Did I make a mistake?
Discussion
I sold my 1999 M5 (E39) in February and I am thinking that I perhaps shouldn't have, or at least bought another.
I currently have a Mazda 6 MPS and it is a very good car, and I am happy with it, but it doesn't feel special. I think its a good looking car, but it isn't as exciting as the M5. I know there is a power difference, 396bhp to 256bhp, and I know I only need to spend another £500 to get the car to around 300-320bhp, but to go the next level it would cost another £2200 minimum to get it to around 370 - 380bhp, but then there is a risk of bending the rods at this level of tune. Sure it would be as quick, if not quicker than an M5, but it will still be a Mazda 6.
Should I have kept my M5?
Or should I have saved for a bit longer and bought an Audi RS6 C5 or W211 E55 AMG (Compressor).
Vauxhall VXR8's are out of my price range.
Its odd as I fell out of love with my M5 due to the issues it had, but clearly it seems to have worked itself under my skin.
I currently have a Mazda 6 MPS and it is a very good car, and I am happy with it, but it doesn't feel special. I think its a good looking car, but it isn't as exciting as the M5. I know there is a power difference, 396bhp to 256bhp, and I know I only need to spend another £500 to get the car to around 300-320bhp, but to go the next level it would cost another £2200 minimum to get it to around 370 - 380bhp, but then there is a risk of bending the rods at this level of tune. Sure it would be as quick, if not quicker than an M5, but it will still be a Mazda 6.
Should I have kept my M5?
Or should I have saved for a bit longer and bought an Audi RS6 C5 or W211 E55 AMG (Compressor).
Vauxhall VXR8's are out of my price range.
Its odd as I fell out of love with my M5 due to the issues it had, but clearly it seems to have worked itself under my skin.
aka_kerrly said:
Were you not thinking of giving the M5 a full respray or is that another PH User?
I was but it needed £7500 spending on it really to bring it up to spec.Terzo123 said:
If you don't need 4 doors, what about a Monaro?
If you could push your budget a bit, you might get into a VXR one.
Similar performance to the M5, and bucket loads of character.
I prefer 4 door cars so I'd prefer a saloon. I don't mind the Monaro but just prefer the looks of the 4 door VXR.If you could push your budget a bit, you might get into a VXR one.
Similar performance to the M5, and bucket loads of character.
E39 M5 colours don't make any difference to me really, they all appeal.
I Don't fancy an E36 M3, it has to be a V8 at least
. Also the S4 2.7 also doesn't really appeal.
I'd consider an E60 if I could afford one but it's going to be some time before I can, and then there's the reliability issues
Hmmmmm
I Don't fancy an E36 M3, it has to be a V8 at least
. Also the S4 2.7 also doesn't really appeal. I'd consider an E60 if I could afford one but it's going to be some time before I can, and then there's the reliability issues
Hmmmmm
My credit rating is non existent thanks to an ex of mine, I'm still paying off the hole she left me in so finance is a no no 
I mentioned the E55 AMG and I do like them especially as they're already nigh on 500bhp and would be over 500bhp with a remap.
I know how good the E39 M5 is and how ruinous it can be, hence the £7500 cost to put my old one right.
Decisions decisions. I should probably keep Hold of my MPS for a year really.....
I mentioned the E55 AMG and I do like them especially as they're already nigh on 500bhp and would be over 500bhp with a remap.
I know how good the E39 M5 is and how ruinous it can be, hence the £7500 cost to put my old one right.
Decisions decisions. I should probably keep Hold of my MPS for a year really.....
I know I did the best thing moving my old car on 
One thing that I haven't taken into consideration yet is that any M5 I bought, it would probably need some money spending on it like suspension and bushes? One thing I have seen is that a lot of cars for sale do not appear to have these done.
One thing that I haven't taken into consideration yet is that any M5 I bought, it would probably need some money spending on it like suspension and bushes? One thing I have seen is that a lot of cars for sale do not appear to have these done.
I do like the MPS and would keep it as well as an M5. I'll make a decision over the summer I guess, need to see if I can recover from this operation I've just had first.
I may put the £2k into the mps to get it to the 370bhp. I can always put it back to standard and sell the parts and get most of my money back. As I am working from home for the foreseeable future it's not like the mileage will be going up either.
