I don't have an E39 M5, but I share similar thoughts regarding BMW. My family had a E46 325 vert before the M3, and it was a nice car. Relatively fun to drive, well built etc. However, that underlying feeling of passion for the car was not there, and for me, it only really is there for the E39 M5, E46 M3, E9x M3, and E60 M5. I love BMW as a brand, and they make many models that I like, but that special feeling one gets for a certain car is only present for certain BMW models in my case.

Interesting thread...looking forward to hearing other people's thoughts.




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Before my M5 i had a 528i with m-tech body. My dad onwed many bmw before me so that was the only way to go. I have owned a 83 320i since I was 16(was my fathers) and since then been hooked. I've been hooked since I've been 3 years old.. I'm 32

 

BMWs

Have had a slough of them, fantastic engineering, driving soul, and obvious evolution through the years...Sold by the worst pack of crooks ever to peddle metal...Would never buy a new one, try to avoid the dealer whenever possible...

M versions are even worse...even the most pedestrian parts are stupid expensive...

Best one i ever had was the 73 tii...

 

My name's Drew, and I'm a BMW addict.

I have loved BMW's since I was about 15. I had my heart set on an E36 M3 for my first car, but ended up with a 325is. I loved that thing and drove it like an idiot teenager. At some point maybe a year or two after I got the E36, I found a love for the E39. My buddy got a 540i at age 16 (in 2004), almost brand new. But I held back my jealousy.

I took a BMW break and had a lifted Z71 tahoe through college, but have made my way back with my M5. To address the original question, the E39 M5 certainly does hold a very special place in my heart. I would go as far as to say my dream car. lovelove But my love began with the BMW brand and I am very loyal to that. I plan to keep my beast forever, but I also plan on getting plenty of future ///M cars.

Unlike you Diny, I have BMW memorabilia all over the place, hats, shirts, shot glasses, cups, many old catalogs and brochures, etc.. It's been a sort of infatuation for the longest time. So yes, I am more of a BMW brand person, but in that passion there is a true love of the E39 M5 that I doubt any future ///M car will be able to replace. Though I can't say I would be upset if one did... I can only hope.

 

The M5 is my second BMW and I would have to say based on this car I love BMW's. The first was a 1993 525i and that car had introduced me into the BMW brand and I would say I love it. If I had it my way I would only buy BMW's from this point on but being married comes with many compromise. There are only a few other cars I would buy for myself from this point on. Based on looks I would say the new E63 AMG or the Audi S5 but based on performance I would buy an E60 M5, 550i or an 760il those are the only car I would buy anything else would be because I'm married......

 

I have loved BMWs since my very first one--a brand new 1983 320i. That car rocked my world in terms of fit, finish, and fun-to-drive factor. I detoured into an Audi Quattro and a Volvo, but ultimately returned to a four door three series that I drove until it died. I then went to an E34 525i, black with a beige leather interior, that was an incredible car, but I always knew I would ultimately have an M5. When the E39 M5 came out, it seemed to me to be the best production car BMW ever made, at least, by my decidedly American perspective. That is, it seemed like a V8 hotrod wrapped inside a near race car with all the accoutrements one could want for the street.

So I guess the answer to your question, Cristian, is both: I have BMW loyalty, and I have a special loyalty to the E39 M5.

--Peter

 

I have loved BMWs since my very first one--a brand new 1983 320i. That car rocked my world in terms of fit, finish, and fun-to-drive factor.

Hey, I didn't know you used to have an E21! Back in the mid-80's when I didn't want my E3 Bavaria to see daily duty (track/autocross garage queen), I bought a CCA club members track built E21 77 320i as my daily driver. Fun car with ~160hp, so it used to surprise a lot of folks who expected didn't expect the dog to bite.

