So how many went straight from an E28 to an E39

[Mike W.]

Seems like there are an awful lot of past E28 owners on the E39 forums. I keep seeing names, usually more specific than mine, but mine's included.

My story is my wife had an E23 and was tired of it. It wasn't bad, but it was over drinking age and I never did get the A/C sorted out. She wanted something newer. We looked at a '00 Volvo 850 wagon, turbo. It was ok, we were this close to buying and the salesman got reaaaaaaaaaaaly weird. So we passed. Then I ran across an early, '96 build, '97 model year, E39, 528i. Exact same price as the Volvo except it seemed like a brand new car. A premium brand new car. Took a test drive with the owner and by the time we got back my wife had a sign made up that said YES. That was almost 20 years ago and I've even got one now.

But for some reason I just completely passed E34s. No hostility or anything, just went E3, E12, E28, E39. OK, there were a few more in the middle, but those are the cars I/we put 100K+ on.

So... anyone else make the jump, E28 to E39?

[tuxkilla]

I went from an e28 to a e39 528 in the late 00's, and just found myself back in an e28 this year. Nostalgia is a powerful emotion lol.

[vinceg101]

I did.
See here for the whole story (sorry no pics): https://forums.mye28.com/viewtopic.php? ... t=e39+530i

As explained in this thread from way back when (I can't believe I haven't updated it lately), I first wanted too upgrade back in 2006 and targeted the E39 specifically to get a relatively new car at that time. Life and business circumstances derailed that at the time, so I put it on pause for a while.

A while turned into 6 more years and I reactivated this idea in 2012 for either an E39 or E46. Found my current E39 (2002 530iA Sport Premium) and have been driving and caring for it ever since.

It's now getting a bit long in the tooth and I am actively planning on replacing it. There is nothing wrong with it per se, it's just now over 241K miles and running well but paint and interior are tired and showing 24 years of city driving. MPG is also not really great (especially if I'm running around town) and these days here in CA, that is a thing.

All in all, the E39 is great car. I have said that as opposed to the E28 where the love and connection was instantaneous, the E39 is a car you learn to love; it grows on you. I do stand behind my belief that the M54B30 is one of the best 5 drivetrains BMW has ever made and mated into the E39 Sport versions, it's quite outstanding.

[pista23]

I have am trying to finalize a 6 year journey. In my pursuit to drive a classic, I am looking to swap engine and transmission from an e39 into the e28.

[austin8753]

i've had several e34s over the years, and aside from them having phenomenal air conditioning (when applicable), they are really an underwhelming car to me. the e39 is superior in every possible way. i love my e39 m5 (other than the lack of fuel economy). it's the best daily driver ever.

[szacsi72]

Well, I did, but I also kept the E28. I had an E34 before, so I had to extend my 5er collection

[szacsi72]

i've had several e34s over the years, and aside from them having phenomenal air conditioning (when applicable), they are really an underwhelming car to me. the e39 is superior in every possible way. i love my e39 m5 (other than the lack of fuel economy). it's the best daily driver ever.

Oh yeah. It really is just a gigafacelift E28. 
My E34 and my two E28s existed next to each other, which is why I sold the E34. It was a bit newer and all, but for me, it just ended up feeling like the same car, just heavier. Everything on an E34 that is an upgrade, can be retrofitted to an E28, like brakes etc... The E39 is a milestone in BMW history. Completely different car.

[Mike W.]

Oh yeah. It really is just a gigafacelift E28. 

Interesting, I guess from the visual, but I thought the E34 was much closer to the E39.

[Hit Man X]

E23 guy here as some/most know. Amusing that the 39 is near size of 23. 

I now have an E39  viewtopic.php?t=164249  yes, drove it back.  Lodi, Long Beach to see USS Iowa.  L.V. to see pops exwife (long story)  Phoenix, pick up 10 and zoot back to TX.

I had a blow out in El Paso, slept in a roach motel and heard people being 'intimate' around midnight like a skin flick, ate on the water, good times!