Thinking of changing...
Discussion
I've been a long time poster on here and, amongst other things, have been lucky to own some M cars.
Specifically, two E36 M3's, B10 Alpina V8, M5T and now an E46 M3. All of them have been great in their own way.
Which is why I find it odd that, considering 4 door saloons, I'm seriously looking at E63 AMG's vs F10 M5...
Anyone have a sensible opinion on either. Obviously, I need to go drive them back to back ideally.
Specifically, two E36 M3's, B10 Alpina V8, M5T and now an E46 M3. All of them have been great in their own way.
Which is why I find it odd that, considering 4 door saloons, I'm seriously looking at E63 AMG's vs F10 M5...
Anyone have a sensible opinion on either. Obviously, I need to go drive them back to back ideally.
I ran an F10 M5 for 6 years and about 65,000 miles - bought as a demonstrator and only sold at beginning of the year to change to an M6 GC.
For me the M5 was ideal, comfy when you want, exciting when you want, plenty of space for family of 4, loads of toys. Mine was very reliable and surprisingly easy on tyres (MPSS) and brakes.
It’s not a sports car and is not going to change direction as quickly as say an M3, but you can place the car precisely on the road and acceleration is epic.
Good luck in your search.
For me the M5 was ideal, comfy when you want, exciting when you want, plenty of space for family of 4, loads of toys. Mine was very reliable and surprisingly easy on tyres (MPSS) and brakes.
It’s not a sports car and is not going to change direction as quickly as say an M3, but you can place the car precisely on the road and acceleration is epic.
Good luck in your search.
I changed my E46 M3 for the F10 and I really like my M5. I did 3000 miles around Europe in it last summer and it was the perfect car for the trip. Comfortable, quiet and fast when you want it to be. 100mph+ cruising with two adults, luggage and 120 bottles of wine 
Admittedly it doesn't make a lot of noise, although you could force the exhaust valves open. I kind of like the fact that it's a subtle car though.
You're welcome to come and poke around mine in central London, I'm thinking of selling it soon too.
Admittedly it doesn't make a lot of noise, although you could force the exhaust valves open. I kind of like the fact that it's a subtle car though.
You're welcome to come and poke around mine in central London, I'm thinking of selling it soon too.
Cactussed said:
The M5 ticks every box (mentally) and looks wise, I'm just sceptical about the noise...
The e90 M3 just isn't big enough I don't think.
F80 M3 too much ££, especially given the M5 is cheaper.
Fair point on the cost. Couldn’t even tell you how much an F10 costs. HahaThe e90 M3 just isn't big enough I don't think.
F80 M3 too much ££, especially given the M5 is cheaper.
Plenty options out there for you to arrange a few test drives and have fun!
Cactussed said:
I've been a long time poster on here and, amongst other things, have been lucky to own some M cars.
Specifically, two E36 M3's, B10 Alpina V8, M5T and now an E46 M3. All of them have been great in their own way.
Which is why I find it odd that, considering 4 door saloons, I'm seriously looking at E63 AMG's vs F10 M5...
Anyone have a sensible opinion on either. Obviously, I need to go drive them back to back ideally.
Prefer E63S over the new M5. Have posted about this before once or twice but was actually quite disappointed in the new M5, especially having been a big fan of my previous M6 GC. Only gripe with the Mercedes was a crap infotainment system, looks good but using it is so much harder and less intuitive than iDrive. There’s also an irritating bit of lag at times from the gearbox. Obviously this can be mostly eliminated by using attack mode, but when not in the mood for that it can be a little annoying. Recently sold my E63S for a Panamera Sport Turismo as fancied a change, so I’d say that’s worth considering too depending on budget.Specifically, two E36 M3's, B10 Alpina V8, M5T and now an E46 M3. All of them have been great in their own way.
Which is why I find it odd that, considering 4 door saloons, I'm seriously looking at E63 AMG's vs F10 M5...
Anyone have a sensible opinion on either. Obviously, I need to go drive them back to back ideally.
I very recently had an LCI F10 M5, but got rid after 6 months.
A few months later, I am actually thinking about getting back into one, or a CLS/E63 AMG.
My main gripes were a lack of sensation and specialness, augmented by the pretty poor engine sound (coming from an E92 M3): too synthetic and very feeble blips if any on downshifts.
I am drawn to the CLS63 for the engine (AMG knows how to make a turbo engine sound good, 45AMG excepted) but it has an inferior gearbox.
