Decisions, decisions...M5 as a family car?
Discussion
Me and the Mrs have our first child on the way and I am thinking about selling my Boxster S for something that will carry us all. I've always hankered after an E60 M5 and I am beginning to think now would be the right time to itch that scratch. I am thinking maybe a touring is the way to go as we can throw the dogs in the back of that and fit our surf boards on top too.
I have gone through the buyers guide which was very useful but it would be great to know how owners have got on with these and if there is anything else out there that could be considered??? I would definitely want one with the mondial warranty as I am not brave enough to have one without and I must admit I am a wee bit scared about the mpg figures but hey you only live once!
Cheers in advance!
I have gone through the buyers guide which was very useful but it would be great to know how owners have got on with these and if there is anything else out there that could be considered??? I would definitely want one with the mondial warranty as I am not brave enough to have one without and I must admit I am a wee bit scared about the mpg figures but hey you only live once!
Cheers in advance!
Its a great car, wife and daughter like it better than my other cars. We have a Boxster and a GT3 too, obviously very different but I'd say the M5 has more of a quality feel than either Porsche.
I enjoy driving the M5 even when I'm going slowly, the gearbox is actually fine but give it time, a few months to really learn it. In terms of acceleration its a bit stronger than the GT3, handling wise its fun but its not as much fun as the Boxster. I find the steering a little too heavy in M mode.
I describe it to friends as the best car I've ever owned, perhaps not the most exciting but overall the best.
Hope this helps.
Fred
I enjoy driving the M5 even when I'm going slowly, the gearbox is actually fine but give it time, a few months to really learn it. In terms of acceleration its a bit stronger than the GT3, handling wise its fun but its not as much fun as the Boxster. I find the steering a little too heavy in M mode.
I describe it to friends as the best car I've ever owned, perhaps not the most exciting but overall the best.
Hope this helps.
Fred
Ran one for a year as our daily driver, really bonded with the car. Great fun, super road car, brimming with charisma, a car that doesn't instantly gel but over time really gets under your skin. Very practical for a family, and that engine, shouldn't really be legal ! The only bore was how often it needed fuel (both superunleaded and oil), small tank and a bit of a thirst equals regular forecourt time which was dull. Still can't have such a mental engine without a tiny downside, the new twin turbo v8 strikes me as yawnsville in comparison.
I also had a boxster S which I sold last year for an E61 M5. In hindsight buying the boxster with a family was somewhat wishful thinking in the first place - with 3 kids I was lucky to do 2k miles p.a. in the 3 years I owned it and I ended up getting crucified on depreciation.
I would agree with the other posters - the M5 is overall the best car I've owned. The engine is magnificent and whilst it doesn't handle in the kart like fashion of the boxster, it does hide its weight very well for a big car. I've got 3 kids and they fit in the back easily and love the noise and acceleration.
Get a good one and you won't regret it. They're an absolute bargain right now. You'll still be able to buy a boxster in the future, but I doubt they'll make the likes of the M-Power V10 ever again.
Gary.
I would agree with the other posters - the M5 is overall the best car I've owned. The engine is magnificent and whilst it doesn't handle in the kart like fashion of the boxster, it does hide its weight very well for a big car. I've got 3 kids and they fit in the back easily and love the noise and acceleration.
Get a good one and you won't regret it. They're an absolute bargain right now. You'll still be able to buy a boxster in the future, but I doubt they'll make the likes of the M-Power V10 ever again.
Gary.
E61 is a great everyday car...unless you do alot of town driving then the SMG does get a bit irksome compared with an auto or regular manual.
Tank range is also a bit of a bind if you are doing bigger weekly mileage. If I use mine for daily duties Im finding myself at the local shell station every second or third day for an £80 top up of Vpower after only 200 odd miles!
Other than that they are very easy to live with and the boot gives it good versitility. I dont think there's another estate car on the market that gives you a proper racecar V10 experience with decent practicality. Before anyone says, the Audi S6 is too dull and the RS6 is too numb!
Go for it!
Tank range is also a bit of a bind if you are doing bigger weekly mileage. If I use mine for daily duties Im finding myself at the local shell station every second or third day for an £80 top up of Vpower after only 200 odd miles!
Other than that they are very easy to live with and the boot gives it good versitility. I dont think there's another estate car on the market that gives you a proper racecar V10 experience with decent practicality. Before anyone says, the Audi S6 is too dull and the RS6 is too numb!
Go for it!
I'm into month three of using mine as a family car and am loving it, its one of the best all round cars I've ever owned. Enough room to get luggage and two dogs in the boot, lots of room in the cabin for the kids and its very comfortable. Can't think of any downside apart from the limited range and mpg, but I knew that when buying the car so I knew that would be the expensive part of the daily running costs.
after the boxster you will surprised how fast the M5 is, also handles well and hides the extra 500kgs it has over the boxster although you wont be able to chuck it around quite as much.... mine is a daily driver with my toys in the garage and I still enjoy the M5... also NOTHING sounds better IMHO than an M5 with a sports exhaust.
its a very civilised car as well... soft suspension setting are genuinely comfortable, gearchange is great in manual mode 5, interior is a loverly place to be with loads of space, boot is a cavern Ive even fitted seats from another car in there.
Best all round car I have owned... and the engine... epic
its a very civilised car as well... soft suspension setting are genuinely comfortable, gearchange is great in manual mode 5, interior is a loverly place to be with loads of space, boot is a cavern Ive even fitted seats from another car in there.
Best all round car I have owned... and the engine... epic
andygtt said:
after the boxster you will surprised how fast the M5 is, also handles well and hides the extra 500kgs it has over the boxster although you wont be able to chuck it around quite as much.... mine is a daily driver with my toys in the garage and I still enjoy the M5... also NOTHING sounds better IMHO than an M5 with a sports exhaust.
its a very civilised car as well... soft suspension setting are genuinely comfortable, gearchange is great in manual mode 5, interior is a loverly place to be with loads of space, boot is a cavern Ive even fitted seats from another car in there.
Best all round car I have owned... and the engine... epic
Out of interest which exhaust have you fitted? I would be frightened of sounding too loud. Also I think the induction snarl is a major part of the appeal! its a very civilised car as well... soft suspension setting are genuinely comfortable, gearchange is great in manual mode 5, interior is a loverly place to be with loads of space, boot is a cavern Ive even fitted seats from another car in there.
Best all round car I have owned... and the engine... epic
designed my own and had it made by my local exhaust fabricator, its a one off and sounds and looks the part.... in truth mine is one of the loudest around as I removed all the silencers and effectivelly made it a straight through exhaust
not loud in the car at all if the windows are done up, cant hear it at 70mph on motorway... pretty loud ouside the car though especially above 3500rpm lol
not loud in the car at all if the windows are done up, cant hear it at 70mph on motorway... pretty loud ouside the car though especially above 3500rpm lol
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff