E90 4-Door M3 Saloon, or E60 M5 ???
Discussion
I've had an E46 M3 for a couple of years now, which replaced an E36 M3 before that. I'm thinking about a change now for something newer, with a budget of up to £35k.
I don't like the manual gearbox on my E46, as I find it heavy and clunky, so I fancy trying something with DCT or SMG next. I've driven both the E60 M5, and DCT E92 M3, and Manual E92 M3. I found the manual box on the E92 to be better than the E46, although too similar for my liking.
The main thing i'm looking for is increased ride comfort, and a smoother drive / transmission.
The main advantages and disadvantages I see for both cars are as follows:
E60 M5 - Advantages:
1. Faster top end (although I can't say I noticed a huge difference).
2. More comfortable, roomier, and more 'grown-up'.
E60 M5 - Disadvantages:
1. Really bad fuel consumption.
2. Unreliable SMG gearbox (I loved the paddle shifting, but the auto mode was grim).
3. Scared I would need to pay up thousands every 30k miles for clutch & flywheel replacement.
4. Consumables such as brake disc replacement more expensive (i.e £1000 for discs and pads).
5. Handling not as tight due to size of car.
E90 M3 – Advantages:
1. Better handling.
2. Better fuel economy.
3. Smoother / faster transmission.
4. Cheaper consumable parts costs.
5. DCT trans more reliable than SMG???
E90 M3 – Disadvantages:
1. Not so much outright power as M5.
2. Not sure if I like the looks quite as much as M5.
3. Not as comfortable ride, interior space etc. with not so many luxury features.
Anyone else been in the same boat? They seem to be at a similar point price-wise at the moment, so it’s a difficult decision to make. I like them both to drive. I’m comfortable with the running costs of an M3, so I don’t have any hesitations there, but running costs for an M5 are a bit of an unknown to me, so I don’t know what to do for the best.
I don't like the manual gearbox on my E46, as I find it heavy and clunky, so I fancy trying something with DCT or SMG next. I've driven both the E60 M5, and DCT E92 M3, and Manual E92 M3. I found the manual box on the E92 to be better than the E46, although too similar for my liking.
The main thing i'm looking for is increased ride comfort, and a smoother drive / transmission.
The main advantages and disadvantages I see for both cars are as follows:
E60 M5 - Advantages:
1. Faster top end (although I can't say I noticed a huge difference).
2. More comfortable, roomier, and more 'grown-up'.
E60 M5 - Disadvantages:
1. Really bad fuel consumption.
2. Unreliable SMG gearbox (I loved the paddle shifting, but the auto mode was grim).
3. Scared I would need to pay up thousands every 30k miles for clutch & flywheel replacement.
4. Consumables such as brake disc replacement more expensive (i.e £1000 for discs and pads).
5. Handling not as tight due to size of car.
E90 M3 – Advantages:
1. Better handling.
2. Better fuel economy.
3. Smoother / faster transmission.
4. Cheaper consumable parts costs.
5. DCT trans more reliable than SMG???
E90 M3 – Disadvantages:
1. Not so much outright power as M5.
2. Not sure if I like the looks quite as much as M5.
3. Not as comfortable ride, interior space etc. with not so many luxury features.
Anyone else been in the same boat? They seem to be at a similar point price-wise at the moment, so it’s a difficult decision to make. I like them both to drive. I’m comfortable with the running costs of an M3, so I don’t have any hesitations there, but running costs for an M5 are a bit of an unknown to me, so I don’t know what to do for the best.
I've found with my e90 M3 -
Ride comfort is excellent (EDC)
DCT is very, very good
Over 8500 miles I've averaged 23mpg
Space/practicality is perfect
Cost me nothing yet in services etc.
Absolutely faultless reliability
Pretty sure mine has all the toys an M5 has, except the HUD
And finally I'm not sure you'd ever need anything faster than this car on UK roads
Ride comfort is excellent (EDC)
DCT is very, very good
Over 8500 miles I've averaged 23mpg
Space/practicality is perfect
Cost me nothing yet in services etc.
Absolutely faultless reliability
Pretty sure mine has all the toys an M5 has, except the HUD
And finally I'm not sure you'd ever need anything faster than this car on UK roads
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2417194.htm
I think the 18' wheels look a lot nicer; although the above is a manual.
But then again, M5 is mmmmmmm..
You're an utter b
d for having this choice!
I think the 18' wheels look a lot nicer; although the above is a manual.
But then again, M5 is mmmmmmm..
You're an utter b
d for having this choice!Edited by vescaegg on Saturday 19th March 17:08
Its a big choice but one thing that strikes me about the two cars is that they generally fall into two owner catergories. Now, dont take offence all you M3 owners as i know this doesnt apply to all of you.
M3 - Boy racer appeal so plenty of boyed up models around. More often than not if there is a BMW right up your chuff on the motorway it'll be an M3 or a 3 series M Sport of some kind so you'll be stuck with that image. Lots of them on the road so no feeling of individuality or exclusivity. On the upside the handling is excellent and the overall feel of the car is nigh on perfect. DCT is a pleasure to use and the V8 is very useable.
