BEST 5, debate?

probably better answered by folk who have owned a few different 5 series model's?

in your opinion what is the best 5 series to own?

ive got a E39 523i SE which i can only describe as "Thee most car ive owned" but i also like the look of E34 sport's, never owned or driven one. Drove a E28 a few yrs back and i remember it being a very good drive.

but if you had the pick of any 5 series from over the year's  what one come's out ticking all the right boxe's?  as in reliable, dependable, comfort, extra's etc .. not so much in the way of power or speed (in your opinion)

for me i much prefer the look's of the E39 against a E60 but a E34 sport alway's catches my attention.

go on, add your opinion's and let's see where it goe's??

Hmmm Interesting question...

In my opinion...if we are talking about a standard 5 series, with no aftermarket stuff added...

Style wise, you cannot beat an Alpina original or rep E39 5 Series...

For reliability, you cannot beat an E34 525I non Vanos! These cars are amazing and are so simply to repair... If you are willing to take a chance on cost vs economy, then a late E34 525I with Vanos is the way to go (the one I have)...I trust this car with my life and I put way more trust in it than the E30 and E38 that I also have...

If you kind of want something in the middle, then a E34 M540I would be my choice. It has the simpler M60 engine without Vanos, so not to difficult an engine and it looks absolutely beautiful from every angle...

Just my humble opinion ofcourse

BB

I've driven all generations of 5 witha variety of engines, except the e12.  I've also had my e39 for just over 5 years, an unprecedented period of ownership of one car for me, twice as long as anything else I've ever owned and a few other cars have been and gone in that time.  That tells it all really. 

The only thing I would like to add to mine is a bit more power.  Mine is a manual and a 528i or 530i with the same box would keep all the things I like about it, space, comfort, mile munching ability, reasonable economy, dependability, etc.  Sport seats would be nice but it doesn't have to be a Sport (don't mind if it is though!).  Sunroof, as per my current car, would be a plus too.  Don't particularly need a V8 but wouldn't mind trying a manual 540i before discounting it!

I had a run in an e60 530i auto recently and the interior disappointed me.  i-drive may have reduced the clutter on the dashboard but they should then at least have made what was left visually appealing.  My overall impression is of a car that is probably no more than the equal of the e39 dynamically but loses all the charm of the e39 aesthetics, inside and out.  It also strikes me as a car that has aimed to be clever, just for the sake of it.

 I can't decide there all so nice. but loving the e34 530v8 I have even if it a little tatty

some good comment's so far folk's, looking like folk are tore slightly between E34 and E39 model's.

i like the look of the E34 ..(maybe even own one, one day?).. even more since i bought my first E30 over 18 mths ago

also starting seeing quite a few nice, clean E34's in my area.

ive modded my E39 to my taste, owned it for 30 mth's and ive also sold it about 4-5 time's in the past 12 mth's  but i can't let it go! ive came to attached to it's comfort & toy's

I have only had 2

E34 535i

E39 530d sport

I really enjoyed the E34 but loved the E39. That is why I am after a E39 M5.

Bit of a pain as I am walking just now

Well,i i had more money i would propably buy one model each ,e36 coupe,e34,e38,e39.(help needed) Thats best looking models.Ofcourse new ones and M-series are also nice.

But if we are talking about 5's..My first one was e34 and this is my second e39.I cant say a lot about mechanical staff so opinion will be mostly about interior and exterior.After few weeks of owning e39 ive seen a nice example of e34..i thought" maybe should sell e39 and get e34 with bigger engine"...Then again i love the interior of e39.Maybe thats an idea e34 with interior from e39,anyone did this before Both models for me are "5" star models.

I have only owned the 3 in my sig. My e28 still holds a very special place in my heart  and for pure 'sitting back and cruising' pleasure that car was unrivalled. It was an immaculate (it would have not taken a lot to bring her up to concourse condition) 525e with fantastic looks and an engine that ran as sweet as a nut and never let me down in the 2 years of ownership. Very minimal in equipment i.e. manual windows, mirrors etc and no sunroof or aircon but simplicity was her charm.

My e34 530ise (straight 6) had a very hard life before I owned her and still never failed to pull like a train and always started first time. Had a few gremlins with lights but that was down to a badly repaired prang she must have had at some point. Again, another car I didn't really have to spend much time or money on in my 2 years of ownership. I loved the looks of this one, I had a schnitzer body kit with very low bilsteins and 18' momo twin 5 spoke alloys.

The winner has to be my current 540. The e34 looks great but with the M bodykit she really looks fab. The V8 coupled to the 6 speed manual is second to none. I have driven many cars over the years but none comes close to the thrill of mine. The added bonus is with it being a touring I can carry passengers and luggage in style and speed with little effort.

Without blowing my own trumpet, the M540i touring 6 speed has to be the best all rounder for a combination of performance, reliability and practicality (oh oh, wait for the disagreements!)

Generally I do feel the e28 and e34 are the two best looking fives as I think the mean looks dissolved when they introduced the rounded e39 (though I do still like the e39) and they are still relatively simple compared to later models so easy ro work on and relativley cheap to repair in comparison.

There, my opinion set in stone!

Mike