£32k on a BMW - M3 or M5???

[toppstuff]

A work colleague is in this precise dilemma, lucky chap.

Would you go for the M3 or a slightly older V10 M5?

Interested to hear informed opinions. Anyone here owned both?

[Ment-Al]

M5... but I'm not sure why!

[pgilc1]

toppstuff said:

A work colleague is in this precise dilemma, lucky chap.

Would you go for the M3 or a slightly older V10 M5?

Interested to hear informed opinions. Anyone here owned both?

Very different beasts. An extended test drive in each would be the way forward.

[okgo]

Or an overview into his driving needs, space etc?

[toppstuff]

okgo said:

Or an overview into his driving needs, space etc?

Just into BMW's. One 5 year old kid occasionally in the back but the Mrs has her own car.

Likes the odd track day. Likes the idea of the V10 but may prefer the manual box option of the M3.

I know they are quite different but any actual experience shared of both would be helpful..

[belleair302]

With the M5 you face three potential issues. Firstly the fuel consumption can be eye watering and the tank size is not great. Secondly if the car falls out of warranty fixing it can be very expensive and no independents will touch the electronics and finally prices are still falling.

The M3 is a great car, go for the saloon and enjoy a better all round car, minus the potential running costs and easier day to day driving.

The M5 is dominated by the engine and unless you really drive it hard you will never enjoy the full potential. Not one for the track.

[MC99]

recently went for an E92 M3 and seriously considered the alternatives from other M cars (M5+M6) and Audi RS4, overall the winning factor for me was that I could purchase a car that still has 2 years warranty, longish servicing intervals and has enough practicality without being so big that it would be less fun on the track or to park around london. I like technology but the thought of a out of warranty problem with an M5 would make me soil me' undercrackers..(*would be the same if I got an EDC or M-diff issue on the M3 if that was out of warranty)...

Fuel costs/tyres for either are heavy, around town you're talking <18mpg for the M3, I think the M5/6 run around 14-15mpg, but not enough to make it a decisive factor. Overall range is 300 miles for the M3 (you can get more if you hit long sections of avg speed limit 50MPH camera zones a la M1)..

They won't be disappointed with either choice and the M5 is a memorable car, just a little bigger to hustle....if hustling is your thing of course...all IMHO

[Toilet Duck]

belleair302 said:

no independents will touch the electronics

Slight derail, but why is this the case? Just curious.

[dxb335d]

M6?

[Pork]

Combination of the both - an M3 4-door?

[belleair302]

Toilet Duck said:

belleair302 said:

no independents will touch the electronics

Slight derail, but why is this the case? Just curious.

At the moment the electronic software codes are difficult to get from BMW, few people have been trained how to repair faulty modules and BMW make it tough to get replacement parts. Updates and OEM software can cost thousands. It is an electronic nightmare and most specialists are not looking beyond E39's and E92's. Too small a return on the initial outlay. If buying privately seek out a decent warranty from guys like Warranty Direct.

[gizlaroc]

There are a couple of garages round here using Autologic, one charges £60 an hour for any coding, this includes updating the car with the latest BMW software.

I wouldn't let servicing put you off, the who looked at doing the coding for nav retrofit on my E91 said diagnostics on these new most bus cars are easier than ever.


Back to which one?

They're two completely different cars, and if I was spending my hard earned on one I would probably test them both and decide rather than asking what some strangers on a forum think.

[dubbs]

belleair302 said:

With the M5 you face three potential issues. Firstly the fuel consumption can be eye watering and the tank size is not great. Secondly if the car falls out of warranty fixing it can be very expensive and no independents will touch the electronics and finally prices are still falling.

The M3 is a great car, go for the saloon and enjoy a better all round car, minus the potential running costs and easier day to day driving.

The M5 is dominated by the engine and unless you really drive it hard you will never enjoy the full potential. Not one for the track.

First, as someone with an 11 year old and a 19month old I'd suggest the M6 to you. It's noticeably more sporty to drive than the M5 and a rarer beast (even though M5's aren't exactly common)

Concerning the post above I disagree with these comments. Fuel consumption isn't great but the difference between an E9x M3 at 19mpg round town (maybe early twenties if you drive like a 1litre micra driver everywhere) and an M6 at 13mpg isn't enough to worry about. On an extended run you'll be in the 20's in the M5/6 - booting it in ANY of the cars will see the petrol sucked out at a rate - BUT IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT BUYING M CARS THEN FUEL CONSUMPTION SHOULDN'T REALLY BE IN THE DECIDING FACTORS.

Also consider for the cost difference of 5mpg or so you could save that on shopping well for insurance, tyres, servicing... it really is a non-issue unless you're running to a tight budget (in which case walk away from all three!)

