Replacing the E34 go E39 or???

[93 525 Paul]

At 178k miles the wife wants to move on. The E34 was tremendous for us but we are looking at newer options. I've looked a 114k mi 970 540 and a 70k mi 2005 530. Both are below low blue and seem fine, but the newer ones just don't look great to me. A bit bloated methinks.
Either series preferable???
The 97 - 03 5 series cars I've driven have badly cracked windshield rubber. Is that a big expense? The ws trim on the E34 was $120 a side x 2 so...
Thanks in advance for your input.

[bmwrp8]

At 178k miles the wife wants to move on. The E34 was tremendous for us but we are looking at newer options. I've looked a 114k mi 970 540 and a 70k mi 2005 530. Both are below low blue and seem fine, but the newer ones just don't look great to me. A bit bloated methinks.
Either series preferable???
The 97 - 03 5 series cars I've driven have badly cracked windshield rubber. Is that a big expense? The ws trim on the E34 was $120 a side x 2 so...
Thanks in advance for your input.

e38

[eaglecomm]

hahaha.. yeah, I would go e38 as well.. but its because I have one. If you are a DIY, there is more knowledge out there in the forums for repair work on the E39 than on the newer 5s. Plus there are more electronics (both good and bad) on the newer 5s. Do you like the body styles equally? Both E39s and E38s are very well priced at the moment..

[bmwrp8]

hahaha.. yeah, I would go e38 as well.. but its because I have one. If you are a DIY, there is more knowledge out there in the forums for repair work on the E39 than on the newer 5s. Plus there are more electronics (both good and bad) on the newer 5s. Do you like the body styles equally? Both E39s and E38s are very well priced at the moment..

I love the body style of the e39. I love big cars too thats why i also love the e38 and w140 benz. i had a 2002 525i e39 i love to death but all its given me is electrical problems so i sold it.I love DIY but when it comes to electrical gremlins I HATE EM!

[bubba966]

I'd go E38 as well. A nice 99-01 740i Sport would be what I'd go for.

[DaveVoorhis]

I went from E34 to E39 and have no regrets whatsoever. E39 rocks.

[Jehu]

e38

[Ferret]

If you go E39, get the rear suspension inspected before you buy - they're notorious for the rear balljoints starting to wear as you approach the 100k mark...

The rear suspension on the E39 is almost as complicated as the front on the E34... dont know about the E38 though.

[eaglecomm]

If you get an E38 740iL (non-sport) in the 99-01 year range, you can swap out the regular shifter for a steptronic shifter and have the shifting capability. Then you get the long wheelbase AND the +/- shifter. It's fun!

[Ross]

My wife drives our E39 528ia and loves it. I've always felt she has dreadful taste in cars.
When she recently drove my E34 she commented on how good the visibilty is and how heavy the car felt.
You will find the E39 to have miserable visibilty and feel soft by comparison to your E34.
A bit more and less reliable electronics on the next gen as well.