How are you finding yours?
I may put the £2k into the mps to get it to the 370bhp. I can always put it back to standard and sell the parts and get most of my money back. As I am working from home for the foreseeable future it's not like the mileage will be going up either.
How are you finding yours?
a7x88 said:
Yea I'm enjoying it - bit different for me though, I came from a series of company cars, the last one being a 2.0 diesel Audi
It's nice to have something interesting again. It's just passed its MOT with me and its booked into have the VVT, full intake including turbo inlet and second decat next week, so just in time for Le Mans then plan on getting the HPFP and map from Justin to bring it up to the 300-320 mark. Will probably leave it there then unless my turbo goes pop at any point.....
Assume you'll be dumping the K04 for a GT and getting an uprated TMIC or going FMIC?
I am glad you're enjoying it. I think I have seen some of your posts on MPSOC? I think you're getting a local company to do the VVT?It's nice to have something interesting again. It's just passed its MOT with me and its booked into have the VVT, full intake including turbo inlet and second decat next week, so just in time for Le Mans
then plan on getting the HPFP and map from Justin to bring it up to the 300-320 mark. Will probably leave it there then unless my turbo goes pop at any point.....Assume you'll be dumping the K04 for a GT and getting an uprated TMIC or going FMIC?
HPFP is a must really. I have one fitted to mine already which was done before my op as I was planning on a remap from Justin using VersaTuner, and then look towards going down the BNR route with uprated TMIC, Jetex, downpipe etc.
If my hearing returns to normal then if I keep the car I may still do all that, otherwise I'll sell it and see what happens, and whether I end up in another car. It is sitting on a knife edge.
Depthhoar said:
TheAngryDog said:
There are some expensive M5's around!
£15k seems to get you into an E60. £11k seems to be the price for an E39 at the moment!
Re. prices: I guess a lot depends on which sector of the E39 M5 market you're looking at. Mid-market: £11k would get you a facelift version with 90-100k miles, maybe with loads of suspension work/preventative maintenance stuff....or not.£15k seems to get you into an E60. £11k seems to be the price for an E39 at the moment!
At the lower end of the market....there's some nice looking E39 M5s on BMW5 classifieds right now looking for good homes. £7.5, 140k-150k miles with a lot of maintenance. Enthusiast owners, too. (I see one is for sale in Stornoway which may as well be the Moon if you're in Aylesbury!)
I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but leggier vehicles with intensive servicing/maintenance can be better/cheaper long term buys than lower mileage "FSH" (fluids and filters basically) cars with no/little evidence of critical suspension parts/engine sensors etc. having been changed.
As the saying goes, you pays your money and you makes your choice!
Edited by Depthhoar on Sunday 24th May 23:28
I've done the lower end before, not sure I want to go back to it. Frankly I should have waited a few more months before buying my old one, I'd have had around £8k saved up, which back in 2013 would've bought be a face lift and in better condition than the one I bought. The one I did buy did seem in good condition, but as I got to know it more I realised that this wasn't the case. Saying that, if I had've waited chances are I would not have bought one as I moved to London a month after I bought it, and I always said I'd never own a car if I lived in London, so I would just have kept my Vectra 3.2 Elite instead and done something else with the money.....
3 new jacking points, new doors (rippled), new bootlid (rusty), dents removed from body work, rust removed from arches / sills and rear quarter, full paint job needed, Rod bearings and timing chain, new discs / trust arms, new suspension.
I did the sums and that's what it all added up to on a conservative level.
Oh, and the starting issue it had as it didn't always start first time despite a brand new fuel pump being fitted.
I did the sums and that's what it all added up to on a conservative level.
Oh, and the starting issue it had as it didn't always start first time despite a brand new fuel pump being fitted.
a7x88 said:
Yea - I'm booked in for June 4th. He's not massively local (Bristol way) but comes highly recommended, so assuming all goes well there will be a good guy for us to use down South.
HPFP is next on the list - followed by a map from Justin. Just wanted the exhaust and intake on first.
The longer I own this the more it seems to be getting under my skin. I found it a little hard - for want of a better word - "guage" at first. As in how hard you could push it in the bends etc..... probably not helped by the fact its the quickest car i've owned and also the first 4WD.... but i'm really starting to gel with it now.
