500bhp for 30K...M5 or M6?
Discussion
I currently own a E46 M3, time has come to move on. I have a child like need for 500hp. Which way should I go? I realise they're different styles of car but???
Points to note.....
Probably will do less than 5000 miles a year as I spend most of my time overseas working.
I have a child friendly Nissam Murano for day to day usage.
Im now in my early 40's so insurance etc not an issue.
I live in the Highlands...so probably have a better chance than most to explore the upper reaches of performance available.
My heart says M6 but the M5 seems to be better thought off in general.....they are both pretty ugly, both expensive to own etc.
Opinions please!
Points to note.....
Probably will do less than 5000 miles a year as I spend most of my time overseas working.
I have a child friendly Nissam Murano for day to day usage.
Im now in my early 40's so insurance etc not an issue.
I live in the Highlands...so probably have a better chance than most to explore the upper reaches of performance available.
My heart says M6 but the M5 seems to be better thought off in general.....they are both pretty ugly, both expensive to own etc.
Opinions please!
M6 for sure but get the right spec and buy from BMW only:
Full leather (not extended and not black!) This really makes the interior along with
Piano black interior (carbon dash is a little sudden)
Post 2005
Check brake discs and pads for thickness along with tyre tread depth, all expensive to replace
For me the M6 is quite colour sensitive and this shows in resale values. Avoid Indianapolis Red or Sepang bronze. Personally I think the coupe looks best in Silverstone II, White (rare at your price point) or sapphire black.
Looking at BMW approved there isn`t a great deal out there at the moment.
Full leather (not extended and not black!) This really makes the interior along with
Piano black interior (carbon dash is a little sudden)
Post 2005
Check brake discs and pads for thickness along with tyre tread depth, all expensive to replace
For me the M6 is quite colour sensitive and this shows in resale values. Avoid Indianapolis Red or Sepang bronze. Personally I think the coupe looks best in Silverstone II, White (rare at your price point) or sapphire black.
Looking at BMW approved there isn`t a great deal out there at the moment.
jontysafe said:
M6 for sure but get the right spec and buy from BMW only:
Full leather (not extended and not black!) This really makes the interior along with
Piano black interior (carbon dash is a little sudden)
Post 2005
Check brake discs and pads for thickness along with tyre tread depth, all expensive to replace
For me the M6 is quite colour sensitive and this shows in resale values. Avoid Indianapolis Red or Sepang bronze. Personally I think the coupe looks best in Silverstone II, White (rare at your price point) or sapphire black.
Looking at BMW approved there isn`t a great deal out there at the moment.
Why not extended leather and why not black?Full leather (not extended and not black!) This really makes the interior along with
Piano black interior (carbon dash is a little sudden)
Post 2005
Check brake discs and pads for thickness along with tyre tread depth, all expensive to replace
For me the M6 is quite colour sensitive and this shows in resale values. Avoid Indianapolis Red or Sepang bronze. Personally I think the coupe looks best in Silverstone II, White (rare at your price point) or sapphire black.
Looking at BMW approved there isn`t a great deal out there at the moment.
All 3 of our cars have black leather - looks great in all.
The M6 should have always come with full leather to start with, not extended. It makes the interior a lot more of a nice place to be.
Personally I`m not a fan of black leather unless it`s in a Mk2 Golf Gti or a Porsche 911.
I must add this is all objective, different strokes for different folks and all that........
Anyway back on topic for the OP. For 30K I would actually get a well specced M5, if you can up your budget 5-10k then go M6.
5000 miles a year means it will be sitting for long periods of time unused. If it were me I would get a trusted friend/family member to take it out at least twice a week. In my experience this will benefit the car no end.
Personally I`m not a fan of black leather unless it`s in a Mk2 Golf Gti or a Porsche 911.
I must add this is all objective, different strokes for different folks and all that........
Anyway back on topic for the OP. For 30K I would actually get a well specced M5, if you can up your budget 5-10k then go M6.
5000 miles a year means it will be sitting for long periods of time unused. If it were me I would get a trusted friend/family member to take it out at least twice a week. In my experience this will benefit the car no end.
Edited by jontysafe on Saturday 29th January 16:05
jontysafe said:
No.....saying that 2005 don`t have issues as they are all sorted out under warranty doesn`t make sense. If they don`t have problems they wouldn`t need sorting out under warranty. If you get me?
How many M5's and M6's were made pre 2005? I thought they were all post 2005! 
jontysafe said:
What about the cars that were made IN 2005?? That doesn`t make them post 2005 in my logic?
Lol thats just anal.Right, from what ive gleened from this site and others it seems the early (2005) cars were recalled to replace specific parts of the smg. This solved alot of the issues on the early cars. It doesnt however make them bombproof. Clutches and flywheels will obviously be a wear issue, pumps will self destruct and thrust bearings will fail due to them drying out. Only good maintenance of the the car and a good warranty (BMW) to cover unexpected failures will give you any peace of mind. They are great cars, but they have issues just like the rest of them......... only they tend to be a bit more costly than your average.
the OP states, looking for 500bhp, doing less than 5000 miles per yr, new M models are 'ugly', sorry to say this on the Mpower forum but have you considered any other options apart from M5/M6,
I went through the exact same situation last year, had an e46 m3 which I absolutely adored, wanted more and considered the M5/M6. Realised that a car needs to be more than just performance, ended up buying an sl55 which looks awesome, brilliant folding hardtop roof, tons of gadgets,and actually has even more performance and potential (being forced induction)
,
I went through the exact same situation last year, had an e46 m3 which I absolutely adored, wanted more and considered the M5/M6. Realised that a car needs to be more than just performance, ended up buying an sl55 which looks awesome, brilliant folding hardtop roof, tons of gadgets,and actually has even more performance and potential (being forced induction)
,benzito said:
the OP states, looking for 500bhp, doing less than 5000 miles per yr, new M models are 'ugly', sorry to say this on the Mpower forum but have you considered any other options apart from M5/M6,
I went through the exact same situation last year, had an e46 m3 which I absolutely adored, wanted more and considered the M5/M6. Realised that a car needs to be more than just performance, ended up buying an sl55 which looks awesome, brilliant folding hardtop roof, tons of gadgets,and actually has even more performance and potential (being forced induction),
Thanks to all for the replies, I had thought of other options but didn't come up with much, maybe a early 996 Turbo...but the Merc is another option. Guess I need to get out there and test drive my options as suggested! I went through the exact same situation last year, had an e46 m3 which I absolutely adored, wanted more and considered the M5/M6. Realised that a car needs to be more than just performance, ended up buying an sl55 which looks awesome, brilliant folding hardtop roof, tons of gadgets,and actually has even more performance and potential (being forced induction)
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