E39 M5 vs E46 M3
Discussion
I'm a Beemer virgin, but really going to try and get into one this year.
I realise the different dynamics between the two cars, but how do they compare in terms of maintainence/borkage?
The M5 is an obvious choice as I just adore it, but would an M3 give a similar experience for less worry? Not a fan of the previous M3 so much...
I realise the different dynamics between the two cars, but how do they compare in terms of maintainence/borkage?
The M5 is an obvious choice as I just adore it, but would an M3 give a similar experience for less worry? Not a fan of the previous M3 so much...
RobboC said:
I'm a Beemer virgin, but really going to try and get into one this year.
I realise the different dynamics between the two cars, but how do they compare in terms of maintainence/borkage?
The M5 is an obvious choice as I just adore it, but would an M3 give a similar experience for less worry? Not a fan of the previous M3 so much...
really simple answer to this is NO. Either car has the potential to sting you financially if you buy a pig. Either has the potential to run on just servicing and routine maintenance for years and many miles if you buy a good one.I realise the different dynamics between the two cars, but how do they compare in terms of maintainence/borkage?
The M5 is an obvious choice as I just adore it, but would an M3 give a similar experience for less worry? Not a fan of the previous M3 so much...
Both are too old for 'book' running costs to outweigh the history and provenance of individual cars.
If you like the M5 more then buy one and pocket the cash saved for 'unforeseen' maintenance or if you do it right, upgrades!
good luck. Both are well worth the effort and expense!!!
Trellis said:
really simple answer to this is NO. Either car has the potential to sting you financially if you buy a pig. Either has the potential to run on just servicing and routine maintenance for years and many miles if you buy a good one.
Both are too old for 'book' running costs to outweigh the history and provenance of individual cars.
If you like the M5 more then buy one and pocket the cash saved for 'unforeseen' maintenance or if you do it right, upgrades!
good luck. Both are well worth the effort and expense!!!
Spot on advice. Research and drive both and buy a good version of the one you like. Job done.Both are too old for 'book' running costs to outweigh the history and provenance of individual cars.
If you like the M5 more then buy one and pocket the cash saved for 'unforeseen' maintenance or if you do it right, upgrades!
good luck. Both are well worth the effort and expense!!!
RobboC said:
Many thanks! Yes, I intend to keep some cash to the side.
Considering going from the Mondeo, to a Fiat Panda 100hp for daily grind and M5 in the garage to **** me off at weekends
Just looks so terrifying looking at all the ads wondering what hidden demons each some has....
Every time I've bought a car I've gone on-line to research potential problems and pitfalls. You will find plenty of reasons not to buy any car if you look hard enough, including the run of the mill stuff for the wife etc.Considering going from the Mondeo, to a Fiat Panda 100hp for daily grind and M5 in the garage to **** me off at weekends
Just looks so terrifying looking at all the ads wondering what hidden demons each some has....
Before I got my E39 M5 last year I did all the research and looked at quite a few. All the time the head was screaming 'don't do it', in the end the 'right one' came up on my doorstep and I bought it there and then. Even then my head said no, but having lusted after these cars for years with them being way out of my budget I had to buy it. I haven't regretted it one bit. It feels bombproof (touching wood now
) and I love it. If you really want a great car, get one. People mainly shout about bad news on forums. It may be nightmare, but could be a dream. Go for it!
Like others have said before, go in with eyes open and you won't go far wrong with either. I've owned both, the M3 when nearly new and the E39 M5 upto a year ago. Cars are chalk and cheese, for me the M5 is the better all rounder and always felt far more special than the M3.
Which ever car you buy will have the odd hiccup but so long as you buy wisely nothing is the end of the world! I ran my E39 for nearly 4 years and had the usual cam position sensors fail, had to fit new brake discs at the front etc but kept a few quid aside so was never an issue. The important thing is it never let me down.