Not long then. As long as it's done right you'll be grand anyway. HPFP is next on the list - followed by a map from Justin. Just wanted the exhaust and intake on first.
The longer I own this the more it seems to be getting under my skin. I found it a little hard - for want of a better word - "guage" at first. As in how hard you could push it in the bends etc..... probably not helped by the fact its the quickest car i've owned and also the first 4WD.... but i'm really starting to gel with it now.
Edited by a7x88 on Tuesday 26th May 13:48
I'd been given the name of someone else to use but having seen a lot of negative posts about the guy on the Facebook group I will be avoiding using his services.
Are you replacing the full exhaust system?
You need to be a bit cautious in the bends from what I can tell. The standard diff mounts don't appreciate it
Patrick Bateman said:
Rod bearings and timing chain is speculative without any actual evidence, bit iffy to describe it as 'needed', likewise a full paint job.
Perhaps for the rod bearings and chain, but if I was keeping the car it would've ended up being supercharged, and there isn't much point doing that on a 130k mile engine and not be belt and bracesEdited by Patrick Bateman on Tuesday 26th May 17:28
Lol at the bodywork though! Replacing 5 panels, having rust dealt with, a keyed rear quarter and repairs to the nsf wing and front bumper, sorting scratches on the rear bumper doesn't warrant a full paint job?
Edited by TheAngryDog on Tuesday 26th May 17:59
a7x88 said:
Sure - its probably the guy down Portsmouth way? I've heard a couple of rumours. The guy i'm using is used to working on much nicer cars than mine - and having seen some if his work it is top quality. Guess I will find out soon
I don't think its the bends you need to worr about with the diff mounts - it's if you like launch the car hard
Yeah it is lol. Has the guy you're using done the VVT before on an MPS? I am sure you'll be fine!I don't think its the bends you need to worr about with the diff mounts - it's if you like launch the car hard
JamesL91 said:
You hit the nail on the head in one of your postings. It will always be a Mazda MPS that you're only "Meh" about. Some people I'm sure really like them. But I've found (the hard way really) that if a car is not inherently fun, it will never be fun even with performance mods.
I found that with the Impreza, it was a great "Point and squirt" car that I spent a bit of money on getting it to 343BHP.. manically fast but once the novelty had worn off.. it just wasn't fun. The 4WD system just means you stick to everything, there's no skill in driving it.. whatever you did it would save your arse. Fun sometimes, not always.
You may be able to find another motor that gives you the same joy as the M5 but is a bit newer.. but it may not be the Mazda!
I think the car can be fun, and I was enjoying myself in it the other day when I went for a blast in it to see if I could actually manage to drive it for more than 10 minutes, and it could be made into quite a weapon, but it does lack a little something. I found that with the Impreza, it was a great "Point and squirt" car that I spent a bit of money on getting it to 343BHP.. manically fast but once the novelty had worn off.. it just wasn't fun. The 4WD system just means you stick to everything, there's no skill in driving it.. whatever you did it would save your arse. Fun sometimes, not always.
You may be able to find another motor that gives you the same joy as the M5 but is a bit newer.. but it may not be the Mazda!
What did you replace the Impreza with? (if you have, of course). I had an Impreza back in the day, running around 280bhp I guess (when it ran right) and it was fun at first, the noise as it came on boost and how easy it was to slide around, but it let me down mechanically.
The M5 I found very very easy to slide around. It was very communicative, even with tired suspension, it would tell you weeks in advance about what it was going to do. Put it this way, it never caught me out, and I do not confess to being a driving god!
TREMAiNE said:
Do you need the 5 seats and copious amounts of horsepower?
Would you consider coupes to get that same thrill the M5 gave you? You could pick up a solid RX-7 in that budget as well as a host of other Jap stuff!
I need lots of horse power, but not specifically 5 seats, though I have only owned two car's (out of many) with only 2 seats, and one was a Fiesta Van LOL.Would you consider coupes to get that same thrill the M5 gave you? You could pick up a solid RX-7 in that budget as well as a host of other Jap stuff!
I have always had saloons, hatchbacks and one estate car. I just prefer saloon cars over all. I arent a massive fan of the RX-7, plus I do not think I could handle the noise it would make. I really am noise sensitive now after this operation.
