E90Post
 


Extreme Powerhouse
 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BIMMERPOST Universal Forums > General BMW News and Cars Discussion > Top Gear greatest car: The E39 5 series



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      06-01-2016, 03:29 PM   #23
BEM-S4
Major General
BEM-S4's Avatar
United_States
4515
Rep
8,942
Posts

Drives: Dinan M235, Dinan Sport Wagon
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Philadelphia

iTrader: (5)

Quote:
Originally Posted by CSBM5
Quote:
Originally Posted by BEM-S4 View Post
Thanks for the info, I was poking around over there but there's so much info to try and absorb when looking at a car seriously for the first time. Life would have been much easier if dad had just gotten the M5 instead of the Benz way back when and kept it in the family.
It sure would have been. I would guess that only a very small percentage of even well cared for M5s would present with essentially zero problems if you buy one given their age. If you're reasonably apt with DIY and order parts online, it's a rather easy car to maintain.
There are a few low mileage single owner cars available, just need to get them to my mechanic for a once over if I get serious about any of them. Some are as low mileage as 10k but those are $$$$$. This is one car I've always wanted that's still available and affordable so thinking now might be a good time. Thinking that ship has sailed on finding a low mileage reasonably priced example of my dad's 500E with the Porsche engine. Never should have sold that one.
__________________
2022 Macan S
2016 F31 328i xDrive Sport Wagon
2006 E46 330ci ZHP Convertible
Appreciate 0
      06-01-2016, 03:35 PM   #24
F30lolz
I can haz cheezburger?
F30lolz's Avatar
6799
Rep
3,677
Posts

Drives: 14 Sahara/08 335xi/22 Maverick
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Miami, FL/Shelbyville, IN

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Hmmmmmm...

http://enthusiastauto.com/qsearch/?i...orm_display=51
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by RaptorKTM View Post
Also our E90 330 and 325 will soon have some sort of boost. So there is actually more of a chance to get more hp out of a 330 then a 335 in my opinion
Appreciate 0
      06-01-2016, 03:40 PM   #25
BEM-S4
Major General
BEM-S4's Avatar
United_States
4515
Rep
8,942
Posts

Drives: Dinan M235, Dinan Sport Wagon
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Philadelphia

iTrader: (5)

Quote:
Originally Posted by F30lolz View Post
Ha, I saw that one. They have a few there. Wouldn't want to buy that for use as a daily driver though. Would rather get something with 30-40k on it and not feel bad about driving it.
Appreciate 0
      06-01-2016, 04:38 PM   #26
Dackelone
European Editor
Dackelone's Avatar
Germany
10526
Rep
22,992
Posts

Drives: N54 e82
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Bayern, Germany

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul-Bracq-BMW View Post
Yes, that would do the trick! But I've also read that a chip on the M62 engines will pick up some 40 Hp with about 50Nm of tq. That would be also nice.

So anyone know of a chip AND v-max delimiter ?



Btw... all this M5 talk has me thinking back to this AWESOME ad that BMW UK made and was later banned!


Appreciate 1
      06-01-2016, 04:51 PM   #27
SakhirM4
Major General
SakhirM4's Avatar
United_States
10783
Rep
8,852
Posts

Drives: '15 SO M4/'20 Z4 M40i
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Austin, TX

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2020 BMW Z4 M40i  [10.00]
2015 BMW M4  [8.76]
Had this 1998 540i and loved it (M5 wheels and rolled fenders). Unfortunately, it had an AT which started to go south after 6 years, so I got rid of it. Was sad to see it go.

Name:  27777205.gmcr5401.jpg
Views: 3965
Size:  310.8 KB
__________________
Tejas Chapter, BMW CCA, mem #23915, President 27 years, www.tejaschapter.org
Appreciate 1
      06-02-2016, 01:08 AM   #28
Paul-Bracq-BMW
Moderator
Paul-Bracq-BMW's Avatar
Australia
4092
Rep
1,973
Posts

Drives: 1981 323i, sports M5, LSD
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Australia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dackelone View Post
Yes, that would do the trick! But I've also read that a chip on the M62 engines will pick up some 40 Hp with about 50Nm of tq. That would be also nice.

So anyone know of a chip AND v-max delimiter ?
I think this is what you're looking for:

+29hp, +40 Nm and Vmax off

They're based in Germany too so you can call them...

Anton Kis
Johann-Hugo-Str. 11
41849 Wassenberg
Deutschland
Tel.: 0049 (0) 2432 9291119 * Mobil: 0049 (0) 177 3020105 * E-Mail: pc@ecusoft.de

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chiptuning-B...oAAOSwpDdVS3Fu
__________________
1981 323i, 143 Kashmir-Metallic, 0094 Pergament, Sports M5, LSD.
Appreciate 1
      06-02-2016, 01:35 AM   #29
Paul-Bracq-BMW
Moderator
Paul-Bracq-BMW's Avatar
Australia
4092
Rep
1,973
Posts

Drives: 1981 323i, sports M5, LSD
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Australia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dackelone View Post
Yes, that would do the trick! But I've also read that a chip on the M62 engines will pick up some 40 Hp with about 50Nm of tq. That would be also nice.

