e39 M5 to a Boxster S?
Discussion
I've recently put a couple of posts up explaining how i've been toying with the idea of parting company with the old trusty e39 M5. Umming and ahhring whether to keep it or spend some money making it mint. Basically i work about 2 miles away from where i live now so the car really isn't getting used as it should, so maybe i'm being stupid keeping it but i've struggled to find a car to replace it! Today i had a free day so went out for a browse at local showroom where they had a nice Porsche Boxster S, i've always liked them and now that i'm not doing the mileage i used to maybe it might be a worthy replacement? Has anyone got any views on them or have downsized to one? Am i likely to be disappointed by the way it goes?!
I would buy a Cayman....way better car, quick as a 911 and better to drive. You will miss the space, but the Porsche has sharper steering, better throttle response, no issues over traction control and way better brakes. What it does not have is storage space, the same engine note and the same road presence.
Otherwise spend some cash making your M5 faster, sharper and louder! An extra 50 bhp is easily found and a new exhaust, engine parts, plus brakes and some suspension parts will give you a stunning car.
Otherwise spend some cash making your M5 faster, sharper and louder! An extra 50 bhp is easily found and a new exhaust, engine parts, plus brakes and some suspension parts will give you a stunning car.
Cayman would be too expensive, i'm thinking sub 10k and i'm not sure on the look of them to be honest anyway. I just like the early mk1 version of the Boxsters, i like the simplicity of them. 3.2, mid engined, rear wheel drive and built the way a car should be... I wouldn't go mad with the M5 either, i like mods you cant see, that keep the car looking standard. A brake upgrade would be nice though, one thing that was seriously overlooked on a 400 bhp car- i mean they stop it, but in a fashion. Worst bit of the car in my eyes.
Hiya
I'd also put forward that 50bhp isn't as 'easily' found as the previous poster makes it out to be! To extract perhaps a genuine 30-35 BHP out of an otherwise standard E39 M5, I'd estimate you'd spend around the £2000 mark, that'd be with a change of the headers. A full exhaust with the racing cats I think liberates that remaining 15-20 bhp and a full exhaust I'd say would be well north of £2500. If that's as 'easy' to you as it seems to be from the previous poster! then give it a go !
The 'standard' BBK upgrade for the E39 M5 is the usual Brembo or StopTech's which will be around the £4000 mark for the front's and rears. Alternatives do exist, and there's some very favourable feedback from some of the E46 M3 guys who are running K Sport BBK's and they'll do a set for the E39 M5 at approx £850+ for the fronts and the same for the rears.
The PSS9 suspension is also often mentioned for these cars, excellent suspension no doubt, and that weighs in at perhaps £1750 or so. Alternatives are the BC Racing coilovers at approx £650 for the set.
There's ALL the information and reviews and discussion all things E39 M5 on M5board and also plenty of disucssion here on PH too!
Can you tell I think you should in fact hold onto the M5, modify it 'discreetly' and it'll feel like a whole new car again
Cheers, Dennis!
I'd also put forward that 50bhp isn't as 'easily' found as the previous poster makes it out to be! To extract perhaps a genuine 30-35 BHP out of an otherwise standard E39 M5, I'd estimate you'd spend around the £2000 mark, that'd be with a change of the headers. A full exhaust with the racing cats I think liberates that remaining 15-20 bhp and a full exhaust I'd say would be well north of £2500. If that's as 'easy' to you as it seems to be from the previous poster! then give it a go !
The 'standard' BBK upgrade for the E39 M5 is the usual Brembo or StopTech's which will be around the £4000 mark for the front's and rears. Alternatives do exist, and there's some very favourable feedback from some of the E46 M3 guys who are running K Sport BBK's and they'll do a set for the E39 M5 at approx £850+ for the fronts and the same for the rears.
The PSS9 suspension is also often mentioned for these cars, excellent suspension no doubt, and that weighs in at perhaps £1750 or so. Alternatives are the BC Racing coilovers at approx £650 for the set.
There's ALL the information and reviews and discussion all things E39 M5 on M5board and also plenty of disucssion here on PH too!
Can you tell I think you should in fact hold onto the M5, modify it 'discreetly' and it'll feel like a whole new car again
Cheers, Dennis!
As you know its going to be very different so why don't you try one, they are somewhat of a bargain. What sort of journeys will you be doing? Will you still get to use the car enough to get the most out of it? I had a 968CS and felt that every time I drove it I had to try and live upto its reputation and just got frustrated by traffic etc. The same is true of the M5 but at least you have all the toys and total comfort while you are sat in traffic. Sounds like you have an itch to scratch, let's just hope you don't come back on her in a few months regretting it. Shd be a lot cheaper to run if you get a good one though.
No matter how much you spend or upgrade on the E39, it will still be a 1700kg saloon and no match for a Boxster on twisty country roads. Conversely, you would miss the stump-pulling torque of the S62, its overtaking punch, the V8ness and the comfort, space, build and sheer versatility of the E39. So it depends on what type of driving you do and what your priorities are.
I personally find the E39's brakes fine for a road car - their issue is fade, but this doesn't come into play in normal road driving. If you are having problems, a change of pads and fluid might help.
I personally find the E39's brakes fine for a road car - their issue is fade, but this doesn't come into play in normal road driving. If you are having problems, a change of pads and fluid might help.
All you are doing is contemplating a change from one of the best sports saloons in the world to one of the best sports cars ever made.
Personally I would miss the V8 grunt and exclusivity.
Re my own car,I have just spent around 5k on a refresh with suspension, big brakes,wheel refurb and a front end repaint.It was either this or spend another 15k on another motor which will still depreciate and wont be as sorted in the chassis and brakes.
Personally I would miss the V8 grunt and exclusivity.
Re my own car,I have just spent around 5k on a refresh with suspension, big brakes,wheel refurb and a front end repaint.It was either this or spend another 15k on another motor which will still depreciate and wont be as sorted in the chassis and brakes.
The car would be used really for the odd weekend blast and nothing more, we have an mk1 mx5 as a second car for the odd shopping trip. I did consider the "refresh" side of things with the m5. The front end has already been resprayed and had all trolley dings taken out of the doors sorted, so just the back really to give a once over to remove small surface scratches. Then the bodywork is mint. Again wheels the been refurbed not that long ago in the proper shadow chrome too. One thing i wouldn't mind doing is a refurb on the interior if i kept it, as the seats could do with having the colour put back in as the car has 193,000 miles on it at present. So theres signs of surface wear. Dont know where i could get this done or how much it would cost to be honest. Seats are black / heritage leather.
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