Only in the case of the 3-Series and 5-Series. The 1-Series is too new (in the U.S., at least), the Z3 sucked, the Z4 was a bit better, the 7-Series is clearly not for handling, and the 6-Series... I'm not sure about that one, but it has never struck me as being the benchmark in its category.
The 1 handles well.
The 6, 7 and Z's, I wouldn't call those normal cars. A GT coupe, a luxury limo and roadsters all delve into whole other segments populated by many other, sometimes specialised, manufacturers.
dilla said:
I'm pretty sure the 6er has some name to its handling. Who does it compete against? The MB CL or CLS? Audi A5? I think it looks better and definitely could dust the Audi. Now the AMG CL is a monster, but is also almost double the price of the M6. So I dunno. But I would guess the 6 series would have the legendary handling as well. What would they change on the 7? I would think the handling genes would pass on down to the higher models as well, and relative to their competitors, I think they would be better handlers. LS 460, 760iL, MB S600. I think I would see the BMW edging them out. Hell, maybe even an AMG S class with its sport turned whatevers.
The 6 is a decent handling car by most accounts, the M is the real purty one. And even then 6's are on the weighty side. They're not really sporty, they're GT's. Which would put them in...well..the lotsa-dollars GT segment or something.
All those big AMG's are really autobahn eaters. With maybe the exception of the CLS (which is based on the E-platform), they're all very heavy cars with more focus on comfort and stabiltiy. The CL's weight, especially the 65, is immense. Of course they have underpinnings to suit the power, but as far as handling is concerned, boh. The best of the bunch handles "well for a car this size", basically.
As far as handling is concerned with 7's, S's and maybe A8's, who cares? Deeez said it well.