Originally Posted by MCompact
The E39 is widely regarded as the best 5 Series ever. For me the sweet spot is a 530i Sport with three pedals.
I agree. The 3.0 was better than the 2.8. It had more "power" and got better mileage besides. But they're both very good engines.
And I'd rather have had a 3.0CS than a 2800CS for the same reason (but I'd have taken either one in good rust free condition).
As noted the I6 engines are both very good. They're relatively light and (in the 5 series at least) came with rack and pinion steering instead of the recirculating ball steering of the V8s. Many people say the I6 models handle better than V8s for both of those reasons.
The I6s are also said to be more reliable than the V8s, and less subject to cooling problems. And they certainly get better mileage than the V8s.
While on the subject of 2800CS and 3.0CS models, I've always admired them, but never saw one for sale while the used models were reasonably priced. And they cost the earth now. My wife says I should think of my E39 528i 5MT sport as being an updated 2800CS, and keep it as a future classic car.
On the subject of reliability, the shop foreman at my BMW repair place in Edmonton kept an older E39 5MT for his wife because "it was so reliable". That was all I needed to know on the subject .
The E39 is widely regarded as the best 5 Series ever. For me the sweet spot is a 530i Sport with three pedals.
I agree. The 3.0 was better than the 2.8. It had more "power" and got better mileage besides. But they're both very good engines.
And I'd rather have had a 3.0CS than a 2800CS for the same reason (but I'd have taken either one in good rust free condition).
As noted the I6 engines are both very good. They're relatively light and (in the 5 series at least) came with rack and pinion steering instead of the recirculating ball steering of the V8s. Many people say the I6 models handle better than V8s for both of those reasons.
The I6s are also said to be more reliable than the V8s, and less subject to cooling problems. And they certainly get better mileage than the V8s.
While on the subject of 2800CS and 3.0CS models, I've always admired them, but never saw one for sale while the used models were reasonably priced. And they cost the earth now. My wife says I should think of my E39 528i 5MT sport as being an updated 2800CS, and keep it as a future classic car.
On the subject of reliability, the shop foreman at my BMW repair place in Edmonton kept an older E39 5MT for his wife because "it was so reliable". That was all I needed to know on the subject .