Is an F10 M5 the right choice?
Discussion
Calling out F10 M5 owners.
I currently own an M235i. Had it for three years and loved every moment. But as is the way with these lumps of metal, you always want something better.
I had my heart set on the upcoming M2 competition as it seemed like a logical upgrade from my car, and it looks to be an M great in the making.
However a quick search through the classifieds has brought F10 M5s to my attention. Now I know they are entirely different cars which meet different needs but it's just too much car to be ignored at the price. I also have a family due in the not too distant future so the added practicality of the M5 made sense.
I got myself down to a couple of dealerships over the weekend to have a look at the M5. One being a competition package and one a regular M5.
On both drives it was clear pretty early that it was a monstrously quick car... In a straight line. They just felt a little numb (the competition package less so) and they're too big to throw into corners. Not to mention being test drives so not wanting to do anything stupid.
My question is do I need more time with one to enjoy it or would the M2 competition be a better choice of car, if tearing up straights isn't my idea of fun?
I currently own an M235i. Had it for three years and loved every moment. But as is the way with these lumps of metal, you always want something better.
I had my heart set on the upcoming M2 competition as it seemed like a logical upgrade from my car, and it looks to be an M great in the making.
However a quick search through the classifieds has brought F10 M5s to my attention. Now I know they are entirely different cars which meet different needs but it's just too much car to be ignored at the price. I also have a family due in the not too distant future so the added practicality of the M5 made sense.
I got myself down to a couple of dealerships over the weekend to have a look at the M5. One being a competition package and one a regular M5.
On both drives it was clear pretty early that it was a monstrously quick car... In a straight line. They just felt a little numb (the competition package less so) and they're too big to throw into corners. Not to mention being test drives so not wanting to do anything stupid.
My question is do I need more time with one to enjoy it or would the M2 competition be a better choice of car, if tearing up straights isn't my idea of fun?
SidewaysSi said:
Looking at your garage, I wouldn't bother with an M5. Get a decent older 3 if you want fun with some practicality. E90/92 M3 if you want an M car?
While I have no issues owning older cars, I already have 3 which require a fair amount of maintenance. This will be my daily so reliability is a big factor, otherwise I'd be all over an E90. My budget allows for a relatively new F10
Why not take a look at the M3 CP, it's a nice compromise between the M2 Competition & the M5:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I am one month into my F10 M5 ownership, and its my daily driver.
I have wide and varied history, which includes 8x M3's (E30, E36, 6x E46 incl CSL). I never really took to the E90 so the last few years have mainly been SUV's (2x young kids have also influenced that).
Kids have got a bit older now, and after a very short drive of a mates F10 M5, I NEEDED ONE IN MY LIFE!! Not had that feeling about any car since my CSL.
Car was back in the dealers last week (car was fine, nameless BMW dealer is just
useless) and I had use of a F80 M3 with Competition pack. The M3 was awesome, fast, tight, loud, fun, always straining at the lease like a puppy on a lead, wanting to driven at 11 tenths all the time. Everything an M3 should, it was fantastic!!!!!
But I would not swap it for the F10 M5. On a track or tight twisty country road, the M3 would be on the back/ahead of the M5, but that's not where I spend my time. In a straight line, longer stretch of of sweeping road, the M5 annihilates the M3.
What really sets it apart though is that the M5 is just such a nice place to be. It has more space and more toys and feels far more luxurious than the M3. But its the way that the M5 is really happy to just potter along, slow calm speeds are a joy in the car. In comfort setting it absorbs the bumps and feels like you are cruising around in a soft luxo barge.
And yet, when you want to push on, IT IS EPIC! The rate in which accelerates and gathers momentum is simply awesome. It really is witchcraft how they have made it so civilised, and yet so capable.
Had I been 10 years younger, I probably would prefer the harder, louder M3. But as my 45 years have made me officially middle aged, the M5 suits me perfectly and wins this particular choice (for me). You might prefer the M3 and I would applaud you on your choice, but for me the mix of comfort, class and outstanding performance makes the M5 the one for me.
I've done circa 1200 miles so far and am getting low 20's, which is a mix of 60/70mph easy cruising, and all out maximum attacks as everyone wants a ride in it, and I am very much still in Smug Mode so am more than happy to oblige.
I have wide and varied history, which includes 8x M3's (E30, E36, 6x E46 incl CSL). I never really took to the E90 so the last few years have mainly been SUV's (2x young kids have also influenced that).
Kids have got a bit older now, and after a very short drive of a mates F10 M5, I NEEDED ONE IN MY LIFE!! Not had that feeling about any car since my CSL.
Car was back in the dealers last week (car was fine, nameless BMW dealer is just
useless) and I had use of a F80 M3 with Competition pack. The M3 was awesome, fast, tight, loud, fun, always straining at the lease like a puppy on a lead, wanting to driven at 11 tenths all the time. Everything an M3 should, it was fantastic!!!!!But I would not swap it for the F10 M5. On a track or tight twisty country road, the M3 would be on the back/ahead of the M5, but that's not where I spend my time. In a straight line, longer stretch of of sweeping road, the M5 annihilates the M3.
What really sets it apart though is that the M5 is just such a nice place to be. It has more space and more toys and feels far more luxurious than the M3. But its the way that the M5 is really happy to just potter along, slow calm speeds are a joy in the car. In comfort setting it absorbs the bumps and feels like you are cruising around in a soft luxo barge.
