Goodbye e39

[azwanb]

After a few good years with my e39 528i, I have finally parted with it. It feels really sad to see that baby go. Initially I bought the B8 A4 to complement it (a bit mad coz ended up having 3 cars at home and only 2 driving adults). Now, despite resisting the e60 for so long for many many reasons, I made the plunge and got the new 520 ed. Just one word - "WOW" is all I can say to describe this car. 1.1k per tank and with unbelievable torque that bellies the 2L engine. I am just smiling all the way now but don't get me wrong, I can understand why the e39 is loved by many. I did. :rock:

 

[bimmerholic]

Good to know the love for UDMs still runs deep in your veins. :rock:

Yea the new ed are simply amazing. :burnout:

 

[buzzlie]

Bro, so u would be able to give some comparison input between E39 and A4. Care to share ...?

 

[azwanb]

Ah A4 B8 Vs e39...

Bro, so u would be able to give some comparison input between E39 and A4. Care to share ...?

Yes. I can indeed. In essence two very different cars. Let me see if I can break this down to different segments:

Build Quality and Reliability
Audi wins. Not only because its new but Audi's have generally better build quality compared to the BMW. I don't know what it was like years ago but I can safely say that its bolted on really well and the materials used are quality stuff. Also, maybe the Audi I have is made in Germany. Who knows why.

As for reliability, hard to compare coz the Audi is now only 1 years old and has never ever given me any problems whatsoever. The e39 did cost me a fair bit of money (due to age - 2000/01 CKD) and did break down on me a few times but more related to fuel system rather than engine. Heat is also an issue with the e39. Oh, PARTS are another thing. But hey, its a great car. As long as you know the beast that you have and plan for proper maintenance you will be okay.

Ride Comfort and Refinement
BMW wins. This one, I can tell you that the e39 feels solid on the highway. The ride comfort is excellent and generally you feel very safe. The Audi, I think because its a smaller car, you get the sensation of speed faster. Also, the BMW is quieter in the cabin. The Audi is a bit more noisy, so much so when I use the bluetooth function for the phone, all my friends complain of wind noise. The e39 did not have this function but my e60 does - and there is no noise complaints at all, even in rain!!

Performance & Ride Handling
Both has got got oomph. But I really think the Audi wins this one. When you put it into sports mode, man the car will fly. Ride handling wise, the Audi was built more like a sports car and the 5 a performance family saloon. So I think the Audi wins on the thrilling ride side but the e39 has solid handling too. I think a family would definitely appreciate the e39 more.

Space and Practicality
BMW wins.

Behind the Wheel
This one, the Audi beats even my e60(!). But, again, the Audi is not the same class/type/category. Overall comfort is clearly the e39 (and e60 for that matter). In essence damn shiok to drive the Audi unless long distance, where the 5 series wins hands down. Like I said, different kettle of fishlah. (Ok, the three series folks are gonna kill me but I have to say it, WHY wouldn't you buy or at least test drive the Audi before getting the 3 series? Okaylah, there are many different types of 3 series but for the money I spent on it MR235k, Its probably the best bang for buck out there. My sister and father has the e90 and e46 the 320i lah and it JUST cannot compare!).

Equipment
Audi wins. Not just because its a different era but it is really better equipped. But again, don't get me wrong I think the e39 is REALLY nice. Mine was cream leather trip with wood panels and I really loved it.

So net net, lesson number 1 - Do not compare cars of different age groups as its so damn hard to "normalise" them. Lesson 2 - Also don't compare turbos and non turbos. Lesson 3 - Do not compare cars of different size/class.

Because its not fair on anyone. But I tell you - test drive the 520ed (the one I bought), you will not believe the torque on it, the comfort it has AND the mileage. Just drove to Penang from KL for 4 days, returned today and it still has 210kms in the tank! Wonderful technology I tell you.

 

[buzzlie]

Bro, that's a good write up. Yeah understood your concerns, to be fair we have to compare apple to apple. But the pointers are really useful.

 

[azwanb]

No worries. I can share coz I am truly inbiased!

 

[supergripen]

Any ideas how the A4 B8 2.0T Quattro will compare to the e90 325i Sport LCI? Since u own an A4,was wondering what ur thoughts are of the two..
Note that the 2.0T B8 will be a Quattro but will not come with a nav function for it's MMI and the sound system will be the same as the 1.8T.We all know how fantastic the new iDrive is on the LCI.