If you find a car you like may I suggest you speak to Phil Crouch at CPC automotive, he is a bit of an M genius, especially with E39 M5's, he would be the man to check and point out any pitfalls. His number is 01494 766661 and he is a mile or so off the M25 in Chorley Wood.
Good Luck
Ian
Which ever car you buy will have the odd hiccup but so long as you buy wisely nothing is the end of the world! I ran my E39 for nearly 4 years and had the usual cam position sensors fail, had to fit new brake discs at the front etc but kept a few quid aside so was never an issue. The important thing is it never let me down.
If you find a car you like may I suggest you speak to Phil Crouch at CPC automotive, he is a bit of an M genius, especially with E39 M5's, he would be the man to check and point out any pitfalls. His number is 01494 766661 and he is a mile or so off the M25 in Chorley Wood.
Good Luck
Ian
Brilliant, many thanks!
I know I should really have abut £8k for a decent M5, but budget will be more around £6500.
Noticed a 2000 on auto trader for £5245, 113,000 miles.
Seems a comically insane amount of car for the cash.
I wonder if it's worth employing the services of someone in the know to source one,...
I know I should really have abut £8k for a decent M5, but budget will be more around £6500.
Noticed a 2000 on auto trader for £5245, 113,000 miles.
Seems a comically insane amount of car for the cash.
I wonder if it's worth employing the services of someone in the know to source one,...
As said many times before the e39 M5 is a fabulous car, I was nervous before taking the plunge with mine narly 3.5 years (22k miles ago), But it has proved absolutely faultless, I normanlly change my cars every 12-18 months, But I cant find anything that comes close without spending silly money, buy one now, before more people latch onto how fantastic they are
Regarding the "emergency pot", I would keep maybe £3-4,000 in case you have a diff go or need a gearbox rebuilt.
Otherwise, most other repairs (electrics / sensors / suspension bushes / radiator / aircon condensors) would be in the hundreds and should not be more than £2,000. I would budget £2,000 for annual maintenance and general wear and tear items replacement at the annual service. My experience with mine varies between £700 and £1,850 annually over 4 years (exc. tyres!!)
I would search for a car with as many of the wear and tear items replaced. The youngest would be 10 year-old now and a lot of items deteriorate with time as well as mileage. I would budget for all suspension bushes, dampers and any other rubber parts replaced if it hasn't been done on any 10 year-old car.
Otherwise, most other repairs (electrics / sensors / suspension bushes / radiator / aircon condensors) would be in the hundreds and should not be more than £2,000. I would budget £2,000 for annual maintenance and general wear and tear items replacement at the annual service. My experience with mine varies between £700 and £1,850 annually over 4 years (exc. tyres!!)
I would search for a car with as many of the wear and tear items replaced. The youngest would be 10 year-old now and a lot of items deteriorate with time as well as mileage. I would budget for all suspension bushes, dampers and any other rubber parts replaced if it hasn't been done on any 10 year-old car.
RobboC said:
Brilliant, many thanks!
I know I should really have abut £8k for a decent M5, but budget will be more around £6500.
Noticed a 2000 on auto trader for £5245, 113,000 miles.
Seems a comically insane amount of car for the cash.
I wonder if it's worth employing the services of someone in the know to source one,...
be wary.......going in at the very bottom of the market is dangerous unless you know what you are looking at.I know I should really have abut £8k for a decent M5, but budget will be more around £6500.
Noticed a 2000 on auto trader for £5245, 113,000 miles.
Seems a comically insane amount of car for the cash.