And yet, when you want to push on, IT IS EPIC! The rate in which accelerates and gathers momentum is simply awesome. It really is witchcraft how they have made it so civilised, and yet so capable.
Had I been 10 years younger, I probably would prefer the harder, louder M3. But as my 45 years have made me officially middle aged, the M5 suits me perfectly and wins this particular choice (for me). You might prefer the M3 and I would applaud you on your choice, but for me the mix of comfort, class and outstanding performance makes the M5 the one for me.
I've done circa 1200 miles so far and am getting low 20's, which is a mix of 60/70mph easy cruising, and all out maximum attacks as everyone wants a ride in it, and I am very much still in Smug Mode so am more than happy to oblige.
Edited by e46acs on Monday 10th September 22:23
ZX10R NIN said:
Why not take a look at the M3 CP, it's a nice compromise between the M2 Competition & the M5:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
M3 CP is a tough one. Great car but I fear I would spend a lot of time thinking I should have bought an Alfa Giulia QF instead as I have a slight bias towards anything with an Alfa badge. And it's just a better car by most accounts.https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Sadly the Alfa doesn't quite match up on PCP deals due to poor residual values, and my local Alfa Romeo dealership have useless sales skills.
The M5 on the other hand is pretty much the agreed class leader.
I owned an F10 M5 for a period earlier this year.
I found that once I had got used to the brutal acceleration I got a bit bored.
For daily driving a 535d would make more sense I concluded (even though I didn't buy one) For me the monster slug was its only exploitable feature on the road (when conditions allowed) and most of the time it was like driving any other big BMW.
When I started to look at the costs associated with the restrained driving I was doing plus a small issue of not having fold down rear seats I got rid.
This was where the real fun started - very difficult to sell without taking a deep bath and also having to dealer with all the bellends wanting 5k off before even asking a question.
Nice car but never again.
I run a big clumsy Nissan pathfinder daily now ( I know, the shame) and have just bought a low mile e39 M5 for nice weather weekend drives.
I found that once I had got used to the brutal acceleration I got a bit bored.
For daily driving a 535d would make more sense I concluded (even though I didn't buy one) For me the monster slug was its only exploitable feature on the road (when conditions allowed) and most of the time it was like driving any other big BMW.
When I started to look at the costs associated with the restrained driving I was doing plus a small issue of not having fold down rear seats I got rid.
This was where the real fun started - very difficult to sell without taking a deep bath and also having to dealer with all the bellends wanting 5k off before even asking a question.
Nice car but never again.
I run a big clumsy Nissan pathfinder daily now ( I know, the shame) and have just bought a low mile e39 M5 for nice weather weekend drives.
asimmalik said:
Calling out F10 M5 owners.
I currently own an M235i. Had it for three years and loved every moment. But as is the way with these lumps of metal, you always want something better.
I had my heart set on the upcoming M2 competition as it seemed like a logical upgrade from my car, and it looks to be an M great in the making.
However a quick search through the classifieds has brought F10 M5s to my attention. Now I know they are entirely different cars which meet different needs but it's just too much car to be ignored at the price. I also have a family due in the not too distant future so the added practicality of the M5 made sense.
I got myself down to a couple of dealerships over the weekend to have a look at the M5. One being a competition package and one a regular M5.
On both drives it was clear pretty early that it was a monstrously quick car... In a straight line. They just felt a little numb (the competition package less so) and they're too big to throw into corners. Not to mention being test drives so not wanting to do anything stupid.
My question is do I need more time with one to enjoy it or would the M2 competition be a better choice of car, if tearing up straights isn't my idea of fun?
If you have a family due anything more than 12 months out I would get whichever 2 door coupe floats your boat. Even if you know there is a loss coming when you sell / change.I currently own an M235i. Had it for three years and loved every moment. But as is the way with these lumps of metal, you always want something better.
I had my heart set on the upcoming M2 competition as it seemed like a logical upgrade from my car, and it looks to be an M great in the making.
However a quick search through the classifieds has brought F10 M5s to my attention. Now I know they are entirely different cars which meet different needs but it's just too much car to be ignored at the price. I also have a family due in the not too distant future so the added practicality of the M5 made sense.
I got myself down to a couple of dealerships over the weekend to have a look at the M5. One being a competition package and one a regular M5.
On both drives it was clear pretty early that it was a monstrously quick car... In a straight line. They just felt a little numb (the competition package less so) and they're too big to throw into corners. Not to mention being test drives so not wanting to do anything stupid.
My question is do I need more time with one to enjoy it or would the M2 competition be a better choice of car, if tearing up straights isn't my idea of fun?
Plenty of time later in life for super saloons but it gets harder and harder to justify the coupes...
Vocht said:
Have you thought about an M6 convertible as an alternative? Similar performance but adds another dimension of enjoyment with roof down etc. If you're conscious about depreciation i'm sure it'll have started to slow now at current prices.
If I found the M5 a bit dull as a driver's car, I doubt an M6 convertible will be any betterasimmalik said:
If I found the M5 a bit dull as a driver's car, I doubt an M6 convertible will be any better
As mentioned, the roof down aspect really adds another dimension to the experience and gives you engagement in other ways, especially with the engine ( and even more so with a nice sports exhaust). Give one a try and i'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised.Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff