E39 M5 to E92/3 M3 Convertible....??

E39 M5 to E92/3 M3 Convertible....??

Author
Discussion

DarkHorseTerence

Original Poster:

582 posts

238 months

Monday 26th September 2016
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Considering this switch for my daily drive.....

what will I notice about the newer car in relation to what is clearly an all time classic M in the M5?

The E39 has a great chassis and balance - its a joy to hustle and very kind to average drivers like me in terms of predictability and progression in all types of weather/conditions......does the M3 match up? (and bearing in mind its a convertible?)

Adaptability - the M5 is a limo, its a long distance monster, its a fun car for a B road hack. Does the M3 deliver such an all round performance?

I'd be going for a DCT for sure.





skeeterm5

3,328 posts

187 months

Monday 26th September 2016
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I would suggest a good long test drive. I went E60 M5 to E92 M3 and now run E39 M5 as my daily. I only kept the M3 for 3 months before selling back to the dealer.

I didn't bond with it at all and found it pretty boring for normal road driving, it is just far too capable. Sure it is a technical masterpiece but just not for me.

The E39, by contrast, is a lovely drive and I have owned this one for 15 months, the longest I have had a daily driver for a long time.

Performance wise I would say there isn't much to choose between the M3 and the E39 for real world driving.

S

rassi

2,447 posts

250 months

Tuesday 27th September 2016
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I owned my E39 M5 for 5 years, and the E92 M3 for 9 months... However, the ownership experience was 4 years apart, so no direct comparison.

The E39 M5 is eminently muscular, and was a great allrounder. The E92 M3 (DCT) was entertaining on smaller roads, but quite ordinary on motorway hauls where e.g. the frameless windows started howling at higher speeds (read: autobahn), whereas the M5 with its double glazing doubled up as superb long distance cruiser.

So, it really depends on how you want to use it. I clearly bought the M3 as the wrong car for the job (fast motorway and long distance), with a 400 km range, whereas the M5 would easily get 500 km on a tank. If it is a fun weekend car, then by all means try the M3 (DCT is a good match for the engine, and the 2 pipe exhaust mod is a must), but you really need a good test drive to make up your mind.

Ramona

173 posts

155 months

Wednesday 28th September 2016
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I had an E39 M5 for a number of years (and an E34 M5 before that), and swapped it for an E93 M3 a year ago.

Their is a huge difference in practicality, especially if you are planning to use it as a daily driver. The E93 is 2-door whereas the E39 is 4-door (not an issue for me, as I rarely carry rear seat passengers) and the boot space is severely compromised when the roof is open (again, not an issue for me - I use the back seat for luggage when necessary).

The E93 feels faster, has a MUCH better exhaust note, and all the electronics (iDrive, satnav, etc) are a generation newer/better than the E39.

It works for my needs (I wanted a convertible with more space than my Z4MR as a weekend/holiday car, and I have a Lexus as a daily driver), but I'd suggest that the E39 M5 is probably the better daily driver, even if feeling a bit dated now.