M5, 911 or Audi S5?

[bluepony]

I was on last week about choosing a "new" car...I've narrowed it right down after a lot of research:

BMW M5 2005/06 plate
Porsche 911 (996) 04 plate
Audi S5 or A5 3.0TD 07 plate

They are all awesome in their own way - the M5 is an iconic car in my opinion and as we now know is the last naturally aspirated M5 ever, the 911 needs no introduction...the S5 also and the 3.0Tdi is incredibly fast for what it is yet does 45mpg... but will I always regret not buying an M5 if I get an Audi? Or will it bankrupt me in a week?

[jr123]

which 996? GT3/Turbo etc

[bluepony]

Turbo or the 3.6l engined ones(but not the "slower" models with the tiptronic box)

[soad]

Porker, unless you need a bigger car = M5
But porker's abit dated

[DavidY]

Porsche, the Audi is nice place to sit, but it's not a Porsche, Both the Audi and M5 will have quite a lot of depreciating to do, the Porsche is possibly the cheapest of the three taking depreciation during ownership into account.

davidy

[gareth.e]

depends what you want it to do.. But I'd love an M5 out of that list personally

[JeS10]

M5 if you need size. Porsche if you don't.

[bluepony]

JeS10 said:

M5. I suppose you will get inundated with people asking what you want from the car etc. Really though - M5.

I want a massive grin on my face every time I see it or drive it...which will be every day. It will be my main car (but I'm away a lot on the winter so it will have plenty of down time).

Edited by bluepony on Tuesday 8th March 19:09

[JeS10]

I edited my post - to balance it. I reckon the M5 will provide such a feat. I'm not in the position to enjoy such a thing, but from what i've picked up the grin factor is, generally, high.

[sparks_E39]

M5, although in the same price bracket I would be looking at a DB7 V12 Vantage perhaps.

[jackal]

GT3

[Lancs Jag Boy]

I'm not sure that the 3.0tdi A5 is a fair contender in this choice.

If you fancy a diesel, then you probably need another list

[Chicane-UK]

Was gonna say - the A5 (and a diesel at that!) doesn't even belong in the list with an S5, M5 and a 996 911!!

Does depend what you want. Would be a tough choice between an M5 and the 996 for me. For sheer straight line pace I think the M5 would be a riot but I think for something more involving and a bit more special, would have to be a 911 for me.

[pilchardthecat]

The S5 is a very disappointing car.

M5 and 911 both in a completely different league.

[bluepony]

Haha the A5 diesel is only included because for a diesel a 0-60 time of 5.9 seconds is impressive... I don't want it but its the sensible choice...but screw sensible!!!!
I'm definitely 70/30 in favour of an M5 right now...with a good warranty.

[Fox-]

The M5 is mind numbingly awesome but mind numbingly expensive to run. If you were the sort of person who could happily run an M5 the A5 3.0 TDI wouldnt even enter your head let alone make its way onto a shortlist with the M5.

The S5 isn't an M car rival either, it's probably more a 335i rival.

[Presuming Ed]

Another vote for the 996, a facelifted manual C2 will be very nice.

I can't quite understand how the Audis have got into the list, without sounding rude it looks from you list like you want something to look good in rather then a drivers car.

[bluepony]

Ouch! Want a drivers car but yes, it has to be nice to look at. Otherwise I'd buy an Evo. Running costs not an issue but only briefly considered the A5 diesel when the papers said we might hit £2/l for petrol... but hey, I've decided to go down fighting so sod the diesel.

[Fox-]

bluepony said:

Ouch! Want a drivers car but yes, it has to be nice to look at. Otherwise I'd buy an Evo. Running costs not an issue but only briefly considered the A5 diesel when the papers said we might hit £2/l for petrol... but hey, I've decided to go down fighting so sod the diesel.

Petrol isnt the problem with the M5. Well it is, but, other stuff makes the petrol look cheap.