E34 vs. E39...Who's had both??

[Wanganstyle]

Ive had a both:

e39:

540i 6mt sport (98 non vanos) +(koni coilovers, m5 euro brake kit and m5 euro front end)

for e34:

525it with s52+5mt swap

and current dd: 525i 5mt sedan with GC coilovers.

the e39 has a stiffer body and more sporty feel; better at 120-150mph+

the e34 is more compliant and has a more durable interior - e39 interior items like cupholders and door handles and window regulators are terrible.

[Jean]

^ lol

[MikeDE]

It's opk I figured it out....bought a 1998 Subaru Forester S-turbo:D

[reelizmpro]

If one gets an e39 it should only be the sport package models with manual trans or m5. Vanilla e39's just don't do the car justice, imo.

[airkhin]

something about the e39 that i love...

heres my current baby hauler :)

[mottati]

i've had e34, e39 and e60, 98 528i, 00 m5, 02 525ia and 91 M5, 92, 525itA and 94 530iT (i swapped a 6 speed in for the auto), as well as an 08 535i6. As usual, the newer the car the 'better'. That said, the e39 (other than the M5) was kind of bland/boring. In the end, when i had both the e39 and e34 M5's, i sold the e39 and kept the e34. More fun, more classic bmw design.

If i were looking for a good daily driver for my wife, i'd go e39. If i wanted something fun for myself that i'd daily drive, i'd get an e34, which is what i did. Eventually i'll either swap a b40 or s62 to go with the 6 speed.
Mike

[F34R]

I was talking about the I6, I thought after 01 they fixed the issue? I don't know a lot about them to be honest since I never owned one. Just info I have gathered from Stanceworks from people lowering them and running into issues.

[Ryann]

The suspension on the e34 is just awful as mentioned above.

Are we talking about I6 or V8 e39s? The V8 cars use the same fucking 'craptastic' 5 link suspension the e34s use.

[F34R]

Ryann - I wasn't talking about seats, I was talking about about how the dynamics of the car and suspension feels. E34 is known for it's craptastic suspension anyway, and the e39 just plain feels better planted ....and has way better suspension, no way around that.

1+

My buddy just bought a e39 528 touring. It is amazing/
I love the e39 over the e34 purely for looks. The suspension on the e34 is just awful as mentioned above.

He is on this forum member name Swanny.

[Ryann]

^I hear you. I guess my point was that depending on what you want from the car either might feel better to someone than the other. There are variables depending on what each car is running for suspension- the cars i have experience with are both non-sport 525s, and between them I prefer the e34 because it's a more comfortable cruiser.

[Jean]

Ryann - I wasn't talking about seats, I was talking about about how the dynamics of the car and suspension feels. E34 is known for it's craptastic suspension anyway, and the e39 just plain feels better planted ....and has way better suspension, no way around that.

[MaloventEvil]

i have had an e34 535 mtechnic, e34 540i 6 speed, e39 540i msport 6 speed, and an e39 m5. though i miss the "raw"ness of an e34 (it feels like a heavier e30), the e39 is way more comfy. it is also much quieter.

i mean, if you want performance you aren't going to get a 5 series -- it is a boat on the track.

[Ryann]

I have an e34 525/5speed and brother has e39 540i/6spd msport.

They drive/feel like different cars, I've worked on both to various degree and have to agree E39 is just a better overall car in feel/comfort and obviously newer/less miles/wear normally. But, working on the them, e34 is easier.

Agree/disagree. They definitely feel like different cars, however I don't think the e39 is either more comfortable nor does it have a better 'feel'. I find the seats in my '95 525 to be FAR more comfy on long trips than my FIL's '03 525. Even he agrees that my '95 is more smooth and solid feeling. The e34 has way more body roll and suspension dive.

There is a certain cheapness about his '03 that reminds me of a late model Mazda. More engine noise, more suspension harshness, interior controls and materials feel chinsier. Plus the hood opens the wrong way and the front window switches are in the doors.

So I'll say that the e34 feels luxurious, while the e39 feels sporty.

[einstein57]

E60 is my favourite. if i have kids in the next 3 or 4 years thats what ill be buying

The e60 does have more rear leg room and the side curtains do gove piece of mind for the little ones. Thats why its the baby hauler.

E39 chassis / suspension also feels much much better than the e34.

I feel its also better then the e60 as well. Sure the hydraulic assisted sway bar is sweet and the dynamic steering makes parking a breeze but it feels disconnected. The e39 interior also feels more luxurious and and the seats are more comfortable. It would be nice if the e39 had idrive though. At least there are some pretty cool plug and play touch screen navigation systems now that are designed for the BMW.

[Jean]

E39 chassis / suspension also feels much much better than the e34.