would you swap e46 m3 for e39 m5?

would you swap e46 m3 for e39 m5?

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Discussion

m3dan

Original Poster:

45 posts

209 months

Monday 21st January 2008
quotequote all
i am contemplating swapping my e46 m3 smg for an e39 m5 mainly because we have just had another baby and i can only just fit the pram and associated 'essentials'in the boot and partly because the m3 novelty is wearing {only slightly}.
i am interested in the running and general ownership comparisons. i have previously owned an e36 m3 evo and i want to stay with an m car.
i have looked for an e39 to test drive but there isnt one for sale within 50 miles of me
is the boot in the m5 considerably bigger than my m3?
i get approx 20mpg average could i expect that in an m5 ? varied driving
do you think it would be cheaper insurance as i heard e46 m3's are 2nd most robbed motor?
the servicing costs are pretty much the same ie inspection 1 and inspection 2 i hear they like to drink a bit of oil though, what would be cheaper to run over an average 10,000 a year?the m3 eats tyres!
has anyone gone from m3 to m5 and what were your thoughts if so?
i like the stealth appeal of the m5 as sometimes the 'look at me' m3 with 19's does attract the wrong type of attention.
my m3 is 2003 with widescreen nav,television ,factory bluetooth,19's,harman kardon, full bmwsh,m3 plate, i know the prices are falling but i reckon £18.5- £19.5 maybe, what year/spec m5 could be expected for that?
any thoughts appreciated

belleair302

6,847 posts

208 months

Monday 21st January 2008
quotequote all
Yes I would swap in an instant, although certain running costs will be higher, fuel and insurance along with tyres and brake pads / oil. Most cars came well equipped, many have been cared for by BMW from day one, drive a few, read www.m5board.com for more info and enjoy the better ride of the M5.

LittleBro

9,453 posts

235 months

Monday 21st January 2008
quotequote all
I went the other way - I had a 2000 W plate M5 in 2003 and then in 2004 got a 51 plate M3. IMO, the M5 was twice the car. I loved it, but simply didnt need the size. Plus, I felt it really shone on m-ways - it was awesome!


In terms of running costs, I only owned the M5 for around 4 months due to a move abroad so cant really comment.

In terms of affordability, there's another thread around here looking at prices. I think for the value of your M3, you'd get a nice one with sensible miles.

Best of luck

M5GT

78 posts

203 months

Monday 21st January 2008
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hi i have an e39 m had it for about 10mths i think its fantastic i,ve always had high performance cars mostly turbo,s. to me the only real higher running cost is fuel and not the consumption just the fact that i love to drive it alot more, my turbos drank like fishes too. i have two kids under 6. space is in adundance. safety excellent ten airbags and i have the rear child boosters incorporated into the seats "fantastic". i also have a e46 330 i no its not the m but no comparison the 5 is soooo much more car altogether. if you like your performace and need the ocasional family car the m5 is a true fit GRAND TORISMO. hope that helps, probably all sounds like im waffling, actualy i am stoned at this time!!!!

Huliganov

319 posts

196 months

Monday 21st January 2008
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Evo rated the E46 as the best driver's BMW ever, a far better proposition than the E39. I'd keep the E46 to be honest, looks better, more contemporary, just as quick, better economy, lower running costs yet just as thrilling and rewarding to drive.

E38

723 posts

214 months

Tuesday 22nd January 2008
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Huliganov said:
Evo rated the E46 as the best driver's BMW ever, a far better proposition than the E39. I'd keep the E46 to be honest, looks better, more contemporary, just as quick, better economy, lower running costs yet just as thrilling and rewarding to drive.
No they didnt, the E30 M3 was first, followed by the M1, then IIRC it was the E46 M3 CSL, followed by the E39 M5.

So in a way the E46 was rated higher, but it was a CSL, almost a different car.

IMO the M5 is better than the three for what it was designed to do, drive fast, but not as good for what most people use ///Ms for, showing off.

m3dan

Original Poster:

45 posts

209 months

Tuesday 22nd January 2008
quotequote all
thanks for comments,still torn a bit between the two but i think i definately need to go to test drive one(e39 m5)to really make up my mind.confused
[m5gt-keep up the good work fellow stoner]

Huliganov

319 posts

196 months

Tuesday 22nd January 2008
quotequote all
E38 said:
Huliganov said:
Evo rated the E46 as the best driver's BMW ever, a far better proposition than the E39. I'd keep the E46 to be honest, looks better, more contemporary, just as quick, better economy, lower running costs yet just as thrilling and rewarding to drive.
No they didnt, the E30 M3 was first, followed by the M1, then IIRC it was the E46 M3 CSL, followed by the E39 M5.

So in a way the E46 was rated higher, but it was a CSL, almost a different car.

IMO the M5 is better than the three for what it was designed to do, drive fast, but not as good for what most people use ///Ms for, showing off.
In the 2001 edition, Evo edition 24, with the red M3 on the front? I'm fairly sure they summed it up as the best BMW M ever made, certainly better than the M5. I could be wrong here and I'm also fairly sure that in the back of all subsequent Evo magazines, they rated the E46 as the 'best drivers BMW ever'. I'm going off memory here so I could be wrong.

griffgrog

705 posts

247 months

Tuesday 22nd January 2008
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I had an E39 M5. I've been in both the E46 and E92 M3 and the E60 M5 and they just don't quite get there. I really hanker after my old M5 and its the only car I've ever regretted selling. In many ways it was the best car I've every had, dare I say it better than my Porkers. It's such a complete car. You can be knackered, 300 miles form home and love every minute of your journey back, swapping from limo mode to nutter car just by flexing your right toe. Magic!

LittleBro

9,453 posts

235 months

Tuesday 22nd January 2008
quotequote all
Huliganov said:
E38 said:
Huliganov said:
Evo rated the E46 as the best driver's BMW ever, a far better proposition than the E39. I'd keep the E46 to be honest, looks better, more contemporary, just as quick, better economy, lower running costs yet just as thrilling and rewarding to drive.
No they didnt, the E30 M3 was first, followed by the M1, then IIRC it was the E46 M3 CSL, followed by the E39 M5.

So in a way the E46 was rated higher, but it was a CSL, almost a different car.

IMO the M5 is better than the three for what it was designed to do, drive fast, but not as good for what most people use ///Ms for, showing off.
In the 2001 edition, Evo edition 24, with the red M3 on the front? I'm fairly sure they summed it up as the best BMW M ever made, certainly better than the M5. I could be wrong here and I'm also fairly sure that in the back of all subsequent Evo magazines, they rated the E46 as the 'best drivers BMW ever'. I'm going off memory here so I could be wrong.
They did another M test recently (since the E92 has been out)....I've got it somewhere so will dig out the verdict