[KoenG]

Originally Posted by NewM3driver

My 2002 E39 530 sport with the manual tranny was one of the sweetest driving cars you could ever ask for. A lesson in perfect balance and harmony. Precious few cars will ever match it.

OK, you stepping out of your M3 ZCP directly in my 530i while I film your facial expressions when you're sucker punched by disillusionment. That could become a monster hit on YouTube.

Of course my 530i Touring has no M sport trim and has the Aisin Warner 5AT. Those ingredients will add to the experience.

[visualguy]

Originally Posted by Acturater

Have you looked into the Hyundai Genesis?

No, but it sounds like you have. What do you like about it that makes you recommend it?

[KoenG]

Originally Posted by ZigmundUK

Aren't those older cars more comparable to the 3 or 4 series now? Like in terms of size etc.

In terms of size, certainly. The legroom in the back of my e39 is really tiny, the F30 offers a bit more. On the other hand, in the driver's seat, the e39 feels a bit wider.

I'd say in total, the current 3 matches the E39 in size. Of course, there are 2 generations that separate them.

[starbai]

Originally Posted by Acturater

Have you looked into the Hyundai Genesis?

I think you mean the Genesis G80. Hyundai doesn't make a Genesis anymore, unless you're talking used. By either name, I think its a fantastic car for the money. And I think the next generation is gonna be even better.

[doccyber]

Originally Posted by infamousq

According to who? Maybe to a person like you the M5 is too much for you to handle on public roads but for others it is not. I drive my M5 on public roads all the time so I must be special and not an “everyday driver.”

[JK479]

Originally Posted by jusblazeee_f22

Just got this beauty in

Is that spoiler able to be removed?

[Attila7]

I compared car sizes when I bought my '15 F10:

       H     W      L
E46  55.7  68.5  176.0
F30  56.3  71.3  182.2

E39  55.7  70.9  188.0
F10  57.6  73.2  193.4
G30  58.2  73.5  194.6

I went from an E39 540 MS to F10 535 and to me, the E39 was the sweet spot. The F10/G30 is too big, the F30 is too small and cheap interior.

[ArchJR]

Originally Posted by KoenG

LOL, my e39 is 15 years now and still my daily ride. I currently have now 70k miles on the odo.

I always wonder why sentimentalism concerning the e39 is often founded on the pure driving sensations it would deliver. Maybe it once did, relatively to the cars available in 2002. Today it certainly isn't anymore.

When somebody offers his G30 for my e39, I would face the easiest decision in my entire live.

Candidates?

Shh . . . don't tell Car & Driver. For them the E39 still conquers all, and every 5er since is a sloppy pig.

[Acturater]

Originally Posted by visualguy

You can't fully use the power of the 550i on public roads in the US because of safety and legal concerns, not the suspension. It's just overkill. Everything that I do with the 550i, I could just as well do with the 535i. I don't drive any faster or accelerate any faster in real-world driving with the 550i than I did with the 535i that I had before. It's just not within the scope of what is remotely legal or safe to push it beyond that level. It will be the same with the M550ix vs 540ix.

Originally Posted by visualguy

No, but it sounds like you have. What do you like about it that makes you recommend it?

The 535i is just overkill. Everything that you do with the 535i you could do just as well with the Hyundai Genesis.

[ZigmundUK]

Originally Posted by Acturater

The 535i is just overkill. Everything that you do with the 535i you could do just as well with the Hyundai Genesis.

How about claim you're in a BMW?

[Acturater]

Originally Posted by ZigmundUK

How about claim you're in a BMW?

Yes sir. It's a slippery argument to make against upstream models when someone downstream from you can use the same argument against you.

[visualguy]

Originally Posted by Acturater

The 535i is just overkill. Everything that you do with the 535i you could do just as well with the Hyundai Genesis.

That's a false analogy. The Genesis is a different car. The 550i and 535i just differ in the engine, and of course the weight and fuel consumption are worse on the 550i.

There is pretty much zero advantage to the extra power of the 550i on public roads. It doesn't buy you anything that you can actually use safely or legally beyond what you get with the 535i.

I would stick to the 540i or 540ix which are even more powerful than the 535i. I see no reason to go with the M550ix from a power perspective if you just drive on public roads in the US.

On the other hand, I find that the 535i does have a useful power advantage when compared to the 528i, so I wouldn't go with the smaller engine.

There's just no reason for more power beyond the 6-cylinder in US public road driving - it's overkill and a waste in my experience with the 550i and 535i.

[NewM3driver]

Originally Posted by visualguy

That's a false analogy. The Genesis is a different car. The 550i and 535i just differ in the engine, and of course the weight and fuel consumption are worse on the 550i.