On thread subject, I don't specifically have pure BMW brand loyalty as I've owned and do own others (the S4 is a really sweet car btw, and the 850R wagon I have we've owned since it was new and still have 14 years later), but in 1971 when my father was looking to transition from Vettes he had in the 60's and a '68 Firebird 350HO, he took me along to this "BMW" dealer to see this thing called a "Bavaria". I wanted him to get a hemi 'cuda or similar, but after seeing the BMW, reading about its engineering, seeing what an incredible all-around car the E3 sedan was, I became enamored at a young age where I learned about precision (as opposed to brute force) engineering coupled with efficiency. I wrote a post about the early days here a number of years back (I see it says 32 years ago, guess it is now 38-39 years ago now).

Peter, just noticed in this picture of my E21's interior one can see my wife's 1985 E28 535i (5spd manual, LSD ) in the background. Yeah, we had three BMWs back then 25 years ago too.

Chuck

 

FLAME SUIT ON

I have ZERO brand loyalty.
I just don't understand the BMW "Lifestyle Boutique".

I judge a particular car on its own merits, and history.
In the case of the e39 M5 - it seems universally accepted as one of THE BEST mid to large size 4 door drivers cars out there.
I have only one parking space available - and I need a car to do everything better than "good enough".
If I had room and funds for 3 or 4 different cars - I'd have them. Life is about compromises.
I am not in awe of BMW engineering, or accomplishments.
What I am impressed with is BMW's continued status at the top of cars in each class from their smallest to largest when it comes down to driver involvement.
I believe every major automotive manufacture has some kind of HALO car they made over the years that can be appreciated.

I just feel privileged to be at a place in history where I can enjoy something as good as the e39 M5 is.
It may not be the fastest, or best handling anymore. But it ticks a lot of boxes that I value.

There are just too many cars out there that are great drives in their own right to stick with a single brand's catalog offering.

I tend not to listen to non car people about how good or bad their cars are - because really - testimonials are not statistically relevant.

I have heard more than a few people say that they will NEVER get another BMW again based on their ownership experience of one particular model year. This makes ZERO sense to me.

Despite all these people that drove BMW loaners more than their purchased vehicle - it didn't stop me buying a 7 year old car without warranty!

If non car people ask me about the car I drive - I just say an older 4 door grocery getter.

As good as the S62 engine is - a 4.94L NA engine with specific output 80hp/L isn't particularly an amazing engineering feat.
Honda introduced the S2000 with almost 120HP/L for the 2000 model year.

Only now are major manufacturers exceeding this number - Ferrari 458 for instance with a 4.5L putting out 560 bhp.

 

A little bit of both for me

I'm mainly car-specific, but found myself liking so many of BMW's models over the years that the brand itself has become a favorite, kind of like the first place I go, mentally. It's a feel thing I guess. As a kid I always loved the look of 2002s, then the black grilled, quad-headlight models of the '80s and '90s. I loved the spare, yet attractive design and then, as an adult, I drove an E30 M3 and it just felt right. Then came the E36 M3 and damn, that felt right too! Then the E46 and E39 I loved outright, throughout both ranges, with the E39 M5 sitting at the pinnacle of those wonderful builds. The recent models I haven't warmed to as a whole, yet still I find something to love among their models, in my case the 135i and the M3. The M3 is brilliant, the closest thing to the E39 M5 in their current lineup, IMO. Whatever M3 fans may think of its evolution, it's a great car.

But, I'm no automotive connoisseur, nor am I a loyalist. I never know what cars I'm going to take a shine to. I still LOVE my '93 RX-7 with a passion. It's still my favorite country road car, swift and light, but it's a poor daily driver.

When I first got my M5, the M5 was for me kind of like all the carefully wrought goodness of the E39 taken to a fever pitch, and I marveled at how well it handled everyday chore driving. Even now, after 10 years of familiarity have removed the immediacy of its brilliance and new uber sedans have maybe surpassed its measurements, it still feels awesome to me, I still look forward to getting in it, firing it up and rumbling down a country lane. I still love looking at it, waxing it, sitting in it and caring for it. It is, for me, a personal classic.

Cars like these, I feel, don't come around often in one's personal history, so when you find one, find a way to afford it and savor it.

