M4 or M5? Or keep C63...
Discussion
Well, just about to go and collect the C63 after its service... decided to extend the lease by another year. Cost has increased from £572pm to £767pm but with no deposit this time. It means I can shunt the decision of what to swap it for a bit further down the line! I'll try and post a pic of it later - alongside my other, even noisier AMG 
Good decision and I didn't realise you could extend the lease or I might have done the same.
My big issue was that year 3 meant a major service, new brakes and more £500 VED... I test drove the new M3 and had a similar experience coming from the C63 - just where is the soul and character in the M3 / M4???
Yes it's fast, great to look at and nice inside, but I didn't like the exhaust note.
In the end I couldn't work out what to do and got a mega deal on a new 640d Coupe (£22k off list) which I thought was pretty sensible for me.
1 year on (in December) I love the look of the car, the interior and the long effortless drives, but I am bored overall and need back into a fast petrol car.
I've actually gone full circle and considering the M3 again, I want to like the the C63 and drove it last month (epic to drive) but I really don't like the look of it.
I've also considered the M5, but it's due to be replaced pretty soon and the size of the 640d on back roads can be frustrating at times and I think a car M3 / C63 sized is more suitable.
The other problem for me is getting used to all the nice toys like full leather dash etc... oh well... I will be contacting my dealer soon to see if I can get yet another drive in an M3 and go from there.
My big issue was that year 3 meant a major service, new brakes and more £500 VED... I test drove the new M3 and had a similar experience coming from the C63 - just where is the soul and character in the M3 / M4???
Yes it's fast, great to look at and nice inside, but I didn't like the exhaust note.
In the end I couldn't work out what to do and got a mega deal on a new 640d Coupe (£22k off list) which I thought was pretty sensible for me.
1 year on (in December) I love the look of the car, the interior and the long effortless drives, but I am bored overall and need back into a fast petrol car.
I've actually gone full circle and considering the M3 again, I want to like the the C63 and drove it last month (epic to drive) but I really don't like the look of it.
I've also considered the M5, but it's due to be replaced pretty soon and the size of the 640d on back roads can be frustrating at times and I think a car M3 / C63 sized is more suitable.
The other problem for me is getting used to all the nice toys like full leather dash etc... oh well... I will be contacting my dealer soon to see if I can get yet another drive in an M3 and go from there.
moffat said:
Good decision and I didn't realise you could extend the lease or I might have done the same.
My big issue was that year 3 meant a major service, new brakes and more £500 VED... I test drove the new M3 and had a similar experience coming from the C63 - just where is the soul and character in the M3 / M4???
Yes it's fast, great to look at and nice inside, but I didn't like the exhaust note.
In the end I couldn't work out what to do and got a mega deal on a new 640d Coupe (£22k off list) which I thought was pretty sensible for me.
1 year on (in December) I love the look of the car, the interior and the long effortless drives, but I am bored overall and need back into a fast petrol car.
I've actually gone full circle and considering the M3 again, I want to like the the C63 and drove it last month (epic to drive) but I really don't like the look of it.
I've also considered the M5, but it's due to be replaced pretty soon and the size of the 640d on back roads can be frustrating at times and I think a car M3 / C63 sized is more suitable.
The other problem for me is getting used to all the nice toys like full leather dash etc... oh well... I will be contacting my dealer soon to see if I can get yet another drive in an M3 and go from there.
Only had my M3 a week,(Xdemo huge spec huge saving)thought about M4 BUT stood next to each other only one of them looks the part IMHO. I must be in the minority here My big issue was that year 3 meant a major service, new brakes and more £500 VED... I test drove the new M3 and had a similar experience coming from the C63 - just where is the soul and character in the M3 / M4???
Yes it's fast, great to look at and nice inside, but I didn't like the exhaust note.
In the end I couldn't work out what to do and got a mega deal on a new 640d Coupe (£22k off list) which I thought was pretty sensible for me.
1 year on (in December) I love the look of the car, the interior and the long effortless drives, but I am bored overall and need back into a fast petrol car.
I've actually gone full circle and considering the M3 again, I want to like the the C63 and drove it last month (epic to drive) but I really don't like the look of it.
I've also considered the M5, but it's due to be replaced pretty soon and the size of the 640d on back roads can be frustrating at times and I think a car M3 / C63 sized is more suitable.