There is pretty much zero advantage to the extra power of the 550i on public roads. It doesn't buy you anything that you can actually use safely or legally beyond what you get with the 535i.

I would stick to the 540i or 540ix which are even more powerful than the 535i. I see no reason to go with the M550ix from a power perspective if you just drive on public roads in the US.

On the other hand, I find that the 535i does have a useful power advantage when compared to the 528i, so I wouldn't go with the smaller engine.

There's just no reason for more power beyond the 6-cylinder in US public road driving - it's overkill and a waste in my experience with the 550i and 535i.

And may I add that the 6 cylinder car will handle better and accelerate smoother? Hands down the better car

[paulbazo]

Originally Posted by visualguy

That's a false analogy. The Genesis is a different car. The 550i and 535i just differ in the engine, and of course the weight and fuel consumption are worse on the 550i.

There is pretty much zero advantage to the extra power of the 550i on public roads. It doesn't buy you anything that you can actually use safely or legally beyond what you get with the 535i.

I would stick to the 540i or 540ix which are even more powerful than the 535i. I see no reason to go with the M550ix from a power perspective if you just drive on public roads in the US.

On the other hand, I find that the 535i does have a useful power advantage when compared to the 528i, so I wouldn't go with the smaller engine.

There's just no reason for more power beyond the 6-cylinder in US public road driving - it's overkill and a waste in my experience with the 550i and 535i.

Maybe for you, enjoy

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Life is short so enjoy the ride. If you're fortunate enough to afford it and a V8 rocks your boat? GO FOR IT!!!

I've owned e39 540i, e60 550i, X6 50i and E92 M3 - all with stonkin V8's and I was in lust with everyone of em.

For me the I6 is the sweet spot in G30, but I will be strongly considering a V8 again. Get em while you can I say!

[ZigmundUK]

Originally Posted by Midwest 535i

Life is short so enjoy the ride. If you're fortunate enough to afford it and a V8 rocks your boat? GO FOR IT!!!

I've owned e39 540i, e60 550i, X6 50i and E92 M3 - all with stonkin V8's and I was in lust with everyone of em.

For me the I6 is the sweet spot in G30, but I will be strongly considering a V8 again. Get em while you can I say!

V8s will be a thing of the past soon so whoever can afford it (including the fuel) then it's worth considering.

[visualguy]

Originally Posted by ZigmundUK

V8s will be a thing of the past soon so whoever can afford it (including the fuel) then it's worth considering.

The new 6-cylinder engines have similar power or close-enough, and they're lighter and more efficient. For example, the new Audi V6 twin-turbo 2.9L with 440 HP and 405 lb-ft.

[ohrich]

Originally Posted by ZigmundUK

V8s will be a thing of the past soon so whoever can afford it (including the fuel) then it's worth considering.

Maybe you don't need the extra power in the 550's V-8... But you can't argue that the V-8 sounds so much nicer than the I-6 in the 540.

In anycase, get which ever model floats your boat.

[/// M sa]

Originally Posted by visualguy

That's a false analogy. The Genesis is a different car. The 550i and 535i just differ in the engine, and of course the weight and fuel consumption are worse on the 550i.

There is pretty much zero advantage to the extra power of the 550i on public roads. It doesn't buy you anything that you can actually use safely or legally beyond what you get with the 535i.

I would stick to the 540i or 540ix which are even more powerful than the 535i. I see no reason to go with the M550ix from a power perspective if you just drive on public roads in the US.

On the other hand, I find that the 535i does have a useful power advantage when compared to the 528i, so I wouldn't go with the smaller engine.

There's just no reason for more power beyond the 6-cylinder in US public road driving - it's overkill and a waste in my experience with the 550i and 535i.

lol just got mine and I traded In my 2015 M3... the 550i is insane power, sound and comfort. Stick to 530, let the adults play with 550.

[phefner]

Originally Posted by /// M sa

lol just got mine and I traded In my 2015 M3... the 550i is insane power, sound and comfort. Stick to 530, let the adults play with 550.

Every man must know his limitations...

[/// M sa]

Originally Posted by phefner

Every man must know his limitations...

Drove the 535 and nice car no thanks it’s underwhelming... to each their own.

[visualguy]

Originally Posted by /// M sa

lol just got mine and I traded In my 2015 M3... the 550i is insane power, sound and comfort. Stick to 530, let the adults play with 550.

Nah... The 540i is the one to get - a MUCH lighter car with more than enough power and the same comfort. There's nothing that you can do safely and even remotely legally on public roads in the US with the M550i that you can't do with the 540i. Maybe it makes sense in Germany.