V8 is calling - would an M5 for £6k be worth considering?

[speedmachine]

Recently I've been hankering after a V8 more and more. The car that has really made me want one is a VXR8. The sound they make is just so damn good! But they are well out of my budget at the moment. So I then started to consider the e39 M5. Looking around on Auto T there seems to be quite a few early examples around the £6k mark. I hadn't realised they were that cheap now!

Now, I know that running one of these is probabably comparable to running a super car but I'm choosing to ignore that at the moment as I'm kind of in dreaming / impulse buy mode. So, is it possible to get a decent e39 M5 for £6k or are the chances of it being a lemon quite high? I don't really know anything about these cars except for what i've hard about potential vanos issues which I think isn't the be all or end all of issues. It would only be a used for weekends as I'd keep the oil burner for commuting so I'm not really thinking about things like fuel or other consumables.

Anyone out there run one of these or bought an example that was at the lower end of the prices range? If so what were your experiences?

Or, what other cheapish V8 could someone who is on the verge of in impulse buy consider? I did consider an e39 535i V8 or 540 and maybe get a decent exhaust to unlease the V8 sound but I'm not sure it would be the same. They are really cheap though!

Remember, I'm (probably stupidly) choosing to ignore things like astronoical running costs! Just want a V8, maybe keep it for a year and then sell on.

Over to you!

[BIST0]

If what you want is `A V8` for a year then get something that revolves around it's engine, not a german barge that happens to have a V8 in it. The BMW/Merc saloons with a V8 in them like the 540 you mention make it easy to forget it's a V8. Sure there'll be a nice muted rumble when you boot it and the petrol costs will be high but in this type of car the engine is not the soul of the beast.

For that you need to be looking elsewhere, to somewhere where the V8 defines the car, and somewhere that occasionally compromises other factors to focus on the engine. The USA.

IMO 6k will buy you a ropey example of a european V8 that had a small V8 tattoo applied to its ankle when it was 18, or a prime example of some american muscle that was born with a V8 shaped birthmark on its forehead.

Get something American (I'll let 300bhp/t advise) with a BIG V8 in it, put an SLP Loudmouth exhaust on it (or similar) and I guarantee you'll never forget you're in a V8. Remember that the VXR you liked has a Chevy V8 under the bonnet.

[300bhp/ton]

speedmachine said:

Or, what other cheapish V8 could someone who is on the verge of in impulse buy consider? I did consider an e39 535i V8 or 540 and maybe get a decent exhaust to unlease the V8 sound but I'm not sure it would be the same. They are really cheap though!

Remember, I'm (probably stupidly) choosing to ignore things like astronoical running costs! Just want a V8, maybe keep it for a year and then sell on.

Over to you!

If you like the sound of the Chevy LS in the VXR8 then you might find a 98-2002 Camaro in budget. There are a couple for sale at just over £7k at the mo, but they have been up as low as £5.5-6k

They have the same LS motor, albeit the LS1 variant.

This is what mine sounds like: http://s132.photobucket.com/albums/q11/300bhpton/D...
[/URL]

Not too bad on fuel, normally pottering about and spritied driving tends to offer up a fairly solid 24mpg average (22-26mpg). Although last week I was using it for longer distance and it was returning just over 30mpg.

Performance is ok too:




For slightly less money the LT1 powered cars are available (1993-1997). These sound pretty awesome too.

There are also a good number of Mustangs for sale for around £6k, 5.0 OHV or 4.6 OHC's.

Using the same engine as the Mustangs, the Rover 75 V8 and MG ZT260 are not so far of the £6k mark at present.

Not sure on how many doors/seats you need.

But 2 door V8's could also include some C4 Corvettes, Wedge shaped TVR's, maybe even a Chimera. Or a very sorted TR7 V8/MGB V8.

Sticking with the saloons, Jaguar XJ8's and XJR's are pretty good money, and the 4.0 DOHC with a blower sounds pretty sweet on them with some loud pipes.

For less money you might also find a few V12 Jags (XJ12 and XJS) which might be worth a punt if you are after a glorious Vee engine burble.

