by "marshknute" (marshknute)
Published 09/06/2017 at 13:46
by "marshknute" (marshknute)
Published 09/06/2017 at 13:46
No Tags
STARS: 7
Please take off the nostalgia goggles. The E39 is not an attractive car. It looks like a generic sedan from the Sims. Boring proportions, and ZERO styling flair.
It also looks hopelessly dated. It looks 20-years older than its successor, the E60. Even if you don’t like the Bangle styling, you can’t deny that the E60 still looks modern today thanks to its flame surfacing. For all his craziness, Bangle brought BMW styling two decades forward in time.
The nicest thing you could say about the E39's styling is that it’s a handsome sleeper. And a sleeper is by definition anonymous and non-descript (read: boring).
"Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell." (oppisitelock)
09/06/2017 at 13:50, STARS: 22
Mods, if ever there was a time to drop the banhammer, it’s now.
"SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman" (dasborgen)
09/06/2017 at 13:51, STARS: 7
I’m taking up this cause
"CB" (jrcb)
09/06/2017 at 13:51, STARS: 4
I disagree on both accounts. I think the E60 looks more dated than the E39, mostly because the E39 is far more understated.
"Tripper" (tripe46)
09/06/2017 at 13:52, STARS: 5
“Handsome sleeper”...So it is attractive in that it’s good looking and fantastic to drive.
"For Sweden" (rallybeetle)
09/06/2017 at 13:54, STARS: 5
But other the his E60 take, these are true facts
"LongbowMkII" (longbowmkii)
09/06/2017 at 13:55, STARS: 2
I couldn’t think of a nice thing to say about the E60. It doesn’t look modern at all.
"DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!" (daft-ryosuke)
09/06/2017 at 13:55, STARS: 9
I refuse to have this. I’ve had a bad morning and this has pushed me over the edge. I hope a bird poops on your car and you can’t get it off.
"mazda616" (mazda616)
09/06/2017 at 13:57, STARS: 3
I always found the E39 attractive because of its relatively understated styling. It appeals to me. Maybe I’m boring? Oh, hell. I’m definitely boring. But I’m okay with that.
"FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem" (fuelstratifiedinjection)
09/06/2017 at 13:58, STARS: 7
WRONG WRONG WRONG and WRONG. The E39 and E46 are the last elegant and timeless BMWs. The E60's styling may have aged quite well despite being very controversial but just keep in mind that the E39 was introduced in 1995. 22 years later the design has aged gracefully imo. You should have written this about the W210 E-Class. That’s a hopelessly dated design.
"marshknute" (marshknute)
09/06/2017 at 13:58, STARS: 0
Dated means “old fashioned.”
The E39 is a very 90's design. Simple lines, small grille, flat bodywork (as opposed to modern, flared, muscular bodywork).
The E60 still has modern-looking bodywork surfacing. Its styling therefore doesn’t qualify as old fashioned.
"Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2" (pompei426)
09/06/2017 at 13:58, STARS: 2
I love the e39 M5, but the e39 sedan is not an attractive car. The wagons looks slightly better IMO. As ugly as the e60 is, it looks drastically more modern. If I had to choose, I’d take the e39 M5, but mainly out of nostalgia. FYI, the e39 was originally designed in 1989. It shows.
"Conan" (ske1n)
09/06/2017 at 13:58, STARS: 1
I only like it after the refresh.
"Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire" (arch-duke-maxyenko)
09/06/2017 at 13:58, STARS: 10
-Blows dust off of hammer case.
"random001" (random001)
09/06/2017 at 13:59, STARS: 0
Wait, they have cars in the sims?
"Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell." (oppisitelock)
09/06/2017 at 13:59, STARS: 1
No.
"OPPOsaurus WRX" (opposaurus)
09/06/2017 at 14:01, STARS: 2
Take off the beer goggle, The E39 is one of the best looking M sedans and the E60 is hideous and is one of the worst
"yitznewton" (yitznewton)
09/06/2017 at 14:01, STARS: 0
E28 or GTFO
(switched the pic twice)
"marshknute" (marshknute)
09/06/2017 at 14:01, STARS: 0
How do you describe modern? My test would be as follows: show any car to a non-gearhead (ex: my mother), and ask them how old it looks. I bet you’ll get a 20-year difference between the E39 and E60.
"sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg)
09/06/2017 at 14:02, STARS: 0
The wonderful thing about attractiveness is that is is subjective :)
"For Sweden" (rallybeetle)
09/06/2017 at 14:02, STARS: 1
E60 is too fat to be modern-styling; just like the first LX Charger
"TheHondaBro" (wwaveform)
09/06/2017 at 14:03, STARS: 3
"OKcarburetor" (okcarburetor)
09/06/2017 at 14:03, STARS: 0
I’ve never even owned a BMW with four wheels, but you crazy
"TheHondaBro" (wwaveform)
09/06/2017 at 14:04, STARS: 0
Has a mod ever been banned?
"For Sweden" (rallybeetle)
09/06/2017 at 14:04, STARS: 7
Some say we’re all banned and this is purgatory
"B/Xmrrmvr" (davidedumass)
09/06/2017 at 14:04, STARS: 0
Chris Bangle just brought out BMW’s inner douche.
"Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero" (sampsonite24)
09/06/2017 at 14:06, STARS: 1
This is a hot take I can agree with
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
09/06/2017 at 14:06, STARS: 3
If this is modern, I’ll take dated all day, every day, thankyewverymuch
"Bytemite" (bytemite)
09/06/2017 at 14:06, STARS: 2
Agreed. E39 looks really boring and generic. The only part of it that looks good are the angel eyes at night. E60 is still the best looking 5 series.
"For Sweden" (rallybeetle)
09/06/2017 at 14:07, STARS: 1
Last timeless BMW was the E38
"LongbowMkII" (longbowmkii)
09/06/2017 at 14:08, STARS: 1
I drove a Ferrari in high school if you go by that metric.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
09/06/2017 at 14:08, STARS: 0
Soooo true about the W210 - I loved it back in the day, but now it looks ancient.
"diplodicus" (diplodicus)
09/06/2017 at 14:09, STARS: 1
Looks better in SWB trim.
"TFSIVTEC drivesavolvo" (drivesaswedishcarmadeinbelgium-)
09/06/2017 at 14:09, STARS: 4
You did display it in the most boring color ever
"diplodicus" (diplodicus)
09/06/2017 at 14:10, STARS: 0
But just because a car is modern or not modern looking does not mean it is attractive or unattractive. The beauty of pre-bangle BMWs is the simplicity of the design. The e39 front end is not the best I’ll give you that. That butt though man. Subtle.
"FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem" (fuelstratifiedinjection)
09/06/2017 at 14:11, STARS: 0
It looks great. Just like the E39 which looks just like the E38. But nice try:)
"diplodicus" (diplodicus)
09/06/2017 at 14:12, STARS: 1
Jesus christ those rims are fucking cancer.
"FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem" (fuelstratifiedinjection)
09/06/2017 at 14:13, STARS: 1
The post facelift/MoPf W210 looks alright but the overall design is very dated. The quad headlight setup is horrible.
"For Sweden" (rallybeetle)
09/06/2017 at 14:15, STARS: 0
E39's butt is too big
"functionoverfashion" (functionoverfashion)
09/06/2017 at 14:15, STARS: 0
From wikipedia:
designed by Steve Mattin under design chief Bruno Sacco between 1989 and 1991
That could be part of the problem (emphasis mine).
I have always liked how BMWs have kept their designs tied together from one generation to the next - at least for their mainstream “-series” cars,you can always spot a BMW with the grille / headlight combination, right back to the first 3-series. I can’t think of another manufacturer that has done this so well.
"marshknute" (marshknute)
09/06/2017 at 14:15, STARS: 5
It’s a fucking BMW. 99.9999999% of them were silver or black. Because BMW uses the German rainbow:
"marshknute" (marshknute)
09/06/2017 at 14:17, STARS: 0
Maybe it was attractive by 90's standards, but damn if it isn’t one of the most boring designs on the road today.
Boring =/= attractive
"Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner" (gavinharter30)
09/06/2017 at 14:17, STARS: 0
It is more attractive than the e60
"diplodicus" (diplodicus)
09/06/2017 at 14:20, STARS: 0
WRONG!
"FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem" (fuelstratifiedinjection)
09/06/2017 at 14:22, STARS: 0
I’d eat the E39's ass.
"yitznewton" (yitznewton)
09/06/2017 at 14:22, STARS: 0
I’m not gonna disagree.
"AkursedX" (akursedx)
09/06/2017 at 14:26, STARS: 0
Here’s my not-so-hot-take, the BMW-5 is one of the few cars in which I like every generation of it. From the E28 to the F10 (And now F90), I think they are all damn good-looking sedans.
"FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem" (fuelstratifiedinjection)
09/06/2017 at 14:28, STARS: 1
Wow. I didn’t know the design was this old. Bruno Sacco btw was responsible for some of my favorite Mercedes Benz designs.
BMW pretty much nailed the corporate grille thing except for maybe Rolls Royce. Everyone else played catch up like Audi and Lexus for example. A BMW will always be recognized as one with the kidney grille and headlight setup.
"Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies" (jordanwphillips)
09/06/2017 at 14:32, STARS: 0
Isn’t it like G10 now?
"404 - User No Longer Available" (toni-cipriani)
09/06/2017 at 14:33, STARS: 1
If by “attractive” means “I notice it on the road and puke a little in my mouth”, then yes, the E60 is an attractive car, completely agreed.
"Klaus Schmoll" (klausschmoll)
09/06/2017 at 14:39, STARS: 0
The non M5s are called F30/31, the M5 is the F90. BMW and their chassis codes......
"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
09/06/2017 at 14:39, STARS: 1
I agree that the E60 looks more modern than the E39. Quite a lot more modern. Looking ‘modern’ is not in any way related to ‘attractive’ though.
Although I’d rather have an E39 I will admit that the E60 has grown on me.
And a sleeper is by definition anonymous and non-descript (read: boring).
No, a sleeper means you don’t expect the performance it offers. It doesn’t have to be anonymous at all, nor does it have to be nondescript. The E39 is a way more conservative design than the E60. Conservative designs typically stay fresh longer than extremely modern designs, which usually date quickly. Conservative design does not equate to boring at all, although not everyone prefers it.
In my opinion pre-Bangle BMWs do look quite dated. But that’s not a bad thing, they’re all older cars now anyway. Their designs have hold up a lot better than most of their competitors.
versus
"Klaus Schmoll" (klausschmoll)
09/06/2017 at 14:44, STARS: 1
:( I think hideous is a bit overstated, but it’s coming from someone who drives a Nissan Quest.
"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
09/06/2017 at 14:45, STARS: 0
modern =/= attractive
dated =/= unattractive
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
09/06/2017 at 14:46, STARS: 0
Shut your whore mouth lol. The E60 is nice if you like fat women. The E39 has the all the right curves in the right places and is perfectly understated while still being sophisticated and exciting to look at (in the right color).
I only love that car because of this guy though:
My girlfriend definitely agrees with you though, she says it “looks old”
"StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8" (stndibnz1)
09/06/2017 at 14:47, STARS: 1
God damn those are terrible looking cars.
"marshknute" (marshknute)
09/06/2017 at 14:49, STARS: 0
True, but the E39 looks both dated and unattractive.
The E60 didn’t become attractive until recently when modern crazy styling surpassed Bangle’s original craziness.
"OPPOsaurus WRX" (opposaurus)
09/06/2017 at 14:49, STARS: 0
my wife drives a Quest thank you very much. If I had my way it would have been a Flex, which is also better looking than an E60
also everything looks better in wagon form
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
09/06/2017 at 14:50, STARS: 0
All courtesy of Toyota, aka Predator Mfg., Inc.
"OPPOsaurus WRX" (opposaurus)
09/06/2017 at 14:51, STARS: 0
also, yea hideous, may have been a bit strong, i’ll reserve that for this:
"marshknute" (marshknute)
09/06/2017 at 14:53, STARS: 0
For reference, the definition of sleeper:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleeper_(car)
"marshknute" (marshknute)
09/06/2017 at 14:54, STARS: 1
I don’t think you know what exciting means. I’ve looked at beige paint samples that are more exciting than an E39.
"Klaus Schmoll" (klausschmoll)
09/06/2017 at 14:54, STARS: 0
Here! Let me help you loose weight.
"Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies" (jordanwphillips)
09/06/2017 at 15:04, STARS: 0
At least in the US it was the F10, and now it’s the G30.
"Klaus Schmoll" (klausschmoll)
09/06/2017 at 15:11, STARS: 1
Ah yes, sorry G30/31. The F30/31 is the soon-to-be-replaced 3 series. I still have to adapt to the fact that they blew through the Fxx numbers in one generation.
"DipodomysDeserti" (dipodomysdeserti)
09/06/2017 at 15:24, STARS: 0
Attractive and exciting are not usually the same thing.
"marshknute" (marshknute)
09/06/2017 at 15:29, STARS: 0
But conservative and boring are often the same thing.
