Have you tried an M5?

[simonf]

Guys and Gals,

I have soo long hankered after a Griff and just when I get close, a change of circumstances means something more practical (but fun). Would be business use and so need to be everyday milemuncher and must have 4 doors.

The BMW (I know... evil words on this forum) M5 packs 400 BHP, 5.0L V8 (genuine) and has every toy under the sun. They are starting at 28 grand now (4-5yrs old), and seem rediculous value when some 55-60 grand new.

Have any of you tried one or thought about this instead of the Tiv etc

[julianhj]

My ideal realistic garage would a Tuscan S and an M5. If 4 door practicality is a must, then I think you're right on track. Haven't actually driven an M5, but going on experience of 530's they must be mindblowing.

[Tammy02]

Fantastic to drive, easy to handle but missing that special something !!!!!

[granville]

Various probs well documented re the 'VANOS' engine related technology but overall a finely honed drive.

Starting to feel the heat from the latest crazy gang (RS4/6, E55AMG, etc) but EVO mag have just re-installed it over the S-Type R as their preferred numero uno 'big saloon.'

Drove one once which was enough to convince me. (Just get the limiter removed.) So a qualified "believe the hype" thumbs up...(And for circa £30k? Slightly good value, methinks!)

[trackdemon]

However to enter the realm of truly ridiculous value for money try an XJR:
0-60mph around 5.5secs
155mph+
Fantastic looks
Brilliant ride / handling
Interior puts BMW et al to shame
Yours for under £20k
Rated very highly (above BMW) in many JD Power surveys
Plenty available

[nubbin]

I'm going down the same road - originally I thought of a 7-series, but I don't think they'll fit in my garage - an M5 would be a great choice (if using your head), but the heart says "GET A JAG!!"

With 3 kids to punt around, rear leg room is important, so the M5 may become a front runner.

[pwig]

Lotus Carlton!

[Pettsie]

Did you see the Clarkson Nidell battle between the Beemer and the Jag - get the Jag.

[Beast]

I don't think you'll miss the TVR too much if you go the M5 route

[fatsteve]

I must admit having seen FourWheelDrift's XJR at the weekend, I would say that would be a better option, purely because it doesn't scream 'race me' at you, whereas an M5 would.

Just my 2p

Steve

[paperboy]

A

[pbrettle]

M5 is a cracking car and will probably show a 4.0 Chimaera the wrong way when driven well. However, we are not talking '50 design Rover V8 here - but prestige German engineering that originally cost in excess of £45,000 when new... be VERY careful or you are looking at a whole load of pain....

Even the older M5s with the straight six are going for less than £10K for a cracker, but just ask the current owner how much to run for the year - and wince... they arent cheap, but for what they do they are damn good....

Cheers,

Paul

[cammy]

In the process of selling my Cerbera and I had to look at alternatives due to work. Was looking for something 'subtler' for work, and accommodate a bairn. Had an M5 for a weekend. Nice car, powerful, spacious, well finished although not TVRish. However, opted for M3 as 5 was too old for me and the M3 still had bags of space in the back for kid.

[simonf]

Thanks to all that contributed... I have long liked the ability to get into an XJR for very little money. For me though, the M5 does at least say - main driving machine, rather than super fast Directors car, who will have something for the weekend as well.

After all, its an Auto as well !

I was concerned with how large it might be, although for me, the M5 seems more Q factor than the rather common M3 (I live in Berks)... Also, there seems to be about 20+ M3's for sale, so resale must be due a re-calibration soon.

They also only do a 2dr M3!

Cheers

Simon

[FourWheelDrift]

fatsteve said: I must admit having seen FourWheelDrift's XJR at the weekend, I would say that would be a better option, purely because it doesn't scream 'race me' at you, whereas an M5 would.

Just my 2p

Steve

And I'm selling mine for a new TVR! . Lovely motor, has a brand new engine too with only 600 miles on the clock (due to rare head gasket failure, "too much trouble to replace sir, we'll just put a new engine in instead" !!!!!

[fatsteve]

FourWheelDrift said:

fatsteve said: I must admit having seen FourWheelDrift's XJR at the weekend, I would say that would be a better option, purely because it doesn't scream 'race me' at you, whereas an M5 would.

Just my 2p

Steve

And I'm selling mine for a new TVR! . Lovely motor, has a brand new engine too with only 600 miles on the clock (due to rare head gasket failure, "too much trouble to replace sir, we'll just put a new engine in instead" !!!!!

Excellent, we shall be welcoming you back to the TVR fold!!

[futie]

We've got an M5 and Cerbera - had a few engine problems with the M5 recently; dealer was pretty crap at diagnosing and it went back & forwards a few times. But when it's running right, it's great. Up until I bought the M5, i'd *always* go out in the Cerb when I wanted some entertainment. But now I can go in either - it's really good fun to hussle the M5 along. The suspension is fantastic - really supple; i'm still trying to get the TVR to feel the same :-(

Above all, though, an absolute bargain. Great sounding V8, ultra-sophisticated double-vanos which means it's a pussycat around town and has real punch at high revs. Big boot (not huge) and plenty of room for kids and paraphanalia (sp?) all for £30K from a dealer! Ours has 70K miles, and the drivetrain is a little loose, but so what? The only alternative I can see is a quick Audi estate, but the newer ones are still quite expensive.

[sjc]

Try an HSV, I did (wanted/needed 4 seats V8 and manual gearbox)and bought one after trying an M5 as well. The M5 was a magnificent car but didn't get me excited the way a TVR can,(I've owned 4). The HSV was the/is the closest I've found to a 4 door TVR in spirit, driver involvement and gets an amazing amount of interest in a friendly TVR type way. Have never regretted buying it.

[simonf]

futie said: We've got an M5 and Cerbera - had a few engine problems with the M5 recently; .

Futie - I read your thread with superlightR and would be interested to learn the outcome of the fixed engine. It sounds to me like these babies need to come from a main dealer you can rely on to take the car back and fix it!!

[alastairm]

I sold the Cerbera a few months back and boughan E55 AMG. Not the current one but it's one hell of a car for the money considering the original sales invoice stated 67k new! in the real world it's almost as quick as the cerbie, in 10k miles i've not even opened the bonnet or been near a dealer and it smokes the wheels with the traction control off just as well.....but it's a touch boring and too perfect....