E60 M5 – Can’t make my mind up…

[GaryST220]

Looking for thoughts and opinions please…

I’ve always wanted an M5 and I came close to buying one a few months ago but I opted for the slightly crazy VXR8 instead. Mainly because I think it looks awesome, is quite quirky and has a manual gearbox, but secondly because no-one would give me the time of day when viewing an M5 – ultimately their loss.

Unfortunately I didn’t get on with the VXR8 due to its woolly handling so I’ve started looking at M5’s again but somehow I’ve lost the lust for them. Maybe it’s the average looks, the semi-automatic gearbox, or again because nobody will give me the time of day. I can’t put my finger on it, but I suspect the latter is of significant value.

What I am asking is, is there a good reason why I shouldn’t buy one? I have better things to do with my time than worry about miles per gallon or the cost of consumables; they are of no consideration – though I would insist on getting one with a warranty for obvious reasons.

Jonnylarge’s looks reasonable (admittedly tax and warranty about to expire), my head is saying yes but my heart is saying no! In fact my heart is saying buy another VXR8, and man the fk up by modifying it

http://pistonheads.com/sales/2185261.htm

[deeen]

I found the inside of the E60 a totally dull, uninspiring place to be. Maybe see if you can get some sort of extended test drive in one, and see what it does for you?

Creating your own version of the VXR sounds much more likely to give you a car to fall in love with!

[scz4]

deeen said:

I found the inside of the E60 a totally dull, uninspiring place to be. Maybe see if you can get some sort of extended test drive in one, and see what it does for you?

Creating your own version of the VXR sounds much more likely to give you a car to fall in love with!

You've obviously never been in a VXR8 then In comparison the VXR8 the E60 is a gorgeous place to be. I test drive one earlier this year, it's pretty horrible, especially the hard plastics they use. Shame really as they look awesome from outside and sound good too.

[GaryST220]

scz4 said:

deeen said:

I found the inside of the E60 a totally dull, uninspiring place to be. Maybe see if you can get some sort of extended test drive in one, and see what it does for you?

Creating your own version of the VXR sounds much more likely to give you a car to fall in love with!

You've obviously never been in a VXR8 then In comparison the VXR8 the E60 is a gorgeous place to be. I test drive one earlier this year, it's pretty horrible, especially the hard plastics they use. Shame really as they look awesome from outside and sound good too.

Its a matter of opinion of course, and while I'm not questioning BMW's build quality, I quited like the cabin of the VXR8.

[CSLchappie]

If you can live with the range and mpg then go for it, it's probably one of the best cars you'll ever own (but you'll never realise it)
As far as I'm concerned warranty is a must for peace of mind and resale, there are plenty out there that have it so don't leave yourself open to future heartache by buying a leggy example out of warranty for the sake of 1-2k.

[ecain63]

Don't discount one because the warranty is due to expire. For £80 a month you can continue it with a BMW/Mondial full comp warranty. There is plenty to call 'dull' on the M5 when in P400 (or regular P500 for that matter) but that only helps in making P500 Sport that much more exciting. Its a 5 door cruiser at the end of the day, not a 2 door supercar so the styling needs to suit. What you do get is superior handling and an amazing engine. The gearbox is brilliant once you learn how to use it (ie not in D mode) and if in doubt the different settings can be tailored to suit. I love mine and I'm sure the relationship will be a long one.

[Nasir 123]

The M5s interior is amazing, at first glance it may not look it. But when you spend a couple of hours in it, then it makes sense and it's a very nice place to be. It's even better at night.

[m33ufo]

Silver with black leather probably isn't the most inspiring colour choice but the interior of any M5 is a very nice place to be. Black with cream leather always looks good (but then I would say that!).

Warranty isn't an issue, you can now purchase one for £80 per month from BMW as was mentioned above.

In summary, there's lots to love about an M5.

[ecain63]

m33ufo said:

Black with cream leather always looks good (but then I would say that!).

Black with Black leather is even better!! lol

[m33ufo]

Sorry, I should have been specific...

Opal Black with Platinum Leather and Piano Black trim. Oh, and a bit of alcantara for the headlining

[mat205125]

A forced induction VXR8 would be ticking all of the right boxes with me to be honest. Whilst I'd love the V10 wail of the M5, the scary costs would put me right off.

