Bimmer Games Pt. 3: E38 vs. E65/6

[the Teuton]

Let's cut to the chase, which one would I pick if I were a buying man?  Neither.

Let me explain. 

The E38 is a wonderful, big car.  For having such light steering, it's pretty direct.  The car feels much smaller than it is, but it provides a very full-sized interior.  To me, it's the best example of the last old world BMWs, loaded with power damn-near everything, As it picks up speed, the car shrinks around you, feeling almost like just a really big 3 Series.  But it does have some drawbacks.  The old world style of the car means that it's also very dated.

The power adjustable steering wheel is slow to move and loud, as if the motors in the wheels came straight out of 1980s technology.  The navigation system looks out of place, and it's not very intuitive.  Windows 95 looks newer in comparison.  The wired-in phone is just hilariously anachronistic, and the inside door handles grab bars are just too small to properly move the massive doors with ease. 

The newer BMW feels more bucked down on the road, and its engine is so much smoother by comparison.  The iDrive isn't the easiest navi to use, but it isn't bad for basic operations.  For more advanced functions, I wish BMW kept the hordes of buttons from the E38 on the dash.  Some of the newer technology made driving this car much easier than it could have been, including the parking radar that shows up on the iDrive screen. 

But the car had some cheap-feeling spots in it, including the plastic start/stop button that felt like it could crack under long-term use.  The satin finish wood looked fake, and the leather felt like gator skin -- not really that soft.  It is, however, a much improved executive sedan over an already really good E38.

So why wouldn't I pick either?

Answer:  The Audi A8.

I got to drive the dealership's owner's A8L today, and I absolutely fell in love with it, whereas I was really indecisive as to which BMW I'd pick if it were my own car.  The A8 has a back up camera on top of a radar, as well as a projected lane of trajectory based on your steering wheel angle mapped out on the screen.  The seats are softer, the leather is richer, the steering, while still light, is comparable to the better steering from the E38, while the ride is more compliant than the better E65's. 

The functions and controls are easier to use and the transmission felt just as smooth, if not smoother, than the E65's.  The only thing the E65 topped the A8 in was passing power and speed of the transmission kickdown. 

Given that the A8's interior is just plain gorgeous, it seals the deal.  I think I have a new favorite full-sized luxury sedan until I get to drive the Lexus LS and MB S Class.  And even then, I might still pick the A8.

[Laconian]

And given the A8's tremendous depreciation, it can be yours for a song in just a couple years...

There's an A8 that parks in front of the office building from time to time. I've racked up quite a few minutes staring through the tinted windows, mentally stroking the dash. Beautiful.

[the Teuton]

I think the glaring weak point on the A8 might be the transmission while I'm not really sure the 7er has any weak points.  It just doesn't have nearly as many strong points.

[ChrisV]

The E38 is a wonderful, big car.  For having such light steering, it's pretty direct.  The car feels much smaller than it is, but it provides a very full-sized interior.

I agree.

To me, it's the best example of the last old world BMWs, loaded with power damn-near everything, As it picks up speed, the car shrinks around you, feeling almost like just a really big 3 Series.

Again, I completely agree, Especially driving fast through the switchbacks in the Blue Ridge Mountains...

But it does have some drawbacks.

Yeah, a few. At this point in it's life, most are 10 years old, and things start to go wrong at high miles. Luckily most parts are cheap.

The old world style of the car means that it's also very dated.

Iiiiahhhh... don't really agree. I think it's the best looking of the big BMWs and a timeless design, still looking attractive like a well cut business suit.

The power adjustable steering wheel is slow to move and loud, as if the motors in the wheels came straight out of 1980s technology.

Well, the first E38 did come out in '94, and the development had been earlier than that. And yes, it's a bit loud, but it's not bad to live with.

The navigation system looks out of place, and it's not very intuitive.  Windows 95 looks newer in comparison.

Nav? What's that? How many cars of it's era even HAD Nav? I don't even want it in a NEW car...

