Am I Crazy??

[ardy89]

I recently bought my dream car...an e60 M5

I've been looking at buying one for a couple of years and have done tons of research, so much so that I bought a brilliant example direct from BMW back in July.

Now we all know running costs aren't going to go unnoticed on a car like this, however, so far the car has cost me a penny, except fuel. So you would think things would be hunky dorey!

BUT...I'm just not as excited by it as I thought I would be, its not doing anything for me. Has anyone else found this?

I've since put it up for sale as I think a car has now become just something to get me from A to B (Sad to say)

Is this the end for me as Car Nut?

Rob

[Cheburator mk2]

ardy89 said:

I recently bought my dream car...an e60 M5

I've been looking at buying one for a couple of years and have done tons of research, so much so that I bought a brilliant example direct from BMW back in July.

Now we all know running costs aren't going to go unnoticed on a car like this, however, so far the car has cost me a penny, except fuel. So you would think things would be hunky dorey!

BUT...I'm just not as excited by it as I thought I would be, its not doing anything for me. Has anyone else found this?

I've since put it up for sale as I think a car has now become just something to get me from A to B (Sad to say)

Is this the end for me as Car Nut?

Rob

You do know it needs to be revved hard

[Schermerhorn]

5am.....empty road.....M Button.....press Go

[Badman gee]

ardy89 said:

Is this the end for me as Car Nut?

Rob

Yep your finished.

Buy a 80mpg diesel

[KTMboy]

I agree Rob

I owned an E60 M5 for 3 years and hardly used it.

It too was my "dream car", but it was mostly a disappointment. On reflection, I would even go so far as to say the M5 concept, a family saloon with super-car performance, is a bit flawed.......

Sure the E60 M5 is very fast, but there are so many more factors than just straight line pace that define a "super-car" experience:
* acceleration [0-40mph in particular]
* handling
* driver involvement
* character
* looks
* soundtrack
* special interior
* open air

On all of the above factors I would say the M5 mostly doesn't deliver. Conversely, the M5 does have some of the disadvantages associated with super-car ownership; 200 mile fuel range, crappy fuel economy, expensive service costs, and the constant fear that something very expensive is going to break [although I have to say mine was very reliable].

So I chopped the M5 in for a new Boxter. Not a super car of course, but for sure it gets closer to achieving many of the above factors than the M5. Then we traded the wifes car in for a 335D Touring - a very good family car.

I ended my M5 ownership of the opinion that the reality didn't match up to the "dream" - and actually never could. If you want a car to excite and thrill, but you need a family car - you need to buy two cars!

[ardy89]

KTMboy said:

I agree Rob

I owned an E60 M5 for 3 years and hardly used it.

It too was my "dream car", but it was mostly a disappointment. On reflection, I would even go so far as to say the M5 concept, a family saloon with super-car performance, is a bit flawed.......

Sure the E60 M5 is very fast, but there are so many more factors than just straight line pace that define a "super-car" experience:
* acceleration [0-40mph in particular]
* handling
* driver involvement
* character
* looks
* soundtrack
* special interior
* open air

On all of the above factors I would say the M5 mostly doesn't deliver. Conversely, the M5 does have some of the disadvantages associated with super-car ownership; 200 mile fuel range, crappy fuel economy, expensive service costs, and the constant fear that something very expensive is going to break [although I have to say mine was very reliable].

So I chopped the M5 in for a new Boxter. Not a super car of course, but for sure it gets closer to achieving many of the above factors than the M5. Then we traded the wifes car in for a 335D Touring - a very good family car.

I ended my M5 ownership of the opinion that the reality didn't match up to the "dream" - and actually never could. If you want a car to excite and thrill, but you need a family car - you need to buy two cars!

This pretty much sums it up, obviously the car is very fast and yes I've used it properly but I think spending the past two years driving a diesel golf have some what changed me! I've had a couple of other fast BMW's but this is my first M car and it's just not doing it for me! The previous BMW's were fast but very usable, this is possibly too fast, I never really get to use it to its full potential and its fuel range is worse than I predicted.

I'm very glad I've bought it though so that I got to fulfill my dream Now I can go back to been an old man!

Has anyone got any recommendations for new hobbies

Edited by ardy89 on Tuesday 20th August 13:37

[Herbs]

If it suits your needs get yourself an Elise, Boxster, Z4M and it will bring back your love of driving

It has been an interesting thread as I was thinking the opposite as I've just put my Z4M up for sale purely because I need something to carry our 6 month old daughter in and was wondering about getting a fast saloon but i'm now wondering whether it will live up to the idea.

[ardy89]

I bought the car based on the fact that it was my dream car, I have no need for a large saloon as at the moment I don't have a family. If you are still a Car Nut (which I think I no longer am) and require a large saloon this car is great, just bare in mind fuel range and economy!

