E60 M5 swap for an E46 M3? Madness??
Discussion
turboman786 said:
I've currently got an e46 m3 and have had an e60 m5
E46 is a much better car in terms of fun and driver satisfaction
M5 is nice .....but e46 m3 is far nicer
Well I went out in someone's M5 this week. It sure was a nice place to be, and quick!! But I see what you mean by the M3 being the more fun car. At 70mph it felt like we were doing 30mph! I think you can exploit the M3's chassis and power a lot better. Also when put next to each other the M3 just looked so good, but the M5 looked so.....normal executive car like, but then I guess the M5's have always been that sort of car which is part of their appeal. E46 is a much better car in terms of fun and driver satisfaction
M5 is nice .....but e46 m3 is far nicer
I'm still a little torn between the two. I know my cars is a good egg, low miles and great mods. I also know for peace of mind I'd have to shell out £1500 immediately on buying an M5 to get the big ends done!
Mr Whippy said:
Will a V8 M3 fit the family, as that’s gotta be the better compromise in a multitude of ways.
I do love the look of the e90 saloons, and they'd be far better than the e46 for me, but they're few and far between. I also don't think they'd fit 3 child car seats in the back. But if anyone on here knows better then I'm all ears!Toady1 said:
Mr Whippy said:
Will a V8 M3 fit the family, as that’s gotta be the better compromise in a multitude of ways.
I do love the look of the e90 saloons, and they'd be far better than the e46 for me, but they're few and far between. I also don't think they'd fit 3 child car seats in the back. But if anyone on here knows better then I'm all ears!Hi, I knew it also suffered the rod bearing issues and actuators, but didn't know it was based on the M5 lump!
So an update anyway...The original car I started this thread about has actually covered 105k miles. The current owner thought it had had a new engine from BMW fitted at about 40k, so they told me it had only done 65k on this engine. I did some research and found out that the original engine had suffered injector failure bore washing the engine and killing it. The chap worked for BMW at the time (now owns his own business specialising in BMW) and bought the car cheap with the dead engine. He then bought a 2nd hand engine from ebay which had covered similar mileage, fitted it, and then flogged it on to make some money. I got in touch with him hence knowing this. He said the engine hasn't had new bearings so its now on over 100k on original shells. Although the car looks mint, and has had some great owners, it is on the orriginal actuators, shells, SMG pump etc. It has had clucth fly and slave within 10k which is a bonus. But again its done over 100k and could be a potential big bill coming up soon. So this has put me off going for it.
Since then I received an email from someone else wishing to do a swap deal with me, we exchanged emails and pictures and I (still not convinced the M5 was for me, even after going out in one last week) was set on going ahead with it as the wife liked it and thought the fact we could all fit in it was a bonus!
Unfortunately that fell through as the guy said he suffered back issues so didn't want to risk getting a M3 as it's lower etc, and may make matters worse. A bit gutted as I'd gotten used to the idea I was going to have an M5! ha!
So...I'm back to the drawing board. I've always wanted a B7 Audi RS4 avant (cough...I know this is the M forum), and said that this was the only car I'd swap the M3 for, but now the M5 seed has been planted so I'm looking at both. But again, I still look out my window at the M3 and admire its looks.
Little picture of my car...
So an update anyway...The original car I started this thread about has actually covered 105k miles. The current owner thought it had had a new engine from BMW fitted at about 40k, so they told me it had only done 65k on this engine. I did some research and found out that the original engine had suffered injector failure bore washing the engine and killing it. The chap worked for BMW at the time (now owns his own business specialising in BMW) and bought the car cheap with the dead engine. He then bought a 2nd hand engine from ebay which had covered similar mileage, fitted it, and then flogged it on to make some money. I got in touch with him hence knowing this. He said the engine hasn't had new bearings so its now on over 100k on original shells. Although the car looks mint, and has had some great owners, it is on the orriginal actuators, shells, SMG pump etc. It has had clucth fly and slave within 10k which is a bonus. But again its done over 100k and could be a potential big bill coming up soon. So this has put me off going for it.
