E36 vs E39

[EndaC]

As said above it's hard to compare the two outright. I'm often found thinking i'd like an E39 when i meet a nice one on the road.
It's hard to deny the brilliance of the E39 M5 but then again the E36 M3 isn't exactly a slouch either. I think for me though two doors will always be the perfect amount

[Dod]

Imo e39 is far more superior. Its built so much better and represents everything I want in a car, I had a few e36s and they never held a candle to the e39s.

[Valdelisbmw]

i dont understand what to compare ? one is 3 series and one 5 series ,and its the biggest difference between these cars ,cos of different range ,they cant be compared. i would understand if it would be something between E36 and E46 or 3 series all around .It would be E36 ,it would be M3 ,and doesnt matter coupe or saloon. If something between 5 series ,probably it would be E39 . but if today somebody would say E36 M3 or E39 M5 ,i would take E36 M3 !

[mac7]

3+ kids no choice e39. That said would love to be in a position to be able to choose 3dr or 4dr depending on my mood for any given day . For the time being it's hard to beat the comfort and practicality of a big cruiser.

[rebel.ranter]

I own both models, for a long time. Bought both cars with less than 50k miles & managed to put ~100k miles on both cars.
The e39 is hands down the far superior car. A fantastic drive in all respects, it can easily match some of the more modern machinery on the road (which I also happen to own).

The build quality, handling & driving experience in the e39 eclipses the e36 driving experience. I've had an e36 saloon & for a long time the e36 convertible.

Curiously the e39 will be the next to go from my garage, the e36 will be a keeper for now. I do like my e36 but in an unbiased viewpoint the e39 is the clear winner. It has been voted in many polls during its lifetime as one of the "best cars in the world", both in its hey day & even in later times. Articles I have read mention that the equivalent generation Merc & even the flowing generation Merc were behind the e39 in terms of refinement & driver reward.

The e36 was a huge leap foward for the modern era BMW but it can't hold a candle to the e39.

[Dod]

Very well put man, thats s great read.

[DoktorB]

E36 and E39 cant be compared for 2 reasons.

The first has already been stated, a 3 Series and 5 Series are designed to do different things in different ways.

Secondly and more importantly in my opinion is that the E36 and E39 are from different generations of design even though their production overlapped slightly for a few years.

The E36 spawns from the E32 generation and up. And the E39 spawns from the E38.

This is btw how BMW release new designs and technology for those that dont know. New design philosophy and technology starts with the new 7 Series and then filters down through the forthcoming lower models.

So of course the E39 is a better built than an E36 because the whole way BMW designed and manufactured cars cars had moved on 10 years.

A fairer comparison would be an E34 vs an E36.

[Mackers]

E39 all day long.
Had an e36 M3 and loved it but didnt miss it when it was gone, Still miss the e39.

As John said above its a different generation so hard to compare for most people but that said the e36 is closer to the e39 in the desirability factor compared to the e46 which is the same generation as the e39

[Chrispyfish]

hard to compare them direct but I think its more a question of "which is the better car to have/live with"

e39 all day long...

[Chris P. Bacon]

I never had a e36 so cant compare the two my first bmw was a e46 318ci and i went from that to a e39 530i ,it really is a joy to drive its big, powerful and has presence on the road it looks great after all these years ,i can't see myself changing from a e39 for many years.