E39 M5 or E43 M3 - least expensive to run?

[TeaVR]

Topic says it all - your opinions please?

[Olf]

Parts for an E43 M3 are very very hard to come by and you might find the servicing is more expensive die to the special expertise required.

[madou]

Olf said:

Parts for an E43 M3 are very very hard to come by and you might find the servicing is more expensive die to the special expertise required.

For real

Edited by madou on Friday 3rd July 21:07

[mondeoman]

Provide they've been maintained well, they're both good for up to 200k miles, but if they go wrong ...... boy will you have ot pay for it if you go through a stealer

[R60EST]

madou said:

Olf said:

Parts for an E43 M3 are very very hard to come by and you might find the servicing is more expensive die to the special expertise required.

For real

Edited by madou on Friday 3rd July 21:07

Ahh , the E43 , such a rare beast . Have you considered the E41 M5 , might as well go the whole hog

[Neil.D]

R60EST said:

Ahh , the E43 , such a rare beast

LOL...

There wont be much in it dude. Once you factor in a wheel bearing here, a couple of cam position sensors there, they can both be quite good, alternativley, quite awful.

M = money, regardless.

[MattOz]

I've had both. The M5 is less expensive to service at a main dealer, but not by much. I'm sure that at a specialist it would cost about the same. The M3 costs slightly less at the pumps, but most of the additional running costs are the same, insurance/tyres/brakes & pads etc.

Given the choice, I'd certainly propose that the M5 is the more satisfying ownership prospect. I fancy another one...............

Matt

[TeaVR]

Sorry..................E46

[Olf]

TeaVR said:

Sorry..................E46

Very childish but you don't come to PH for grown up behavior!

I've driven both and if you're a TVR type I think you'd struggle to love the M3. Lets just say it's not effortless performance. The E39 M5 engine is a dream.

[TeaVR]

What is the score with an extended warranty. Is it still £1800 per year - and what do you have to do to buy one?

[R60EST]

The BMW extended warranty must be renewed each and every year after the standard one expires , if you ( or the previous owners ) let it lapse , then it can not ever be purchased at a later date

[TeaVR]

Sounds like the Porsche system has that licked!

So, with the M5, what sort of horror stories are we looking at? My TVR always seemed to hatch 4 figure service bills on a regular basis!

[mondeoman]

Bought mine with 57k on the clock, its now on 163k and apart from servicing, tyres, pads and oil its cost me nothing - until now. Front end needs rebuilding, and at BM its bloody expensive.

If you get one thats been looked after, but been driven rather than a garage queen, you should be quids in. Awesome car.

[Neil.D]

Front end? What part needs rebuilding? Had an accident?

[sjj84]

R60EST said:

The BMW extended warranty must be renewed each and every year after the standard one expires , if you ( or the previous owners ) let it lapse , then it can not ever be purchased at a later date

Not the case anymore, you can get a bmw warranty even if the original one has lapsed. It's expensive though!

[mondeoman]

Neil.D said:

Front end? What part needs rebuilding? Had an accident?

Nah, not that lucky - see here and here

Not hijacking the thread though, just wanted to say that if you get a good un it'll go for miles n miles then it'll cost a bomb to fix if it breaks. 106k miles and no expense, so I'm not gonna complain

[cosworth330]

Iv'e just sold an E36 M3 Evo & picking up a E39 M5 this week , can't wait.

Simon.

[rswheelnut]

i was worried about buying into an //M car due to the potential cost, but after running my e39 m5 for 8 months now am not worried. It does use more fuel than other cars and i would recommend you had a bit of cash available if anything does happen but it really is a good solid car.

You see plenty for sale with high miles and like any car -just be picky and get a good one. I waited and searched for about 6 months. There are some abused ones and some shocking trim combinations so choose wisely and wait for the one you want.

Rear tyres can be burnt through pretty quick if you're enthusiast, but you can pick them up for 100 quid each, and on a motorway run you can get 28 mpg. I hear the M3 uses a little less fuel, but not much in it i dont think.

M5 is rarer and less "showey" too.

either will be fun. enjoy and dont be too worried. just get a good one and ensure you have a bit in the bank "just incase".

[318is boy]

cosworth330 said:

Iv'e just sold an E36 M3 Evo & picking up a E39 M5 this week , can't wait.

Simon.

and im the lucky new owner of an e36 m3! roll on wednesday