 

Ah Christian....you inquisitive young grasshopper...lol
My loyalty is not to the brand but to the car..you already know what is headed to my garage come the spring....in fact with the exception of one dealership(which at the time was owned/run by true enthusiasts).they have been mediocre at best and..if it were strictly for the brand I would have stopped buying them.
I became hooked on the M brand w/my first M3 an 89E30....regret the day I ever sold it....but my E39M5 was by far the best car I have ever owned and that includes the E30M3....the M5 gave me the best of both worlds....the practicality of a daily driver coupled w/the balz to the walls performance of a sports car.
S

 

I would also say a little bit of both. I remember the first time I say an E36 M3. I had no idea what it was, until I caught up with it and saw the roundel and the M3. Shortly after, my car got in an accident and it was time for a replacement. I did a lot of research on cars, checked out tons of forums and learned about all kinds of things from mazda 6's to the new 650i. The more I researched the more I appreciated BMW, and in particular, BMW M cars. The heritage is all there, and when I first drove my last car - an E36, I fell in love! I loved that car to ***** but it was horribly unreliable. After I sold it I was looking at another E36 M3, and was going to do some custom work to it, when I decided maybe just spending the money I wouod spend on upgrades to buy a nicer initial car would be a better idea. Honestly, I bought the first M5 I looked at! Normally thats not like me, I would test drive others - but it was so pristine, at just the right price, and so much fun to drive! Now that I own a Beast I definitely feel more car loyalty than I did with the E36 - the E39 is just a better all around car. I cant imagine selling this thing, someday it will have an E36 stablemate but most likely not an M, perhaps a 325 or something of that nature.

But I do love other cars as well. Some of the stuff Audi is doing is fantastic, the new ferrari italia is sex on wheels, and just about every auto manufacturer out there has at least one car I like nowadays. But when it comes to me owning a car, I dont know if I would jump off the BMW bandwagon. I love the blend of luxury and speed, with the right amenities and great road feel... some of that is getting lost in their newer cars and my appreciation for BMW is definitely fading with some of this new stuff, but I think this brand new generation of cars brings back a glimmer of hope that BMW will once again produce an entire lineup of cars I would love to own :byebye:

 

My family has had BMW's since I was very little. My dad had an E32 750 iL with the V12 until I was probably 10-12 years old. Sold that and got a new E39 540i 6 speed, pre facelift. I remember driving it around in my back yard learning stick shift when I was like 12 or 13 years old! I loved that car, but I was super excited when he traded that in on a new '01 M5. It was Titanium Silver with Imola red interior (Identical color combo/year to the one I have now!) I was completely in love with that car, and it never wore off! When the E60 M5 came out, my dad upgraded to that, which he stills owns. I like the E60, but the E39 really held that special place in my heart. I missed the E39 M5 greatly, and when I picked mine up August of '08 I was so excited. It felt so familiar, but rather than drooling over my dad's car, it was mine this time!

I really like a lot of BMW's. Especially some of the old classic M's, 2002 turbos, 3.0 CS and the likes. The new ones are very nice too, but none of them are really as special to me as the E39 M5. I am in absolute love with it, and I want to keep it forever.

If looking for another car, however, I would absolutely not limit my options to just BMW's. I'm an all around car guy, and I love anything with some soul in it. I really have no attachment to brands. I look for cars that are exceptionally fun to drive and put a smile on my face every time I get behind the wheel. It just happens that BMW focuses one the driver involvement more than a lot of other car companies.

 

Back in 1998 my cousins neighbor had a brand new M3. He gave me a ride and I was HOOKED (I was into Hondas then) But I thought I would never be able to afford one (his was 42 grand and I was 18 years old) But then I found myself at age 23(around 2003) these cars value had fallen dramaticaly and I found a decent one for $8900. Someone had solen the sideskirts,leather had a rip, healiner was coming down a little. So I bought it and restored it to very nice condition) I was absolutely in love with it. The only thing I didnt like is that it was a coupe. I loved the way it was put together. I would not change a thing on it. It's perfect in stock form. The M5 feels alot like that to me, a bone stock M car is the best version of that car you can ever own.