The other problem for me is getting used to all the nice toys like full leather dash etc... oh well... I will be contacting my dealer soon to see if I can get yet another drive in an M3 and go from there.
as I actually like the exhaust note (with flaps open) Its as quick as my M5 upto 80, far quicker when pushing on on B roads, HK stereo sounds as good to me as the B&O did in the M5 and it returns 30mpg on the Motorway.... Only a week and 500 miles in but so far and really cant fault the car. moffat said:
Good decision and I didn't realise you could extend the lease or I might have done the same.
My big issue was that year 3 meant a major service, new brakes and more £500 VED... I test drove the new M3 and had a similar experience coming from the C63 - just where is the soul and character in the M3 / M4???
Yes it's fast, great to look at and nice inside, but I didn't like the exhaust note.
In the end I couldn't work out what to do and got a mega deal on a new 640d Coupe (£22k off list) which I thought was pretty sensible for me.
1 year on (in December) I love the look of the car, the interior and the long effortless drives, but I am bored overall and need back into a fast petrol car.
I've actually gone full circle and considering the M3 again, I want to like the the C63 and drove it last month (epic to drive) but I really don't like the look of it.
I've also considered the M5, but it's due to be replaced pretty soon and the size of the 640d on back roads can be frustrating at times and I think a car M3 / C63 sized is more suitable.
The other problem for me is getting used to all the nice toys like full leather dash etc... oh well... I will be contacting my dealer soon to see if I can get yet another drive in an M3 and go from there.
We seem to have identical views! I also seriously considered a 640d, don't like the look of the C63 saloon and as you'll have seen share your initial views o the M3,4 and 5. The service I've just had on the C63 was £558, brakes should be fine for another year and I'm told the next service is less expensive... I may upgrade to the C63 coupe when it comes out in 2016. The C63 saloon was amazing to drive, I know my local dealership well and they gave me the keys and sent me off to play. Best, fastest and most sideways test drive I've ever had My big issue was that year 3 meant a major service, new brakes and more £500 VED... I test drove the new M3 and had a similar experience coming from the C63 - just where is the soul and character in the M3 / M4???
Yes it's fast, great to look at and nice inside, but I didn't like the exhaust note.
In the end I couldn't work out what to do and got a mega deal on a new 640d Coupe (£22k off list) which I thought was pretty sensible for me.
1 year on (in December) I love the look of the car, the interior and the long effortless drives, but I am bored overall and need back into a fast petrol car.
I've actually gone full circle and considering the M3 again, I want to like the the C63 and drove it last month (epic to drive) but I really don't like the look of it.
I've also considered the M5, but it's due to be replaced pretty soon and the size of the 640d on back roads can be frustrating at times and I think a car M3 / C63 sized is more suitable.
The other problem for me is getting used to all the nice toys like full leather dash etc... oh well... I will be contacting my dealer soon to see if I can get yet another drive in an M3 and go from there.
In the real world it is faster than my SLS, shame about the droopy bottom!PHOENIXUK said:
Only had my M3 a week,(Xdemo huge spec huge saving)thought about M4 BUT stood next to each other only one of them looks the part IMHO. I must be in the minority here as I actually like the exhaust note (with flaps open) Its as quick as my M5 upto 80, far quicker when pushing on on B roads, HK stereo sounds as good to me as the B&O did in the M5 and it returns 30mpg on the Motorway.... Only a week and 500 miles in but so far and really cant fault the car.
Well, I think you have a very good looking car - I to prefer the look of the M3 over the M4, albeit lease prices were higher for the M3. Apparently they sound far better with the sports exhaust, does yours have one fitted? Either way, glad you like it, the sound of the one I drove was a major disappointment having had and M3 E46, the C63 and competing in various E36 engined rally cars - all of which sounded far better to my ears! as I actually like the exhaust note (with flaps open) Its as quick as my M5 upto 80, far quicker when pushing on on B roads, HK stereo sounds as good to me as the B&O did in the M5 and it returns 30mpg on the Motorway.... Only a week and 500 miles in but so far and really cant fault the car. 
I had an M4 for the day yesterday, I brought in the 525d for sevicing in the morning and they were so kind to let me take that for a day test drive instead of taking the courtesy car. I had to go to work so actually I drove it just for an hour or so and some of the time in the traffic but I took a longer route through the hills.