The wired-in phone is just hilariously anachronistic,

Hahaha. I completely agree! but then again, that's all too common in '90s luxury cars.

and the inside door handles grab bars are just too small to properly move the massive doors with ease.

Wut? I'm no musclebuilder by any stretch, but they are VERY easy to move with the handles. Ergonomically I find them about perfect. I really don't understand this comment.

The newer BMW feels more bucked down on the road, and its engine is so much smoother by comparison.

I find it feels softer, and yes, the engine is quieter. For me personally, I like the sound of the E38 better. More muscular. Makes me smile every time a punch the throttle. Like a guy in a business suit who's gone to the gym regularly.

The iDrive isn't the easiest navi to use, but it isn't bad for basic operations.  For more advanced functions, I wish BMW kept the hordes of buttons from the E38 on the dash.  Some of the newer technology made driving this car much easier than it could have been, including the parking radar that shows up on the iDrive screen.

There's been a lot of naysaying on the iDrive. It is a bit clunky to use to start with, but it's not that difficult to master when you get to live with the car for more than a test drive. But yeah, the earlier car is much easier to use right off the bat.

But the car had some cheap-feeling spots in it, including the plastic start/stop button that felt like it could crack under long-term use.  The satin finish wood looked fake, and the leather felt like gator skin -- not really that soft.  It is, however, a much improved executive sedan over an already really good E38.

As long as you like the controversial looks. The facelifted version is growing on me, however.

So why wouldn't I pick either?

Answer:  The Audi A8.

I got to drive the dealership's owner's A8L today, and I absolutely fell in love with it, whereas I was really indecisive as to which BMW I'd pick if it were my own car.  The A8 has a back up camera on top of a radar, as well as a projected lane of trajectory based on your steering wheel angle mapped out on the screen.  The seats are softer, the leather is richer, the steering, while still light, is comparable to the better steering from the E38, while the ride is more compliant than the better E65's. 

The functions and controls are easier to use and the transmission felt just as smooth, if not smoother, than the E65's.  The only thing the E65 topped the A8 in was passing power and speed of the transmission kickdown. 

Given that the A8's interior is just plain gorgeous, it seals the deal.  I think I have a new favorite full-sized luxury sedan until I get to drive the Lexus LS and MB S Class.  And even then, I might still pick the A8.

While I like the A8, I prefer the E38. And voted with my wallet. Though I'd take the A8 over the E65 (and Lexus and Mercedes)

[CALL_911]

There's been a lot of naysaying on the iDrive. It is a bit clunky to use to start with, but it's not that difficult to master when you get to live with the car for more than a test drive. But yeah, the earlier car is much easier to use right off the bat.

Absolutely. iDrive is very, very simple. And as I've said before, the voice commands simplify things even more.

[Tave]

The A8 has a back up camera on top of a radar, as well as a projected lane of trajectory based on your steering wheel angle mapped out on the screen.

My uncle's new X5 has that; I'm surprised the 7 doesn't.

[omicron]

The current A8 is a simply stunning car. The stance and attention to detail on that car are just exquisite.

[the Teuton]

My uncle's new X5 has that; I'm surprised the 7 doesn't.

The new one would.  The 7er came out in 2002, and it is showing it a little.

[Raza]

Absolutely. iDrive is very, very simple. And as I've said before, the voice commands simplify things even more.

iDrive is not simple if it needs two sets of redundant controls.

[CALL_911]

iDrive is not simple if it needs two sets of redundant controls.

'

So by that measure, neither is COMAND, or any radio with volume and channel controls on the steering wheel.

[Raza]

'

So by that measure, neither is COMAND, or any radio with volume and channel controls on the steering wheel.

"Needs" and "has" are two different things.  When iDrive came out, it was deemed necessary to have redundant controls because it was too labor intensive to use it on the move for simple actions. 

I never said COMAND was simple either.  A standard radio system is far simpler. 

Buttons are simple.  Buttons are good.