F90 M5 or DB11? Used purchase quandary...

[c10vet]

I am looking to change cars. I usually buy nearly new.

Ive had E46 M3, 992 C2S, RRS, etc, and looking to get rid of the current 535D M Sport in favour of something more engaging...

The brief - must be a daily driver, but sparkle enough to be fun every time I drive it, without compromising on too much practicality. I’m not taking family around every drive, but need to be able to do a long run every now and then, and not wince every time I try and enter an NCP!

Budget of £90k.

I have done loads of research here / YouTube / etc. My short list is a nearly new F90 M5 or a used DB11 (v12 or v8).

What do you recommend folks?!!! Welcome opinions on those two or any others I should try...

Thank you.

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Thanks @MDL111 - did look at those but for my budget you don’t get a clean main dealer one.... I do need that piece of mind, especially for a prancing horse!!

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Pistonheader101 said:

Get a nice F90 M5 comp pack for £65k. cracking motors

Thanks. I was eyeing std vs Comp Pack as heard the ride is harsher in the CP? Do seem a relative bargain at the mo....

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tomw2000 said:

M5 for me. Db11 gorgeous but the idea of what the maintenance might be scares me. I don’t know what they cost to maintain in reality - might be ok.

If you’re considering an M5 don’t discount an Amg Merc E63S. Ignore the disco light interior and give it a test drive

Thought the same on AM maintenance but they usually come with quite long service packs and warranties these days, though need to select carefully. Annual / 10k miles servicing. M servicing can be pricey too.

I considered e63s but the looks don’t do it fir me though the exhaust note does of course. Good shout - I should probably test drive, when we exit this lockdown madness...

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Phil. said:

Just bought my second F90 M5 Comp. Sold the first one last Sept and regretted it. So much performance and accessible too. Brilliant build quality. And that engine! You need a test drive

The comfort setting on the latest version is great for long journeys with a family. Then stick it in sport and it’s a beast

Check out AT. Lots of new ones for less than £90k. Just ensure they have the options you want. I picked up a 5 month old and 1500 miles with a list price of £103k for less than £74k from a main dealer.

Wow! Great deal. Congrats. Any downsides?

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Phil. said:

Nothing so far. Buying nearly new meant the running in service at 1k miles had been completed so I could jump in it and enjoy all the power and torque It’s so quick though, you do have to keep an eye on the speed.

Thanks Phil. May I ask what the dealer had it listed at and how easy it was to get them to your buy price? Just trying to modulate what the real deals are at present!

Cheers.

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Phil. said:

c10vet said:

Thanks Phil. May I ask what the dealer had it listed at and how easy it was to get them to your buy price? Just trying to modulate what the real deals are at present!

Cheers.

I didn’t negotiate on price because it was the best out there and they gave me a decent trade in price. Having said that I did negotiate on a few new ones and getting £20k+ off list was fairly easy. Eventually I decided that a nearly new one with a further £10k-£20k of depreciation already accounted for was the best financial option.

This is the same dealer as mine, although different locations and specs but the same price:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012117...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010285...

If you go for one make sure it’s a facelift version as the suspension and ride is much improved.

Thanks Phil 👍

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EC2 said:

I went to try a Rapide once as a plan to fold two cars into one. Loved it other than the distance between the bottom of the B pillar and the back of the sill made it really hard to get my feet through the back doors. Fine once you are in but the family would have moaned too much for it to be a runner IMHO.

I did look at those. I find them charming but pretty long in the tooth now. I would like some tech at least...!

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EC2 said:

Phil. said:

EC2 said:

Depends if you want finance on an M5 as the new cars have very low rate APR PCP finance so they might end up cheaper over a few years than a nearly new one on a bigger APR. Obviously if you are paying cash then go for value.

Agreed, but you still need to take in to account the additional £10k-£20k early depreciation on a new discounted car compared to a nearly new one, when considering the finance costs. That’s a lot of interest over a few years. Plus there are still some low interest personal loans about for those with a good credit record.

Agreed, all depends how you are financing but the difference between 2% and 6% APR can destroy the up front discount on the used car. Sure unsecured loans to the cap or adding to a mortgage are cheaper. Sometimes though people go for convenience or the security of the put option given how much the car industry will change over the next few years.

I’m going all in with cash. (I know - flash git)..,

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Phil. said:

c10vet said:

I’m going all in with cash. (I know - flash git)..,

I did the same. I found that not taking finance made no difference to the negotiations, which hasn’t always been my experience in the past.

Please update us when you’ve made a decision, with photo’s obviously

Sure thing Phil. Until I can test drive I won’t do a click and collect. So, looking forward to the lifting of lockdown so I can go test drive!

I am hoping dealers will want the cash injection so I may get a deal, but let’s see.

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ZX10R NIN said:

Was the Panamera a no?

Hi ZX10R - sorry, thought I’d replied!

It is a no. I did think about them but they’re a big boaty for me. No offence!

I think I am still on M5, DB11 or E63 as a wildcard though not crazy on the looks. Once we can I will test drive all and keep you all posted!

Thanks for all the comments and intel. Love PH!

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awg454 said:

Not that it helps I’ve got both and I never know which one to drive

You lucky lucky sausage!

If you could only have one, which one and why? M5 or DB11?

Would love a quick real World SWOT analysis if you don’t mind!

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Phil. said:

This M5C has 53 miles and a list price of £113k being offered at £79,999 before negotiations:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010134...