So I put it up for sale and ended up getting 9k for it. Then I was looking at e36 M3 sedans and I saw an M5 for sale for $9800, the only problem is that it had over 200k miles. I thought to myself "it's gonna be beat to hell and back" but fug it, gonna go take a look nohing to lose. And I was amazed how clean it was. It just had a few issues that needed fixing so I bought it and probaly keep it until I wreck it or if it ever get stolen. Gonna hang onto this car for a loooong time.

 

My experience is similar to yours Diny, where the E39 M5 was introduced to me as my first BMW vehicle owned. Shortly thereafter, I purchased an E36 M3. I believe my loyalty does go towards the BMW brand, as Audi, MBenz, etc does not tickle my fancy as a BMW ///M does. To be honest, I am quite loyal to the BMW ///M brand. I really like the E30 M3, as well as the E46 M3 and E92 M3 sedan. I do not sport any BMW gear nor do I root for any racing affiliations. I just enjoy what BMW included in these ///M models. I have zero complaints with either my E36 M3 or my E39 M5. I love how they look pretty much like any other BMW out there, except with a few minor exterior additions. I also love how you don't need to add anything fancy on the exterior to make them look good. Heck, they look just as good in stock form than they do modified. Both my M's are actually quite complimentary of each other, and they both put a smile on my face every time I look or take them for a drive. I <3 ///M

 

I am going to say I love the M cars from BMW, since my first was on E39 M5. My older brother had older 5 series and i thought they were cool, but I def. was set on an M car whether it be an E46 M or E39 M. Sadly my car is gone now but I am very much interested in the M6. I would say half & half for me.

 

I like a lot of the BMW products over the years. My first one was a 72 2002 and that was a lot of fun to drive back then. Got rid of it and had "2002 Remorse" which I see here on occasion as "E39 M5 Remorse". So I ended up going thru two more over the years and a 530. When E39 style came along, I really liked it. Shopped 530 and 540 versions but when I drove M5 - that's what I wanted. If money and space were not an obstacle, I would have 73 Tii, 76 3.0 csi, e46 M3, e39 M5 and X5 with 6 speed along with a Ford pickup. After a year and a half of M5 ownership, it still puts a smile on my face.

 

I will develop an M loyalty. After the M5 I don't think I'd ever own a non-M BMW. My sister owns an E46 M3, I'll probably get an E36 M3 for a daily driver, and when the day comes for my wife and I to trade in our Sequoia, I'd like to explore getting an X5M. Hoop dreams!

 

My love is for the car. I love the way it drives and the power is great as well. We also own an X-5 and just sold our 325 but I don't go around bragging about the cars. I personally buy cars for a specific purpose and if a car fits the bill, it's the one we buy. I will not buy a car from BMW just because it's a BMW. My perception after the sale is, the service department will attempt to fleece you whenever they can (I suppose that's their job). The only way you get help is if you either know someone at the dealer or in the service department. That being said, I enjoy the knowledge and insight many owners have and are willing to share with others. This is part of what makes owning a BMW fun (in addition to driving our M's).

 

I guess I do not know the answer ..<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
I definitely have a weak side for the brand or the M badge . Currently own 2 bimmers (1.16ia and M5) however still look ahead to own more (an E30 M3 if I can find a proper example in my country).<o></o>
On the other hand I can't sell the car just because I love her so much. I have prepared all the financial necessities for an E60 M5 but can't see myself w/o the beast <o></o>

 

My e39 M was the first BMW I've owned. I have always liked BMW. When I was a little kid my Uncle had a BMW (not even sure what it was, I'll have to ask him). I always thought it was much cooler than any of my Grandpas mercedes.

Finally when I could afford my own, I was looking for family sedans and looked at audis, mercs, lexus and decided I couldn't beat the performance value of an e39 M5 in 07. I still like and respect all sorts of cars, but I did try to get my wife to like the X5, which just didn't work. I've looked at countless 3,7, and 5 series to be my winter car, but nothing has fit the bill.

