E39 M5, historically the best?

[8bit]

MotorWeek tested the e39 M5 and said it was the greatest sport sedan of all time. I think that statement still stands in terms of the model's impact, even though faster cars have come since then.I remember reading in European Car magazine about the magazine's guy boiling tire smoke off the tires and 400 hp, which seemed a lot back then.

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

[Chihuahua]

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.

[8bit]

Originally Posted by Chihuahua

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.

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.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by 8bit

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.

Makes sense. I'd rather have an E34 for the pedigree, or the E60 for that glorious V10.

[Unknown_Car]

The E39 was and will always be the best looking BMW of modern design.

[8bit]

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

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by Roma_335i

The E39 was and will always be the best looking BMW of modern design.

It looks like a turtle.

E34>E60>E28>all of the other ones.

[TomHudson]

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.

[ny325]

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.”

[Unknown_Car]

Originally Posted by Chihuahua

It looks like a turtle.

E34>E60>E28>all of the other ones.

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.

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by Roma_335i

The E60 looks 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.

e60 design was way ahead of the competition. so many other companies copied the wrap around lights and whatnot. had a 550 for 6 years. didnt want to get rid of it. loved the way it drove.

[Unknown_Car]

Originally Posted by turboawd

e60 design was way ahead of the competition. so many other companies copied the wrap around lights and whatnot. had a 550 for 6 years. didnt want to get rid of it. loved the way it drove.

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.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by Roma_335i

The E60 looks something Honda or Toyota would copy.

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.

[-BEASTMW-]

Originally Posted by 8bit

Ignition think the Chevy SS has finally surpassed the e39 M5.

Chevy SS Vs e39 M5 - Streets of Willow circuit

This is the actual M5 I owned from 2009-15. Sold it to a friend who is buddies with Jason Cammisa, and got it in the video. Love being able to visit my old baby any time I want, forever!

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.

[MParallel]

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.

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by Chihuahua

It looks like a turtle.

E34>E60>E28>all of the other ones.

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

[ItsGary]

Originally Posted by ny325

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.”

One can only dream of that. Strict emissions has limited what a lot of manufacturers can do.

[Haywood]

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

[Three Pedal Steve]

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.

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by Roma_335i

The E39 was and will always be the best looking BMW of modern design.

Originally Posted by Chihuahua

It looks like a turtle.

E34>E60>E28>all of the other ones.

I owned a 1998 E39 540i and loved it, but I always thought that it looked like a Buick LeSabre - not a real winner in the looks department. Liked the looks of my E34 540i much better.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by Roma_335i

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.

The E60 certainly looks too bulbous and aside from the pre-LCI E65, I'd say it was the only questionable design from Bangle.

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.

[maniz]

Beautiful and timeless lines. Looks especially killer in silver.