New M5 not selling so well?

[edo]

I remember previous generations of M5 being "over list" and hard to find for some time - looking in the classifieds there are plenty, and most 10k+ off list?

42 on Autotrader...

[Coldfuse]

Who can afford them what with this recession?!

[Blukoo]

Coldfuse said:

Who can afford them what with this recession?!

Are you kidding. Those who could afford one aren't really affected by the recession.

[Devil2575]

Blukoo said:

Are you kidding. Those who could afford one aren't really affected by the recession.

Indeed.

In fact those who caused the recession have been largely unaffected...

[Zod]

We had the same thread posted in 2005/6 about the E60 M5.

[E38Ross]

Blukoo said:

Are you kidding. Those who could afford one aren't really affected by the recession.

if you say so

[Chrisw666]

Devil2575 said:

Indeed.

In fact those who caused the recession have been largely unaffected...

Labour? People taking on debts they were never able to service? Those who talked house prices up to mental levels?

Or do you mean evil bankers?

[mat205125]

Maybe a more relevant answer in today's world is "Who's got a use for one?"

Lets face it, with the roads as busy and badly repaired as they are, with fuel as expensive as it is, and with the "specialist sports car" choices being so abundant, who actually needs a Swiss army knife car that is supercar fast, supercar expensive, and supercar thirsty, when there is a diesel option in the range that delivers 90% of the thrill for 90% of the time, and leaves enough change for a special toy that delivers 150% of the focus for weekends and track days.

I'm a massive fan of the legacy of supersaloons from the past, including the V10 M5, the Lotus Carlton, the E39 M5, the "hammer" Mercs, and the Layer Cake RS6, but this new M5 just hasn't pressed the same buttons for me for some reason.

[MGZRod]

I've counted 5 different ones in Aberdeen over the past week or so. Great looking things, wasn't a fan at first but look very good in the flesh.

[Snowboy]

Devil2575 said:

Indeed.

In fact those who caused the recession have been largely unaffected...

That’s true.
Because all the idiots who took out huge loans they couldn’t afford or morgages that were too much for them had themselves bailed out by the Govt so the banks couldn’t repossess the houses or claim the debt back.

Anyhow, this is about the M5


I think it’s because they just aren’t that good as road cars or as track cars.
They fall somewhere in between the two giving the worst of both worlds.

Who really wants 400nhp of power if the delivery is so smooth that you can’t feel it?
Who really wants a RWD beast if it’s so well balanced you can never get a bit of oversteer to play with?

There are some much better touring cars, there are some much better racecars.
The M5 now fits a niche that nobody really needs.

[Coldfuse]

Blukoo said:

Coldfuse said:

Who can afford them what with this recession?!

Are you kidding.

Yes.

[Blukoo]

MGZRod said:

I've counted 5 different ones in Aberdeen over the past week or so. Great looking things, wasn't a fan at first but look very good in the flesh.

My neighbour has one. It would appear he got rid of his MP4-12C for it. They must be good - haha

[Zod]

Snowboy said:

Who really wants 400nhp of power if the delivery is so smooth that you can’t feel it?
Who really wants a RWD beast if it’s so well balanced you can never get a bit of oversteer to play with?

Somebody's never driven an M5 (of any generation).

[ReaperCushions]

I must admit that if I was in the market for such a beast of a machine (I am sadly not). One ofthe deciding factors about this car is the 'piped' exhaust note. I just simply couldnt live with it not being real every time I revved the engine. Is this effecting sales? maybe? the noise of such a car is one of the most important things for me, I guess others too?

[mat205125]

Snowboy said:

Devil2575 said:

Indeed.

In fact those who caused the recession have been largely unaffected...

That’s true.
Because all the idiots who took out huge loans they couldn’t afford or morgages that were too much for them had themselves bailed out by the Govt so the banks couldn’t repossess the houses or claim the debt back.

Anyhow, this is about the M5


I think it’s because they just aren’t that good as road cars or as track cars.
They fall somewhere in between the two giving the worst of both worlds.

Who really wants 400nhp of power if the delivery is so smooth that you can’t feel it?
Who really wants a RWD beast if it’s so well balanced you can never get a bit of oversteer to play with?

There are some much better touring cars, there are some much better racecars.
The M5 now fits a niche that nobody really needs.

Maybe the types that would have bought one for the "tinsel" that used to show their neighbours that they had arrived at their income level in life don't want an M5 that is nearly completely anonymous next to the near visually identical 520D Sport that costs a third of the amount.

Maybe I've not seen enough of the new M5s yet to spot a real from a glitter rolled base model.

[Zod]

mat, that is, and always has been, the point of the M5. It is not supposed to be a blinged-up behemoth.

[edo]

Zod said:

mat, that is, and always has been, the point of the M5. It is not supposed to be a blinged-up behemoth.

exactly.

[Snowboy]

Zod said:

Snowboy said:

Who really wants 400nhp of power if the delivery is so smooth that you can’t feel it?
Who really wants a RWD beast if it’s so well balanced you can never get a bit of oversteer to play with?

Somebody's never driven an M5 (of any generation).

I drive a few of the older ones when I worked for BMW, but I treated them gently.
I haven’t driven one in spiritedly so I am talking out of my arse to a certain degree.

I did have a 135i for a while though, and thrashed that about, so I’d like to think my comment about the boringness of the power have some merit.

While a lot of drivers enjoy all the driver aids and comforts in their daily cruisers I think a lot of petrolheads are looking for something less refined for their sportscar.

[Jazz360]

With similarly priced 4-seater Twin-Turbo rivals being able to do this its not hard to see why...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjJSY0eZpHs&fea...

[Cobnapint]

mat205125 said:

Maybe a more relevant answer in today's world is "Who's got a use for one?"

but this new M5 just hasn't pressed the same buttons for me for some reason.

+1

The twin-turbo diesel (or is it triple turbo now, lost count) would get my money - if I wanted one - which I don't.