F90 M5 or DB11? Used purchase quandary...

[c10vet]

I am looking to change cars. I usually buy nearly new.

Ive had E46 M3, 992 C2S, RRS, etc, and looking to get rid of the current 535D M Sport in favour of something more engaging...

The brief - must be a daily driver, but sparkle enough to be fun every time I drive it, without compromising on too much practicality. I’m not taking family around every drive, but need to be able to do a long run every now and then, and not wince every time I try and enter an NCP!

Budget of £90k.

I have done loads of research here / YouTube / etc. My short list is a nearly new F90 M5 or a used DB11 (v12 or v8).

What do you recommend folks?!!! Welcome opinions on those two or any others I should try...

Thank you.

[MDL111]

FF - assuming those are down to 90k in the UK by now. More special than any other daily car at that price point and one of the best engines ever produced, 4wd as added benefit during winter

[c10vet]

Thanks @MDL111 - did look at those but for my budget you don’t get a clean main dealer one.... I do need that piece of mind, especially for a prancing horse!!

[Pistonheader101]

Get a nice F90 M5 comp pack for £65k. cracking motors

[c10vet]

Pistonheader101 said:

Get a nice F90 M5 comp pack for £65k. cracking motors

Thanks. I was eyeing std vs Comp Pack as heard the ride is harsher in the CP? Do seem a relative bargain at the mo....

[EC2]

You can get a new M5 for less than £90k. They are very discrete and quiet but the performance must be epic especially with 4WD.

I’m keen on a DB11 when my GranTurismo goes but it is only an occasional three seater to my mind.

[tomw2000]

M5 for me. Db11 gorgeous but the idea of what the maintenance might be scares me. I don’t know what they cost to maintain in reality - might be ok.

If you’re considering an M5 don’t discount an Amg Merc E63S. Ignore the disco light interior and give it a test drive

[c10vet]

tomw2000 said:

M5 for me. Db11 gorgeous but the idea of what the maintenance might be scares me. I don’t know what they cost to maintain in reality - might be ok.

If you’re considering an M5 don’t discount an Amg Merc E63S. Ignore the disco light interior and give it a test drive

Thought the same on AM maintenance but they usually come with quite long service packs and warranties these days, though need to select carefully. Annual / 10k miles servicing. M servicing can be pricey too.

I considered e63s but the looks don’t do it fir me though the exhaust note does of course. Good shout - I should probably test drive, when we exit this lockdown madness...

[Phil.]

Just bought my second F90 M5 Comp. Sold the first one last Sept and regretted it. So much performance and accessible too. Brilliant build quality. And that engine! You need a test drive

The comfort setting on the latest version is great for long journeys with a family. Then stick it in sport and it’s a beast

Check out AT. Lots of new ones for less than £90k. Just ensure they have the options you want. I picked up a 5 month old and 1500 miles with a list price of £103k for less than £74k from a main dealer.

[c10vet]

Phil. said:

Just bought my second F90 M5 Comp. Sold the first one last Sept and regretted it. So much performance and accessible too. Brilliant build quality. And that engine! You need a test drive

The comfort setting on the latest version is great for long journeys with a family. Then stick it in sport and it’s a beast

Check out AT. Lots of new ones for less than £90k. Just ensure they have the options you want. I picked up a 5 month old and 1500 miles with a list price of £103k for less than £74k from a main dealer.

Wow! Great deal. Congrats. Any downsides?

[Phil.]

Nothing so far. Buying nearly new meant the running in service at 1k miles had been completed so I could jump in it and enjoy all the power and torque It’s so quick though, you do have to keep an eye on the speed.

Edited to say, just checked and the list price was £113k not £103k as originally stated, so £40k of depreciation ducked. It has the following options on top of the £102k basic price:

- Comfort plus pack
- Technology plus pack
- Entertainment pack

Edited by Phil. on Sunday 21st February 23:29

[c10vet]

Phil. said:

Nothing so far. Buying nearly new meant the running in service at 1k miles had been completed so I could jump in it and enjoy all the power and torque It’s so quick though, you do have to keep an eye on the speed.

Thanks Phil. May I ask what the dealer had it listed at and how easy it was to get them to your buy price? Just trying to modulate what the real deals are at present!

Cheers.

[Phil.]

c10vet said:

Thanks Phil. May I ask what the dealer had it listed at and how easy it was to get them to your buy price? Just trying to modulate what the real deals are at present!

Cheers.

I didn’t negotiate on price because it was the best out there and they gave me a decent trade in price. Having said that I did negotiate on a few new ones and getting £20k+ off list was fairly easy. Eventually I decided that a nearly new one with a further £10k-£20k of depreciation already accounted for was the best financial option.

This is the same dealer as mine, although different locations and specs but the same price:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012117...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010285...

If you go for one make sure it’s a facelift version as the suspension and ride is much improved.

[c10vet]

Phil. said:

c10vet said:

Thanks Phil. May I ask what the dealer had it listed at and how easy it was to get them to your buy price? Just trying to modulate what the real deals are at present!

Cheers.

I didn’t negotiate on price because it was the best out there and they gave me a decent trade in price. Having said that I did negotiate on a few new ones and getting £20k+ off list was fairly easy. Eventually I decided that a nearly new one with a further £10k-£20k of depreciation already accounted for was the best financial option.

This is the same dealer as mine, although different locations and specs but the same price:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012117...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010285...

If you go for one make sure it’s a facelift version as the suspension and ride is much improved.

Thanks Phil 👍

[Summit_Detailing]

I'd have a Rapide S or an M5 over a DB11.

To give you an indicator to current trade values on M5 - a 69 plate, 7k miles Comp books at £62800 - it maybe useful info as a heads-up in terms of future depreciation curve and/or negotiations.

Cheers.

[EC2]

I went to try a Rapide once as a plan to fold two cars into one. Loved it other than the distance between the bottom of the B pillar and the back of the sill made it really hard to get my feet through the back doors. Fine once you are in but the family would have moaned too much for it to be a runner IMHO.

[EC2]

Depends if you want finance on an M5 as the new cars have very low rate APR PCP finance so they might end up cheaper over a few years than a nearly new one on a bigger APR. Obviously if you are paying cash then go for value.

[maz8062]

If you’re comparing the BMW with a DB11, why not consider an M8? Depreciation has been bonkers on the things and they’re more of an event than an M5 - IMO of course.

[culpz]

It'd be the M5 for me, out of those two. As already stated, I'd also take a good look at an E63S too.

[Phil.]

EC2 said:

Depends if you want finance on an M5 as the new cars have very low rate APR PCP finance so they might end up cheaper over a few years than a nearly new one on a bigger APR. Obviously if you are paying cash then go for value.

Agreed, but you still need to take in to account the additional £10k-£20k early depreciation on a new discounted car compared to a nearly new one, when considering the finance costs. That’s a lot of interest over a few years. Plus there are still some low interest personal loans about for those with a good credit record.