10k to spend - E46 M3 vs E39 M5 - opinions please.
Discussion
M5 is the connoisseur's choice...... Owned a E39 for 18 months back in 2004.... One of my favourite cars ever!!!! Massively tail happy if you want it to be with just a prod of the throttle... I'd save a couple more quid and buy the best lowest mileage example of which ever one you decide....if you go M5 Pay for a good Warranty or buy from a dealer might cost a little more but well worth the peace of mind ...
Repairs on these can burn the pocket remember originally a 60k car and repairs can reflect this
Repairs on these can burn the pocket remember originally a 60k car and repairs can reflect this
I think for your use the M3 is probably the way to go as it is a touch smaller and seems more nippy (perhaps an error as I use the CSL as my point of reference) even though it like high revolutions to do so. On top of that there is probably more choice of M3 but then also more 'boy racers' to buy from ie the ones who like to motor but do not like the expense.
The M5 is a beautiful motorway cruiser. Four up from the south coast to Scotland and arrive suitably unshaken. I used to love my M5 and had a M3 at the same time albeit the CSL. I still love a manual box - my only disappointment with the CSL. Sadly the M5 has gone but it is a very pleasant place to be.
Mine was a 1999 year but I upgraded to widescreen DvD satnav which was pretty much plug and play as well as a bluetooth phone system. I never bought the car for the satnav depite the upgrade but found it plenty good enough. Let us face it most who rely on it are not out for the drive - dope on a rope following commands from the satnav and not concentrating fully on the road and dangers ahead. Electric self driving cars are made for these people.
Back to the main topic. Comfortable big leather heated seats and compliant suspension with the Harman Kardon sound system. The V8 growl is irresistable and addictive. The torque is beautiful pulling away from standstill in 2nd.
So in short recommendation is M3 but heart is with M5.
Pip
Ps The M5 may sound big in size but compared to modern cars it definitely is not.
The M5 is a beautiful motorway cruiser. Four up from the south coast to Scotland and arrive suitably unshaken. I used to love my M5 and had a M3 at the same time albeit the CSL. I still love a manual box - my only disappointment with the CSL. Sadly the M5 has gone but it is a very pleasant place to be.
Mine was a 1999 year but I upgraded to widescreen DvD satnav which was pretty much plug and play as well as a bluetooth phone system. I never bought the car for the satnav depite the upgrade but found it plenty good enough. Let us face it most who rely on it are not out for the drive - dope on a rope following commands from the satnav and not concentrating fully on the road and dangers ahead. Electric self driving cars are made for these people.
Back to the main topic. Comfortable big leather heated seats and compliant suspension with the Harman Kardon sound system. The V8 growl is irresistable and addictive. The torque is beautiful pulling away from standstill in 2nd.
So in short recommendation is M3 but heart is with M5.
Pip
Ps The M5 may sound big in size but compared to modern cars it definitely is not.
I ran manual e46 daily for about 2 and half years ,sold it about a month ago for 7000 grand and tbh think I let it go a bit cheaply, so think 10 grand should get something pretty decent.IT was 2003 auc car with 67000 on the clock when I bought it, sold it on 89000.Great car that it was, if I had the choice again id probably go for the m5.Drove a m5 and to me it sounded nicer and if im honest it felt a little quicker its probably not just felt that way. Think the running costs aren't going to be much different.I burnt through 3 grand on mine in the time I had it, costs which included inspection 2 ,oil service , set of tyres set of brakes,supension arm, and think I was lucky to get away with out getting any headgasket issues or the like.The sat nav isn't to bad its not google maps but pretty easy to use and it always got me were I wanted to go.I had a one of those denision connections in the boot were I used to leave a ipod and it would play through the head unit giving song and artist.Anyway good luck with the search and keep us posted.
Edited by little328ci on Friday 1st April 08:19
I've posted about this before. With the e39, I would strongly suggest budgeting £15k, finding the best you can for £10k and then spending £5k on renewal work. Unless you are very lucky, even those described as 'mint' at the top of the market will require work; at £10k I think you will really struggle to find a well sorted example. You're better off buying a non-mint - but honest - car with full history and bringing it up to scratch yourself - then you'll know what has been done. £5k will renew the suspension and clutch and leave a good chunk to go towards whatever else may be required such as rust (likely!), brakes, diff seals, big end bearings / chain guides / vanos etc.
Budget £2k / year for maintenance once the car is up to scratch. It may not need this amount every year, but it should be enough to keep the car in top shape.
They are wonderful. They are expensive relative to an everyday car; however £2k pa running costs are far lower than depreciation on a new M5 (for example). It depends where your point of reference is. Don't buy one if you can't afford to keep it in top condition - there's no point owning a sloppy and tired M car IMO.