M5 - Not so much a boy racer car as its bigger and more costly to run. Generally driven by sensible owners who just want to get from A to B with the availability and staus of 507bhp. This 507bhp is rarely used to be fair but the fact that its there is enough to deter the tailgaters and traffic light 'rude boys'. Very few on the road (E61's are rare as chickens teath), retaining the exclusivity. Downsides are: Big fuel bills, big repair bills and generally big bills. But they are actually very reliable when you consider what they are.
Good luck making your decision, im sure you'll work it out in the end.
M3 - Boy racer appeal so plenty of boyed up models around. More often than not if there is a BMW right up your chuff on the motorway it'll be an M3 or a 3 series M Sport of some kind so you'll be stuck with that image. Lots of them on the road so no feeling of individuality or exclusivity. On the upside the handling is excellent and the overall feel of the car is nigh on perfect. DCT is a pleasure to use and the V8 is very useable.
M5 - Not so much a boy racer car as its bigger and more costly to run. Generally driven by sensible owners who just want to get from A to B with the availability and staus of 507bhp. This 507bhp is rarely used to be fair but the fact that its there is enough to deter the tailgaters and traffic light 'rude boys'. Very few on the road (E61's are rare as chickens teath), retaining the exclusivity. Downsides are: Big fuel bills, big repair bills and generally big bills. But they are actually very reliable when you consider what they are.
Good luck making your decision, im sure you'll work it out in the end.
vescaegg said:
I think the 18' wheels look a lot nicer;
Unless you need the size, or you really want a v10 before fuel bills outweigh the average mortgage...then the e90 is a great machine...ecain might be suggesting M3s are less classy :-) , I think a 4dr is a Qcar and with 18s even better IMHOEdited by vescaegg on Saturday 19th March 17:08
MC99 said:
ecain might be suggesting M3s are less classy :-)
Not 'less classy'. Just pointing out that the M3 has always had a 'following'. I like the M3, its just that round these parts they fit the stereotype. Im sure there are places where the M5 has a similar status. Actually the USA has a bit of a 'chav-esque' E60 M5 following so it hits both parties. Circa 9mpg is something to consider when looking at M5's to be fair. The M3 looks quite 'green' and sensible in comparison. ecain63 said:
Not 'less classy'. Just pointing out that the M3 has always had a 'following'. I like the M3, its just that round these parts they fit the stereotype. Im sure there are places where the M5 has a similar status. Actually the USA has a bit of a 'chav-esque' E60 M5 following so it hits both parties. Circa 9mpg is something to consider when looking at M5's to be fair. The M3 looks quite 'green' and sensible in comparison.
Round here in Essex there are way more chavved up e60 M5's than e90/1/2 M3s. Usually 2 tone paint 
Also, loads of fake M5s around, no M3s due to different sheet metal compare to boggo 3 series.
ecain63 said:
Its a big choice but one thing that strikes me about the two cars is that they generally fall into two owner catergories. Now, dont take offence all you M3 owners as i know this doesnt apply to all of you.
M3 - Boy racer appeal so plenty of boyed up models around. More often than not if there is a BMW right up your chuff on the motorway it'll be an M3 or a 3 series M Sport of some kind so you'll be stuck with that image. Lots of them on the road so no feeling of individuality or exclusivity. On the upside the handling is excellent and the overall feel of the car is nigh on perfect. DCT is a pleasure to use and the V8 is very useable.
M5 - Not so much a boy racer car as its bigger and more costly to run. Generally driven by sensible owners who just want to get from A to B with the availability and staus of 507bhp. This 507bhp is rarely used to be fair but the fact that its there is enough to deter the tailgaters and traffic light 'rude boys'. Very few on the road (E61's are rare as chickens teath), retaining the exclusivity. Downsides are: Big fuel bills, big repair bills and generally big bills. But they are actually very reliable when you consider what they are.
Good luck making your decision, im sure you'll work it out in the end.
I think that is a good generalisation of the situation, I have an M3 as the M5 will not fit in the garage, if it did then I probably would - although I still do not think I am old up enough for a 4 door car yet!M3 - Boy racer appeal so plenty of boyed up models around. More often than not if there is a BMW right up your chuff on the motorway it'll be an M3 or a 3 series M Sport of some kind so you'll be stuck with that image. Lots of them on the road so no feeling of individuality or exclusivity. On the upside the handling is excellent and the overall feel of the car is nigh on perfect. DCT is a pleasure to use and the V8 is very useable.
M5 - Not so much a boy racer car as its bigger and more costly to run. Generally driven by sensible owners who just want to get from A to B with the availability and staus of 507bhp. This 507bhp is rarely used to be fair but the fact that its there is enough to deter the tailgaters and traffic light 'rude boys'. Very few on the road (E61's are rare as chickens teath), retaining the exclusivity. Downsides are: Big fuel bills, big repair bills and generally big bills. But they are actually very reliable when you consider what they are.
Good luck making your decision, im sure you'll work it out in the end.
I think you are also right about the fact that when you are hogging the outside lane it is likely to be a 3 series trying to get you out the way - just pull over and use the other two lanes
jonasaurus said:
-Z- said:
Round here in Essex there are way more chavved up e60 M5's than e90/1/2 M3s. Usually 2 tone paint
Also, loads of fake M5s around, no M3s due to different sheet metal compare to boggo 3 series.
Dont really see all that many E90 M3s here in East LondonAlso, loads of fake M5s around, no M3s due to different sheet metal compare to boggo 3 series.
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