E39 M5 or Alpina B10
Discussion
Contemplating over both of these cars. I was just considering the M5 but the Alpina B10 is very appealing too!
Performance wise, M5 better?
Desirability, Alpina?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3810784.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3914155.htm
Performance wise, M5 better?
Desirability, Alpina?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3810784.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3914155.htm
You might be better posting this up on The Thread where all the M5 knowledge in the whole of the known universe resides. 
I had this dilemma a few years back and went with the M5.
I researched a bit on both and IMHO the B10 in either V8 or V8S form is orientated more towards the older driver, a 'Gentlemans Express' type car with its auto box and slightly more refined attitude.
The M5 is a bit more in your face and hard core and with the manual box it does encourage you to use the performance a bit more.
Both cars are, for the amount of performance they offer very subtle cars, neither loud or shouty and both are more at home on a fast A road that trying to hustle down the twisties. I think the M5 is the harder edged car of the two which is why I bought mine.
I researched a bit on both and IMHO the B10 in either V8 or V8S form is orientated more towards the older driver, a 'Gentlemans Express' type car with its auto box and slightly more refined attitude.
The M5 is a bit more in your face and hard core and with the manual box it does encourage you to use the performance a bit more.
Both cars are, for the amount of performance they offer very subtle cars, neither loud or shouty and both are more at home on a fast A road that trying to hustle down the twisties. I think the M5 is the harder edged car of the two which is why I bought mine.
I have been living with an auto E39 for the last 5 years, & it has been faultless but I do rather want a manual this time.
I love the Alpina wheels & badging, but as someone already said, it has a slightly more 'gentlemenly' feeling about it particularly the interior. I guess i want a little more 'hardcore' driving experience!
I think they are both magnificent cars, but my head & heart is heading on the 'Southbound M5' so i need to make sure I am not missing something.
Thanks for the opinions.
I love the Alpina wheels & badging, but as someone already said, it has a slightly more 'gentlemenly' feeling about it particularly the interior. I guess i want a little more 'hardcore' driving experience!
I think they are both magnificent cars, but my head & heart is heading on the 'Southbound M5' so i need to make sure I am not missing something.
Thanks for the opinions.
Rear lights on the M5 suggest at least one previous owner was an idiot - also, is that an add-on front-splitter extension on it too?? Yuck...
It's interior also appears to be very low-rez - some sort of anti-Tardis?
Alpina is clearly the choice of anyone with taste BUT you should drive both and decide - the Alpina will keep it's value better, I reckon, tho may be slower to resell as a result.
Either is going to rape your finances from here to infinity and BEYOND - frankly - so get the one you actually like more
It's interior also appears to be very low-rez - some sort of anti-Tardis?
Alpina is clearly the choice of anyone with taste BUT you should drive both and decide - the Alpina will keep it's value better, I reckon, tho may be slower to resell as a result.
Either is going to rape your finances from here to infinity and BEYOND - frankly - so get the one you actually like more
I would suggest it depends more on how you like to do your driving.
If you like to drive at 10/10th's a lot of the time and never like to have the option of an automatic even when stuck in traffic jams then get the M5 - if you want 95% of the performance of an M5 with 50% of the bills and the option of an auto when you want it then get the Alpina.
They are both very special cars and ultimately the M5 will be slightly quicker and sharper focused but the pay-off is bigger bills and no facility to compromise.
The Alpina Switchtronic is actually completely changed from the standard BMW automatic; it shifts a lot faster, there is steering wheel control, no silly learning mode and earlier torque converter lock-up all of which makes for a fantastic driving experience over the standard automatic. But it is not a manual which for some drivers makes it a no-no. I drive both my Switchtronic cars like manuals (in Switchtronic mode) for probably 85-90% of the time but find it very relaxing in auto when struggling through traffic.
Similarly even when pressing on I only go to 8 or 9/10th's as I have a family to consider.
Test drive both and analyse your own driving style to help you choose.
HTH
If you like to drive at 10/10th's a lot of the time and never like to have the option of an automatic even when stuck in traffic jams then get the M5 - if you want 95% of the performance of an M5 with 50% of the bills and the option of an auto when you want it then get the Alpina.
They are both very special cars and ultimately the M5 will be slightly quicker and sharper focused but the pay-off is bigger bills and no facility to compromise.
The Alpina Switchtronic is actually completely changed from the standard BMW automatic; it shifts a lot faster, there is steering wheel control, no silly learning mode and earlier torque converter lock-up all of which makes for a fantastic driving experience over the standard automatic. But it is not a manual which for some drivers makes it a no-no. I drive both my Switchtronic cars like manuals (in Switchtronic mode) for probably 85-90% of the time but find it very relaxing in auto when struggling through traffic.
Similarly even when pressing on I only go to 8 or 9/10th's as I have a family to consider.
Test drive both and analyse your own driving style to help you choose.
HTH
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