Must be mad - M5 to a 6 series!!

[berry100]

Bit of an early starter thread this but am planning a car change already!!

Currently running the M5 which is superb but now that I've finally scratched 'that' itch with a bit more itching to do over the summer, I'm considering after the summer moving into a 6 series...

Anything I need to look out for? I'm undecided between the 630i or the 650i and about 2 years old max..

This is a heads up as well for anyone wanting a Silverstone M5 about Sept/Oct as well which will have about 48k on it I predict!!! and will also be under BMW Warranty!!

Can never start to early in the planning!

[berry100]

JNW1 said:

I think the title you've given to the thread is spot on!!

I know!!!!

I've pretty much decided that I will have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the end of the summer with the M5, but as I'm one of the few that really likes the look of the 6 both inside and out, thought I'd have a dabble.

Not to mention my love of changing cars!

At the same time, I'll enjoy some lower running costs for a change! currently covering about 12 to 15k miles PA so the 630i might see fewer petrol trips!

Also the way I've been driving the M5 recently, it may assist me in keeping my licence a bit longer!

[berry100]

Slurms said:

Yeah.. M5 to M6 maybe..

M5 - 500bhp
6 series - less than 300bhp

I think you'll feel that power loss there..

Please don't get me started on the M6, already been giving that serious consideration!! But trying to be sensible for a change!!

[berry100]

JNW1 said:

berry100 said:

JNW1 said:

I think the title you've given to the thread is spot on!!

I know!!!!

I've pretty much decided that I will have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the end of the summer with the M5, but as I'm one of the few that really likes the look of the 6 both inside and out, thought I'd have a dabble.

Not to mention my love of changing cars!

At the same time, I'll enjoy some lower running costs for a change! currently covering about 12 to 15k miles PA so the 630i might see fewer petrol trips!

Also the way I've been driving the M5 recently, it may assist me in keeping my licence a bit longer!

You've got a terrific benchmark with the M5 and it won't be an easy act to follow; you can pick-up nice M6's for not much over £30k although that doesn't help with keeping the licence!

The 6 series seems to be a bit love it or hate it and to be honest it's not my cup of tea; I know the 3 series is a much more common sight but give me a 335i coupe over a 630i or 650i any day of the week. However, coming from an M5 I think any of those would be a bit dull so how about one of those cheap E92 M3's everyone's talking about? Cracking car for not much over £30k!

Had a 335i already! Very good car...just fancy summat different and the 6 does appeal to me looks wise!

[berry100]

dubbs said:

Berry100 - Where are you located fella? Sounds like you need a ride in the M6 to change your mind :-)

If you're moving to a 6er then only do so for the M at the front after an M5... you're just a step away!!!

Besides, the M6 is more aerodynamic and lighter.. plus you can't fit as much in it so it'll be lighter = better economy

There you go... perfect justification for why an M6 is a sensible proposition :-D

Arghhhhh...please stop trying to persuade me on the M6 , have already talked myself out of it and it would please the wife no end if I finally stopped spending even more money on cars and try to do something that's more of a swap or even frees some readies for her to buy some nice knickers!!! The aesthetics of the 6er just work for me and I'm trying to move a little towards economy/costs etc something I've not been to good at in the past

I will stop listening to M6 debates

[berry100]

Overhaulin said:

berry100 said:

dubbs said:

Berry100 - Where are you located fella? Sounds like you need a ride in the M6 to change your mind :-)

If you're moving to a 6er then only do so for the M at the front after an M5... you're just a step away!!!

Besides, the M6 is more aerodynamic and lighter.. plus you can't fit as much in it so it'll be lighter = better economy

There you go... perfect justification for why an M6 is a sensible proposition :-D

Arghhhhh...please stop trying to persuade me on the M6 , have already talked myself out of it and it would please the wife no end if I finally stopped spending even more money on cars and try to do something that's more of a swap or even frees some readies for her to buy some nice knickers!!! The aesthetics of the 6er just work for me and I'm trying to move a little towards economy/costs etc something I've not been to good at in the past

I will stop listening to M6 debates

Well if you wont listen to reason, no point in talking to you.

As it's for summer motoring you will be needing this.
http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/car_details/0,,1260...
Should also win apporval getting into the newly bought knickers too.

