Swapping the Z3 Mcoupe for E39 M5
Discussion
I am thinking that I would like to move into a more family orientated M car. Although the coupe is a weekend car, I feel that I can only use it on my own and that it would be nice to have the 4 seats of the M5 or even an E36 M3.
Has anyone owned both to comment on the driving experience? Would the 3 or 5 feel less of an event when driving or are they just as special?
Finally; how likely is it that I would find a low mileage example of either? i.e. sub 60k
Many thanks
Has anyone owned both to comment on the driving experience? Would the 3 or 5 feel less of an event when driving or are they just as special?
Finally; how likely is it that I would find a low mileage example of either? i.e. sub 60k
Many thanks
I ve not owned E36 M3 but own E39 M5 its a 1999 with 57k on the clock so they are out there with decent mileage.
Although from what I gather mileage should not put you off. Its been a great car thus far brakes are its downfall after some hard use. Great thing about her is took the family to Somerset in the M5 boot full of stuff with 2 kids and then had half hour on my own hooning a few days later.
They are great at everything. I did pay over the odds for mine but had 12k to spend on one, I sold my E57 3 Series to but her and its a far better car. In fact best BMW i ve owned.
I have not got the facelift and she doesn t use oil and lights dont bother me but I no the advice you get will be to buy a facelift, as that was the advice I got. I just wanted a mint M5.
Although from what I gather mileage should not put you off. Its been a great car thus far brakes are its downfall after some hard use. Great thing about her is took the family to Somerset in the M5 boot full of stuff with 2 kids and then had half hour on my own hooning a few days later.
They are great at everything. I did pay over the odds for mine but had 12k to spend on one, I sold my E57 3 Series to but her and its a far better car. In fact best BMW i ve owned.
I have not got the facelift and she doesn t use oil and lights dont bother me but I no the advice you get will be to buy a facelift, as that was the advice I got. I just wanted a mint M5.
I came from a RX8 so similar in size and purpose. To be honest it was a great move and I have no regrets but then I have always wanted an M5. The kids love it in the back and car can transport all 4 of us in comfort one minute and then be an absolute animal the next (without the kids). You probably know already but for a big car it can be a lot of fun but fruststrating in this weather when pressing on due to all that power and slippy roads.
Get a good one and you wont look back, they are stunning.
Get a good one and you wont look back, they are stunning.
I went from a Z3 M Coupe to an E39 M5 (via an MB C43 and BMW 530d) but still hold the M Coupe in very high regard. I saw one again today, having my M5 serviced, and it is really a very special car - probably one of the most characterful cars ever produced by BMW.
Every trip in the M Coupe was special, and you felt everyone was giving you a second look because nobody has really seen anything quite like it. It's pocket size, snug cockpit and the fact that you are basically sitting on top of the rear axle means that it is a very intense experience.
However, I always felt that as a GT it felt short because of its tiny (50 litre) fuel tank and its gearing that made it somewhat less well suited to motorway driving. Also, if I had kept mine I would have treated it to an exhaust upgrade, just a bit too muted.
The M5 is a dual beast: It will transport 5 people in supreme comfort like any other 5 series, but also has the firepower to let you cover distances very rapidly with very little fuss. Everything seems to falls into place, from the overall engineering, solidity, ride and damping to a truly wonderful engine, all in a classic saloon shape that just slips below the radar.
Had mine for 4 years, and only in moments of insanity where cars like 335d and the like pop up as a more rational choice have I considered changing, but in fairness, I really couldn't do it.
The M Coupe is unique and wonderful but if you can only have one car, for me the M5 does it all.
Every trip in the M Coupe was special, and you felt everyone was giving you a second look because nobody has really seen anything quite like it. It's pocket size, snug cockpit and the fact that you are basically sitting on top of the rear axle means that it is a very intense experience.
However, I always felt that as a GT it felt short because of its tiny (50 litre) fuel tank and its gearing that made it somewhat less well suited to motorway driving. Also, if I had kept mine I would have treated it to an exhaust upgrade, just a bit too muted.
The M5 is a dual beast: It will transport 5 people in supreme comfort like any other 5 series, but also has the firepower to let you cover distances very rapidly with very little fuss. Everything seems to falls into place, from the overall engineering, solidity, ride and damping to a truly wonderful engine, all in a classic saloon shape that just slips below the radar.
Had mine for 4 years, and only in moments of insanity where cars like 335d and the like pop up as a more rational choice have I considered changing, but in fairness, I really couldn't do it.
