BMW 7 Series
- Thread starter Velocity
- Start date
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
Velocity said:
E39 is the 1996-2003 5 Series. This car was facelifted in late 2000 - the first facelift models are X registration.
Prefacelift, you could have a 150bhp 520i (2.0), a 170bhp 523i (2.5), a 193bhp 528i (2.8), a 245bhp 535i (3.5) or a 286bhp 540i (4.4).
Postfacelift, you could have a 170bhp 520i (2.2), a 192bhp 525i (2.5), a 231bhp 530i (3.0), a 245bhp 535i (3.5) or a 286bhp 540i (4.4).
Diesels were the pre facelift 525TDS, the awesome 530d, and the post facelift 525d.
Sport models were introduced in 1999, adding M5 bodykit and really making the car look ace.
This is a facelifted 528i Sport (528's are all pre facelift, so this one has had the facelift lights added), it is near perfection in saloon form IMHO:
Some more pics of my old 540i for you to drool over Fox.
Huge spec on that car:
Xenons
Comfort seats
Sat-nav
DSP hifi
Auto dimming rear view mirror
Auto dimming exterior mirrors
Electric folding exterior mirrors
Double glazing
Park radar
Auto wipers
Electric glass sunroof
Electric steering column with comfort entry/exit
M-Sport suspension
17" Style 42 alloys
All of that was optional in 1996 when it was new. The invoice was for £60k. I bought it in 1999 for £25k
Huge spec on that car:
Xenons
Comfort seats
Sat-nav
DSP hifi
Auto dimming rear view mirror
Auto dimming exterior mirrors
Electric folding exterior mirrors
Double glazing
Park radar
Auto wipers
Electric glass sunroof
Electric steering column with comfort entry/exit
M-Sport suspension
17" Style 42 alloys
All of that was optional in 1996 when it was new. The invoice was for £60k. I bought it in 1999 for £25k
Rilot said:
I'm not sure thats correct, I understood the e38 was effectively the test bed for the e39,I'm happy to be corrected though....
Drive one then! I've driven the e39 extensively, and yet chose the e38, then again, I like large vehicles, perhaps something to do with my profession?[TW]Fox said:
[TW]Fox said:Cue R124 to tell us all how his 728 handles better than his Dads 528i
As I've said before, his isn't a sport spec, mine is, hence the difference. Put a sport pack e39 against an equivalent e38 and obviously the smaller,lighter e39 will be better!
Dated? I disagree. It certainly has a rarity factor which the e39 has'nt, e39's are as common as Mondeo's, hmm, I see a trend here Mr Fox....[TW]Fox said:
Sorry about the bump guys, but, I've just got back from Spain, where funnily enough I saw approx 20+ e39's (mainly 525tds's for some reason....) and only one e38 ,a 740i, which did'nt look dated at all.....
I'm more than happy with my e38, but, I'd advise anybody considering one to do his homework and be very very careful in what he buys. - Which would be my advice on a car purchase regardless of the marque or model, but especially something as complex as an e38 / e39 BMW.
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R124/LA420 said:As I've said before, his isn't a sport spec, mine is, hence the difference. Put a sport pack e39 against an equivalent e38 and obviously the smaller,lighter e39 will be better!
Pffft there really is no need for rolleyes. I'm not going to categorically state either way becuase Ive not driven an E38 only been a passenger, but I would be VERY, VERY suprised if the simple addition of sport suspension (There was no 'Sport' trim level, at least on the 98 7's) was enough to turn the 7 from below 5 in terms of handling to above.
Dated and rarity are not the same thing - the 7 is unfortunately showing its age - like I said, the side profile for example has more than a hint of E32/E34 about it - this is no shame, I mean, it was a car for which initial design began in the late 80's to its to be expected. I imagine in a few years time, the E39 will go the same way, but it hasn't yet.
As for 5's as common as Mondeo's, I really don't think so. 3 Series perhaps but not 5's. I only see a few a day. I wish they were as common as Mondeos, would make finding the ideal one that little bit easier
A quick comparison shot - I'll use a facelift front example of both (although from Autotrader it seems most sub £11k 7's are prefacelift) to illustrate my point:
My friend had real trouble selling his 7 series.
In the end he sold if for around £3k.
It was an N reg with 99k on the clock but other than the little number on the dash you could never tell.
His car was immaculate, one of our friends owns a valeting company so it was regularly thoroughly cleaned. All of the mechanics worked faultlessly and akaik even the lcd on the dash was problem free!
In the end he sold if for around £3k.
It was an N reg with 99k on the clock but other than the little number on the dash you could never tell.
His car was immaculate, one of our friends owns a valeting company so it was regularly thoroughly cleaned. All of the mechanics worked faultlessly and akaik even the lcd on the dash was problem free!
[TW]Fox said:
You seem to contradict yourself mate sometimes, hence the rolleyes.
You post an opinion without driving an example of the car your assuming is ,obviously by what you write above, a much lesser of a car.
I post my experiences of literally side by side comparison, and, comparison since August last year since when the novelty has well worn off.
My e38 is no wonder car far from it, but, to my eyes, and for my needs it has the e39 beaten hands down, I emphasise MY eyes, MY needs, not yours nor anybody elses.
Anyway, did'nt mean to roll my eyes at you, honest.
R124/LA420 said:
I don't think I've contradicted myself in this thread..
I stated that I'd not driven the 7 for fairness - so you can judge for yourself how valid my opinion is.
As a genuine question, rather than me just being difficult, what is it about your 7 that it does noticeably better than the 5? I know you are going to say 'Motorway driving' but I'd appreciate it if you'd go into a little more detail - when I drove the 5 on the Motorway I found it was exceptional - utterly stable at any speed I chose, perfectly comfortable, and a joy to cruise in. Then turn off the Motorway, and it was great fun