Warranty isn't an issue - I have a 3 year old M6, I have 12months full BMW AUC warranty which I can continue to renew - no problem

Prices still falling? Getting an M3 for 32k will sting you FAR FAR FAR more than an M5/6 at 32k

Forget the M3, get an M6 and enjoy driving 90k's worth of car at a hugely depreciated rate. You'll be driving something truly rare and special.

Both M5 and M6 are great fun on the track, M3 has a quicker turn of direction but the sound of the V10 can't be compared :-) besides, who cares for track lap times? if you do then get a Caterham and a 335d (remapped ) to tow it.

If you're that concerned about track performance then the M3 isn't a great choice either... go for the E46 M3 CSL or something designed for track work. On that note my intention is to take the M6 on track for a bit of fun, car control and then when I want a real performer on track just hire a caterham/elise for the day.

Go test drive all three then decide your weapon :-) Let us all know what you choose!!

[bennno]

I drove an m5 but ended up with a 997 in preference recently for this money

The M5 gearbox didnt really do it for me and the M5 is a bit barge like, in comparison to the 135i i had especially compared to a 997.

The M3 is less of a headache, but think it is still heavily depreciating at the mo. Your friend should look at a Porsche.

I was concerned that an M5 service with a pair of disks was > £2.5k in the history folder - phew

bennno

[EightFortySeeEye]

not owned either but id much rather have an m3 purely based on the looks

the m5 looks nice but nowhere near as nice as the M3 coupe or convert but id rather thave the M5 if we're talknig saloons

[dubbs]

I found the 996 turbo to feel too old fashioned.

997 I like but tbh it'd have to be the turbo to feel as quick or quicker compared to M5/M6

[bennno]

dubbs said:

I found the 996 turbo to feel too old fashioned.

997 I like but tbh it'd have to be the turbo to feel as quick or quicker compared to M5/M6

you are joking a base 997 will get to 60 faster than an M5 (4.6 secs) and when the M car hits it 155mph speed limiter the porker will continue on to 178mph. besides its much for agile and just feels a ton quicker on the road, the gearbox of the M5 put me off.

a CSL is a good alternative and I would wager that a late E46 is probably a better drive and ownership proposition than the latest V8 M3.

bennno

[dxb335d]

bennno said:

dubbs said:

I found the 996 turbo to feel too old fashioned.

997 I like but tbh it'd have to be the turbo to feel as quick or quicker compared to M5/M6

you are joking a base 997 will get to 60 faster than an M5 (4.6 secs) and when the M car hits it 155mph speed limiter the porker will continue on to 178mph. besides its much for agile and just feels a ton quicker on the road, the gearbox of the M5 put me off.

a CSL is a good alternative and I would wager that a late E46 is probably a better drive and ownership proposition than the latest V8 M3.

bennno

but a stock 997 will not beat a M5 to 100mph let alone above that.

[-Z-]

dxb335d said:

bennno said:

dubbs said:

I found the 996 turbo to feel too old fashioned.

997 I like but tbh it'd have to be the turbo to feel as quick or quicker compared to M5/M6

you are joking a base 997 will get to 60 faster than an M5 (4.6 secs) and when the M car hits it 155mph speed limiter the porker will continue on to 178mph. besides its much for agile and just feels a ton quicker on the road, the gearbox of the M5 put me off.

a CSL is a good alternative and I would wager that a late E46 is probably a better drive and ownership proposition than the latest V8 M3.

bennno

but a stock 997 will not beat a M5 to 100mph let alone above that.

Exactly, M5 is a league above the 997 in performance. Several vids on youtube demonstrating M5's easily matching Gallardo's up to and including 270kph.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=fA5uEaW5ZnQ

[JNW1]

bennno said:

dubbs said:

I found the 996 turbo to feel too old fashioned.

997 I like but tbh it'd have to be the turbo to feel as quick or quicker compared to M5/M6

you are joking a base 997 will get to 60 faster than an M5 (4.6 secs) and when the M car hits it 155mph speed limiter the porker will continue on to 178mph. besides its much for agile and just feels a ton quicker on the road, the gearbox of the M5 put me off.

a CSL is a good alternative and I would wager that a late E46 is probably a better drive and ownership proposition than the latest V8 M3.

bennno

I doubt very much that an E46 CSL is a better drive and ownership proposition than an E92 M3. The SMG box and fixed back seats put me off one as an everday car although I liked the rest of it enough to buy an M3 CS instead (with no regrets, great car!). However, I'm not sure even the E46 CS would compare that well with a V8 M3 - a bit lighter and perhaps a bit more communicative but somehow I doubt BMW have gone backwards with the E92. A few of the initial road tests were a bit lukewarm but the long-term reports I've seen have all suggested that the more you drive it and get to know it the better it is; at just over £30k for a low mileage AUC it would be the first option I'd look at!