Wifey has got a Cooper S conv so no need for another one...will be after the summer before I change though as per my original post

[berry100]

JNW1 said:

ferrisbueller said:

JNW1 said:

ferrisbueller said:

JNW1 said:

ferrisbueller said:

dubbs said:

Banned

In all seriousness, the 635d is all the car many people would need. IMO it's better than the 630i and decent competition for the V8 models (and that's not a pure economy based argument - it's a solid GT).

Cars like the 635d and the 335d may indeed be all the car many people need (although if you follow that to its logical conclusion many people don't actually need anything more than a diesel Focus!). However, I suggest the point is that they're not all the car keen drivers WANT!

Rather depends what you're using it for. i.e. 20k miles a year on the motorway renders the M-car redundant IMO. Also, there are a number of issues with an M5/6 e.g. Opportunities to exploit 500+ bhp are limited on UK roads, running costs are prohibitive and depreciation can be eye-watering.

Also, I'd suggest "keen drivers" wouldn't be driving something that weighs nigh on two tonnes.

The point I was making in my previous post is that you don't buy a £50k 635d because you need one, you buy one because you want one! Your first paragraph actually makes my point very well because in essence what you're saying is that a lot of the time people just need a tool to do a job. I fully agree with that and can see that a diesel fits the bill very well; however, if that's the case why wouldn't something like a diesel Focus or the latest Golf GTD do the day job you describe? Much lower running costs than a 635d and if you're doing long runs on a motorway it would get you there just as quickly with decent levels of comfort and refinement; with the money you've saved you could also get an Elise or a Caterham for fun at the weekends!

You are, in many ways, preaching to the converted here. I wouldn't be spending £50k on a 6-Series in the first place. However, the OP didn't say he was either. He said he'd like a 6er and I've said that I think the 635d is well worthy of consideration, on merit, and stands comparison with the 630i very favourably and also fairs very well against a 645 IMO

JNW1 said:

Therefore, I stick by my assertion that a 635d is something people want as opposed to need and if we're talking wants then for that money I'll have a secondhand V8 M3 plus cash thanks very much! Yes it will cost more to run but if you're that worried about things like servicing and fuel consumption you probably shouldn't be looking at cars at that price level in the first place!

The OP said he'd like a 6er, your preference for an M3 is a personal one, which would cost the same or more as a 2nd hand 6er btw (not sure where you make your cash saving), may not be relevant.

I think 99% of the population would have concerns over running costs. Not many people can afford to throw their money away in any financial climate, especially not the current one.
My car is in that price bracket but it costs less to run than a Golf/Focus diesel - go figure Just because you can afford to invest in something doesn't mean you're happy to continue throwing money at it.

JNW1 said:

I do agree with your point on car weights but sadly that's a sign of the times; not a problem if you trade that 635d for a Golf and a Caterham though!!

Again, no argument but not what the OP was looking into. I think that's a whole new, different, thread.

The OP actually talked about a choice between a 630i and a 650i so on that basis a 635d isn't quite what he was looking at either (although I do understand why you suggested it!). My cash saving was based on an assumption that in the current market you can probably pick-up a secondhand M3 for less than a 635d and my reasoning there was that the 635d has a higher initial price and is supposed to depreciate less!

Anyway, leaving all that aside where I was coming from is the OP currently has an M5 and appears to be looking to sell because he fancies a change rather than because finances are forcing him to do so. I think he'd find either a 630i or a 650i a tad lacking in driver appeal after the M5 and frankly I can't see a 635d being any better (not driven one but have driven the 335d coupe which is a cracking machine but dull as dishwater compared to an M-car IMO). I do understand the potential issues around running costs but they don't appear to be a critical factor to the OP hence my suggestion to consider a secondhand M3; as I've said before, it's not a rehersal!

Nearly right! It will need something serious to replace the M5 driver appeal wise, what I'm trying to do is find a compromise, so basically:-

Nice to drive, comfy and aesthetically pleasing to the the eye of the beholder (being me!) both inside and out...so to me the 6er...don't want to turn this into a what car thread....as basically the car is to transport myself to work (11/12k miles PA) followed by family trips/weekends etc (3k milesish) - Potential extra pocket money here of £2k PA ish...wit woo though knowing me, it will go towards a little slush fund to change it again when I'm bored!!

The cost side is a potential bonus and certainly one to please the other half and earn brownie points for myself :-)

I'll end up ressurecting this thread in 7/8 months after the summer to update what I've actually bought in the end!!

Edited by berry100 on Wednesday 7th January 17:30