I'm buying... F10 M5 or F30 M3?
Discussion
I am an ex-M owner looking to get out of my 2013 535d back into the 'fold'. Initially I sighted the F30 M3 as the most likely candidate having just one 4yo child and rarely spending much more than an hour in the car these days and covering 10-12k miles annually. I drove a 2015 model, I was impressed but not blown away and the interior fit + finish felt a little inferior to the larger F10 5 series.
I decided to check out a 2015 M5 with 6k miles which was actually marginally cheaper, pretty much ticked all the boxes and it far exceeded my expectation in terms of straight line performance! Both cars are 2015 vehicles comparable specification with inclusive servicing packages, the M5 is £1-1.5k cheaper and has *half* the mileage of the M3 I've had my eye on.
A couple of obvious concerns;
I decided to check out a 2015 M5 with 6k miles which was actually marginally cheaper, pretty much ticked all the boxes and it far exceeded my expectation in terms of straight line performance! Both cars are 2015 vehicles comparable specification with inclusive servicing packages, the M5 is £1-1.5k cheaper and has *half* the mileage of the M3 I've had my eye on.
A couple of obvious concerns;
- is the M5 vastly more to run day-to-day? Obviously the tax is almost twice that of the rather frugal £280/yr for the M3. But I am thinking more along the lines of fuel consumption, brakes etc.
- with the F10 M5 no longer in production and the new G30 M5 not due in 2018, is this literally a deprecation time bomb? The M5 is <2 years old and was >£85k new currently at £45k!
Edited by markda on Monday 6th March 16:23
I daily drive an F82 M4 (identical to the M3 but less doors) so thought i would chip in here seeing as i test drove both this and the F10 M5 last year when deciding what to buy.
In terms of running costs of the M5 i cant really help as I don't own one however it will im sure eat through far more fuel and consumables than the M3, that goes without saying. My buying decision was more performance based as i do like to push my cars hard and have fun in them where traffic/road conditions permit. The M5 is on paper a beast. although in reality for daily use on UK roads i found it boring as hell 90% of the time. the issue is up to 60mph its heavy, feels sluggish and not confidence inspiring throwing it around the B roads. However get it on an empty stretch of motorway and the temptation to engage warp speed would be a daily battle for me. From 60 onwards its quite simply astonishing and you find yourself doing 130+ in an instant. While this is jawdroppingly fun i personally would find myself dead/locked up or commuting by bus in a very short space of time.
The F80/82/83 is far more usable in the real world. its far lighter in comparison, feels far more responsive at lower speeds and very nimble in the B roads. Fuel consumption is perfectly acceptable (summer spirited driving in sport plus modes sees around 18mpg, wet long distance motorway cruising shows around 25mpg). tyres last around 8k, im still on original brakes after 12k.
I have 2 young kids who both fit in the back fine, M3 would be even better with a little more room and better access.
In summary i personally wouldnt consider an M5 unless i had access to an Autobahn or i needed the extra space. even then i dont think i would get an M5 i would probably get a lower level 5 series and a fun car on the side.
Just my thoughts im sure there are plenty who would argue to the contrary.
What i would say is do spend time test driving both. the cars behaviour is night and day between the different settings and it takes a while to figure it all out.
In terms of running costs of the M5 i cant really help as I don't own one however it will im sure eat through far more fuel and consumables than the M3, that goes without saying. My buying decision was more performance based as i do like to push my cars hard and have fun in them where traffic/road conditions permit. The M5 is on paper a beast. although in reality for daily use on UK roads i found it boring as hell 90% of the time. the issue is up to 60mph its heavy, feels sluggish and not confidence inspiring throwing it around the B roads. However get it on an empty stretch of motorway and the temptation to engage warp speed would be a daily battle for me. From 60 onwards its quite simply astonishing and you find yourself doing 130+ in an instant. While this is jawdroppingly fun i personally would find myself dead/locked up or commuting by bus in a very short space of time.
The F80/82/83 is far more usable in the real world. its far lighter in comparison, feels far more responsive at lower speeds and very nimble in the B roads. Fuel consumption is perfectly acceptable (summer spirited driving in sport plus modes sees around 18mpg, wet long distance motorway cruising shows around 25mpg). tyres last around 8k, im still on original brakes after 12k.
I have 2 young kids who both fit in the back fine, M3 would be even better with a little more room and better access.
In summary i personally wouldnt consider an M5 unless i had access to an Autobahn or i needed the extra space. even then i dont think i would get an M5 i would probably get a lower level 5 series and a fun car on the side.
Just my thoughts im sure there are plenty who would argue to the contrary.