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
09/06/2017 at 15:34, STARS: 0
I think my appreciation of the look is 100% derived from how its been described to drive. I cannot form an unbiased opnion after the glowing reviews make it appear to be the best drivers car ever made. I need to drive one before I am fully commited, but if I enjoy it as much as I think I would, the car would only get more attractive.
Yes that sounds exactly like falling in love with a girl.
"TFSIVTEC drivesavolvo" (drivesaswedishcarmadeinbelgium-)
09/06/2017 at 15:44, STARS: 0
German rainbow. Chuckles
"TFSIVTEC drivesavolvo" (drivesaswedishcarmadeinbelgium-)
09/06/2017 at 15:57, STARS: 0
Sorry but not sorry
"Party-vi" (party-vi)
09/06/2017 at 16:03, STARS: 2
It’s a shame the hill you chose to die on is made of lies .
"Ssfancyfresh" (scotttt)
09/06/2017 at 16:08, STARS: 1
I think the E60 in all forms is one of the best looking BMW’s to date.
"marshknute" (marshknute)
09/06/2017 at 16:11, STARS: 0
Curiously, I don’t think the E60 became attractive until very recently.
When it came out, Bangle’s styling was too crazy. But in the last few years, average car styling has finally surpassed Bangle’s craziness, ironically making the E60 look restrained and handsome by comparison.
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
09/06/2017 at 16:13, STARS: 0
E61 is best 5 series.
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
09/06/2017 at 16:13, STARS: 0
Except the E28
"Ssfancyfresh" (scotttt)
09/06/2017 at 16:19, STARS: 0
Yeah. There’s something to that. I’ve always liked it, but when I see them now I think “goddam that’s a fine looking vehicle.”
"DipodomysDeserti" (dipodomysdeserti)
09/06/2017 at 16:35, STARS: 0
Correct.
"Svart Smart, traded in his Smart" (svartsmart)
09/06/2017 at 16:48, STARS: 0
I disagree.
"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
09/06/2017 at 16:52, STARS: 0
I am not a big fan of most of BMW’s Styling, but I do like the
E46 CSL
and the F12 M6 Coupe
"WiscoProud" (wiscoproud)
09/06/2017 at 17:47, STARS: 0
I like the classy, understated nature of it. Its low and wide with big tires and nice V8. Its a performance car that impresses those who know, but flies under the radar of those who don’t.
But then again turned 20 in 2000, so I spent my early 20s drooling over it. I like the e60 and don’t mind the rear end nearly as much. I like the F10 a lot too, but I hate how much it weighs now and that its basically a slightly smaller 7 series.
"WiscoProud" (wiscoproud)
09/06/2017 at 17:49, STARS: 0
I certainly like them more today, but I’m still not in love. I have gone from active dislike, to indifference regarding the rear end.
"WiscoProud" (wiscoproud)
09/06/2017 at 17:50, STARS: 0
Dream car right there.
"gmctavish needs more space" (gmctavish)
09/06/2017 at 18:19, STARS: 0
No
"Shift24" (the-nope)
09/06/2017 at 19:44, STARS: 1
Wow this blew up. But as an e39 owner I have to retort but I’m bias. But I do agree that the e39 is a handsome sleeper. Personally i think the e39 is a great design that bridges the gap between old school classic BMW and new tech BMW. Also you have to remember this was designed back in 1997.
The e60 is a good looking car with a design a generation ahead of its time and IMO better looking than the F10. That though is if it is an M or Msport. Anything else looks as dated as their fogged over headlights.
"Audistein" (Audistein)
09/06/2017 at 22:40, STARS: 0
There was also an update in 2007 that included new headlights, taillights, and tweaked styling all around which really ended up improving the design quite a bit overall. The 2003-2006 cars look a fair bit uglier than the post-LCI ones.
The E60 M5 further improved on the styling.
"Nauraushaun" (nauraushaun12)
09/07/2017 at 02:52, STARS: 0
It has some flair. Subtle ridges and things. It’s a restrained design from a restrained company in a restrained era. I’d instruct you to compare the Civics from then and now - the old is bland, but the new is hideously over done.
I like the E39!
"pip bip - choose Corrour" (hhgttg69)
09/07/2017 at 07:54, STARS: 0
that is fake news.
E39 is the best looking M5
"RT" (rt-p)
02/16/2018 at 14:02, STARS: 0
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
I’ll appreciate the E60 as a modern design, especially for 2003.
But I will always find the E39 to be far more balanced and well-proportioned.
Besides, I’d say the E28 looks better than both. ;P