Since then I received an email from someone else wishing to do a swap deal with me, we exchanged emails and pictures and I (still not convinced the M5 was for me, even after going out in one last week) was set on going ahead with it as the wife liked it and thought the fact we could all fit in it was a bonus!
Unfortunately that fell through as the guy said he suffered back issues so didn't want to risk getting a M3 as it's lower etc, and may make matters worse. A bit gutted as I'd gotten used to the idea I was going to have an M5! ha!
So...I'm back to the drawing board. I've always wanted a B7 Audi RS4 avant (cough...I know this is the M forum), and said that this was the only car I'd swap the M3 for, but now the M5 seed has been planted so I'm looking at both. But again, I still look out my window at the M3 and admire its looks.
Little picture of my car...
Edited by Toady1 on Friday 29th June 16:47
Khaki Suit said:
Ah but the chase for a new car is all part of the fun. It's kind of primal, like a hunt.
More exciting at times, maybe, than driving the car once you have it. Because once you have the car you tend to look for something else to chase..
You're talking about cars......yes??..... More exciting at times, maybe, than driving the car once you have it. Because once you have the car you tend to look for something else to chase..
Whenever someone wants to swap it usually is because they want to get rid for a not so good reason.
Nearly every time I hear of a swap, its gone wrong. Your car is very desirable, if I were in your position needing more space I would sell my car and then look to buy the replacement. You may well find your car is worth quite a bit more.
Take your time on this but whatever you do, don't cash in a car that is on the up and up for a car that is still finding its bottom.
That v10 itch is one I must have at some point so I understand the desire - practical family car these aint. Use your head on this one, that E60 has size and it has speed but you cannot really enjoy that benefit unless in Germany - its where I take my m5 to stretch its legs and even that gets boring after a while
Nearly every time I hear of a swap, its gone wrong. Your car is very desirable, if I were in your position needing more space I would sell my car and then look to buy the replacement. You may well find your car is worth quite a bit more.
Take your time on this but whatever you do, don't cash in a car that is on the up and up for a car that is still finding its bottom.
That v10 itch is one I must have at some point so I understand the desire - practical family car these aint. Use your head on this one, that E60 has size and it has speed but you cannot really enjoy that benefit unless in Germany - its where I take my m5 to stretch its legs and even that gets boring after a while
I know what you mean, it does sound dodgy when someone wants to swap, but it is a much more convenient way to do things. Selling cars seems to be a right task these days. So many scammers or timewasters. I think if you both know what you want and what to look out for, then it's a good way of changing.
Toady1 said:
I know what you mean, it does sound dodgy when someone wants to swap, but it is a much more convenient way to do things. Selling cars seems to be a right task these days. So many scammers or timewasters. I think if you both know what you want and what to look out for, then it's a good way of changing.
When we spoke did it sound like I was looking to offload a potential problem.I'm not sure I agree with George's statements tbh..
Khaki Suit said:
Toady1 said:
I know what you mean, it does sound dodgy when someone wants to swap, but it is a much more convenient way to do things. Selling cars seems to be a right task these days. So many scammers or timewasters. I think if you both know what you want and what to look out for, then it's a good way of changing.
When we spoke did it sound like I was looking to offload a potential problem.I'm not sure I agree with George's statements tbh..
Khaki Suit said:
When we spoke did it sound like I was looking to offload a potential problem.
I'm not sure I agree with George's statements tbh..
Nope neither you or the other chap seemed dodgy in the slightest, nor the original enquiry to be honest - if that's what you meant? I hope my reply didn't get taken in that way. But we're all M car enthusiasts which I think goes a long way.I'm not sure I agree with George's statements tbh..
But I can see what George is saying when you see some swaps come up.
Toady1 said:
Nope neither you or the other chap seemed dodgy in the slightest, nor the original enquiry to be honest - if that's what you meant? I hope my reply didn't get taken in that way. But we're all M car enthusiasts which I think goes a long way.
But I can see what George is saying when you see some swaps come up.
Your reply wasn't taken wrong at all mate. But I can see what George is saying when you see some swaps come up.
Georges response says it all.
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