I have a confesion

[sanpt7777]

I believe the E60 is prettier than the E39. Way prettier. There, I said it.

Let me be clear. It’s not that I don’t find the E39 good looking, the E60 is simply better from any angle. It’s a bit more feminine, in a good way. I used to think the best 5er was the E34 (and to some extent, it’s still my favourite) but I had the idea that the E39 had the best combination of looks, driving dynamics (it seems) and was not too old yet not too new. Also, (please, don’t ban me) I’ve always wanted to do Chevy Small Block engine swap in an E39.

But nowadays, the more I see the E60, the prettier I find it. I liked it since it was new, but I’ve changed my goals of owning an LS swapped E39 at some point with owning a 550i at some point.
If I have some extra money I’ll have both tho


Or just buy an E34 M5. Because of course.

 

[sako97]

But I do think it's the saloon from the Bangle era that's aged the best.

When I see a E60 M5 in pristine condition I find myself stopping to check it out. I remember how special it looked when it first hit the streets back in the mid-2000's

 

[Deleted member 1071]

The E60s' precise, minimalistic exterior design leaves it looking quite "up to date". Not unlike the E63/64 6 series cars for that matter. It may be a bit more spec-sensitive than its' contemporary segment peers, but in the "right" color and with the "right" OEM wheel options, it still looks absolutely brilliant.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

Nothing to be ashamed of @sanpt7777 I gave it to myself as a birtday present in 2004.

 

[Centurion]

Haha the E39 is herald as one of the prettiest BMW saloons ever made. I don't disagree with anyone who say it's still a beautiful car. The E60 on the other hand hasn't aged as well and as @Jimmy pointed out, it is very spec sensitive. However, I do commend the E60 for its design-led interior. It was ground breaking and ushered us, together with the E65 into a new era of BMW interiors.

Surprisingly Chris Bangle hasn't moved on to a big appointment anywhere.

 

[Matski]

I agree, a nicely spec'd E60 is much better looking than a nicely spec'd E39. The E60 looks like a scalpel compared to the E39, which looks a bit bloated in comparison. I never got why there's this disproportionate love for the E39.

 

[sanpt7777]

Funny, I find the E39 to be the one that is color/spec senstitive. The E60 looks just as good as a burgundy 530i with basic bumpers and 17” wheels or as a black M5. The E39, on the other hand, really needs M bumpers, nice wheels and preferably black to look goood IMO.

I actually find the E60 to be better looking in non sport versions. The M bumpers ruin it.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

My younger brother had a post LCI 2002 E39 520i (with the 2.2 L, 170HP il 6 and 5-speed ASG automatic). He absolutely loved that car. And I thoroughly enjoyed being a passenger in it. A quiet, comfortable, relaxing cruiser. And more than quick enough on Germanys' congested Autobahns.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

I believe the E60 is prettier than the E39. Way prettier. There, I said it.

Let me be clear. It’s not that I don’t find the E39 good looking, the E60 is simply better from any angle. It’s a bit more feminine, in a good way. I used to think the best 5er was the E34 (and to some extent, it’s still my favourite) but I had the idea that the E39 had the best combination of looks, driving dynamics (it seems) and was not too old yet not too new. Also, (please, don’t ban me) I’ve always wanted to do Chevy Small Block engine swap in an E39.

But nowadays, the more I see the E60, the prettier I find it. I liked it since it was new, but I’ve changed my goals of owning an LS swapped E39 at some point with owning a 550i at some point.
If I have some extra money I’ll have both tho


Or just buy an E34 M5. Because of course.

While I respect your opinion, I disagree with your assessment.

The E39 has a purity about it, with very little fussy adornments. The E60's front lights and disproportionate small grille looks odd to me now. I do love the E60's profile and rear. And the E60 has great proportions, but then again, all 5ers throughout its lineage have had fantastic proportions.

And I think it's safe to assume we are just talking about the exterior, but regarding the interior, I much prefer the luxurious yet all-business feel of the E39 over the cold sterility of the E60.

 

[sanpt7777]

While I respect your opinion, I disagree with your assessment.

The E39 has a purity about it, with very little fussy adornments. The E60's front lights and disproportionate small grille looks odd to me now. I do love the E60's profile and rear. And the E60 has great proportions, but then again, all 5ers throughout its lineage have had fantastic proportions.

And I think it's safe to assume we are just talking about the exterior, but regarding the interior, I much prefer the luxurious yet all-business feel of the E39 over the cold sterility of the E60.

Interior wise, couldn’t agree more. The 5 Series has always been pretty, indeed. Same as the 3 IMO.

 

[Serpens]

I love the design of the E60 as well.

 

[LaArtist]

Shit i was expecting some freaky confession what's this bs.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

... but then again, all 5ers throughout its lineage have had fantastic proportions.

Debatable, I reckon.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

^ Not debatable at all, Jimmy. That's still my favourite 5er. Preferably in darkblue and darkblue interior.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

Debatable, I reckon.

It's funny as I was considering having the E21 and even less so, the E28, be the exception, but partly out of laziness and partly out of nostalgia I opted not to. I still like them, but the front overhangs are more noticieable than the E34 and onwards.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

^ Not debatable at all, Jimmy. That's still my favourite 5er. Preferably in darkblue and darkblue interior.

I was absolutely crazy about BMW 02s' back in the day. But the exterior design of the larger original E12 5 series could never manage to captivate me. Its' interior was great though.

My favorite executive 4 door sedans of the time:

...and...

 

[Mick Briesgau]

I was absolutely crazy about BMW 02s' back in the day. But the exterior design of the larger original E12 5 series could never manage to captivate me. Its' interior was great though.

My favorite executive 4 door sedans of the time:

...and...

Both lovely. I was a fan of the Alfetta as well. The Alfetta was quite common in the Netherlands in those days. The Commodore, which I especially like as a Coupe, much less.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

Both lovely. I was a fan of the Alfetta as well. The Alfetta was quite common in the Netherlands in those days. The Commodore, which I especially like as a Coupe, much less.

The Commodore B GS & GS/E coupes were beautiful automobiles.

 

[sanpt7777]

Shit i was expecting some freaky confession what's this bs.

It’s called clickbait, and it worked

 

[sanpt7777]

I really love sedans from the ‘90s and early ‘00s. The E34, E36, Alfa 155 and 156, Volvo 900, S60, etc. They had something intangible. I think @hoffmeister_fan said it right. The cars look like business. Not too sporty, understated.

I hate it that sometimes the internet leads us to believe that some cars are bad or ugly, the E60 for example. The F30 was hated too and the E36 lives under the shadow of the E30, which I personally don’t like much.

It’s not that I don’t like the E39, I love it. It’s that for me to like the E60 more means a lot. The E39 sets a high standard.

A nice E34 in black is hard to beat though. The E36 is pretty much perfect too.