E46 to E39?

[hoppo4.2]

I fancy a change from my E46 M3. One option is to go for a E39 M5 however I’ve owned an Alpina B10 4.6 in the past and I found that it felt very heavy and the steering feel was poor. Is the M5 comparable to the E46 M3 in the handling stakes or would I be disappointed.

on another note have any of you got any other ideas what to go for next. id love to go E60 M5 but the budget wont go that far at the min. budget is about 10k

[Hawmaws]

I agree about the feel of the V8s. I had one for about 2 months (a B10 V8S) and got rid because I couldn't get on with its general unresponsive feel, mainly because of the dull steering.

The 6 cylinder e39s feel a lot more responsive to me. To me they feel like a more grown up version of the e46.

[leeson660]

Can comment on the e39 m5 handling but what about something jap?

Maybe a evo vIII fq 3xx or a 05/06 impreza sti ppp?

Certainly would be a big change I've experienced a evo fq330 being driven hard and my god it was a brutal car.

Or an entry level 996?

[hoppo4.2]

leeson660 said:

Can comment on the e39 m5 handling but what about something jap?

Maybe a evo vIII fq 3xx or a 05/06 impreza sti ppp?

Certainly would be a big change I've experienced a evo fq330 being driven hard and my god it was a brutal car.

Or an entry level 996?

iv owned an evo in the past and although fast i found it too harsh unless your going for a hoon.
i also dont like the "chav" image of most jap stuff i think the only jap i would go for would be a GTR but i bet im not alone on that one.

as for the 996 my uncle has a 996 c4 and i think that the M3 drives nicer and fells faster.

im considering an entery level lotus carlton i no it would be a money pit but iv always wanted one. or maybe another TVR just because i love them all.

[bennyboysvuk]

I had a go in an E39 M5 a while back and after jumping out of my E46 M3 I can say that the suspension felt very plush, it also felt faster than the M3 when the engine was lower in the rev range. When pushing it into a corner it didn't feel as nimble, but rather settled like you would imagine a heavier car would. It seemed to creep towards sliding very progressively too. When I drove it I'd have felt guilty getting in and switching DSC off immediately, however when the DSC light was flickering mid-corner the whole car felt completely neutral and even more predictable than the M3.

If you need more space and more comfort and want a bit more speed and don't mind losing 5mpg or so then it could be for you. I didn't find it quite as exciting to drive as the M3 overall, but I thoroughly enjoyed the engine.

[leeson660]

leeson660 said:

Can comment on the e39 m5 handling but what about something jap?

Maybe a evo vIII fq 3xx or a 05/06 impreza sti ppp?

Certainly would be a big change I've experienced a evo fq330 being driven hard and my god it was a brutal car.

Or an entry level 996?

hoppo4.2 said:

iv owned an evo in the past and although fast i found it too harsh unless your going for a hoon.
i also dont like the "chav" image of most jap stuff i think the only jap i would go for would be a GTR but i bet im not alone on that one.

as for the 996 my uncle has a 996 c4 and i think that the M3 drives nicer and fells faster.

im considering an entery level lotus carlton i no it would be a money pit but iv always wanted one. or maybe another TVR just because i love them all.

Couldn't agree more. Exactly why I chose the m3 over the jap cars. Along with the interior especially on the impreza which is just horrible imho.

A TVR would be my choice just love them.