Running Costs of an M5 compared to other BMW's?

[Daz507]

Hi,

Late last year I bought a 2006 E60 M5, I knew it needed a few things doing like oil change, new rear tyres, MOT... a few things I didn't know, discs need to be resurfaced, rear tyres have worn on the inside edge a LOT faster than the outside (laser tracking perhaps) etc

Now I have almost completed the jobs I have to the next thing it needs will be rear brake pads in 9,000 miles, so the only real costs I have are petrol.

I just wondered, something like a 550, 535 or 535D, how would they compare with regards to cost? For example the full oil change was quoted £285 at BMW, would any other 5 series be similar?

The reason I ask is my missus wants to change into a similar size car with similar extras and she's looking at 520, 530, 530D, 535D etc...

[gilford]

I understand what you are saying, but I think you would be bonkers to assume that you will not need to spend on the car

You should still have a "buffer" in case anything should go wrong, at the end of the day this is a £70k plus super saloon, and if you think you will get by year after year on a shoe string budget you are dreaming!

[Pork]

gilford said:

I understand what you are saying, but I think you would be bonkers to assume that you will not need to spend on the car

You should still have a "buffer" in case anything should go wrong, at the end of the day this is a £70k plus super saloon, and if you think you will get by year after year on a shoe string budget you are dreaming!

Eh? I think the question is "is a 520/535/550 the same cost to run as an M5", or something along those lines.

OP, I would say no. I've only really run M series BMWs so cant comment on the running costs of non-Ms, but i would guess a non-M would be cheaper for many things. I.e. you often see service offers which exclude M cars.

Also, when looking at parts, it seems to me that M parts are more expensive than non-M, not to mention the tyres etc. So, while this is largely guess work, I would say a non-M would be cheaper to run. If you're looking at an E60 M5 versus a 520-535D, then the obvious benefit would be fuel. I don't know how the M5 would compare to the 550 though, if you can find one.

Perhaps a call to whoever you would maintain it with would clear things up?

[Daz507]

I'm talking more along the lines of BMW work, ie an oil change. Would this be the same price for any BMW? It's a BMW person working on a BMW car, does it matter if they're working on an M or a non-M?

[gilford]

Pork said:

gilford said:

I understand what you are saying, but I think you would be bonkers to assume that you will not need to spend on the car

You should still have a "buffer" in case anything should go wrong, at the end of the day this is a £70k plus super saloon, and if you think you will get by year after year on a shoe string budget you are dreaming!

Eh? I think the question is "is a 520/535/550 the same cost to run as an M5", or something along those lines.

OP, I would say no. I've only really run M series BMWs so cant comment on the running costs of non-Ms, but i would guess a non-M would be cheaper for many things. I.e. you often see service offers which exclude M cars.

Also, when looking at parts, it seems to me that M parts are more expensive than non-M, not to mention the tyres etc. So, while this is largely guess work, I would say a non-M would be cheaper to run. If you're looking at an E60 M5 versus a 520-535D, then the obvious benefit would be fuel. I don't know how the M5 would compare to the 550 though, if you can find one.

Perhaps a call to whoever you would maintain it with would clear things up?

I was merely trying to point out that just because the OP has had to spend a small amount on his M5 thus far, it is by no means comparable to say a 525D, and to compare the two would be a tad silly

A spark plug service alone on an M5 is as much as a full service on a 525D!

[DennisCooper]

Daz507

Overall, the M5 is going to cost you significantly more in terms of good proper maintenence than compared to a non M. So far, you've mentioned things you've done which are sort of normal things to do on most cars - hence you've not mentioned/complained about the more expensive items for an M as yet!

I'll assume you have a BMW warranty for the M5, this should cover the big price/ticket items that 'could' go wrong on an M5. If not, or theres items which aren't covered by the warranty, you'll need to stump up the cash for them. And thats where your wallet might take a serious beating! A friend was talking about his E46 M3 needing a water pump - "so I logged on to check pricing, I thought it might be like £125 or so from Euro Car parts - but no, no M parts, dealer only at £700!!" - so expect things like that for the M. It is, as already pointed out a high end Super Car in a normal 4 door body - many components are unique to the engine and are race derived parts - they're not cheap.

You'll need to do the regular Inspection 1 and 2's which are substantially higher in cost than a non M5 car service. The good thing is, that there are quite a few well repuatable M power specialists throughout the UK who can look after the car at much more reasonable rates than BMW - parts will still be an issue, especially if they're the M parts only and are pricey but still a saving over using BMW M servicing rates. That said, you will see special offers from the BMW dealers on M servicing so it pays for you to shop around.

Please have a check on M5board.com which will give you all the information you need on your car - mainly a US bias, but quite a few UK M5 owners on there as well.

hope this helps - Cheers, Dennis! West London & Slough UK!