To back this up, I gave a friend, his girlfriend and daughter a lift home in the car, the boot swallowed up the push chair with ease and all three had plenty of space in the back.

Would anyone take a look at my advert and see if its priced accordingly?

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

[VEA]

Get yourself something small, underpowered, and chuckable. It will re-unite you with your passion for cars. Even keep the M5 and get something as another a toy.

[DazNich]

If you're looking for an E90 M3 I'd trade you, want to move (sorry to say) down to a cheaper car to free up some funds...

[ardy89]

No I think I'm going to go back to basics for a period of time and reassess. Thanks for the offer, got a link to the advert/pictures for me to salivate over

[SidewaysSi]

I can understand where you are coming from. The M5 is a good saloon car but not the most exciting car in the world.

A Lotus Elise or Caterham will thrill you at normal speeds and cost a fraction of what you are paying.

[rassi]

I sold mine in May after 8 months ownership - in many ways I loved the car (engine, speed, noise, rawness in full throttle mode, the alcantara interior, the understated but muscular looks) but fell out of love for its fuel range and the SMG need for constant involvement and stop-start deficiencies. After a warranty covered clutch replacement, I also realised that it wasn't a car that I could drive with peace of mind after expiration of the warranty (can't be extended beyond 2 years in Belgium).

Cost me 10.000 euro for 8 months ownership and 10.000 km and not sure it was worth it - great car, just not for me.

Edited by rassi on Tuesday 20th August 17:31

[Maxket]

Seems a very good buy, top spec and with warranty...are you to lose out greatly from dealer purchase price??

[ardy89]

I think its a mixture of both lack of excitement and also realization i want to spend my money elsewhere, mainly on my house instead of V Power!

[Schermerhorn]

ardy89 said:

I bought the car based on the fact that it was my dream car, I have no need for a large saloon as at the moment I don't have a family. If you are still a Car Nut (which I think I no longer am) and require a large saloon this car is great, just bare in mind fuel range and economy!

To back this up, I gave a friend, his girlfriend and daughter a lift home in the car, the boot swallowed up the push chair with ease and all three had plenty of space in the back.

Would anyone take a look at my advert and see if its priced accordingly?

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

Good spec and a nice tidy car but over priced by a few thousand in my opinion.

Last month I looked at an BMW E60 M5, virtually identical to yours, they threw in a 2 year warranty and wanted 'only' £17,850.

[ardy89]

Schermerhorn said:

Good spec and a nice tidy car but over priced by a few thousand in my opinion.

Last month I looked at an BMW E60 M5, virtually identical to yours, they threw in a 2 year warranty and wanted 'only' £17,850.

That was a good deal, did you take it?

[M5Dave]

Schermerhorn said:

ardy89 said:

I bought the car based on the fact that it was my dream car, I have no need for a large saloon as at the moment I don't have a family. If you are still a Car Nut (which I think I no longer am) and require a large saloon this car is great, just bare in mind fuel range and economy!

To back this up, I gave a friend, his girlfriend and daughter a lift home in the car, the boot swallowed up the push chair with ease and all three had plenty of space in the back.

Would anyone take a look at my advert and see if its priced accordingly?

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

Good spec and a nice tidy car but over priced by a few thousand in my opinion.

Last month I looked at an BMW E60 M5, virtually identical to yours, they threw in a 2 year warranty and wanted 'only' £17,850.

I disagree, given the mileage, the fresh clutch and flywheel, and almost a years tax and comprehensive, no excess warranty, I'd say that's a pretty fair price.

The cheapest E60 on the BMW website at the moment is £17,995, but it's an '05' plate with 62,000 miles, therefore prohibitively expensive to renew the warranty after the standard year is up.

The OP's car on the other hand will still qualify for the cheaper rates come renewal time, assuming it covers average mileage.

[cosworth330]

I had a look at your advert earlier & thought it seemed quite a good example considering all the work thats been done,low miles & warranty.
I've been thinking of changing to an E60 M5 ( had an E39 M5 for over 4 yrs now ) but worry that i'll miss my E39 M5. We use a Volvo V70 D5 R Design for a family vehicle so my M5 only covers about 1200 miles a year as a second car. We have 2 kids 9 & 13 so i prefer to have a 4 door car as a second car hence the M5.

Does your M5 have the dark side windows & back window, this is something i really don't like and it seems most M5's have these heavily tinted rear windows.

Simon.

[ardy89]

Thanks for the replies chaps, I priced it based on the fact its had so much work done and the condition, if it's too high I'm sure I'll soon find out when I get no interest!

As for tinted windows, no this car doesn't have them, it does have the electric rear blind, however.

As for the warranty, I can confirm its no excess as I've used it once so far

Thanks

Rob