So anyone know of a chip AND v-max delimiter ?



Btw... all this M5 talk has me thinking back to this AWESOME ad that BMW UK made and was later banned!


What a fantastic ad! I remember it very well!
__________________
1981 323i, 143 Kashmir-Metallic, 0094 Pergament, Sports M5, LSD.
Appreciate 0
      06-02-2016, 01:46 AM   #30
Paul-Bracq-BMW
Moderator
Paul-Bracq-BMW's Avatar
Australia
4092
Rep
1,973
Posts

Drives: 1981 323i, sports M5, LSD
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Australia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by CSBM5 View Post
Well-kept, low-mileage E39 M5s have already dramatically appreciated (at least here in the USA) in the past 4-5 years.
In AUS, there are some low 100K miles E39 M5's for USD $20K+. I think these are still reasonable prices providing the car has been properly taken care of...

I'm actually looking for a good E46 M3 convertible with MT (love driving top down almost all the time) but I can't seem to find one: they all have the terrible SMG automated manual here...
__________________
1981 323i, 143 Kashmir-Metallic, 0094 Pergament, Sports M5, LSD.
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2016, 10:44 PM   #31
Three Pedal Steve
Captain
Three Pedal Steve's Avatar
United_States
875
Rep
611
Posts

Drives: 2013 M3 coupe' 6mt
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Under a Waterfall in Highlands NC

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Former e39 owner here. 540i six speed Sport edition. Bought it as a two year old w/24,000 miles. Sold it 11 years later w/324000 miles.

I continue to call this the greatest car of all time. Others agree- C/R declared the 528i as the best car they ever tested. Brain Injuiry Institute call it the greatest car the of the millennium. C/D, R/T, Autoweek and every other mag saw it as the benchmark for the segment.

I hope to have another one some day. There's not any new car that offers everything you can get in one of these big girls.
__________________


memories: '71 2002 (new), '72 Bavaria, '74 2002tii, '00 540i Sport
Appreciate 1
      06-08-2016, 04:53 AM   #32
Dackelone
European Editor
Dackelone's Avatar
Germany
10526
Rep
22,992
Posts

Drives: N54 e82
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Bayern, Germany

iTrader: (1)

Getting a little off topic... but I always loved BMW's mini-series adverts... Here is one with the e39...


Appreciate 0
      06-08-2016, 07:27 AM   #33
mjn77
Lieutenant Colonel
mjn77's Avatar
United Kingdom
1073
Rep
1,956
Posts

Drives: E90 M3 LCI Jerez Black
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Herts, UK

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2011 BMW M3  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dackelone View Post
Btw... all this M5 talk has me thinking back to this AWESOME ad that BMW UK made and was later banned!


Why was it banned?
__________________

// E90 M3 LCI DCT in Jerez Black with Fox Red Leather // Alcantara Trim // ST XTA Coilovers // 1.75 Exhaust Mod // Pinnacle Undertray // @jerez.black.e90.m3 //
Euro Alpine Road Trips 2014 2016 2017 2018 2019
2022
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2016, 11:01 AM   #34
HighlandPete
Lieutenant General
6659
Rep
15,858
Posts

Drives: BMW F11 535i Touring
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Scotland, Highland Region

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Three Pedal Steve View Post
I hope to have another one some day. There's not any new car that offers everything you can get in one of these big girls.
I had an E39 540i wagon, superb car. I'm now in an F11 535i wagon, very similar performance to the 540i V8. I never thought the newer 5-series would in anyway match the E39. I'm enjoying the F11 as much as the E39, in some ways its a better vehicle to use, due to the technology of our current time. My specification certainly has the E39 feel to it, is more of a natural progression from the E39 than the E60/1, IMO.

E39 has to hold a special place in motoring history, even be the pinnacle of BMW models, everything about it was right. As UK's AutoCar headlined in its first full road test and review of the 528i in 1996, "New 5-series so close to perfect". Proved to be the right headline. In the UK the 530i made most sense through the E39's life cycle.

For me the E39 has happy memories.
Appreciate 1
      06-08-2016, 02:52 PM   #35
Dackelone
European Editor
Dackelone's Avatar
Germany
10526
Rep
22,992
Posts

Drives: N54 e82
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Bayern, Germany

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by mjn77 View Post
Why was it banned?
The Brits thought it was promoting street racing! So the ad was banned in the UK. Even though it was films in Bonneville and in Utah(USA)!! The ad has lived on in its afterlife on the InterWebs!
Appreciate 1
      06-08-2016, 04:14 PM   #36
HighlandPete
Lieutenant General
6659
Rep
15,858
Posts

Drives: BMW F11 535i Touring
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Scotland, Highland Region

iTrader: (0)

My 1998 540i Wagon



Following pics at 81,000 miles, 8-years old, the day before I parted with it.







Appreciate 1
      06-08-2016, 05:49 PM   #37
Paul-Bracq-BMW
Moderator
Paul-Bracq-BMW's Avatar
Australia
4092
Rep
1,973
Posts

Drives: 1981 323i, sports M5, LSD
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Australia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by HighlandPete
My 1998 540i Wagon



Following pics at 81,000 miles, 8-years old, the day before I parted with it.







