Modern car closest to the E28 M5
Discussion
Now don't take this too seriously as there is currently no budget assigned in 'piggy' but:
For a number of years I was lucky enough to own an E28 M5 and to be honest, it's the tied best car I've ever owned. (Chimaera shares the podium)
Obviously prices have gone a bit stratospheric so what modern-ish car would be its closest modern equivalent in driving feel, rawness etc.
Current M5's are too big and too technical.
E36 M3 seems fairly close but interior feels a bit budget and they are getting on a bit.
Do any more recent saloons still have that 'direct' feeling with a natural characterful engine?
For a number of years I was lucky enough to own an E28 M5 and to be honest, it's the tied best car I've ever owned. (Chimaera shares the podium)
Obviously prices have gone a bit stratospheric so what modern-ish car would be its closest modern equivalent in driving feel, rawness etc.
Current M5's are too big and too technical.
E36 M3 seems fairly close but interior feels a bit budget and they are getting on a bit.
Do any more recent saloons still have that 'direct' feeling with a natural characterful engine?
i don't think there are any in the sense of light, fast-ish saloon car.
if you think of what the E28 M5 actually was at the time (i.e. a 5 series with lots of power which weighed as much as the 7 series of the time, laden with all the tech a 5 series had at the time and so on....then the current M5 does exactly what the old one does.
but, if it's a true car really like the E28 M5 in how it drives, how it has very little safety features and gadgets etc, you won't find a modern example IMO.
if you think of what the E28 M5 actually was at the time (i.e. a 5 series with lots of power which weighed as much as the 7 series of the time, laden with all the tech a 5 series had at the time and so on....then the current M5 does exactly what the old one does.
but, if it's a true car really like the E28 M5 in how it drives, how it has very little safety features and gadgets etc, you won't find a modern example IMO.
E38Ross said:
i don't think there are any in the sense of light, fast-ish saloon car.
if you think of what the E28 M5 actually was at the time (i.e. a 5 series with lots of power which weighed as much as the 7 series of the time, laden with all the tech a 5 series had at the time and so on....then the current M5 does exactly what the old one does.
but, if it's a true car really like the E28 M5 in how it drives, how it has very little safety features and gadgets etc, you won't find a modern example IMO.
Yeah, I hear what you're saying, if you look at it in a direct comparison between It and its peers but as you say, in the truest sense, the driving experience is due to the actual physical characteristics of that car. That is what worked for me, since my requirements of a car have remained the same, but the cars haven't. if you think of what the E28 M5 actually was at the time (i.e. a 5 series with lots of power which weighed as much as the 7 series of the time, laden with all the tech a 5 series had at the time and so on....then the current M5 does exactly what the old one does.
but, if it's a true car really like the E28 M5 in how it drives, how it has very little safety features and gadgets etc, you won't find a modern example IMO.
I've got a funny idea that an AMG may now be (or may have been a few years ago) a closer equivalent than a modern M5, since AMGs went through a period of being somewhat overengined, but I doubt they ever had the finesse of the E28.
If you find the E36 feels a bit cheap then I don't think the Lotus Carlton does it either, because when it's not being a Lotus, it's being a Carlton. And of course the Carlton is hardly modern...
An Alfa 166 v6 may have come fairly close for 90% of the drive, but that's been out of print for a while too, and the 159 is smaller and doesn't have any charismatic engines in the range.
Perhaps the closest equivalent now is actually going up a dress size to the Quattroporte / Rapide?
If you find the E36 feels a bit cheap then I don't think the Lotus Carlton does it either, because when it's not being a Lotus, it's being a Carlton. And of course the Carlton is hardly modern...
An Alfa 166 v6 may have come fairly close for 90% of the drive, but that's been out of print for a while too, and the 159 is smaller and doesn't have any charismatic engines in the range.
Perhaps the closest equivalent now is actually going up a dress size to the Quattroporte / Rapide?
I could have a lot of fun in one of those.
deadslow said:
And it's one of the very best for sale in a long, long time. Value too. Edited by Johnboy Mac on Monday 12th March 20:06
Johnboy Mac said:
deadslow said:
And it's of the very best for sale in a long, long time. Value too. 
I'd say a small AMG Merc too - C63 is a bit of a tech fest. Possibly the C32? Loony engine, stealth looks. Or maybe a rare C55?
Not as sharp a steer as an original M5 but decent motors nonetheless.
I was seriously tempted by a C63 estate but a few average reviews and the very tiny range put me off. TBH I'd love one really!
Not as sharp a steer as an original M5 but decent motors nonetheless.
I was seriously tempted by a C63 estate but a few average reviews and the very tiny range put me off. TBH I'd love one really!
deadslow said:
yeah....i see what you mean, it's 22 years old, that's modern alright 
by modern i assumed a car that is no more than 5ish years old. admittedly, that's a number plucked from thin air.
Vladimir said:
I'd say a small AMG Merc too - C63 is a bit of a tech fest. Possibly the C32? Loony engine, stealth looks. Or maybe a rare C55?
Not as sharp a steer as an original M5 but decent motors nonetheless.
I was seriously tempted by a C63 estate but a few average reviews and the very tiny range put me off. TBH I'd love one really!
C63 does look a bit barmy but I like a car that keeps you awake. C32 doesn't look bad. Wasn't an era of great Merc interiors though. Not as sharp a steer as an original M5 but decent motors nonetheless.
I was seriously tempted by a C63 estate but a few average reviews and the very tiny range put me off. TBH I'd love one really!
E38Ross said:
deadslow said:
yeah....i see what you mean, it's 22 years old, that's modern alright by modern i assumed a car that is no more than 5ish years old. admittedly, that's a number plucked from thin air.
Fire99 said:
C63 does look a bit barmy but I like a car that keeps you awake. C32 doesn't look bad. Wasn't an era of great Merc interiors though.
Maybe the C63 then - they sound utterly sublime, it's N/A, it's bloody quick, not too shouty. Lots of tech but you can't really avoid that in anything modernist and "premium."Completely leftfield but have you tried an Evo 9? Yes it's only a four pot, yes it's turbo'd but ignore the reviews about them being soulless. They are simply mental! They do things cars shouldn't be able to do.
Ordinarily, modern Audis do absolutely nothing for me at all.
However, reading the reviews in the press and looking at its specifications (and assuming I had the required folding) I would be tempted by one of these:
S4 Saloon
It also seems to just about fit the requirements for a modern E28 M5: fast enough, unassuming looks (especially with OEM wheels), practical, and will surprise many with its pace and 2.0TDi looks. OK it's not RWD but IIRC you can spec it with a fancy diff that pretty much mimics RWD when provoked.
Just my tuppence worth.
Although I would still have a E28 M5 any day of the week.
However, reading the reviews in the press and looking at its specifications (and assuming I had the required folding) I would be tempted by one of these:
S4 Saloon
It also seems to just about fit the requirements for a modern E28 M5: fast enough, unassuming looks (especially with OEM wheels), practical, and will surprise many with its pace and 2.0TDi looks. OK it's not RWD but IIRC you can spec it with a fancy diff that pretty much mimics RWD when provoked.
Just my tuppence worth.
Although I would still have a E28 M5 any day of the week.
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