The F10 was surprisingly economical, delivering the same fuel economy over fast long trips as my current X5 M50D, and also benefits from a proper sized fuel tank (80 litres) giving it a decent range.
A few months later, I am actually thinking about getting back into one, or a CLS/E63 AMG.
My main gripes were a lack of sensation and specialness, augmented by the pretty poor engine sound (coming from an E92 M3): too synthetic and very feeble blips if any on downshifts.
I am drawn to the CLS63 for the engine (AMG knows how to make a turbo engine sound good, 45AMG excepted) but it has an inferior gearbox.
The F10 was surprisingly economical, delivering the same fuel economy over fast long trips as my current X5 M50D, and also benefits from a proper sized fuel tank (80 litres) giving it a decent range.
rassi said:
The F10 was surprisingly economical, delivering the same fuel economy over fast long trips as my current X5 M50D, and also benefits from a proper sized fuel tank (80 litres) giving it a decent range.
I proved that it's possible to drive from London to Switzerland on a tank.tomtom said:
rassi said:
The F10 was surprisingly economical, delivering the same fuel economy over fast long trips as my current X5 M50D, and also benefits from a proper sized fuel tank (80 litres) giving it a decent range.
I proved that it's possible to drive from London to Switzerland on a tank.Test drove an F10 M5 a year or so ago when I was looking to upgrade from an E60, couldn't wait to get out of it and back into the V10. It may be quicker it doesn't feel any quicker and certainly doesn't sound quicker.
A few weeks ago I thought I'd give the new turbo engines another try, this time in the form of an M6 GC and felt exactly the same way, numb and boring even in the sportiest settings. Not tried a 5.5 BiTurbo AMG, they probably do sound better but the gearbox puts me off.
A few weeks ago I thought I'd give the new turbo engines another try, this time in the form of an M6 GC and felt exactly the same way, numb and boring even in the sportiest settings. Not tried a 5.5 BiTurbo AMG, they probably do sound better but the gearbox puts me off.
rassi said:
470 miles/750 km on a tank...? Seems very economical - must have been sticking to all speed limits doing that. I was on 12-13 litres/100 km over fast motorway duty (Germany/France) which is a 615-670 km range
Yep, below the limit in fact. Cruise set to just over 70mph. I wanted to see if it would do it, which it did. Just. The range was reading basically nothing by the time I got to the border. I drove the last ~30km with the AC and radio off 
.It was just over 500 miles from where I actually filled up leaving south London to crossing the border at Vallorbe which worked out at around 30 MPG I think. And that's still way short of BMW's claimed extra-urban figure, of course.
Even with some more speedy driving in Italy I still would happily get well over 400 miles on a tank on the motorway legs. It's so much more economical than the E60 M5 was and with the bigger fuel tank is actually usable as a tourer.
Shaoxter said:
Test drove an F10 M5 a year or so ago when I was looking to upgrade from an E60, couldn't wait to get out of it and back into the V10. It may be quicker it doesn't feel any quicker and certainly doesn't sound quicker.
A friend of mine took my F10 out recently as he was thinking of changing his E60. He thought it felt quicker at lower speeds due to the torque (I agree) but the lack of noise and ... drama from the SMG hides it well. The E60 is certainly more dramatic but it feels like an old car now and isn't as nice a place to be for a long trip.[quote=Shaoxter]felt exactly the same way, numb and boring even in the sportiest settings.
Really surprised to hear this. I've just (7 months ago) jumped out of an E63 M6 into an M6 GC and am amazed anyone would find it numb and boring -it's mental in full on mode and if you wind all the windows down it's quite loud on the outside. The V10 was marvelous at full bore but so little opportunity to use it at that level that I got completely bored and numbed by the crappy lumpy and slow SMG gearbox.
The DCT is a revelation, it's so fast and much better suited to the car and with the increased torque the car is better to drive at all speeds. Throw in the new tech and all the goodies as well as vastly superior looks, 4 doors and for me it's a slam dunk
Really surprised to hear this. I've just (7 months ago) jumped out of an E63 M6 into an M6 GC and am amazed anyone would find it numb and boring -it's mental in full on mode and if you wind all the windows down it's quite loud on the outside.
The V10 was marvelous at full bore but so little opportunity to use it at that level that I got completely bored and numbed by the crappy lumpy and slow SMG gearbox.The DCT is a revelation, it's so fast and much better suited to the car and with the increased torque the car is better to drive at all speeds. Throw in the new tech and all the goodies as well as vastly superior looks, 4 doors and for me it's a slam dunk
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