which M car?

[hoppo4.2]

i have decided i want another M car. had an e36 evo in the past.

but which should i go for an e39 m5

or

the e46 m3

budget is 12k max what do people think.

[Neil.D]

Hi mate.

I dont understand how anyone can answer that except you.

Do you want a coupe/convertible or a saloon? Screaming straight 6 or lazy high revving V8?

Straight answer, get the M3. No reason, just what I think.

Anything more specific?

What do you want to use the car for? Commuting + family or just weekends ?

[Pork]

Yeah, quite different cars. I think an near identical question has been asked previously and the answer is really dependant on use/personal taste.

I've owned both, and loved them both - whichever you chose, buy well and you wont be disappointed.

[daz4m]

M5 is the high speed high running cost option.

M3 is the slower safer running cost option.

[Hedgetrimmer]

I own an M5 e39 and previously owned an M3 CSL. The M5 is soooooo much more rewarding to drive due to SMG and really dulls steering on the M3. The M3 is sexier to look at and if that is a big factory it may just outweigh. Just my opinion but M5 would always get my money. Don't underestimate M5 running costs thought!

[b14]

Hedgetrimmer said:

I own an M5 e39 and previously owned an M3 CSL. The M5 is soooooo much more rewarding to drive due to SMG and really dulls steering on the M3. The M3 is sexier to look at and if that is a big factory it may just outweigh. Just my opinion but M5 would always get my money. Don't underestimate M5 running costs thought!

E39 M5 with SMG? Typo?

[Slurms]

[redacted]

[DennisCooper]

Hi all

I think he meant to say 'Due to SMG on the M3, it gets dulled'

Cheers! Dennis! West London & Slough UK!

[Hedgetrimmer]

DennisCooper said:

Hi all

I think he meant to say 'Due to SMG on the M3, it gets dulled'

Cheers! Dennis! West London & Slough UK!

Unfortunately, I was in a rush when typing my first post. Yes I was refering to the fact that the M3 had dull steering and its SMG gearbox spoiled the involvement.

[hoppo4.2]

ok so i have been out today and looked at/tested 3 cars all in my price bracket.

2 M3's one smg one manual and an m5.

the m5 is brillant car and must be one of the best value for money cars around at the min. but just felt a bit to big for my liking.

the manual m3 was very similar feeling to my e36 in terms of the gearbox but the car was a total shed.

the smg i found was very good and now i very tempted by it. i was so ready to hate it but i dont!

and its a better colour inside and out than the manual i was looking at and a much better car with less miles (74K) and better spec its an 02 plate in steel grey with black leather sunroof heated seats HK sound system and even a sun blind but no sat nav 3 owners and full history its up for just under 11K what do we think?

[daz4m]

I have read the odd story on here about the SMGs having issues at higher mileages so that's something to bear in mind. I can't comment on their actual reliablility but that would potentially worry me over a manual when looking at earlier examples.

Sure someone else will help you out with this.

[Great Pretender]

If SMG is for you, make sure you drive as many exapmles as you can to get a feel for how they compare. You do not want to be responsible for rectifying a failure.