Patrick Bateman said:
On that note, is there such a thing as a V8 coupé at a similar price with handling as good as the performance? (i.e. excluding the Monaro)
Not that I can think of?Monkeylegend said:
Patrick Bateman said:
I missed the new doors bit. How on earth do they ripple??
Constant full throttle acceleration with rear wheel drive.Monty Python said:
Not at that price lol. It's a little inflated!JamesL91 said:
TheAngryDog said:
I think the car can be fun, and I was enjoying myself in it the other day when I went for a blast in it to see if I could actually manage to drive it for more than 10 minutes, and it could be made into quite a weapon, but it does lack a little something.
What did you replace the Impreza with? (if you have, of course). I had an Impreza back in the day, running around 280bhp I guess (when it ran right) and it was fun at first, the noise as it came on boost and how easy it was to slide around, but it let me down mechanically.
The M5 I found very very easy to slide around. It was very communicative, even with tired suspension, it would tell you weeks in advance about what it was going to do. Put it this way, it never caught me out, and I do not confess to being a driving god!
I'm surprised it let you down mechanically actually! They're usually pretty solid. Very, very easy to tune too. The 03 STI I had, after an exhaust, fuel pump and remap leapt from 260BHP to 343.What did you replace the Impreza with? (if you have, of course). I had an Impreza back in the day, running around 280bhp I guess (when it ran right) and it was fun at first, the noise as it came on boost and how easy it was to slide around, but it let me down mechanically.
The M5 I found very very easy to slide around. It was very communicative, even with tired suspension, it would tell you weeks in advance about what it was going to do. Put it this way, it never caught me out, and I do not confess to being a driving god!
I went from the Impreza to a BRZ. Honestly the best car I have ever driven. Sounds like you need 4 seats though.. while the two rear seats and more usable than people expect/claim (I had 4 adults in there at one point) they probably wouldn't be good for squeezing kids in and out of for example. Despite the 143BHP drop in horsepower and roughly 170lb/ft of torque drop from the Impreza, it was a million times more fun to drive. I unfortunately had to sell the BRZ (something about growing up and buying a house) but I'm saving up for another now as in my opinion there isn't anything else like it.. until you enter Porsche territory in which case I don't fancy signing my soul over if anything went wrong.
Now I'm in a boring, Diesel Giulietta. Which is probably great in it's own merit.. but sometimes I do look at the central reservation.. longingly.. wanting to end it all...
Life's too short to drive boring cars. If you have to sell up, sell up. It's not the end of the world.
Bummer you had to sell the BRZ. I think they're a great looking car, never been in one or driven one. Hahaha, well if you do decide to detour into the central reservation make sure you're not in the car!
That is true, and I am pretty sure I'll be going back to an M5. I've started selling the parts I had bought for my MPS, so in a few months time (or less if I sweet talk the gf) I'll have another power house on the driveway!
bennyboysvuk said:
TheAngryDog said:
I am pretty sure I'll be going back to an M5. I've started selling the parts I had bought for my MPS, so in a few months time (or less if I sweet talk the gf) I'll have another power house on the driveway!
I think that's the right decision for you. There are such few options for replacement that another one seems like the sensible thing to do. Talking the OH around is probably the hardest bit. 
The OH isnt the problem with buying a car, more just lending me the money for a few months lol
Dave200 said:
So what you're essentially saying is that you realised that you couldn't afford to run an M5, so you sold it. Now you want to buy one which you will run on a (relative) shoestring, and probably end up in the same situation in 2yrs time (given their age and propensity for big bills)?
I don't see the sense in stretching yourself financially, just to drive a different car.
Thread revival. I don't see the sense in stretching yourself financially, just to drive a different car.
Not at all. Spending the money isn't an issue, I earn good money and none of my cars since 2009 have been bought with financed money. The M5 that I currently own needs a wheel bearing, its going in to have that done and those things aren't cheap. I have a few issues with it but I have the parts to do it, just not the time. It will get done however. One of the jobs is a diy only job as my local Indy wouldn't know what to do.
Ironically, I am finding myself in a similar situation, albeit I am looking to get out of my M5 soon to get into something newer. I just want a decent quick car that I do not need to worry about mechanically, plus driving my m5 is difficult due to my hearing condition getting worse. I may stop driving altogether if my eyesight doesn't improve.
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