I have a beater BMW 5 Series E39 (1997-2003) that I drive while I am working in Germany. I realize it's an older car than the 3GS, but I've read the reviews on them and they supposedly wowed the critics when they were the current model. I also read the reports from the car experts that the 3GS was boring to drive. Let me tell you, that BMW handles like crap compared to either of my 3GS in AWD and RWD configurations. The 3GS just wants to play, where I baby my E39 to keep it from sliding around. Now it's not a fair comparison b/c the tires on my E39 are not good quality and I bought 19s and am waiting for them to be shipped, so maybe that will change my mind. Also, it's probably more fair to compare to a E60 model. But I just want to say that the love-making that the car mags do when they talk about BMW steering is a bunch of B.S. Lexus steering to me is outstanding and communicative on the GS. Very sporty and responsive. It's not like you jump in a BMW and say WOW this is so much better than a Lexus. Not in my experience and I've had an E30 in the past as well. I like BMWs but I think their handling is overrated. Just my opinion from my experience.

Both my BMWs were manual and I drove the hell out of my E30. The E39 doesn't handle at all really. Feels like a big boat and the steering is not so great.

 

Well you got a gs with electronic steering vs 2003 bmw old fashioned power steering with fairly old suspension. Those 2 cars can't be compared.

 

^ yeah if u really wanted to compare drive a new 5 series and your 3gs

 

Well, I don't think a new (F10) 5 Series would be fair, but like my original post said, an E60 would be fair. The point was however that the car reviews for the E39 raved that it had great handling and the reviews for the 3GS were not so favorable in the handling department. I've driven old cars that still handle great so I don't think a car has to be new to have good handling. The tie rods, front suspension arms and bushings on my E39 are brand new so it's not that beat up. I changed them before getting the car inspected for the TuV.

 

driving my cousins e90 i feel liek the handling on BMW is stiffer and more responsive where the gs was more comfty and cruising.

this was before wehn both were stock suspension though

 

I've got F-Sport sways on my GS and it handles like it's on rails, even though the swaybar annoyingly squeaks and makes knocking sounds. Even before the sways it handled great, but even better now. The steering is stiffer and more responsive on my 2006 AWD than it is on my 2010 RWD. Almost feels like two different cars.

 

Okay.... in my honest opinion? The E39 M5 was the best handling sedan ever to come out of any car factory in the history of this planet!

 

M series cars are not included in my critique They're kind of a different animal.

 

The E60 and the 3GS have similar cornering grip. In car an driver tests both v8 models pulled 0.9G so it's equal.

The E60 steering is more direct and has more feedback. So in the rain you get a better sense of grip levels. This is usually why people prefer BMW for driver engagement.

That said the 3GS electric steering varies assist based on speed, and on AVS cars also varies assist based on suspension being in sport or comfort. I think this is a great feature and really improves driving engagement. That's why the new A6, F10 BMW, and 2012 CLS all followed Lexus in moving to electric steering.

If you drive an F10 the steering is done better than Lexus though. It is very direct in sport mode makes the car feel razor sharp.

 

one of the complaints with F10 is that the new steering system is lacking in feel department. I've never driven it myself but that's what I've read in my Roundel magazine. However, considering the demographics of the target consumers for F10, it makes sense to have a little bit of disconnected feel than say M cars or even 3 series.

 

not sure what you are smoking but your random BMW bashing made me laugh. I've driven a 530 several years ago. E39 528 or 530 is well balanced comapred to 540. meaning handling is much better despite an understeer, but that's expected with a car that weighs nearly 3,800lbs. Funny that you list the MY as (1997-2003), so which is it that you own?
I own the same 06 GS AWD and don't get me started with handling. They aren't horrible for family car standards but not even close to how you are making it out to be. I'd be petrified to take this car to the track. Maybe you should redefine your definition of 'handling'.

 

I have an E30 and even though the suspension could use a refresh, the steering is very communicative. I've also owned a Honda S2000, which is one of the best handling cars out there. The S has electric steering, the BMW obviously doesn't. I still prefer the steering in the BMW. The Honda's steering just felt numb.

 

My GS460 with Active Suspension, Michelin Pilot Super Sports and dead-on alignment from a racing specialist, drives in a manner which is very BMW like.

 

i believe vgrs is only on gs460, at least not on early ears gs350

 

bmw like with one that has the micehlin pss and dead on alignment? i think that will be a fair comparison.

again, i am not saying which one is better, but i am saying what's the platform for comparison. factory to factory, i think that's fair. if tires are crappy then it's factory fault. outside of that then we are talking about variables. if we have a gs460 with avs and vgrs, then we should think of the e60 550i with sport package