The car looked a bit too extrovert with black tailpipes and wheels and blue/red stripes on white paint but I enjoyed it more than I remembered at the test drive at the launch. It felt more aggressive in handling department, and the exhaust felt louder. But I won't buy one, I am really think to get again something powerful and relatively comfortable alongside the Elise for weekends but I am more intrigued by a 2nd hand 991 at the moment.
The car looked a bit too extrovert with black tailpipes and wheels and blue/red stripes on white paint but I enjoyed it more than I remembered at the test drive at the launch. It felt more aggressive in handling department, and the exhaust felt louder. But I won't buy one, I am really think to get again something powerful and relatively comfortable alongside the Elise for weekends but I am more intrigued by a 2nd hand 991 at the moment.
I have had this M3 for a few months now and I cannot fault it - it is awesome. The sound of the exhaust, I love. It is composed in comfort mode then a press of one of the M buttons, makes it fun and faultless on the open road. It looks great - always getting compliments and admiration. It's my 5th M3 now, so I am biased, but I do test drive other marques and models before I change, and nothing comes close to it.
Just traded in my 3rd c63 (long story) for an m5. I must say i think the m5 sounds great, even without sports exhaust. I test drive one with the competition pack and that was pretty much on a par with my c63, both sounded awesome.
To be honest, I actually prefer the quieter version I have on my standard m5, less shouty and attention seeking, which suits me fine, I prefer to go unnoticed.
Git a great deal from BMW, I love this car! Loads of room, seats are much more accommodating than the c63's if you are over 10 stone!
It's taken a week or so to get used to the size, but I wouldn't want anything else now. I sat in an m4 in the showroom, seats weren't as comfortable, the interior didn't seem as good quality wise, and I thought it was huge on the outside in comparison to the e46 and 92 m3's I had (I've had two of each, long story)
So, I would definitely consider the m5 as a definite step up from the c63, and take advantage of the great deals Bmw are offering while you can!
To be honest, I actually prefer the quieter version I have on my standard m5, less shouty and attention seeking, which suits me fine, I prefer to go unnoticed.
Git a great deal from BMW, I love this car! Loads of room, seats are much more accommodating than the c63's if you are over 10 stone!
It's taken a week or so to get used to the size, but I wouldn't want anything else now. I sat in an m4 in the showroom, seats weren't as comfortable, the interior didn't seem as good quality wise, and I thought it was huge on the outside in comparison to the e46 and 92 m3's I had (I've had two of each, long story)
So, I would definitely consider the m5 as a definite step up from the c63, and take advantage of the great deals Bmw are offering while you can!
spudgun08 said:
Just traded in my 3rd c63 (long story) for an m5. I must say i think the m5 sounds great, even without sports exhaust. I test drive one with the competition pack and that was pretty much on a par with my c63, both sounded awesome.
To be honest, I actually prefer the quieter version I have on my standard m5, less shouty and attention seeking, which suits me fine, I prefer to go unnoticed.
Git a great deal from BMW, I love this car! Loads of room, seats are much more accommodating than the c63's if you are over 10 stone!
It's taken a week or so to get used to the size, but I wouldn't want anything else now. I sat in an m4 in the showroom, seats weren't as comfortable, the interior didn't seem as good quality wise, and I thought it was huge on the outside in comparison to the e46 and 92 m3's I had (I've had two of each, long story)
So, I would definitely consider the m5 as a definite step up from the c63, and take advantage of the great deals Bmw are offering while you can!
Imagine the pace won't be much different?To be honest, I actually prefer the quieter version I have on my standard m5, less shouty and attention seeking, which suits me fine, I prefer to go unnoticed.
Git a great deal from BMW, I love this car! Loads of room, seats are much more accommodating than the c63's if you are over 10 stone!
It's taken a week or so to get used to the size, but I wouldn't want anything else now. I sat in an m4 in the showroom, seats weren't as comfortable, the interior didn't seem as good quality wise, and I thought it was huge on the outside in comparison to the e46 and 92 m3's I had (I've had two of each, long story)
So, I would definitely consider the m5 as a definite step up from the c63, and take advantage of the great deals Bmw are offering while you can!
Loved my c63 PP but gearbox really let it down in comparison to other German boxes.
What spec and colour did you go for?
notax said:
Oh dear, we've now gone from Mercedes to Porsche, Simon won't be happy
Gnf...I did consider a C63 estate, as I wanted a quick DD and there is no M3 Touring.
The Merc was too much, so started looking for 335i estates.
