E39 M5 or E60 5xx as a daily?
Discussion
Evening,
I'm covering quite a few road miles at the minute, mainly by bike but as my client base broadens I'm terrified I'm going to have to suffer the trauma of the train soon if I don't buy another car. I've just bought an American pick up truck but I really don't want to be using it for business as...well let's face it they're not the professional's choice in the UK are they
So I thought maybe I'd buy another 7 series, I love the E38s and my budget could stretch to a very well sorted one. But the more I think about it, the more I think a 5 series makes more sense. I've long been a lover of E39 M5s but even the newer E60 is tempting, as long as there's a hossing great V8 I'll be happy I suppose, but it raises a few questions.
How do the newer V8 E60s stack up to the mighty E39 M5? I'm assuming they lack the special feeling and feel a bit blunt to drive in comparison, but what are they like overall? The stats suggest they're no slouches, and I'm guessing owners rate them fairly highly? Whatever I end up with will almost certainly have some basic work like exhausts and remap, and I love the newer interior of the higher end E60s, so I'm not really sure whether I stand to be disappointed if I don't take the chance to own an M5 while I've got it, or whether I should go for the presumably more GT-a-like and less sporty E60.
What's the running costs of the E39 M5 like? I'm expecting that save for tyres and insurance they're comparable to the E38 740i I had previously, would I be way wide of the mark here?
I'm covering quite a few road miles at the minute, mainly by bike but as my client base broadens I'm terrified I'm going to have to suffer the trauma of the train soon if I don't buy another car. I've just bought an American pick up truck but I really don't want to be using it for business as...well let's face it they're not the professional's choice in the UK are they
So I thought maybe I'd buy another 7 series, I love the E38s and my budget could stretch to a very well sorted one. But the more I think about it, the more I think a 5 series makes more sense. I've long been a lover of E39 M5s but even the newer E60 is tempting, as long as there's a hossing great V8 I'll be happy I suppose, but it raises a few questions.
How do the newer V8 E60s stack up to the mighty E39 M5? I'm assuming they lack the special feeling and feel a bit blunt to drive in comparison, but what are they like overall? The stats suggest they're no slouches, and I'm guessing owners rate them fairly highly? Whatever I end up with will almost certainly have some basic work like exhausts and remap, and I love the newer interior of the higher end E60s, so I'm not really sure whether I stand to be disappointed if I don't take the chance to own an M5 while I've got it, or whether I should go for the presumably more GT-a-like and less sporty E60.
What's the running costs of the E39 M5 like? I'm expecting that save for tyres and insurance they're comparable to the E38 740i I had previously, would I be way wide of the mark here?
Edited by Stu R on Monday 9th May 01:42
I use my car every day but I only do around 12 miles but its all stop start traffic and TBH its never a problem but MPG falls to around 13mpg.
How many miles will you be doing? Whos paying for your petrol? An M5 will see around 23mpg on distance work and TBH they are great mile munchers and although not as modern as an E60 still great cars inside. If you can afford the petrol and running costs they are bargains at the moment. Yes Tyres are not cheap but buy a good one and keep £2000 or so aside for any surprises and enjoy.
How many miles will you be doing? Whos paying for your petrol? An M5 will see around 23mpg on distance work and TBH they are great mile munchers and although not as modern as an E60 still great cars inside. If you can afford the petrol and running costs they are bargains at the moment. Yes Tyres are not cheap but buy a good one and keep £2000 or so aside for any surprises and enjoy.
If you are not too sure if you will be doing big mileage or not, I would consider an E39 M5 as at least you won't be hit hard on the depreciation.
E60 5xx are still getting hammered, especially with the F10 just released.
An E39 M5 if well looked after should always be reasonably easy to get rid of if you find yourself wanting something different.
E60 5xx are still getting hammered, especially with the F10 just released.
An E39 M5 if well looked after should always be reasonably easy to get rid of if you find yourself wanting something different.
Not a lot of info to go on there! You also need to remember E60 M5s are V10 not a baby V8 like the E39s 
Combine that with more than an extra 100bhp and 7 speed box it's not even close between an E60 and E39
This thread started last week might help you though
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Combine that with more than an extra 100bhp and 7 speed box it's not even close between an E60 and E39 This thread started last week might help you though
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Can't help with the direct comprision of the E39 M5 and 550i.
But I have just sold my low mileage\huge spec E39 540i and swapped to a manual 550i M Sport touring.
I've only done 500 miles in the car since collecting it on Saturday, but first impressions are it's a fantastic all rounder. I had a brief spell with a E61 530d, but that only lasted 3 1/2 weeks, just didn't get on with it, especially the horrible auto gearbox, long delays. The auto gearbox in the E39 was miles better.
I'm prepared for losing a fortune on the 550i, but first signs are very promising and it'll be worth it. One thing to note is, most definitely go for a facelift (LCI). I read about them being better built etc and was sceptical, but it feels a lot more solid than the 2005 530d I had. At the time I much prefered the inside of my E39 to the 530d, but I now prefer 550i interior.
It also returned 30mpg on the drive up which isn't bad at all for a 4.8 V8. The only thing which lets the car down is the noise, well lack of. With the stereo on, it's very difficult to hear the engine. The E39 540i sounded much nicer.