What about the other suspects for medium/large saloon performance? The Lexus IS-F is a particular enigma that I have read lots about, and would be interested to try.

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Is is possible to use the words "bargain", "sensible", and "Maserati" in the same sentence? How much are they anyway?

[m33ufo]

if you think M5 costs are high then Maserati would give you the shakes!

[belleair302]

Alpina B5s....arguement closed...although a Jag XFR is not a silly alternative.

[JMRS4]

I found the M5 poor to drive below 5K RPM and after that not road legal, NO torque at all, GTR on the other hand a Monster all round, frighteningly quick, the new 2012 model even faster.
I was offered the last of the M5's with only 1200 miles on it for £50K special paint and all, turned it away, my M3 was a much better car all round.

Edited by JMRS4 on Monday 22 November 16:23

[ParanoidAndroid]

m33ufo said:

if you think M5 costs are high then Maserati would give you the shakes!

Are the Masser costs that bad? Certainly for a 4 door saloon they look stunning both inside and out, although I don't think they are quite a match for the M5 in terms of performance.

[ecain63]

ParanoidAndroid said:

m33ufo said:

if you think M5 costs are high then Maserati would give you the shakes!

Are the Masser costs that bad? Certainly for a 4 door saloon they look stunning both inside and out, although I don't think they are quite a match for the M5 in terms of performance.

To be fair, the M5 was designed to be used every day and as such has a pretty good reliability rate (for a V10 sport saloon). The Maserate was designed as a toy (unless you didnt give a hoot and had the money and time for constant repairs) and would normally be used only 1 or 2 days a week. Cant really put them in the same bracket.

[M5 Mark]

Problem with an M5 is that there is NO way you can get in one, set all the settings to the max and drive it as it should be driven on a test drive! It's awsome, devastating and there is verly little that can get even close to it past 100mph.

Good examples, killing lamborghinis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NdEm-cdzMs

Killing GTRs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLJMdUR9JLo

There are many such videos, have a look around. As for VXR it's not even close, amazing as the VXR is, the biggest problem is as you rightly say, getting a dealer to give you the time of day and to be able to test drive it properly. If you get that chance you will sell your granny to get in one!

[m33ufo]

JMRS4 said:

I found the M5 poor to drive below 5K RPM and after that not road legal, NO torque at all, GTR on the other hand a Monster all round, frighteningly quick, the new 2012 model even faster.
I was offered the last of the M5's with only 1200 miles on it for £50K special paint and all, turned it away, my M3 was a much better car all round.

Edited by JMRS4 on Monday 22 November 16:23

Did you actually own a V10 M5? Part of the fun is revving the thing. I had a new V8 M3 and it's lacking everywhere compared to the M5. After coming from an M3 CSL the E90 was a huge disappointment. The E60 M5 brings a smile to your face in a way that the E90 never did - IMHO!

[GaryST220]

M5 Mark said:

Problem with an M5 is that there is NO way you can get in one, set all the settings to the max and drive it as it should be driven on a test drive! It's awsome, devastating and there is verly little that can get even close to it past 100mph.

Good examples, killing lamborghinis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NdEm-cdzMs

Killing GTRs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLJMdUR9JLo

There are many such videos, have a look around. As for VXR it's not even close, amazing as the VXR is, the biggest problem is as you rightly say, getting a dealer to give you the time of day and to be able to test drive it properly. If you get that chance you will sell your granny to get in one!

Why the fook did you just post that? I swear its posts like that which will cost me £25k and running costs to boot

[M5 Mark]

GaryST220 said:

M5 Mark said:

Problem with an M5 is that there is NO way you can get in one, set all the settings to the max and drive it as it should be driven on a test drive! It's awsome, devastating and there is verly little that can get even close to it past 100mph.

Good examples, killing lamborghinis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NdEm-cdzMs

Killing GTRs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLJMdUR9JLo

There are many such videos, have a look around. As for VXR it's not even close, amazing as the VXR is, the biggest problem is as you rightly say, getting a dealer to give you the time of day and to be able to test drive it properly. If you get that chance you will sell your granny to get in one!

Why the fook did you just post that? I swear its posts like that which will cost me £25k and running costs to boot

LOL 25k is a bargain I'd say