Jag XK8 Replacement- M3 or M5?

[blueroom]

Hi All,

I wondered if I could trouble you good people for a bit of advice? I recently sold my Jaguar XK8 and am now considering venturing into the world of M Power. It was a tough decision to let the Jag go as I loved the torque surge from its 4.0 litre V8, but I am desperately craving something that is much more of a drivers car. I initially considered things like the Lotus Elise and Porsche Boxster, but I’ve come to the conclusion that I don’t want to give up all refinement. Therefore, I’ve now arrived at a choice, that no doubt many before have also been faced with.

E46 M3 or E39 M5

I drove an M3 on Saturday and was very impressed. The ride and the handling is everything that I desire, but I did miss the pure grunt of a V8. I’ve yet to drive an M5, but I was wondering if anyone could give me a little insight in to how the two cars compare? I know they are very different animals and the M5 is obviously a much bulkier car, but I’m sorely tempted by that extra dose of power. I don’t really do any track days or anything like that, but when I’m in the mood I do love to blast down some of my favourite roads on Exmoor & Dartmoor. I know the M3 will more that satisfy my urge for a drivers car, but how much dynamic ability will I lose if I go for the more powerful, but heavier M5?

All opinions greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Chris

[chriscoates]

If you're wanting a driver's car, it has to be the M3 IMO. You may miss the V8 but the scream of the straight six at 8000rpm becomes addictive! Can I also ask, did you drive a manual or SMG? I would be interested to hear your opinion on the gearbox choice.


Some nice examples here, depending on what your budget is:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2835604.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2905189.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2871537.htm

[blueroom]

chriscoates said:

If you're wanting a driver's car, it has to be the M3 IMO. You may miss the V8 but the scream of the straight six at 8000rpm becomes addictive! Can I also ask, did you drive a manual or SMG? I would be interested to hear your opinion on the gearbox choice.


Some nice examples here, depending on what your budget is:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2835604.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2905189.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2871537.htm

The M3 I drove on Saturday was a manual. I did like the gearbox, although the clutch did seem a little heavy. That may just be a characteristic of the car that I would no doubt get used to. But the ‘box felt nicely mechanical in my opinion. By that I mean that there was just enough weight to the shift for me to feel like I was engaging with the car. I don’t like some ‘boxes where the shift is too easy or light, but that’s just me!
I can understand how that straight-six howl can become addictive, I was very impressed by the car in every way, but this next vehicle purchase is going to be a long term proposition, so I want to make sure I get it right. Those examples that you’ve picked out are particularly tempting, although sadly my budget won’t quite stretch to the CS. I’m looking more around the 10 to 12 grand figure.

[roofer]

Alpina B5's....proper curveball.

[spareparts]

Not a regular E46 M3, but I went from an E46 CSL to an E39 M5.
Whilst the CSL was a terrific driver's car (a hooligan really), the M5 is the genuine daddy... proper GRUNT and depth of talent where the M3 engine is a wound up over eager terrier in comparison. The M5 is slightly faster in-gear than the M3, more so in real world fast roads. On track an M3 is more agile, but that is not your goal. The build quality of the M5 is also a league ahead from an ownership proposition if that matters.

[Crackie]

roofer said:

Alpina B5's....proper curveball.

Hi Blueroom, Alpina might be worth a look, switchtronic auto box etc etc but its not going to be a B5 for £10k ~ £12k; lowest price B5 on PH today is over £20k. Likely to be some very good E39 B10 V8s or E46 3.4 B3Ss in the £10k~£12k bracket though.

E39 V8 http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2687308.htm

E46 B3S http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2804169.htm
http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2497586.htm

Edited by Crackie on Tuesday 28th June 16:30

[E21_Ross]

i'd have thought coming the from the jag the E39 M5 would be more up your street to be honest. just make sure you can afford the running costs.

[CarbonM5]

The M3 is the more exciting car,the E46 chassis and steering also feels more natural than the E39's.

The M5 can be more fun when you have a deserted damp roundabout to play with but thats about it,you may well prefer the V8 grunt but the 6 is hardly lacking.

[Laird]

spareparts said:

Not a regular E46 M3, but I went from an E46 CSL to an E39 M5.
Whilst the CSL was a terrific driver's car (a hooligan really), the M5 is the genuine daddy... proper GRUNT and depth of talent where the M3 engine is a wound up over eager terrier in comparison. The M5 is slightly faster in-gear than the M3, more so in real world fast roads. On track an M3 is more agile, but that is not your goal. The build quality of the M5 is also a league ahead from an ownership proposition if that matters.

Agree with this, albeit the CSL and the M5 are chalk and Cheese IMO.

Having owned both at the same time, I used to love coming back home to the CSL, ragging it round the highlands of Scotland, then coming back to the torque swelled embrace of the M5 during the week.

The CSL is a weekend toy though, whereas the M5 is almost all the car you could ever need for any situation. As an ownership proposition, it's better value and of course, usefully cheaper!

I'm just about to pick up another

[grandadg90]

If you are looking for a drivers car, you may want to consider a Porsche 996 as they well with in your budget. 996's handle more like a go-cart. I have experienced both the E46 M3 and currently own a 996. The M3 is a great car, but if you want more involvement then a 996 would be a better option, flat 6 sounds amazing. Downside is lack of storage space.

[Laird]

grandadg90 said:

If you are looking for a drivers car, you may want to consider a Porsche 996 as they well with in your budget. 996's handle more like a go-cart. I have experienced both the E46 M3 and currently own a 996. The M3 is a great car, but if you want more involvement then a 996 would be a better option, flat 6 sounds amazing. Downside is lack of storage space.

It's been done a million times, but an early 3.4 996 is comparatively underpowered and frightening expensive to run.