I wonder if it's worth employing the services of someone in the know to source one,...
as a beemer virgin, i'd say get someone onboard to help you look, or else up your sights and aim at a properly looked after car for £8k+........
i'v got 2 cos one is never enough lol one in LMB and DD is CB
on a serious note, go in with your eyes open and don't just buy the first one you see, every single M5 will drive different, in total i'v had/got 3 E39 M5's and none drive/drove the same
otherwise amazing cars, you'll love it
on a serious note, go in with your eyes open and don't just buy the first one you see, every single M5 will drive different, in total i'v had/got 3 E39 M5's and none drive/drove the same
otherwise amazing cars, you'll love it
I have had an e39 M5 for seven years now and love it to bits and cannot think of anything else to replace it that would be as pleasurable. In that time I have had two large bills on servicing the last one just a month ago (off the top of my head 2.5 and 2.6). I should add that both have been through BMW so you could probably cut those bills by a third (guessing here).
Anyway it has all the toys BT phone and widescreen satnav/tv along with pretty much all the usual extras - heated seats, xenons c/w AE, sound system. A brilliant motorway cruiser with about 300-350 miles on a spirited drive.
Get it checked out but go for it and would echo the previous poster who said get one from an enthusiast not someone who cannot afford to run it and has run it into the ground.
Pip
Anyway it has all the toys BT phone and widescreen satnav/tv along with pretty much all the usual extras - heated seats, xenons c/w AE, sound system. A brilliant motorway cruiser with about 300-350 miles on a spirited drive.
Get it checked out but go for it and would echo the previous poster who said get one from an enthusiast not someone who cannot afford to run it and has run it into the ground.
Pip
Hi,
i own both an e39 m5 and a e46 m3 at the moment and drive one every other day. I've had the M5 for nearly 4 years and can honestly say i haven't found anything for the same sort of money that would better it. It can be as docile and relaxed as an everyday 5 series or it can be a sports car with 4 doors. It really is that good that it's used every other day for the commute or a back road blast. The m3 is more mental and seems to want to be driven fast all the time, they are both very different. Yes the m3 is a slightly newer design and looks a bit fresher as a package but for a car for a jack of all then the m5 wins hands down. You could easily drive the m5 for hours on end and feel as if you've been traveling in a luxury car (which it is) the whole time. I don't echo some of the thoughts of others in relation to not buying at the cheaper end of the market. I bought mine 4 years ago at the very bottom end of the market and yes it did need a few things doing to bring back to its best but if you find a specialist and steer clear of bmw main dealers it can be an affordable car to run. Mine at present has 205k on the clock so that in itself is testament to the built quality. As long as they get serviced when needed and you look for a full history then i think they could go on for a long time. They love oil and super unleaded fuel but what other 5 litre car wouldn't. It depends on what your needs are, if you want to drive something mental all the time then the e46 but if your after something that can be relaxed and comfortable one minute bu then raw and raucous the next the M5 is by far the best bet.
i own both an e39 m5 and a e46 m3 at the moment and drive one every other day. I've had the M5 for nearly 4 years and can honestly say i haven't found anything for the same sort of money that would better it. It can be as docile and relaxed as an everyday 5 series or it can be a sports car with 4 doors. It really is that good that it's used every other day for the commute or a back road blast. The m3 is more mental and seems to want to be driven fast all the time, they are both very different. Yes the m3 is a slightly newer design and looks a bit fresher as a package but for a car for a jack of all then the m5 wins hands down. You could easily drive the m5 for hours on end and feel as if you've been traveling in a luxury car (which it is) the whole time. I don't echo some of the thoughts of others in relation to not buying at the cheaper end of the market. I bought mine 4 years ago at the very bottom end of the market and yes it did need a few things doing to bring back to its best but if you find a specialist and steer clear of bmw main dealers it can be an affordable car to run. Mine at present has 205k on the clock so that in itself is testament to the built quality. As long as they get serviced when needed and you look for a full history then i think they could go on for a long time. They love oil and super unleaded fuel but what other 5 litre car wouldn't. It depends on what your needs are, if you want to drive something mental all the time then the e46 but if your after something that can be relaxed and comfortable one minute bu then raw and raucous the next the M5 is by far the best bet.
Edited by andy3781 on Sunday 29th April 19:43
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