Any former E39 BMW 5-series owners now with an E500?

[gwalkden]

I really cannot bring myself to buy the new E60 5-series, so I'm seriously considering an E500. I'm concerned though since I've read differing views on the Airmatic suspension.

If you've owned (or driven) an E39, how did you find the suspension and handling on the E500? Was it as entertaining as the E39? I've got a 528i Sport, and before spending £50K on an E500, I want to make sure it's a real step forward in the handling department!!!

 

[Mmmm]

Fairly related driven m5, e55 and other Mercedes Airsupensio

I had 3 cars including an E46 M3, a S430 and was wanting to go back to two cars so was considering new M5, 760, E55 and CL55/500

I was put off the 5 series looks and the wife really wasn't keen, also the 7 series resale prices are through the floor and that may happen to the 5 series.

Anyway I have driven M5s a couple of times and I test drove an e55, have driven S class V8s with the air suspension (slightly different system but similar), owned a 328i (with your engine in) and had a 523i and 530d as loaners from the garage.

Using the E39 m5 as a bench mark against E55 (100%)

Steering 85-90% (not as much feel but good)
Handling 90-95% (doesn't turn in as well but good)
Grip 100% (seemed much the same but this was on the road not the track)
Ride 115% (really good for a super saloon)
Interior 105% (not as big as old E class)
Straight Line Performance 110+% (quicker than M5 and feels it and is easier to exploit with the excellent auto box )

Fun factor 90% of M5, good steering makes it fun on twisties and the gearbox override is good enough to give fair manual control for the twisties. 110% as a luxury car, better ride, great auto box smooth engine. Active suspension stops car rolling on corners gives good control and comfort.

I think you get the switchable Active suspension as standard on the E500 it?s great set, it at sport and it makes the car corner virtually flat at little cost to the ride this means you can corner very quickly with out upsetting passengers , it?s excellent. The 5.0 and 4.3 litre V8s (driven them in S classes) are great, powerful, torquey, quiet and smooth, these combined with the auto box allow really smooth and quick progress, the S500 is pretty quick 15 secs 0-100mph so the E500 must be quicker still , it will be noticably 3-4 secs quicker than the BMW 2.8 0-100mph, the merc V8 engines are smooth all the way to the red line, very exploitable performance with kickdown on the auto box. The E500 has smaller wheels than the AMG, so the ride should be even better probably putting the 528 in the shade.
Test Drive one you?ll have a pleasant surprise .

We were spoiled by the room of the S Class and got an S55Kompressor, lacks a bit of the steering feel of the E class, but with the ABC active suspension you can really throw it about and as it rolls less it minimizes weight transfer, lets such a big car cope well with twisties transferring direction surprisingly well (it?s no M3 though ) and the grip is high.

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