful and timeless design, yet does not look "modern" in the way the E60 does, especially from inside. Those pre-Bangle BMWs had absolutely atrocious interior material quality. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-29-2017, 02:57 AM | #22 |
Assistant TO the Regional Manager
617
Rep 728
Posts |
Beautiful and timeless lines. Looks especially killer in silver.
__________________
2018 M4 Coupe. 6MT.
Der stärkste buchstabe der welt |
Appreciate
1
CoolBreeze41.00 |
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|