 

[t2ribena]

a 2008 car compared to a 2000/2001 car...??? the winner is obvious...

 

[azwanb]

Any ideas how the A4 B8 2.0T Quattro will compare to the e90 325i Sport LCI? Since u own an A4,was wondering what ur thoughts are of the two..
Note that the 2.0T B8 will be a Quattro but will not come with a nav function for it's MMI and the sound system will be the same as the 1.8T.We all know how fantastic the new iDrive is on the LCI.

No idea to be honest! The only Quattro I drove was the older B7 2.0T Quattro and I thought it was a blast (very powderful) but I did not like the overall shape and equipment of the B7 A4 - the sales guy tried to sell that to me before I decided on the B8. I am sure buying either will not cause any regret though!

 

[azwanb]

a 2008 car compared to a 2000/2001 car...??? the winner is obvious...

t2ribena,

Not always obvious, I think a well taken care of e34 is till better than any of the Malaysian cars out there. Despite its age it is still years ahead... :top: Believe me, I owned a Perdana once. :stupid:

 

[astroboy]

Wow.. what about comparing the A4 B8 with a 320d? Can compare ka? LCI 325i is too costly for B8 to compare la... and no turbo also, dunno who bully who..

 

[astroboy]

Audi are great cars! Most popular car in Germany. Their built quality is awesome and no other car of the same price range can come near. Their narrow door gap is the envy of the industry. Turbo is the in thing and is the future of automobile industry for fuel efficiency. Their suspension stiffening sport mode is only available in the top of the line bimmer models.

I didn't test drive the B8 before buying my E90 320i.. and don't intend to, for simple reason of dislike their car design, too sporty (low chassis) perhaps... and terrible name... sounds like Garfield's friend.. Odie..

Give me a choice of B9 and F30, I will still take the F30, no need test drive.. Audi is so not me.. :26:

 

[astroboy]

... double..

 

[buzzlie]

t2ribena,

Not always obvious, I think a well taken care of e34 is till better than any of the Malaysian cars out there. Despite its age it is still years ahead... :top: Believe me, I owned a Perdana once. :stupid:

Yaa true, my ol E34 is far more comfortable than the brand new Honda. Perdana jgn cakap la bro, I think cant even catch up with Beemer Classic, hahahaaa.

But I think what Tribena meant was the comparison between BM,Audi, Volvo, Merc and the like. Shud be within same year range ...

 

[azwanb]

Audi are great cars! Most popular car in Germany. Their built quality is awesome and no other car of the same price range can come near. Their narrow door gap is the envy of the industry. Turbo is the in thing and is the future of automobile industry for fuel efficiency. Their suspension stiffening sport mode is only available in the top of the line bimmer models.

I didn't test drive the B8 before buying my E90 320i.. and don't intend to, for simple reason of dislike their car design, too sporty (low chassis) perhaps... and terrible name... sounds like Garfield's friend.. Odie..

Give me a choice of B9 and F30, I will still take the F30, no need test drive.. Audi is so not me.. :26:

Haha Astroboy. Its true - everyman has his poison. Whatever you choose, as long as YOU feel good behind the wheel. That's all that matters. When my sister went to tbuy her e90, I asked her why not Audi - her answer was super simple "This BMW is MY dream car". What else for me to argue?? This type of debate sure cannot win one.

BUT I have to say that the boys who drive bimmers are very passionate about the brand. I think Mercedes has lost the plot to be honest. Audi is still a bit in no mans land though popular in Europe, those guys here did a lousy job in the past and only now getting a bit better at it. I was going for the Q5 until they told me to wait 10 months and "price is subject to currency fluctuations". Adoi, I just said "nevermind then!"

Also considered the Volvo XC60 coz the wife likes it. But hey, 330k for a 3L ( I think) AND its a Volvo does not seem to make sense (road tax will kill you some more). I guess, once BMW, always BMW somehow. My first BMW was an e30 that had heat problems like crazy when I was a student in the UK. That the e30 is something that has such a classic overgreen shape that I still love it today. Cannot buylah, coz the wife says I cannot even drill properly in the walls at home, want to do "project" some more. Enough said.