E39 has timeless looks and won't depreciate much. However, a friend of mine did shell out about £3k in 5 months on repairs to his and it had only done 68k miles, he sold it!! If you want a more modern look and feel then definitely a 545i or 550i. Oh and the old fashioned steering design (not rack and pinion) on the V8 E39's isn't great, really lets the car down.
Good luck with your search.
But I have just sold my low mileage\huge spec E39 540i and swapped to a manual 550i M Sport touring.
I've only done 500 miles in the car since collecting it on Saturday, but first impressions are it's a fantastic all rounder. I had a brief spell with a E61 530d, but that only lasted 3 1/2 weeks, just didn't get on with it, especially the horrible auto gearbox, long delays. The auto gearbox in the E39 was miles better.
I'm prepared for losing a fortune on the 550i, but first signs are very promising and it'll be worth it. One thing to note is, most definitely go for a facelift (LCI). I read about them being better built etc and was sceptical, but it feels a lot more solid than the 2005 530d I had. At the time I much prefered the inside of my E39 to the 530d, but I now prefer 550i interior.
It also returned 30mpg on the drive up which isn't bad at all for a 4.8 V8. The only thing which lets the car down is the noise, well lack of. With the stereo on, it's very difficult to hear the engine. The E39 540i sounded much nicer.
E39 has timeless looks and won't depreciate much. However, a friend of mine did shell out about £3k in 5 months on repairs to his and it had only done 68k miles, he sold it!! If you want a more modern look and feel then definitely a 545i or 550i. Oh and the old fashioned steering design (not rack and pinion) on the V8 E39's isn't great, really lets the car down.
Good luck with your search.
Edited by scz4 on Monday 9th May 16:21
Have you considered an E39 B10. This 1 owner V8 has only 31K on the clock; a lot of car for approx £13K considering it was over £70K new.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2748324.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2748324.htm
Crackie said:
Have you considered an E39 B10. This 1 owner V8 has only 31K on the clock; a lot of car for approx £13K considering it was over £70K new.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2748324.htm
Good call on Alpina, but there's so few of them around I can't see it being viable. Definitely something to keep an eye on though http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2748324.htm
The 545i was only available pre-facelift, and I would second the opinions that you should go for a facelift (LCI) E60. Though that does mean you get stung for the highest rate of road tax.
The 545i was economical, relatively quick (though doesn't feel it so not exciting) and felt decontented after an E39; the door tops are a very large expanse of plastic for instance. I wouldn't say the E60 was better than the E39 except on paper; in reality it's a bit characterless.
The 545i was economical, relatively quick (though doesn't feel it so not exciting) and felt decontented after an E39; the door tops are a very large expanse of plastic for instance. I wouldn't say the E60 was better than the E39 except on paper; in reality it's a bit characterless.
Interesting. I always assumed that the E39 M5 would feel like a pin sharp, short version of an E38 740 on the cruise (obviously a different beast when provoked), and the E60 545 more akin to the newer 7's - a little lacking but so comfortable and gadget festooned they make for a lovely GT.
OK, so I've decided on an M5, I think. Trawling the classifieds reveals a couple of potentials, but if anyone stumbles across a cracker under £10,000, preferably in blue or black with <90-100k miles and FSH.... 
The £7.something grand green one in the classifieds caught my eye
The £7.something grand green one in the classifieds caught my eye
Edited by Stu R on Sunday 15th May 09:57
olly22n said:
Hey Olly, yeah I caught that one, 120k miles put me off a bit if I'm honest. I know they're good for it etc, but I'd like the interior to be immaculate. olly22n said:
I'm also on the hunt for an E39 M5 as a daily driver and like the look of the above car but I'm not convinced it justifies the 3.5k premium over this one which recently sold, am I missing something? http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2815476.htm
olly22n said:
Possibly, possibly not.
IMO I would rather buy one that is mid market/low market and spend the rest sorting it, as then you know its done and to a standard.
It is a buyers market, so be picky!
IMO I would rather buy one that is mid market/low market and spend the rest sorting it, as then you know its done and to a standard.
It is a buyers market, so be picky!
I had a chat with the chap who's selling it and it's had the following done;
Vanos
Thermostat
O-rings
within last 3 months;
MAF's
Brake pads, discs and coolant (all parts of inspection 2)
Currently all 5 service lights are green
Tyres (Vredestein Ultras - worn down to half legal limit)
Issues/bad points;
1 wheel is chipped and needs re-furbed
Pixel display needs repairing
7 owners in total (although the history looks strong)
What's a fair value for this car given the above points?
Sideways Rich said:
I had a chat with the chap who's selling it and it's had the following done;
Vanos
Thermostat
O-rings
within last 3 months;
MAF's
Brake pads, discs and coolant (all parts of inspection 2)
Currently all 5 service lights are green
Tyres (Vredestein Ultras - worn down to half legal limit)
Issues/bad points;
1 wheel is chipped and needs re-furbed
Pixel display needs repairing
7 owners in total (although the history looks strong)
What's a fair value for this car given the above points?
here's the link to the car I was describing above - http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=85&t=7...Vanos
Thermostat
O-rings
within last 3 months;
MAF's
Brake pads, discs and coolant (all parts of inspection 2)
Currently all 5 service lights are green
Tyres (Vredestein Ultras - worn down to half legal limit)
Issues/bad points;
1 wheel is chipped and needs re-furbed
Pixel display needs repairing
7 owners in total (although the history looks strong)
What's a fair value for this car given the above points?
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