[Law]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Still one of my all-time favorite BMW chassis, the E39, and I'm sure many here share the same opinion.

Timeless design, perfect proportions, gorgeous interior fit & finish and materials.

See the previous generation features:
3rd generation (E34) - http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1339940
2nd generation (E28) - http://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1338902
1st generation (E12) - http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1338348

The 4th generation BMW 5 Series is a real model of success. Optically it differs completely from its predecessor. In the development of the 4th generation aerodynamics and lightweight construction played a major role. BMW insiders give you a glance behind the scenes of development and marketing.

[Law]

While we're on the subject of E39, allow me to take you back to memory lane:

[Germanauto]

One of my fav BMWs of all time, and certainly the best of the 5ers.

I must say though....interior fit and finish? It looked great when it was new, but I can't find an E39 whose interior has held up well after all these years. BMW interiors from that era didn't seem built to last.

[Law]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

One of my fav BMWs of all time, and certainly the best of the 5ers.

I must say though....interior fit and finish? It looked great when it was new, but I can't find an E39 whose interior has held up well after all these years. BMW interiors from that era didn't seem built to last.

Obviously, the first ones are already a couple of decades old & most of these E39s are old, beat-up, or a combination of both.
How they hold up as far as age is certainly a factor of many variables.
But when I say fit and finish, I mean the quality and layout of the cabin and cockpit.
The way the lines of the surfaces flow and wrap around the driver and passengers in a cohesive design and how everything is laid out in a logical, yet elegant manner. Remember, this interior was designed & engineered in the '90s!
Certainly well put together with good materials based on my experiences (except for the flimsy cupholders ).




To put it into perspective, let's see the contemporary competitor, the W210.
Quite the opposite with its hard surfaces & buttons, square & angular shapes, etc.

[Ghetto2315]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

One of my fav BMWs of all time, and certainly the best of the 5ers.

I must say though....interior fit and finish? It looked great when it was new, but I can't find an E39 whose interior has held up well after all these years. BMW interiors from that era didn't seem built to last.

My 2000 E39 540i 6-MT Sport has 101K miles and the interior is almost flawless. Had to replace the rear cup holders but everything else is fantastic!

The brand new 2017 G30 540xi was delivered to my store 2 days ago and I couldn't help but compare it to my E39 540i. Man... just the way the doors sound/feel when they shut on the E39 and how it sounded like a tank door closing compared to the flimsy G30 sound/feel.

[c63er]

I love his thread.

This car is/was one of my favorite all time bmws. Especially in 540i trim and of course the m5.

What a truly epic vehicle and with build quality that exemplified the old "German tank" saying. This car did way more for bmw then it's given credit for.

Except those cup holders. Those were terrible.

[GoodMoodley]

This was my first BMW. On my third one now but this one was a little more special.

Miss this car. Still have the wife though

[c63er]

Originally Posted by GoodMoodley

This was my first BMW. On my third one now but this one was a little more special.

Miss this car. Still have the wife though

The design of that car is still fresh. And that's based on your avg joe non photoshopped image. Says it all.

[Wolf 335]

1998 E39 540i Sport was my first car.

This thing was a beauty. It was one of those cars that can blend into any era without looking out of place.

Was one bad ass ride. When I let it go, few tears came out.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by Ghetto2315

My 2000 E39 540i 6-MT Sport has 101K miles and the interior is almost flawless. Had to replace the rear cup holders but everything else is fantastic!

The brand new 2017 G30 540xi was delivered to my store 2 days ago and I couldn't help but compare it to my E39 540i. Man... just the way the doors sound/feel when they shut on the E39 and how it sounded like a tank door closing compared to the flimsy G30 sound/feel.

I've always loved the E39 540i-6MT.

Incredible build quality. Smooth operator. Sedan or touring both are special.

Nice to know there are some low mileage examples around. !!

[Raheem]

This car was and still is just absolutely sexy. My head does the maddest turn everytime I see one on road. Simple, classy, sporty and elegant all at the same time. Real shame the generation after (E60) looked like a pig. Glad their back on track now with the G30.

[buddalun]

03' E39 540i M-Sport is a car I still miss owning.

BTW, the cupholders were a joke, but I loved the OE BMW Accessory cupholder because it flipped out like a switchblade:

[gds52]

Older BMW commercials were much better than the new ones. The commercials have gone softer just like newer models. No wonder BMW is not the king among competitors now.

[Paul-Bracq-BMW]

Probably the best BMW ever made. If not, the best 5 series, especially the 540i and M5!

[jpnh]

Originally Posted by gds52

Older BMW commercials were much better than the new ones. The commercials have gone softer just like newer models. No wonder BMW is not the king among competitors now.

They really had a lot of great ads in past

I cant recall a good one in recent years

[Takumi587]

Originally Posted by Law

Obviously, the first ones are already a couple of decades old & most of these E39s are old, beat-up, or a combination of both.
How they hold up as far as age is certainly a factor of many variables.
But when I say fit and finish, I mean the quality and layout of the cabin and cockpit.
The way the lines of the surfaces flow and wrap around the driver and passengers in a cohesive design and how everything is laid out in a logical, yet elegant manner. Remember, this interior was designed & engineered in the '90s!
Certainly well put together with good materials based on my experiences (except for the flimsy cupholders ).




To put it into perspective, let's see the contemporary competitor, the W210.
Quite the opposite with its hard surfaces & buttons, square & angular shapes, etc.

We still own our 96 528i & 01 E430 and I will have to say the two cars actually aged quite well. No major engine or tranmission issues after all these years. Both cars over 110K miles. However, we always got it serviced whenever the OBC said so. Unfortunately, the two cars sit outside everyday so the paint and exterior plastic is weathered.

The two interiors you posted has the 5 series refresh i believe early 2000s and the E Class was not.

Those cupholders though are completely useless...

[ethernet]

One of the very best BMW's ever produced (same with the E38). Everything about this car was just right. I wouldn't mind owning an inline 6 with the m-sport package if such a thing exists (not a fan of the leaky V8 and steering configuration in the 540i).

[dba1t]

Had a Canyon Red 528i, which I regret selling ... the E39 is one of best platforms that BMW has ever produced.

[Naz24]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

One of my fav BMWs of all time, and certainly the best of the 5ers.

I must say though....interior fit and finish? It looked great when it was new, but I can't find an E39 whose interior has held up well after all these years. BMW interiors from that era didn't seem built to last.

It all comes down to how it was taken care of. No matter how high quality the interior is, if its not taken care of, it'll get destroyed after 20 years (yes think about it, the e39 is 20 years old now).

My 2004 E53 interior, which shares most elements from the e39, lasted very well, even down to the day i sold it with 130k miles. Granted, the biggest problem were the AC buttons and dead pixels. Easy replacement.

[F30lolz]

I had three e39's from the rev the crap out of it 525i with a stick to the mighty M5. Looking at one on the road now in decent shape is rare.

[3M TAPE]

Originally Posted by GoodMoodley

This was my first BMW. On my third one now but this one was a little more special.

Miss this car. Still have the wife though

Should've kept the car

[sakson]

This car with M-sport package is still one of the best looking cars on the road.