So, I have extreme like an loyalty to the e39 M5. Not sure if I'd ever replace it with a 'better' BMW, but I would like to ad more BMW's to the stable, but only if they seem to be up and above the similar offering from The M, P, or A club. I will admidt bias towards the BMW.

 

definitely have a loyalty only to E39 M5. I've wanted one since it was first announced. Drooled over it when I saw it on the road. Thought about how great it would be to own one laying down to sleep with my hand down my pants (jk). I've driven other BMW's and liked them, but nothing else quite satisfies the look, feel, and power the M5 has to offer... I might get myself an F10 in another 8 years :dunno:

I don't really have brand loyalty. If the car is good I'll drive it. but again the E39 M5 did something that I feel no other car really has in the history of automobile industry up until that time -- a car that pulls like muscle, handles like a sports car, but has comfortable luxury you can take your whole family. Cars now meets and exceeds those requirements but seem to me to lack the soul the M5 has.

 

I've tried a lot of brands and models and always found something about them I didn't like enough that made me want to sell after 12-18 months. I tried a Porsche Boxster in 2003 and finally started feeling connected with a car, but something was a little off. Went to a BMW E46 330i ZHP in 2005 and never looked back. The M5 is my third BMW and nothing drives quite like them, they just *feel* like a well engineered car when you're behind the wheel. I was torn between a 2010 Audi S4 and a 2003 M5, but I had an opportunity to drive them back to back and something about the Audi just felt (for lack of a better word) sterile compared to the Beast. My loyalty is still BMW rather than E39 M5, but the more I drive the M - only had it for about 3 months now, the more I think it will be harder to go back to a "standard" Bimmer. Even commuting in my 335i just doesn't thrill me like it used to.

 

E39 loyal here. While all BMW's drive awesome, I agree with what was said above - BMW lifestyle boutique is just dumb. If BMW becomes my lifestyle then I have no life.
There will definitely be another brand next to M5.

 

I like a lot of BMWs but have never been a "fanboy" per se. They just happen to make a lot of cars that I'm interested in. The E39 M5 however was a major favorite of mine since it came out when I was 15. Having only owned my Integra since I started driving, I was giddy when last year's economic downturn brought E39 M5s into my "not THAT stupid of a decision" range. Even though I only drive it 1-2x/wk usually, I think of it every day and get this giddy feeling inside.

 

E39 M5 loyalty only

Really was not looking for BMW,

tried GTO, 300M, Magnum SRT, E55 AMG, Jag XJR

Then took a ride in the M5.......

No looking back

ssomed

 

Really was not looking for BMW,

tried GTO, 300M, Magnum SRT, E55 AMG, Jag XJR

Then took a ride in the M5.......

No looking back

ssomed

That's the thing, I was just looking for a fun 2nd car and wasn't even looking for a sedan (I had driven a Boxster S earlier that day). I tend to be disappointed by test drives but it was the complete opposite after my first drive in an M5. Knew I had to get one immediately.

 

A little of both for me

Some BMW runs in my blood... I had an '82 320i (5-speed manual) through the early 90's and also picked up an '84 533i (auto) which I had through the late 90's, both were fantastic cars to drive... loved the road feel, handling, and the "connectedness" with the total driving experience. Found it funny that friends would say the steering was "too sensitive."

Took about 10 years off of owning a BMW...

Now I have an '03 M5 and I have that "connectedness" with the road once again. I missed it more than I knew, and what an amazing car the E39 is to "get out and drive!" It isn't so much about the brand... it is the machine behind the brand. These are amazingly fun cars to drive

-crds

PS: I have to say my wife got me a ///M polo and my kids an ///M leather wallet as gifts within the past year. I wear the polo once every few weeks, and have the wallet with me all the time. I love the fact that almost nobody knows what the logo is. Those who appear to recognize the logo seem to just smile knowingly. I have only had a few (less than 5) people in nearly a year say actually anything about either, and one of them is another E39 M5 owner! Small world, sometimes.