5 Reasons Why The BMW M5 (E39) Is Better Than The BMW M3 (E46)

30 Dec 2015

Here’s my continuation of the CSL 29 Years special article. This time, we’re taking a look at the BMW M5 E39 and comparing it to the E46. #Blogpost

Click here to read the previous article

1. It's Bigger

It’s bigger which means more space, it also has 4 doors which means that those spaces are accessible easily unlike in the E46 where you have to squeeze yourself just to get into the back seat (typical 2 door coupe problem). More spaces and easier access means that this car is a better daily driver. I’m not saying that the E46 is rubbish at daily driving (the E46 is more zippy and nimble, as I mention in the previous article), but the E39 is simply more practical.

Disadvantage: Less zippy, heavier, cannot fit through tight gaps

2. Because S62

It sounds better than the E46’s S54 (which sounds like a ricer exhaust, IMO), it’s quite a high revving engine in my opinion, and it makes 400 hp unlike the S54’s 333 hp. It also has more torque than the S54. 370 lb-ft compared to the S54’s 262 lb-ft. It has got to be one of the best naturally aspirated engines that BMW has ever made and in fact, the E39 was the only M5 to have a naturally aspirated V8 to this day (E60 with a V10, F10 with a twin turbo V8, E34 I6, E28 I6).

Disadvantage: Fuel economy, fragile VANOS

3. It has a better interior

You have a beautiful wood trim throughout the interior (aluminum trim also available), a nice and comfortable, yet supportive leather seats, and you have more space than the E46. There’s not a lot of difference between the M5 E39 and the E38 7 series when it comes to their interiors. It’s so comfortable. And then you put your foot down………….the next thing you know, you’re already flying! In that interior, you just don’t expect the car to be that brutal. The E46 on the other hand, it’s similar interior but less spacious so it’s not as comfortable as the E39.

Disadvantage: More weight added to the car

4. The manly manual

OH YES! The number 1 recipe for sheer driving pleasure: Manual! The E39 M5 is only available with a Getrag 6 speed manual. Screw you, SMG! You’re more expensive to maintain, and if you go wrong, you cost more to repair. There’s always this amazing feeling when bursting around a track with this car, it just feels satisfying. Driving a manual could also open a chance to improve your driving skills such as clutch kicks, rev match, heel toe, and many more.

Disadvantage: Prepare for a tired left foot when you’re stuck in traffic

5. Sleeper

The E28, E34, and E39 have always been a sleeper. It looks like the rest of the other 5 series on the exterior and interior. But under the hood, that’s where things are really serious. The newer M5, however (E60 and F10) doesn’t have this characteristics anymore with their big bulging hoods and stupidly huge bumpers and all sorts of things. You think the picture above is an M5? Nope. It’s a 530i, huehuehuehue.

BONUS, Parker approves!

Well, I hope you enjoy this article, don’t forget to leave a comment, and I wish you a happy new year, CTzens!

Today’s My Birthday!

Comments

Only the sound is better in m5, the rest is simply what suits you better. You are obviously a m5 fanboy, how can you talk about gearbox on m3 like manual doesnt exist. EU version has 343hp. Interior is quite similar. You have to really know m3 and know bmw’s to know the difference between coupe m_optic and m3 coupe. M5 is larger car and has a better sound thats all there is.

Sure, you have a good point. Thanks for the feedback.

Theres more room in the interior and it has a wood trim as mentioned in this article.
Thats the interior difference. The Eu version has 343hp indeed, but nowhere near the ammout of torque the M5 has. Oh, and manual M3 Coupes are as rare as unicorns, the market is absolutley FILLED with SMG convertibles, people hold on to the Coupe manuals you know. And in an old CT article they mentioned that the E46 M3 manual is crap so…
Theres nothing prefrence related in this article.

Good review but the m5 and m3 do not generally have the same target audience and based on what type of person you are you will either go for the more agile, in your face m3 or the more sedate m5.

And no you will still not get an ellie Golding photodump

You can check my cover image. That’s the best one I’ve got so far. And I did my own dump on the previous article. But, why?

Happy birthday.
Also when you are done with your hooning, an e39 m5 becomes a quiet refined e39 with a v8. When you’re done hooning an e46 m3 it becomes a hard riding uncomfortable 3 series..

You should read my full review on my E46 ZCP.

So you are saying if you press hard a car thats made to be pressed(m3), you will break it very fast. Its bmw, german engineering, not a shitbox. Correct me if im wrong

Reigate colleague, surrey, England. :)

Melbourne University, Straya.

I don’t know why I haven’t followed you…

Number 6. Those eyes!!

Angel eyes!!

Happy birthday mate, or selamat ultah if you wanna go back to your roots. Among the BMWs I’ve seen on the ‘Net at least, the E39 is 4th best looking, 3rd is the 8 series, 2nd is the M1, and first is the 2002. Nice M5 you got there.