Then an M5 came up locally for similar budget, so I thought it rude not to...
As for the above, I'd always choose a Vantage over a 911, but wouldn't be discussing it on a BMW forum, as they are a completely different animal.
likesachange said:
spudgun08 said:
Just traded in my 3rd c63 (long story) for an m5. I must say i think the m5 sounds great, even without sports exhaust. I test drive one with the competition pack and that was pretty much on a par with my c63, both sounded awesome.
To be honest, I actually prefer the quieter version I have on my standard m5, less shouty and attention seeking, which suits me fine, I prefer to go unnoticed.
Git a great deal from BMW, I love this car! Loads of room, seats are much more accommodating than the c63's if you are over 10 stone!
It's taken a week or so to get used to the size, but I wouldn't want anything else now. I sat in an m4 in the showroom, seats weren't as comfortable, the interior didn't seem as good quality wise, and I thought it was huge on the outside in comparison to the e46 and 92 m3's I had (I've had two of each, long story)
So, I would definitely consider the m5 as a definite step up from the c63, and take advantage of the great deals Bmw are offering while you can!
Imagine the pace won't be much different?To be honest, I actually prefer the quieter version I have on my standard m5, less shouty and attention seeking, which suits me fine, I prefer to go unnoticed.
Git a great deal from BMW, I love this car! Loads of room, seats are much more accommodating than the c63's if you are over 10 stone!
It's taken a week or so to get used to the size, but I wouldn't want anything else now. I sat in an m4 in the showroom, seats weren't as comfortable, the interior didn't seem as good quality wise, and I thought it was huge on the outside in comparison to the e46 and 92 m3's I had (I've had two of each, long story)
So, I would definitely consider the m5 as a definite step up from the c63, and take advantage of the great deals Bmw are offering while you can!
Loved my c63 PP but gearbox really let it down in comparison to other German boxes.
What spec and colour did you go for?
Pace wise, I thought it was noticeably quicker than my c63's, also a much nicer steer and less nervous feeling and more planted when pushing on. I had an xfr briefly after my first c63, that thing had proper grunt! I change cars often sadly, gonna try and keep the m5 for some time.
spudgun08 said:
I went black with black interior, rear m5 badge removed, factory tint, surround view, comfort access, heated wheel, 20" wheels, service pack, it's as much as I want really.
Pace wise, I thought it was noticeably quicker than my c63's, also a much nicer steer and less nervous feeling and more planted when pushing on. I had an xfr briefly after my first c63, that thing had proper grunt! I change cars often sadly, gonna try and keep the m5 for some time.
Not the full stealth look with the black wheels too then?Pace wise, I thought it was noticeably quicker than my c63's, also a much nicer steer and less nervous feeling and more planted when pushing on. I had an xfr briefly after my first c63, that thing had proper grunt! I change cars often sadly, gonna try and keep the m5 for some time.
I'm the same I change my cars on average 4 times a year. But that has to stop now as I am committed to this for 4 years! Quite a challenge considering I only had a 10 mile test drive on a busy road.....
But after all the reviews and forum searches I've done it seems it's a hard car to beat in the same price bracket.
likesachange said:
spudgun08 said:
I went black with black interior, rear m5 badge removed, factory tint, surround view, comfort access, heated wheel, 20" wheels, service pack, it's as much as I want really.
Pace wise, I thought it was noticeably quicker than my c63's, also a much nicer steer and less nervous feeling and more planted when pushing on. I had an xfr briefly after my first c63, that thing had proper grunt! I change cars often sadly, gonna try and keep the m5 for some time.
Not the full stealth look with the black wheels too then?Pace wise, I thought it was noticeably quicker than my c63's, also a much nicer steer and less nervous feeling and more planted when pushing on. I had an xfr briefly after my first c63, that thing had proper grunt! I change cars often sadly, gonna try and keep the m5 for some time.
I'm the same I change my cars on average 4 times a year. But that has to stop now as I am committed to this for 4 years! Quite a challenge considering I only had a 10 mile test drive on a busy road.....
But after all the reviews and forum searches I've done it seems it's a hard car to beat in the same price bracket.
I've signed up to 4 year pcp, gonna give it a good go to see it through, not much else floats my boat now anyway, I hate attention, had a 996 turbo once and really didn't enjoy the looks I got etc.
As for black wheels, I thought they'd look too much, I want my m5 to blend in, I think black wheels can sometimes give the game away.
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