BMW E60 M5 v E39 M5 v Vauxhall VXR8 v MB W211 E55K v E63
Discussion
This isnt another "what car should I buy" thread, its just a discussion on cars that in my (limited) opinion, are the current cars I would choose from if I was in the position of being able to buy one. You may have other suggestions.
Mid to large saloon cars have always been what I've tended to drive since I passed my test 15 years ago.
The cars in the topic seem to be the ones that interest me more than others, and what is on offer from Audi do not really appeal (I am sure someone will be along shortly to tell me that I am wrong).
While the E39 M5 is the older car, it is still held in high regard. I've recently gelled with mine again now that it starts every time, and will miss it when I sell it (damn you job!!). Maybe I will get another one in a year or so when I change job again.
But, the spanner in the works are the other cars. The E60 because V10. The VXR8 because it offers quite a lot for not a lot, and the MB's because the engines sound amazing, offer high luxury etc. They all do different things, but similar things at the same time.
For me, in this company, the E39 M5 would seem hard to choose over the others, unless you want a fairly uncomplicated car that still holds its own. I think it would be hard to walk away from a face lift one in Le Mans blue given the right price.
It would be a hard choice, and everyone will go for one of the cars based on facts or fiction, but, what would you choose? Why?
Mid to large saloon cars have always been what I've tended to drive since I passed my test 15 years ago.
The cars in the topic seem to be the ones that interest me more than others, and what is on offer from Audi do not really appeal (I am sure someone will be along shortly to tell me that I am wrong).
While the E39 M5 is the older car, it is still held in high regard. I've recently gelled with mine again now that it starts every time, and will miss it when I sell it (damn you job!!). Maybe I will get another one in a year or so when I change job again.
But, the spanner in the works are the other cars. The E60 because V10. The VXR8 because it offers quite a lot for not a lot, and the MB's because the engines sound amazing, offer high luxury etc. They all do different things, but similar things at the same time.
For me, in this company, the E39 M5 would seem hard to choose over the others, unless you want a fairly uncomplicated car that still holds its own. I think it would be hard to walk away from a face lift one in Le Mans blue given the right price.
It would be a hard choice, and everyone will go for one of the cars based on facts or fiction, but, what would you choose? Why?
The E60 M5 because of the V10.
I used to live on a road which had a BMW dealership at one end and a supermarket at the other, it's not hard to guess which car the salespeople took to lunch, much to my delight when it passed (at a decent lick).
Also i love the way it looks, it's swoopy and forward-looking. It's a pity BMW quickly reverted to generics shortly after.
I used to live on a road which had a BMW dealership at one end and a supermarket at the other, it's not hard to guess which car the salespeople took to lunch, much to my delight when it passed (at a decent lick).
Also i love the way it looks, it's swoopy and forward-looking. It's a pity BMW quickly reverted to generics shortly after.
I've got an E39 (though not an M5) and agree that they're fantastic cars. Having driven the M5, I'm particularly attracted to the manual gearbox, the subtle looks, and that engine. It's just lovely.
E60? Nope, hate the V10 because of the lack of torque, the fact that it sounds a bit rubbish until you're at big revs, and the gearbox. I just hate that SMG. Add to that the fact that it's a bit inyerface, innit, and I'll pass on that.
VXR8? Not in the same league, I'm afraid, though perfectly competetent.
E55/E63? Both great, and having had a weekend of playing in a recent E63 made me think that a manual version of it would be very close to my perfect car, though the auto box is excellent.
So it's a tossup between the E39 M5 and the W212 E63 for me. If there were to be a modernised version of the E39 (upgraded powertrain etc), then that would be the choice. As there isn't, it'd be the W212.
E60? Nope, hate the V10 because of the lack of torque, the fact that it sounds a bit rubbish until you're at big revs, and the gearbox. I just hate that SMG. Add to that the fact that it's a bit inyerface, innit, and I'll pass on that.
VXR8? Not in the same league, I'm afraid, though perfectly competetent.
E55/E63? Both great, and having had a weekend of playing in a recent E63 made me think that a manual version of it would be very close to my perfect car, though the auto box is excellent.
So it's a tossup between the E39 M5 and the W212 E63 for me. If there were to be a modernised version of the E39 (upgraded powertrain etc), then that would be the choice. As there isn't, it'd be the W212.
VXR8, wanted one ever since I saw the Wortec Carbon edition at the Autosport show in Feb 07 or 08 and wanted one even more when I was a parts guy at VX dealership I used to work at. Spent a lot of time looking at them for sale trying to Justify it, I will do soon! 3 local to me, quit often see one on the oposite side of the Upton bypass and it sounds amazing.
longblackcoat said:
E60? ... Add to that the fact that it's a bit inyerface, innit, and I'll pass on that.
E63? ...it would be very close to my perfect car...
You think the E60 M5 is 'inyerface' and yet the E63 is a winner? Bizarre. The M5 is very very subtle indeed. I'd love a big supercharged Merc but subtle they ain't.E63? ...it would be very close to my perfect car...
hornetrider said:
longblackcoat said:
E60? ... Add to that the fact that it's a bit inyerface, innit, and I'll pass on that.
E63? Both great, and having had a weekend of playing in a recent E63 made me think that a manual version of it would be very close to my perfect car, though the auto box is excellent.
You think the E60 M5 is 'inyerface' and yet the E63 is a winner? Bizarre. The M5 is very very subtle indeed. I'd love a big supercharged Merc but subtle they ain't.E63? Both great, and having had a weekend of playing in a recent E63 made me think that a manual version of it would be very close to my perfect car, though the auto box is excellent.
tty box/torque-free engine.In an ideal world I'd have an E63 in an E220CDi wrapper
hornetrider said:
longblackcoat said:
E60? ... Add to that the fact that it's a bit inyerface, innit, and I'll pass on that.
E63? ...it would be very close to my perfect car...
You think the E60 M5 is 'inyerface' and yet the E63 is a winner? Bizarre. The M5 is very very subtle indeed. I'd love a big supercharged Merc but subtle they ain't.E63? ...it would be very close to my perfect car...
I think the only other addition to the E60 is the grills in the front wings, hardly in your face.
Or did you mean the E60 styling generally is in your face?
longblackcoat said:
VXR8? Not in the same league, I'm afraid, though perfectly competetent.
Awww, don't be afraid, they're not that scary chap! 
I do want a car with a '63' engine in, and would possibly go E63 (personally, C63, but same point) despite the automatic box. It'd be a very close run thing with the VXR8 though, because of the manual option, and the looks of the R8 without the rear spoiler
SturdyHSV said:
longblackcoat said:
VXR8? Not in the same league, I'm afraid, though perfectly competetent.
Awww, don't be afraid, they're not that scary chap! I do want a car with a '63' engine in, and would possibly go E63 (personally, C63, but same point) despite the automatic box. It'd be a very close run thing with the VXR8 though, because of the manual option, and the looks of the R8 without the rear spoiler
Probably great, but this sort of car is bought as much with emotion as with clear-headed rationality.
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