[TW]Fox said:
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
Much better rear leg room, the car seems wider on the inside,and has a generally more spacious interior.
I prefer the ride, its much firmer, and imo, more stable than the 5.
Its a bigger version of the, excellent, e39 from my point of view, but also in my point of view, its better for it.
Certainly, its width is an issue on country roads, but, more because of my reluctance to kerb the wheels (and get another sodding puncture!) I drive the e39 in the same manner but it feels much narrower from behind the wheel, a feel that has proved a bit deceptive from time to time, also.
I certainly prefer the looks of the e38, then again, mines black with nice 18's and de chromed, quite the opposite of my old mans e39. Some e39's look very good indeed, but, to my eyes, a lot almost look bland.
Many other aspects of the interior are difficult to compare, as there near identical. Switchgear, door handles , even the general interior styling is mirrored.
One difference,The e39 has a handbrake, my e38, a foot operated "handbrake" with a release to the right of the wheel, not much use for a handbrake turn I'd hazzard, but my days of that are long past. The e38 gains here with more places for me to dump my map / phone/ Ciggy tin or whatever again, adding to the feel of space inside.
The 528i Steptronic compared to my 728i Steptronic is almost identical in normal everyday driving, performance wise, fuel consumption will fall through the floor if you drive it like an idiot as it will on my e38, the e38 seems quieter inside with not much engine noise, just that wonderful straight six "hum" the e39 is louder, that said, its done about 80k more than my e38 and its on its second exhaust system, my e38 is still on its first ,with the exception of the cats, which were changed 12 months ago.
I found the 740i and 750i to be much quieter than either my e38 or the e39,but they were double glazed, having driven 8 e38's ,iirc, before I bought my car.
My daughter can read ,at night, using the rear map reading lights, set in the rear pillar, this in no way distracts me whilst I'm driving, whilst the same thing in the e39 is very distracting to me, possibly due to the more curved interior? I don't know, but, the issue is the interior is illuminated to the point I'm distracted when I've been in such a situation.
Quite admittedly, this is a silly point, but, not when your on a long journey in the dark, or stuck in a jam in the dark and your daughter wants to read, or, have "ABBA" playing on the CD!
Again, I have a daughter to transport about, also, my girlfriend has a 5 year old, lots of space in the rear to keep them apart is very beneficial! - I hired a Seat Ibiza in Spain last week, 4 of us in that was hell on earth!
The Glove box is bigger!
Other than that, imo, theres very little between them.
Ultimately, there both extremely able & competent cars, I think few would dis agree, nit picking would be the best way to compare the two.
Both are excellent and warrant consideration, but,whilst I appreciate your obsession, it still defeats me why somebody such as yourself would want BMW's superb 6cylnder engines in something as big as a 5 series in the first place!
If I were you, I assume you have no ties nor kids by the way, I'd have a 328i of either e36 or e46 type and enjoy that. Going for a middle age car in your youth is simply wrong! I'd love an e46 328i / 330D but only considered the e38 or e39 due to my requirements of space for the Mrs / Girlfriend + sprogs.
Back when I was young free & single, I owned an XR3i iirc, really wanted, but never owned an e30 325i , my old man had either a Scorpio or an e34 530i and I cringed at the thought of such an "old mans car"
I'd Enjoy your money first, on gaining the requirement for an old mans car if I were you.
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