unespekta

Member Steve wanted to know how the E34 and E39 compare, I thought I share my thoughts on these two cars.

"I have never had the privilege of owning an E34, although I have admired them from afar - how do you compare the two cars?"

Nice to meet you Steve. First of all, I've owned the E34 for two years now and the E39 for only six months. Also, the e34 has never been a daily driver, and the E39 goes out on nice days only.

The E39 is all about refined power & luxury. Compared to the E34, the E39 is powerful at all RPM's b/c of its torque at the low-end. You see, the E34 is kind of the like the E60, it really picks up at 4000 RPM and beyond. As a result, you really have to drive the car to get max power, but the E39 is just nuts everywhere! The E39 in first gear is useless at times b/c before you know it, you have reached the red line. In the E34, you can actually look at the RPMs go up. So, performance is awesome in the E39 and easy to exploit. The E34 takes a downshift or two to feel that snap back. The E34 also shares the "After 100 mph warp speed" talent, but at a smaller degree.

Luxury, the E39 is king of course. After a decade of technology, this car has everything. However, the E34 has more than most people think in the luxury department. Most people find the heated seats in a 91' car hard to believe and seats to be very stable and "pure" looking. Seats in the E39 are of course more comfortable and let’s not forget that M smell that takes up my garage and some parts of the house!

Style Factor, my E34 with the throwing stars rims, exhaust, spoiler, and a drop stands out more than the E39. It’s not everyday where you see an E34 M5 in Cincinnati. Most people are just confused and then there are the Diehards who just drool over it, the E34 that is. The e39 is more stealth and refined, more of an executive's car.

Drive, the E34 has the rawer sports car feel. In the E34, I'm ok with the no traction control option; however, I'm scared to ***** of turning the DSC off in the E39. Another advantage of the E39 is that you don't have to downshift to get ahead of anyone on the highway. 6th gear around 3,000 RPM, not a problem, just tap the throttle and you’re off. In the E34: "Damn, I have to downshift to 4th gear!"

Conclusion: I haven't warmed up to the E60 M5 just yet. After riding in the new M6, I'm already counting my pennies however! I will never sell the E34 unless a lower mileage pops up at the right price, maybe a 3.8 L would be nice too! I will sell my E39 when it hits 50,000 miles and pick up my dream color, LM Blue. Both cars are just awesome.

I'm on vacation, sorry for the long response

Thanks

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E39 M5
E34 M5
LX470

vadas1

Hi unespekta

Thanks for your thoughts on the E39 E34 comparison. Can I ask one thing? How do the two compare for reliability?

My 3.8 has really never missed a beat ( knock on wood ). Even when the master/slave cylinders on the clutch were on the way out they gave me enough warning to get to the garage.

I have heard that the E39 can be a bit of a nightmare about clutches. True? Or is that just bad driving?

Also I heard that the electronics can have their minutes.

Anything you can add would be greatly appreciated.



ralph (vadas1)

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* If it ain't broke fix it till it is *

welsh_willo

MMMM

had two of these and did 150k miles on both of them
(and e28s as well ... )
they were just excellent
and at the time the e39 option was the new 540
or the Lotus Carlton ...

BMW strenously denied that they were doing another M5

ha ..

I still think of them as really great cars which I just loved to bits
they were fun ... the e39 M5 differenet league and its a much heavier car : but its really fragile ... clutch x 3 / gbox / sensors galore

the e34's were hand built and it was really evident in the way they stayed together .. never had a problem other than those bits which just wear out
can't see the e39 being up to that ... how 150k milers have we got ?
not challenging at all : e39 is much more so .....

in terms of fun and games up there especially with schrick cams and other niceties ... 380 bhp no problem

Most important they were true M cars and that is the most important thing for me : that's the bit about it I always get hooked on .. the emotive issue is that e34 M5's were true M's
a stock 540i sport at the time was not edgey or anything like a TRUE M

so for me the e39 540 was a cruiser with grunt
so I bought the e34 M5 3.8s as a result
BTW Euro e34s also pushed out more power that the the US versions
BMW then agreed and thats when we were given the e39 M5
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Welsh _ Willo

unespekta

Thanks for your thoughts on the E39 E34 comparison. Can I ask one thing? How do the two compare for reliability?


I agree with all your opinions. Firstly, I like the heavy clutch feel of the e34 better than the e39.

Reliablility: I believe unless you get a lemon, if you maintain M's, they will last. The E34 being handbuilt can have its pros however the E39 was built 10 years later which can be a good thing or bad thing.

Respect to both cars and I'm fortunate to own two of the best sport sedans in the world.

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E39 M5
E34 M5
LX470

welsh_willo

e34 without a doubt

mind it is / was a much simpler car
but that was its charm, nothing else else like it at the time

it also did not wreck the transmission
120kgs lighter than the e39
just the brakes ... they were awful

e39 is just too computerised and controlled by gizmo's
its a luxury whoosh wagon with attitude
it only gets edgey when you tweak it then its totally M
interesting that the new z4m is "rough and raw" as to being a real M car

I must admit i'm more tempted by that than having an e60 M5

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Welsh _ Willo

unespekta

The Z4M should be a monster, but I'm 6'4 so that probably wouldn't be a good fit. Oh well, I guess I need a M6! Maybe in 10 years!

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E39 M5
E34 M5
LX470