Which would you go for?

[ALBundy]

I am afraid that JPB may be right. I always thought the E60 and E65 look great when it first came out (even though the critics think otherwise initially), now that there are more on the road, I think they look awesome. Before the E60 came out, the E39 still looks great but not anymore....of all the new models that is out E90, E60 and E65, I still like the E65!

 

[bindablitz]

IMHO I beg to differ. I am more for RAW feeling like the E34 and in my case the last of the BMW bastion would be the E39 and E46 (to a certain extent) until Chris Bangle creation of the E60 and E90.

The new looks are attracting mainstream buyers where the $$$ is. They risk alienating the true BMW enthusiast but then again true BMW enthusiast are minority. It becomes bottom line after that and to them Chris Bangle creation is a cash cow.

I am more or less certain that the new BMW E90 will take off and will sell like hot cakes. I see a significant difference in driving pre-Chris Bangle and post-Chris Bangle. Most notably is the interior looks, design and quality. Exterior is subjective and love hate relationship to many.

Perhaps I am bias and I am driving the E39 but I humbly like the E34 and to a certain extent the E46. The E60 and E90 are "pretty" car but are they proven on the road is yet to be seen. The E39 is BMW's best 5 Series with lifetime achievement awards and the E46 is their best selling 3 Series to date. Time will tell.

 

[ALBundy]

I think the best selling 3 series todate is the E30, production years from 1983 to 1991=8 years and more than 2 million units were sold worldwide. As a comparison, less than 600,000 units of e46 were sold.

 

[fabianyee]

Originally posted by ALBundy@May 17 2005, 03:27 PM
I think the best selling 3 series todate is the E30, production years from 1983 to 1991=18 years and more than 2 million units were sold worldwide. As a comparison, less than 600,000 units of e46 were sold.

u mean 8 years????

some said the E30 is the model that turn BMW around....

 

[beemaro]

Originally posted by Juan Powerblow+May 16 2005, 08:10 AM-->QUOTE (Juan Powerblow @ May 16 2005, 08:10 AM)

 

[bindablitz]

Albundy, I stand corrected. The E30 is the best selling 3 Series to date. I should say the E46 is the best selling in its category against the C-Class, A4 and others.

 

[Juan Powerblow]

I'm just wondering... if given the chance i.e. with sudden elevation in income, would those who now drive E34 or E39 and E36 or E46 upgrade to an E60 or E90 respectively in due course or decide otherwise cos they can't get used to Bangle's designs? From what I have read and my short test-stint with E60 530i, I think BMW has retained its great driving capabilities even though compromises had to be made to accomodate size and comfort levels. Further, I used to dislike the E65 when it was first launch but have grown to like it. I think it makes the S-Class looks dated and I'm not alone cos I know 2 VIPs who swapped their S-Classes for the E65 in the last 6 months!

 

[saat]

Originally posted by Juan Powerblow@May 17 2005, 06:17 PM
I'm just wondering... if given the chance i.e. with sudden elevation in income, would those who now drive E34 or E39 and E36 or E46 upgrade to an E60 or E90 respectively in due course or decide otherwise cos they can't get used to Bangle's designs?

I was one very vocal anti-Bangle.

Nowadays, I have to lightly slap myself when I look at an E60 with a little hint of yearning.

No I dont think the E60 is better to looking than the E39, nor am I getting used the the bangle design. I thinbk it is more that I long for a newer car. Soon the E39 will drift into obsecurity. I fear this.

 

[wirelessjunkie]

Originally posted by bindablitz@May 17 2005, 05:57 PM
Albundy, I stand corrected. The E30 is the best selling 3 Series to date. I should say the E46 is the best selling in its category against the C-Class, A4 and others.

I thot the E36 outsold the E30 by sheer numbers?

 

[wirelessjunkie]

BMW has the tendency to introduce designs that visually grows on you over time. I think the E60 is a beautiful looking machine but not timeless.

 

[wkwoo69]

I think the E36 was the biggest selling 3 series ever - it must be the case in Malaysia too. It had the most versions ever - sedan, cab, compact, touring and the M3 sedan.

Bindablitz, good to see you back

 

[Juan Powerblow]

Originally posted by saat+May 17 2005, 10:33 AM-->QUOTE (saat @ May 17 2005, 10:33 AM)

 

[Redd]

see, this is what i mean when u mention the "B" word in here.

redd

 

[E34EuroTouring]

AL: What you said about the design growing on you is just what the designer intends!. So it seems, there is some merit to the design brilliance of Bangle et al. Now, the protege, Adrian Hoonydonk!. The Dutch guy.

True. Design estatics is very subjective and personal to everyone. Hard-core/hard-headed traditionalist cannot swallow designs from E39 onwards for 5-series. There are lots of these people in BimmerForum US and European forums. They puke at E60 particularly. Actually so many in the US market has, that , they went to Porsche!. Interesting, isn't it. Didn't head for Benz or Audi.
Is this a class change in the enthusiast segment for those whose affluence has increased to the level of Porsche affordability ?. Maybe so.

There are ones willing to compromise and gradually move with the BMW range. BMW , of course hope, this is the majority of the case. But it seems they wanted to EXPAND market share more so, by attracting buyers from other marques. It is a general Corporate challenge most companies are faced with these days.

I am sure they can sustain the growth despite controversy in model looks. The "face-lift" models tends to correct the worse of the initial visual impact. I can agree on this except for the E46 face-lift model. I prefer the pre-facelift E46, any day.

 

[wirelessjunkie]

I tested the 166 last night courtesy of the AROC boys. Quite an impressive machine I must say for its price and engine. Hmmmh.

 

[E46Fanatic]

The E60 is creating history, as its the first 5 series which has outsold the legendary Bensi E class in Malaysia...

For me, I'd take the E60 over E90 in terms of design. E90 is a bit more conservative IMHO. I've seen a nice lowered E60, with rims, and bodykit dressed in battle gear black. Lovely.

The pre-bangled BMWs like the E39 and E46 is looking old and tired. Somehow does not retain the classic look of the E30s IMHO. The E30 looks more of a classic keeper than say an E36 or E46..

 

[airdrigh]

back to the original question...I am not sure if you have made up your mind but looks like you settled on the E39? But anyway if I were you and for a budget of RM120k...I'd settle for a mix of the two.....get a mini cooper, for that price, you get the handling, the looks, the torque, the fun factor and since it's for your wifey, she'll love you to bits and at the same time you can take it out for a spin..how's that for a compromise and at 1.6ltr, you don't get more bang for your buck than that. I drive an alfa by the way

 

[supergripen]

back to the original Q..166 3.0 or 528i. for the same price i'd have to say the 528i,purely bcoz the bimmer wud be easier to maintain due to availability and ease of getting parts,abundance of w-shops and also tuning potential. B)
however,i wud not doubt that the 166 will be faster and more fun to drive in a standard vs standard comparison..like i said,the bimmer has got more tuning potential and with proper tuning,the 528i wud be an enormous fun to drive AND own too!! a 3.2L kit or an SC and a de-cat sports exhaust shud do the trick!! thats 290bhp to play with!!

on the Bangle issue i guess it all boils down to personal taste..i kinda like the e60,e65,e90 and the Z4..on initial acquaintance i admit it was almost too much to digest but with time i swear it really grows on u.
i think its a brave move by bmw what with all the blandmobile out there that u can't tell one from the other.. :wink: e65?? u must admit there's nothing out there even remotely close.. brave brave move and its paying off!!that u can't doubt....