What i would say is do spend time test driving both. the cars behaviour is night and day between the different settings and it takes a while to figure it all out.
I've had both the std M5 and CP version and I would definitely go for a CP car if I were you. It is quite different to drive and a lot more 'fun', if you can use that term for a 2 ton family car. Running costs aren't really an issue whilst under the service plan and warranty. Oil top ups are free and tyres about 1k per set. Brakes are about 3k a set for discs and pads but like the tyres, wear very much depends on use. Fuel is around 20 mpg and 30 on the motorway. With split fold rear seats I can't think of a better all-rounder.
I've put 51k miles on my F10 and can't think of a better car for somebody who wishes for high performance but also *needs* to prioritise comfort and space. I have a spinal cord disorder which necessitates serious consideration of ergonomics, cover high mileage (my car is <2 years old) and also have to ferry 3-4 passengers and luggage on a regular basis.
Tyres (Michelin) tend to last about 20k miles for rears and slightly more for fronts, I'm still on the factory brakes bar a set of rear pads recently, and have had no problems whatsoever. Long term MPG is 20-22 and that includes a lot of motorway driving, though I was doing a little better before the car was fettled by DMS (751bhp on dyno).
I do 'engage warp speed' as alluded above - on just about every journey I undertake - and this has landed me an impending appointment with a magistrate thanks to an unmarked car on an otherwise quiet motorway - but I've tended to 'push on' at similar pace in previous x30d variants and the same could just as easily have happened in one of those cars. In fact some may way it was overdue.
I've also taken the car across Germany and back twice and it truly comes into its own, when returned to the Fatherland. After its de-limit I was able to get it to 180mph without really trying, though pushing beyond was constrained by gonad deficiency.
Tyres (Michelin) tend to last about 20k miles for rears and slightly more for fronts, I'm still on the factory brakes bar a set of rear pads recently, and have had no problems whatsoever. Long term MPG is 20-22 and that includes a lot of motorway driving, though I was doing a little better before the car was fettled by DMS (751bhp on dyno).
I do 'engage warp speed' as alluded above - on just about every journey I undertake - and this has landed me an impending appointment with a magistrate thanks to an unmarked car on an otherwise quiet motorway - but I've tended to 'push on' at similar pace in previous x30d variants and the same could just as easily have happened in one of those cars. In fact some may way it was overdue.
I've also taken the car across Germany and back twice and it truly comes into its own, when returned to the Fatherland. After its de-limit I was able to get it to 180mph without really trying, though pushing beyond was constrained by gonad deficiency.
I've owned both, started off with buying a brand new F10 M5 after lusting after one for 2 years.
Apart from the M5 being the most uncomfortable car I've ever owned, it is a bit of a one trick pony in that it is an absolute monster in a straight line. However, through some bends in and it feels like a two tonne car, albeit one that handles ok for the weight but it isn't particularly fun.
I chiopped the M5 in after 5 months and bought a F80 M3 and absolutely love the car, it's fantastic! Same straight line acceleration upto 70-80mph as the M5 but can really handle it's self in the bends. I've had mine for just over a year now and have owned since new and I'm not yet getting an itch to change.
Also the M3 is just as practical as the M5 and strangely I would say there is more space in the rear for passengers, although the boot is smaller.
If you do go for the M3 make sure you get an LCI or CP car as there were some suspension updates and they make the word of difference.
Apart from the M5 being the most uncomfortable car I've ever owned, it is a bit of a one trick pony in that it is an absolute monster in a straight line. However, through some bends in and it feels like a two tonne car, albeit one that handles ok for the weight but it isn't particularly fun.
I chiopped the M5 in after 5 months and bought a F80 M3 and absolutely love the car, it's fantastic! Same straight line acceleration upto 70-80mph as the M5 but can really handle it's self in the bends. I've had mine for just over a year now and have owned since new and I'm not yet getting an itch to change.
Also the M3 is just as practical as the M5 and strangely I would say there is more space in the rear for passengers, although the boot is smaller.
If you do go for the M3 make sure you get an LCI or CP car as there were some suspension updates and they make the word of difference.
I have just worked through the same decision and went for the M5.
The pricing for 2-3 year old cars looks quite attractive at the moment and it just seemed to be more car for the money. Looking at the lower end of the used F10 market, they dont seem to have too far to fall, but I guess those values are being held up by the gap in manufacture between the E60 the F10.
I think the running costs are not too far off the M3 and the extra space is welcome at this point.
Plan at the moment is to run the M5 for 2-3 years then go for an M3 next. That way I get to experience both.
The pricing for 2-3 year old cars looks quite attractive at the moment and it just seemed to be more car for the money. Looking at the lower end of the used F10 market, they dont seem to have too far to fall, but I guess those values are being held up by the gap in manufacture between the E60 the F10.
