5 SERIES E39
1996 – 2003sedan
Total Revs
33
Global Rank
#92
Gen Rank
1 MORE REVS TO REACH #91 IN OVERALL GEN
Ranked Categories
About the 5 Series E39
The E39 is the 5 Series that got everything right and nothing wrong. The chassis was stiff without being harsh. The steering had weight and feedback. The inline-six and V8 engines were smooth enough for motorway miles and responsive enough for back roads. BMW built the E39 during the era when over-engineering was still the company philosophy — double-sealed doors, multi-link rear suspension, and an interior that aged better than anything from the 2000s. The M5 got the headlines. But even a 523i felt like it was built by people who cared.