Relative to anything from BMW on a 5 or a 7 that proceeded it, it's actually quite different. Start with the leading arms versus trailing. Then there's the front springs and "strut housings" -- PITA -- and the general method for assembling things in the front end. Much more work and complexity, and for what.
I'm biased, though -- the E39 has always been my least favorite, in looks, driveability and wrenchability.