I think the running costs are not too far off the M3 and the extra space is welcome at this point.
Plan at the moment is to run the M5 for 2-3 years then go for an M3 next. That way I get to experience both.
I drove the M3 again and eventually took decision to go with that, hard decision as you mention the running cost in terms of fuel consumption are almost identical and those M5s are a LOT of car for the money. They are leagues above the M3 in terms of interior, ride and comfort.
But I've been driving a big 5 series barge for 2.5 years and it's more often than not just me in the car. I'm looking forward to being able to comfortably fit in all parking spaces and the M3 felt a little more raw so hopefully a few thrills at lower speeds. Was a very hard decision though, think unknown depreciation with late outgoing model scared me away.
But I've been driving a big 5 series barge for 2.5 years and it's more often than not just me in the car. I'm looking forward to being able to comfortably fit in all parking spaces and the M3 felt a little more raw so hopefully a few thrills at lower speeds. Was a very hard decision though, think unknown depreciation with late outgoing model scared me away.
markda said:
I drove the M3 again and eventually took decision to go with that, hard decision as you mention the running cost in terms of fuel consumption are almost identical and those M5s are a LOT of car for the money. They are leagues above the M3 in terms of interior, ride and comfort.
But I've been driving a big 5 series barge for 2.5 years and it's more often than not just me in the car. I'm looking forward to being able to comfortably fit in all parking spaces and the M3 felt a little more raw so hopefully a few thrills at lower speeds.
Pretty much agree with all that except I have decided to go for the F10 M5 instead. I sat in a fully loaded M3 that had the full leather over the dash and it still felt somewhat cheap inside compared to the M5, the quality in the big brother is beyond reproach. I too found the M5 superior in every way really bar the looks for me.But I've been driving a big 5 series barge for 2.5 years and it's more often than not just me in the car. I'm looking forward to being able to comfortably fit in all parking spaces and the M3 felt a little more raw so hopefully a few thrills at lower speeds.
I think the M3 imho has the looks (aggressive and lovely flared arches), and if you like a raw driving experience and perhaps B road fun is a priority then I would say go with the M3, everything else M5.
Both great cars that have their pros and cons like any other car but can't go wrong with either.
I drove the M3 again and eventually took decision to go with that, hard decision as you mention the running cost in terms of fuel consumption are almost identical and those M5s are a LOT of car for the money. They are leagues above the M3 in terms of interior, ride and comfort.
But I've been driving a big 5 series barge for 2.5 years and it's more often than not just me in the car. I'm looking forward to being able to comfortably fit in all parking spaces and the M3 felt a little more raw so hopefully a few thrills at lower speeds. Was a very hard decision though, think unknown depreciation with late outgoing model scared me away.
But I've been driving a big 5 series barge for 2.5 years and it's more often than not just me in the car. I'm looking forward to being able to comfortably fit in all parking spaces and the M3 felt a little more raw so hopefully a few thrills at lower speeds. Was a very hard decision though, think unknown depreciation with late outgoing model scared me away.
beanoir said:
Unusual, most compliment it the other way. I find mine the most comfortable car (of about 30 odd) that i've ever owned. I've got the MF seats so I don't know if that helps, but still.
I had the MF seats as well but they ended up bruising my back even on short journeys of 6-7 miles, anything longer and it was a real struggle. Just to add there is/was absolutley nothing wrong with my back.It was all very strange.
I complained about my MF seats causing lower back pain but it transpires it was my back that was f
ked, not the car.
I'm now nearly 12 months post spinal surgery and am very sensitive to sitting - the M5 is literally the only car I've been happy to spend any significant time in. Its very comfortable.
ked, not the car.I'm now nearly 12 months post spinal surgery and am very sensitive to sitting - the M5 is literally the only car I've been happy to spend any significant time in. Its very comfortable.
Just bought an F10 M5.
Incredibly comfortable and grown up, but if you feel the need brutally fast.
No experience of the F30 M3, and my only experience of an M3 was the V8 I drove in Taiwan.
My most complete car to date (check out my garage) was my 640d.
Hated the run flats and lack of noise.
The M5 is so much better - proper tyres and so much noise.
Just be prepared for big bills at the pump and at servicing!
Incredibly comfortable and grown up, but if you feel the need brutally fast.
No experience of the F30 M3, and my only experience of an M3 was the V8 I drove in Taiwan.
My most complete car to date (check out my garage) was my 640d.
Hated the run flats and lack of noise.
The M5 is so much better - proper tyres and so much noise.
Just be prepared for big bills at the pump and at servicing!
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