The M Coupe is unique and wonderful but if you can only have one car, for me the M5 does it all.
rassi said:
I went from a Z3 M Coupe to an E39 M5 (via an MB C43 and BMW 530d) but still hold the M Coupe in very high regard. I saw one again today, having my M5 serviced, and it is really a very special car - probably one of the most characterful cars ever produced by BMW.
Every trip in the M Coupe was special, and you felt everyone was giving you a second look because nobody has really seen anything quite like it. It's pocket size, snug cockpit and the fact that you are basically sitting on top of the rear axle means that it is a very intense experience.
However, I always felt that as a GT it felt short because of its tiny (50 litre) fuel tank and its gearing that made it somewhat less well suited to motorway driving. Also, if I had kept mine I would have treated it to an exhaust upgrade, just a bit too muted.
The M5 is a dual beast: It will transport 5 people in supreme comfort like any other 5 series, but also has the firepower to let you cover distances very rapidly with very little fuss. Everything seems to falls into place, from the overall engineering, solidity, ride and damping to a truly wonderful engine, all in a classic saloon shape that just slips below the radar.
Had mine for 4 years, and only in moments of insanity where cars like 335d and the like pop up as a more rational choice have I considered changing, but in fairness, I really couldn't do it.
The M Coupe is unique and wonderful but if you can only have one car, for me the M5 does it all.
Thanks to all for the great feedbackEvery trip in the M Coupe was special, and you felt everyone was giving you a second look because nobody has really seen anything quite like it. It's pocket size, snug cockpit and the fact that you are basically sitting on top of the rear axle means that it is a very intense experience.
However, I always felt that as a GT it felt short because of its tiny (50 litre) fuel tank and its gearing that made it somewhat less well suited to motorway driving. Also, if I had kept mine I would have treated it to an exhaust upgrade, just a bit too muted.
The M5 is a dual beast: It will transport 5 people in supreme comfort like any other 5 series, but also has the firepower to let you cover distances very rapidly with very little fuss. Everything seems to falls into place, from the overall engineering, solidity, ride and damping to a truly wonderful engine, all in a classic saloon shape that just slips below the radar.
Had mine for 4 years, and only in moments of insanity where cars like 335d and the like pop up as a more rational choice have I considered changing, but in fairness, I really couldn't do it.
The M Coupe is unique and wonderful but if you can only have one car, for me the M5 does it all.
Thanks Rassi for the insight - having owned both your feedback is pretty spot on I guess.
Thanks again
I've owned 2 E36 M3's for a total of 4yrs , my last one was a really good condition S reg estoril coupe but after a couple of years i found i used it less and less as we always used the family Volvo V70R. The kids & wife didn't really like going in the M3 so rarely used it. 18 months ago i sold the M3 & bought a 2001 model facelift E39 M5 with 103,000 miles, the car has been faultless so far & is now on 110,000 miles. We still use the wifes new V70 D5 more as its only 18 months old & better on fuel but i get a lot more use out of the M5 as we can use it as a family car as well as me on my own. Personally i much prefer the M5 to the E36 M3 as its so relaxing to drive when you want it to be but is also a blast when you feel like giving it some. Its justnicer to have heated seats,TV,more comfort,sat nav etc plus the V8 noise is amazing. Its also suprising how well the M5 handles when you really push it for a big car. I've found the standard brakes to be perfect for the road but no good for trackdays. Get yourself an M5.
Simon.
Simon.
I bought a 2003 M5 with 58k miles on the clock in April this year, took me a while to find such a low mileage late model car but Ive been really chuffed with it. Still feels really special each time I drive it and pressing the sport button the car really comes alive, otherwise easy to drive in traffic and around town. I had a few niggles with mine just age related stuff like weeping seals on the diff, control arm bushes but luckily for me covered under warranty at the time. Take your time and hunt out a nice M5 you wont regret it
I made the move you are planing from Z3m Coupe to E39 M5 for exactly the same reasons. The M5 is a very different car but still special. You drive it about doing the family stuff and it does this very well. But when the mood takes and you find yourself on the right road at the right time it will still do the business! It is one of those cars that shrinks around you the harder you push.
I had a memorable 3 days on the Isle of Man and it really showed it's full abilities. For me the M5 was the better car in my situation. I could get more use from it.
I had a memorable 3 days on the Isle of Man and it really showed it's full abilities. For me the M5 was the better car in my situation. I could get more use from it.
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