Edited by 300bhp/ton on Thursday 9th September 07:53

[CraigyMc]

BIST0 said:

Get something American (I'll let 300bhp/t advise) with a BIG V8 in it, put an SLP Loudmouth exhaust on it (or similar) and I guarantee you'll never forget you're in a V8. Remember that the VXR you liked has a Chevy V8 under the bonnet.

I've driven a few V8-powered cars including a 740 and a VXR8. The thing that bugged me about the VXR was that the steering was very sloppy (not precise at all). I also thought it rolled quite a bit too much - I've driven one around Rockingham and separately Thruxton on VXR-driving days.

Are there any American V8's for this money that have precise steering and handling?
For the record (before someone points it out) I know the VXR8 is Aussie in origin (with an American engine).

I recon the biggest difference between a 5L v8 from the E39 5-series and a 5+L v8 something else of the period would most likely be the handling. All the reviews of the E39 M5 say it's great in this regard.
I've not actually driven an E39 M5 though (I did own another E39 for a few years, and I've been a passenger in one).

Thoughts?

C

[fathomfive]

How about a TVR Chimera?

Assuming you don't need the fripperies like back seats etc.

[300bhp/ton]

CraigyMc said:

BIST0 said:

Get something American (I'll let 300bhp/t advise) with a BIG V8 in it, put an SLP Loudmouth exhaust on it (or similar) and I guarantee you'll never forget you're in a V8. Remember that the VXR you liked has a Chevy V8 under the bonnet.

I've driven a few V8-powered cars including a 740 and a VXR8. The thing that bugged me about the VXR was that the steering was very sloppy (not precise at all). I also thought it rolled quite a bit too much - I've driven one around Rockingham and separately Thruxton on VXR-driving days.

Not that I'm wanting to dispute this. But if track use is the thing, then none of these cars are what I'd look at. On the public roads I think this would matter less.

CraigyMc said:

Are there any American V8's for this money that have precise steering and handling?
For the record (before someone points it out) I know the VXR8 is Aussie in origin (with an American engine).

Thing is, handling is subjective. I've not driven an M5 so I don't have a direct comparison. But I have driven a number of cars. And while the yanks aren't the greatest, I think they are a lot better than your average Brit gives them credit for.

There are also a fair number of upgrade options too. All of them are designed to be better in the aftermarket, it's just the way of it.

In the Fbody world, the SS and WS6 both had handling packages, lower profile wider tyres, different ARB's and uprated shocks/springs. These are always either unknown or forgotten about in the UK, but that said you won't likely buy either for £6k. It just highlights that there are possibilities, even from within the factory standard specification.

[Tezzpip]

Ive been looking at either a Jag Xjr
http://pistonheads.com/sales/1792218.htm
a Tvr Chimaera
http://pistonheads.com/sales/2049955.htm
and even a Jag S Type R
http://pistonheads.com/sales/1646505.htm
all within budget.

[speedmachine]

Some good points there, expecially about the V8 in an e39 possibly being muted. I do like the look of the E39 5 series (especially in sport spec) and ideally it needs to be 4 doors. I've driven the 525i e39 and I thought the handling was very sharp for such a large car as was the handling in the E34 525i I used to drive.

I like the suggestion of the Jaguar XJR I hadnt even thought of one of those! They look great and having sat in an XJ6 before I have to admit that it was a really comfy car!

I think I'm going to browse around a bit more and look at some of the American stuff too. The one thing I am worries is me that once the novelty wears off I'll want to sell in about a years time so it would need to be something I would lose too much on

[300bhp/ton]

speedmachine said:

Some good points there, expecially about the V8 in an e39 possibly being muted. I do like the look of the E39 5 series (especially in sport spec) and ideally it needs to be 4 doors. I've driven the 525i e39 and I thought the handling was very sharp for such a large car as was the handling in the E34 525i I used to drive.

I like the suggestion of the Jaguar XJR I hadnt even thought of one of those! They look great and having sat in an XJ6 before I have to admit that it was a really comfy car!

I think I'm going to browse around a bit more and look at some of the American stuff too. The one thing I am worries is me that once the novelty wears off I'll want to sell in about a years time so it would need to be something I would lose too much on

Residuals are a fickle thing.

A LHD Yank will generally hold its money well, but as it's a niche vehicle it likely might take longer to sell.

While rare, Caprices, Impala's and Crown Vics are about too. But I admit, an M5 would be a sharper driving tool.

I suspect the biggest issue with an M5 is "if" something goes wrong, as it won't likely be cheap to fix.

[edo]

An E39 M5 is well regarded for very good reason - they are brilliant.

A £6k example is scraping the barrel however - I would say you need to spend £10k to get a decent one in perfect nick with all the niggles sorted.

[derestrictor]

Despite tin worm issues which can be a factor, I am told this type of outlay will secure you what appears to be an overpriced, old C Class.

Namely, the C43 AMG which I'm reliably informed represents one of the very best radar slippers to date.

Another bona fide corker, 'if you buy right' (whatever that means) is the Ronin S8.

It has little to no engine note but the reality (as opposed to perceived and largely wrong wisdom) of its handling and poise, plus the sheer muscularity of its thrusting set it apart.

Sticking a bazooka on something designed by Smith & Wesson has a certain appeal and the big blocked colonials would be refreshingly different but as an on going, ownership proposition I feel the S8 would be the best all rounder at this money. It may actually eclipse the Sacred Funf ito all roundness.

I know, I know...

[Dracoro]

And bringing a £6k M5 up to scratch will cost a lot (thousands) to bring it up to scratch. A half decent M5 will cost a lot to run, a cheap rough one will cost a fortune. Even good ones will cost a fair bit. NOT a car you buy with your eyes closed.

[Witchfinder]

Is £6000 the absolute cap of your budget? If it is, how much have you left over for maintenance, fuel, insurance and suchlike?

As someone else said, an alternative, for a little more money (maybe less with some haggling), could be the S-Type "R"

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

Edited by Witchfinder on Thursday 9th September 08:46

[BriC175]

Dracoro said:

And bringing a £6k M5 up to scratch will cost a lot (thousands) to bring it up to scratch. A half decent M5 will cost a lot to run, a cheap rough one will cost a fortune. Even good ones will cost a fair bit. NOT a car you buy with your eyes closed.

What this man said.

Planning to buy an E39 M5 for £6k and blindly hoping nothing will go wrong won't work. I know it can seem tempting, but it would be financial suicide.

[Stedman]

I've been looking at XJRs recently, right up until I spoke to a few specialists who said after 100k miles, the gearboxes start to go. Cheapest option is near on £1500. Plus minor and major services....plus you really would want to get the third generation tensioners fitted with thermostat and water pump at about £1300.

Big bills for a big car im 'fraid.

[richardxjr]

Stedman said:

I've been looking at XJRs recently, right up until I spoke to a few specialists who said after 100k miles, the gearboxes start to go. Cheapest option is near on £1500. Plus minor and major services....plus you really would want to get the third generation tensioners fitted with thermostat and water pump at about £1300.

Big bills for a big car im 'fraid.

'Sealed for life' gearboxes that aren't. Plenty have been serviced and they'll be fine. Anyway, it's the electronics/ECUs that are more likely to give trouble. eBay/breakers for these.

Auto only and really silly mpg are my bugbears with the R.

I'd love a cheap E39 M5 too. Shame they don't exist. A cossetted one for £10k is almost a sane proposition though.

[Witchfinder]

richardxjr said:

'Sealed for life' gearboxes that aren't.

Same goes for the Audi S8. Most of the gearbox problems can be pre-empted by an oil change.

[CampDavid]

Cheap E39 M5s don't really happen. A MAF sensor is a grand for example. Better to spend out on a good one that wait for that epic service bill on a shed.

£6k is reasonable money for a Porsche 928 S4. It isn't a cheap thing to run but it is very solid and, IMO, very cool.

[coley20]

fathomfive said:

How about a TVR Chimera?

Assuming you don't need the fripperies like back seats etc.

Yes but he is worried about it being a lemon

[Legend83]

If you want the V8 burble I would be looking at a nice TVR V8S for that money.

Depreciation proof too.