E39 M5 vs 135i

[Qube]

I had the 'privilege' of driving her 135i coupe to get washed today (ALONE!), and what can I say that I haven't said before? "Ear to ear grinning" all the way. If this was my car, I'd get in a lot of trouble. That being said, my goal car is to trade in the 540 for an e39 M5.

Has someone driven BOTH for a SIGNIFICANT period of time? The 135 has just SO much torque down low in all the gears that it's ridiculous how fast the stock runflats will wear (for me ). Does the M5 give the same grunt 'down there', or just growl when you open her up in the upper RPMs?

[moff]

The E39 M5 is a monster - not that heavy (compared to the newer models either) and fairly comparable in weight to the 135i scarily.

That V8 with 400bhp is a fantastic engine, and many rate the E39 M5 as the best ever M5.

Not personally driven one so hard to comment, but quite a few folks on an S2000 forum that I frequent have them and rate them highly.

Expensive to run though, but so are all M cars.

[2000C4]

Originally Posted by Qube

I had the 'privilege' of driving her 135i coupe to get washed today (ALONE!), and what can I say that I haven't said before? "Ear to ear grinning" all the way. If this was my car, I'd get in a lot of trouble. That being said, my goal car is to trade in the 540 for an e39 M5.

Has someone driven BOTH for a SIGNIFICANT period of time? The 135 has just SO much torque down low in all the gears that it's ridiculous how fast the stock runflats will wear (for me ). Does the M5 give the same grunt 'down there', or just growl when you open her up in the upper RPMs?

I owned a 2000 bmw m5 in 2003. I put about 10k miles on the car before selling it. The m5 is an awesome car but its nothing like a 1series. The two cars are completely different. The m5 feels like a rocket ship but its a big car and although its very nimble it still feels like a big car. My old roomate had S3 m5 w/suspension mods. Def handled better then stock and quite possibly better then a one. If I was wealthy enough to afford multiple cars I would buy an m5 for my daily commute and something even sportier then a 1 series for the weekends. The e39 m5 is an awesome car but it really cant be compared to a 1series.... Two very different cars.

[Qube]

I hear ya. I love the way the 540 right now growls with the exhaust and intake upgraded. It may not feel fast but it sounds like it... and not a crappy 4 banger exhaust whine

I just want to know if it has the same amount of response in the first ... oh... 1/100ths of pedal travel. It feel like if you push down more than 1/4 pedal, it will light the rear end on fire with VERY LITTLE if any delay. Will the e39 M5 give a comparable response? The 540 needs about 1/6th travel then it roars to life. Maybe I just need to adjust the pedal ha!

[adc]

Originally Posted by moff

The E39 M5 is a monster - not that heavy (compared to the newer models either) and fairly comparable in weight to the 135i scarily.

E39 M5 weighed over 4000 lbs - almost 700 lbs more than a 135. I would not call the two comparable, weight-wise. And over 4000 lbs is still heavy.

M5 is very nice, and although not as finicky maintenance-wise as the new one, it's still considerably more expensive to maintain than the 1. An oil change is easily 2-3 times more expensive, let alone the fancy M parts...

[Qube]

Ok nobody has managed to really answer the question I'll have to go test drive the CPO at the dealer. Heh.

[OrientBlauZHP]

The only comparison I can make for you is that my 540 is really close to an M5 in power and torque (although I think I have more torque than a M5). Also I believe my gearing to be different, so take this for what it is.....if I had to choose between a 135 or my car again I would get the 135. I love my 540, it's roomy, quite, unique, but doesn't have that insane speed that the 135 has; it's fast - especially on the top end, but not like the 135.

Just my .02

[scottn2retro]

It's a funny coincidence to see this thread.

My driver, when talking about the 135i in stock form, used an e39 M5 as the car to compare it to (as far as similarities).

[Qube]

...and.... what did he have to say?

Originally Posted by scottn2retro

It's a funny coincidence to see this thread.

My driver, when talking about the 135i in stock form, used an e39 M5 as the car to compare it to (as far as similarities).

[Thud]

The hp/weight ratio is about equal on both cars, if you go by the actual 330-ish horsepower the 135i has, but then again the M5 might have been underrated as well.

[scottn2retro]

Originally Posted by Qube

...and.... what did he have to say?

Just that the 135i in stock form drove a lot like an e39 M5 (good power, good brakes, similar understeer, etc.)

[atr_hugo]

The one thing the 135i has over the E39 M5 is the quality of the electronic nannies. The E39 TC was BRUTAL - 'No fun for you!!!' - no wheelspin allowed at all.

[Topsupra]

I had a 2001 E39 M5 for 4 years and I loved the car, it dose have awesome low end torque and drives great considering how heavy the car is. It dose light up the tires if you step on it in 1st gear. I would say one of the best cars I have ever owned and I have been through my fair share of cars. Only down side was that the factory clutch is weak and expensive to change, and as much as I loved the car there is no way I would consider it with out the factory BMW warranty. My brother had the 540 which is a great car, but the M5 is much better on performance side.

Then I replaced my E39 M5 with the new E60 M5 and I wasnt sure how BMW would be able to improve any more then what the E39 M5 offered. All I can say is BMW found a way and the E60 M5 is awesome and built like a tank. Not to take anything away from the E39 M5 which is still a great car in my opinion.

Then about 2 years ago the BMW 335 came out and I got that. In comparing the E39 M5, E60 M5, and the 335 although I know they are very different. I can assure you that on day to day driving the 335 is much more fun to drive. There is only one car I can think of that would be better to drive and more fun and when I go next month to turn my lease in I plan on getting the 135.

Bottom line the E39 M5 was one of the best cars out in 2001 and in my eyes and opinion it was a pleasure owning it, but when compared to the newer technology of the 2008-2009 models the E39 BMW shows its age.

Jay.S

[Qube]

Wow. Great responses fellows. Thanks for taking the time to share.

Although the 2004+ M5 may be better technologically speaking, the E39 is still king to me. If I had it my way, I'd get an E34 M5 for a more raw feeling... (wife doesn't like it, had to sell the E34). Plus, the E39 is so affordable so putting more $$ in maintenance or making it your own is fine. A good condition M5 can be had for 26k CDN. What a steal!

I do agree though, the E39 seems dated. The Z4/M Coupe I want also seems the same. I want comfort access, dammit!

Ok, I'll saunter on then... searching for the perfect Alpine White E39 M5...

[F0Bman]

m5 all the way man!