Budget £2k / year for maintenance once the car is up to scratch. It may not need this amount every year, but it should be enough to keep the car in top shape.
They are wonderful. They are expensive relative to an everyday car; however £2k pa running costs are far lower than depreciation on a new M5 (for example). It depends where your point of reference is. Don't buy one if you can't afford to keep it in top condition - there's no point owning a sloppy and tired M car IMO.
Edited by csampo on Friday 1st April 09:28
e21Mark said:
M3.
All M3's lack a bit of low down torque as they're built to rev. Personally I think they sound great, although I'd budget for a carbon air box and re map from Evolve.
Most will have had subframe issues addressed, although there are enough competent specialists for cars that haven't.
Much as I appreciate the E39 M5, it's just not the type of car for me.
I chose my convertible specifically because it had an Evolve airbox - revving is the best bit! Good daily driver, particularly in summer. All M3's lack a bit of low down torque as they're built to rev. Personally I think they sound great, although I'd budget for a carbon air box and re map from Evolve.
Most will have had subframe issues addressed, although there are enough competent specialists for cars that haven't.
Much as I appreciate the E39 M5, it's just not the type of car for me.
I wouldn't get too concerned about difference in running costs, as has been said already it's down to what individual examples are going to need, and you can't predict that.
There are lots more M3s around, and most are likely to be younger than an M5 as E39 production ended in 2003. Those factors alone could be significant. Additionally, if you're doing a number of shorter journeys then many of the M5's finer qualities - high speed cruising, good ride quality etc - are not in the equation. An M3 also has better steering, is smaller and more agile. They also seem to take highish mileages OK - head gasket and subframe issues are well known and fixable, should you be unlucky enough to fall foul.
Unless the perfect M5 comes up at the right money (unlikely) I'd spend my time looking for a good M3.
There are lots more M3s around, and most are likely to be younger than an M5 as E39 production ended in 2003. Those factors alone could be significant. Additionally, if you're doing a number of shorter journeys then many of the M5's finer qualities - high speed cruising, good ride quality etc - are not in the equation. An M3 also has better steering, is smaller and more agile. They also seem to take highish mileages OK - head gasket and subframe issues are well known and fixable, should you be unlucky enough to fall foul.
Unless the perfect M5 comes up at the right money (unlikely) I'd spend my time looking for a good M3.
Thanks again for the continued opinions. 
I'm erring towards an M5 as I feel this is going to be a 'keeper' situation. I can continue to run the 328 Touring as a daily for work (still running strong on 175k). Browsing the market, I agree that a 'fresher' M3 can be purchased for the budget.
I promised myself a reward after I finished my MRCGP training a year and a half ago. Somehow an engagement ring and subsequent wedding got in the way.
I'm not in a rush to buy and will wait. Budget can also increase for the right car.
I'm erring towards an M5 as I feel this is going to be a 'keeper' situation. I can continue to run the 328 Touring as a daily for work (still running strong on 175k). Browsing the market, I agree that a 'fresher' M3 can be purchased for the budget.
TheAngryDog said:
Well either way, whichever car you choose at least you're not going for some soulless(sp) dreary modern 4 pot turbo.
That would be a disappointing treat! I promised myself a reward after I finished my MRCGP training a year and a half ago. Somehow an engagement ring and subsequent wedding got in the way.
I'm not in a rush to buy and will wait. Budget can also increase for the right car.Took my M5 out tonight for a jolly to Southend. I wasn't planning on using it this weekend but well you know how it is. Even cruising in it is awesome just listening to the v8 barely ticking over and then when I needed to hurry up a little not even needing to change down as the engine is giving lots of torque and just yawning.
Then driving it through town, light acceleration, gear Change, repeat until at desired speed, just the noise of light acceleration is sweet. I have thought about chopping it in for an evo or Skyline, but neither would do what this car does so well imo.
Then driving it through town, light acceleration, gear Change, repeat until at desired speed, just the noise of light acceleration is sweet. I have thought about chopping it in for an evo or Skyline, but neither would do what this car does so well imo.
Quick update, sorry not the one hoped for.
Wife and I have been looking for houses. Found one we both loved, put in an offer and it has been accepted. Still a long way until everything is done but with the deposit and SDLT, the M hunt will have to be postponed for while.
As an aside, the house has epic garage potential. Here's hoping. *fingers crossed*
Thanks again for all your advice/opinions.
Wife and I have been looking for houses. Found one we both loved, put in an offer and it has been accepted. Still a long way until everything is done but with the deposit and SDLT, the M hunt will have to be postponed for while.
As an aside, the house has epic garage potential. Here's hoping. *fingers crossed*
Thanks again for all your advice/opinions.
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