Beautiful car!
__________________
1981 323i, 143 Kashmir-Metallic, 0094 Pergament, Sports M5, LSD.
Appreciate 0
      06-09-2016, 06:31 AM   #38
mjn77
Lieutenant Colonel
mjn77's Avatar
United Kingdom
1073
Rep
1,956
Posts

Drives: E90 M3 LCI Jerez Black
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Herts, UK

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2011 BMW M3  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dackelone View Post
The Brits thought it was promoting street racing! So the ad was banned in the UK. Even though it was films in Bonneville and in Utah(USA)!! The ad has lived on in its afterlife on the InterWebs!
That is fucking mental!
__________________

// E90 M3 LCI DCT in Jerez Black with Fox Red Leather // Alcantara Trim // ST XTA Coilovers // 1.75 Exhaust Mod // Pinnacle Undertray // @jerez.black.e90.m3 //
Euro Alpine Road Trips 2014 2016 2017 2018 2019
2022
Appreciate 1
      06-09-2016, 07:18 AM   #39
W///
Lieutenant General
W///'s Avatar
7475
Rep
12,305
Posts

Drives: F82GTS, E36/E92M3, Z4M
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SC

iTrader: (13)

Quote:
Originally Posted by HighlandPete View Post
My 1998 540i Wagon



Following pics at 81,000 miles, 8-years old, the day before I parted with it.







Seriously beautiful car. I need to get a raise so that I can swing getting an F80 and an E39 525iT.

Off topic, but this is still one of my absolute favorite ads ever made

"A Mercedes can also bring driving pleasure"
__________________
Current:
16 F82 M4 GTS, Black Sapphire/Black, DCT
08 E92 M3, Sparkling Graphite/Bamboo Beige, 6MT
07 E85 Z4M Roadster, Alpine White/Red, 6MT
99 E36 M3, Techno Violet/Dove Grey, 6MT
Appreciate 1
      06-09-2016, 03:17 PM   #40
Dackelone
European Editor
Dackelone's Avatar
Germany
10526
Rep
22,992
Posts

Drives: N54 e82
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Bayern, Germany

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by HighlandPete View Post
My 1998 540i Wagon...
Man, such a clean e39. I would not have sold her. I am happy that your F10 is a worthy replacement.

Still... that e39 of yours just looks soooo good!!

Dackel
Appreciate 0
      06-09-2016, 05:20 PM   #41
HighlandPete
Lieutenant General
6659
Rep
15,858
Posts

Drives: BMW F11 535i Touring
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Scotland, Highland Region

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dackelone View Post
Man, such a clean e39. I would not have sold her. I am happy that your F10 is a worthy replacement.

Still... that e39 of yours just looks soooo good!!

Dackel
The E39 was in excellent condition when I traded it, often think I should have kept it. It had the M-tech suspension, double glazing, sunroof, de-chromed, xenons, and all the usual add on options. It did set the standard on which I judge BMW cars quite high, such a superb drive as well as its specification.

The E60/61 just didn't light my fire. Getting the F11 specification right was a challenge, but once sorted and sourced, the F11 is a very rewarding vehicle. I've got Adaptive Drive, Sport Auto, Panoramic roof, etc., make all the difference when we compare to driving something like the E39.



Was out this evening in the F11, driving through the Great Glen, set everything in Sport+ mode... put a wide grin on the face, like the E39 540i used to.
Appreciate 1
      06-09-2016, 07:47 PM   #42
Paul-Bracq-BMW
Moderator
Paul-Bracq-BMW's Avatar
Australia
4092
Rep
1,973
Posts

Drives: 1981 323i, sports M5, LSD
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Australia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dackelone View Post
Getting a little off topic... but I always loved BMW's mini-series adverts... Here is one with the e39...


The BMW "The Hire" commercials have become legendary, launching the career of Clive Owen. They were directed by the top directors of the time such as Ang Lee.

All the short movies are here:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...A1B22886A6A215
__________________
1981 323i, 143 Kashmir-Metallic, 0094 Pergament, Sports M5, LSD.
Appreciate 1
      06-10-2016, 08:27 AM   #43
W///
Lieutenant General
W///'s Avatar
7475
Rep
12,305
Posts

Drives: F82GTS, E36/E92M3, Z4M
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SC

iTrader: (13)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul-Bracq-BMW View Post
The BMW "The Hire" commercials have become legendary, launching the career of Clive Owen. They were directed by the top directors of the time such as Ang Lee.

All the short movies are here:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...A1B22886A6A215
I particularly liked the M5 one, but also the one with the Z4 and Don Cheadle (one of my favorite actors).

I really wish they would bring that back, they were really great to watch.
__________________
Current:
16 F82 M4 GTS, Black Sapphire/Black, DCT
08 E92 M3, Sparkling Graphite/Bamboo Beige, 6MT
07 E85 Z4M Roadster, Alpine White/Red, 6MT
99 E36 M3, Techno Violet/Dove Grey, 6MT
Appreciate 1
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:21 PM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST