Aesthetically, E34 or E39?

[andyman32]

I owned a '97 528i for two years. Back then, I thought it was just incomparably cool, good-looking and all. While I certainly still like the E39s, now that I'm slowly but surely turning into a BMW "enthusiast", I actually think I like the E34 look better than any other body style BMW has put out. Those headlight lenses... the delectable mixture of boxiness and gentle curves... the way the wheel wells wrap around the wheels...

What do you guys think? Just for LOOKS, what's your favorite platform?

[Jr ///M5]

https://home.insightbb.com/~england31/2003_Car_Show.jpg

[winfred]

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[bahnstormer]

e39 is much "meaner" when modified than a e34...
i saw a 540i with 18" m-parrallels...my goodness, i
was genuilnely frightened when i saw it heheh...
then again, this doesn't look bad at all

http://www.eden.rutgers.edu/~szwarc/blitz/gallery/martin/1.jpg

[Unregistered]

[QUOTE=bahnstormer]e39 is much "meaner" when modified than a e34...
i saw a 540i with 18" m-parrallels...my goodness, i
was genuilnely frightened when i saw it heheh...
then again, this doesn't look bad at all
[\QUOTE]

I disagree. It's like trying to make the new Beetle look "bad". You can still tell that under all the paint and body work is a rather goofy car. The front of the E39 is fine but it cannot be made to look cool from the rear. I can't find what I'm looking for for an E34, but here's an example of an E38 with the right mods. That slight boxiness with the right mods will put the fear of Jesus into any ricer:

http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/ac7sa.jpg

[andyman32]

:D That E38 is pretty damned cool. Nice wheels!

[bimmerd00d]

http://bmw_jeff.home.att.net/car34.jpg

this is hot.

[tim s]

thats how i like them. don't scare them, beat them.
i want an e39 540i wagon so bad!!!!!!
tim s.

[Anthony 94 525i]

I have a 94 525i but I am always looking at the E39's and saying maybe I should upgrade, but I get so many compliments on my car on that everyone says this body style is the best looking one.......I guess the grass is always greener on someone else's lawn until you actually go over and look at it..........Staying with this one for now or at least until the compliments disappear............

[Jon K]

I have a 94 525i but I am always looking at the E39's and saying maybe I should upgrade, but I get so many compliments on my car on that everyone says this body style is the best looking one.......I guess the grass is always greener on someone else's lawn until you actually go over and look at it..........Staying with this one for now or at least until the compliments disappear............



I just got back from a 3 day vaca at the jersey shore with a girl friend, she wants my car and thought it was ~1997. Her mom too thinks my car is a lot newer than it really is. This random kid who works at a mechanics shop was bugging to know if it was my car or my parents and such... it's a great chassis to be in the middle of a CLASSIC bmw + the conveniences of a modern one. Digital climate control ISNT a convenience :)

http://e34.digital7.com/E34%20525/DSC_0037a.jpg

i think i like it ;)

[Jason]

the shape of the e39 is a derivative of the E34... the E34 has a "tougher" look whereas the E39 appears soft (to me at least). It looks more distiguished and less bulbous like mos of the cars on the road. Although I see quite a few E34s driving, it is far fewer than the number of E39s I see and that goes a long way with me too. I like the unique factor of the E34

[andyman32]

Yeah, I guess that's part of the appeal of the E34. To me, it seems like it's more enjoyable to be able to drive such a classy, bold-looking, and less-common car like the E34 than to just be able to drive a newer one. I liked my E39, no doubt, but I almost wish they would make something more like the E34. I'm REALLY not keen on the E60 or E66.

It's just like Volvo. Once Ford took it over, they pretty much eradicated every hint of "Volvo-ness" in the designs except for the grille. That's why I went back to '98 and got the S70. The last boxy, REAL Volvo model.

Same with BMW. Look at the E60 and the E34. Not a hint of the classy, strong but understated elegance. Oh well, huh?

[mikemaster]

Hmmm, which is better? :p

http://www.hostedimage.com/is.php?i=17937&img=Camera_Pics_03-27-04_055.jpg

http://www.hostedimage.com/is.php?i=17952&img=9294Face_2_Face.JPG

http://www.hostedimage.com/is.php?i=17939&img=Camera_Pics_03-27-04_062.jpg