That’s a lot of car fur the lolly - thanks Phil. If it had brown or black leather I’d give them a call but I cannot stand Silverstone or white leather. This is where I get picky...sigh

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Phil. said:

c10vet said:

That’s a lot of car fur the lolly - thanks Phil. If it had brown or black leather I’d give them a call but I cannot stand Silverstone or white leather. This is where I get picky...sigh

I know what you mean. I decided to compromise my ideal spec a bit to get the best deal, but that doesn’t seem to matter now it’s on my drive or better still, on the road

:-)

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awg454 said:

c10vet said:

You lucky lucky sausage!

If you could only have one, which one and why? M5 or DB11?

Would love a quick real World SWOT analysis if you don’t mind!

The M5 is probably the better all rounder,better technology,build quality very good,mine is just coming up 2 years old and apart from servicing it’s not had to go to the dealers once,
The Aston has been back a few times but not for anything major just odd rattles and a sticking spoiler.
I had intended selling the M5 in March when it’s 2 years old (I use a Tesla as my daily),but don’t think I will just yet I still really enjoy the car when I use it.
But if I really had to pick I would go with the DB11

Thanks - good feedback. If I go for the M5 I know I’ll pull up next to a DB11 and regret it. Equally if I buy the DB I am still not sure how good it will be to daily.

More to ponder...

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Phil. said:

Understand that the Aston might be more of a desirable weekend or occasional car but maybe not an every day preference.

Here’s a 70 plate facelift M5C with the Comfort Plus Pack, black interior, around £106k list for £75k before negotiations

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101077...

Haha! Thanks Phil - I clicked through and found I had already favourited that one! Great minds. There are defo some deals but I am worried the M won’t feel “special” enough. I heard a couple of people say it is amazing but they just could not fall in love with it....

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memzyy said:

To me the essential ingredient of "special" feeling is the exclusivity and that doesn't come with any Merc, BMW, Audi, etc. Doesn't matter how good tech how fast how well built they are.

If you look for top notch tech, build quality, performance and a degree of special feeling i think Porsche is hard to beat.

I have DB11 and use it daily i think almost 18k miles now and it is very useable and i wouldn't change it for anything else. I take it everywhere from office to construction site to posh Hotel to back street takeaway kebab shop.

Negatives for daily usage are small boot, no useable rear seats which doesn't bother me. What sometimes bothers me in daily duties is the attention it draws. Sometimes you just want to get on with your daily routine unnoticed and that is just not possible.

Thanks Memzyy - great and useful first hand comments.

I agree on Porsche but have done 911s and nothing else attracts me in the marque, bar a 918 which is a whole different story.

I like your account if the DB and daily application (inc Bab shop). I don’t care about rear seats (I have a 7yr so hopefully would work for the 20min school run, though have a Range Rover if not), and small boot is irrelevant, again as have wife’s Rangey when needed.

I am steering towards the DB, but still need to drive both which may not change much as clearly they are both great at what they do...

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Phil. said:

I’m agreeing with you guys, and also have a RR for different duties.

I quite like the less in your face M5C versus DB11. I don’t really want to be noticed which is why I’ve never bought a Ferrari. And it’s fun sometimes when people make the mistake thinking it’s a stock 5-series as you disappear in to the distance

Having said that those that know know. I had one chap stop, stand and stare at me the other day while stationary at a junction, obviously explaining to his wife what he was looking at. I don’t see many M5’s about and enthusiasts do stop and look as you pass by.

I also like that all the tech works and it’s up with the best. Nothing more frustrating than old or unstable tech IMO. The engine and the way it handles were key influencing factors for me.

I don’t take car buying too seriously, if I get fed up with a car I’ll sell it and buy something else. I get it’s an emotional decision though and I look forward to your thoughts once you’ve driven them both

Cheers Phil. Nice thoughts.

Tempting though it is to just do a deal over the phone and have it delivered, I will indeed await the test drives.

One thing I know is they are both great propositions....lovely problem to have!!

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memzyy said:

Very good problem to have indeed.. Both are excellent at what they offer.

I adore Ranges too specially the full fat ones. Such a majestic iconic car. They have their flaws but you just forgive them.

For some some reason i never dreamed of owning a Ferrari or an Aston for that matter. I have always been fan and dreamed of BMWs. Owned a few models but never get to own an exciting M car. Even got a 7 series for couple of months in my 20s.. What the hell i was thinking....May be the rear seat space looked appealing at the time

I was in my early teens when E46 M3 came out and to date its the only car i used as desktop background. First time i saw an E92 M3 was in 2007 at the red light during my driving test. The noise of that V8 still my ears as he floored it off from the lights...

I am now thinking why i haven't ever owned a M car?? This topic might end up costing me E46/E92 M3.

Edited by memzyy on Sunday 28th February 01:23

Edited by memzyy on Sunday 28th February 01:24

Edited by memzyy on Sunday 28th February 01:27

Haha! I had an E46 M3 and it was very engaging. Tinny but unique exhaust note, and every trip felt like an event. Better than my 911 C2S, even though the SMG was a cr@p box.

One thing I don’t like on the newer F90 M5s are the newer speedos with reverse direction tacho. I prefer the first non-comp F90. Also, the LCI Comps sound like they fixed the jarring ride, but now the exhaust is bland due to the newer regs.

Ah well.....there’s always a compromise somewhere!!

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Phil. said:

Out of interest, how does the servicing cost of a DB11 compare with a M5C?

From memory, when I bought my previous M5C from new, at the running in service (1k miles) I bought a service pack that included the running in service and the next two services for £1,000. Compared to other performance cars I have owned this seemed pretty reasonable.

Great question Phil - service packs aside, what are the normal DB vs M5 servicing / running costs. I hear a grand a year should cover the servicing....? (Excluding any silly major needs).

Thoughts and experience all? If whichever car I pick is great then I may just keep it for 5-10yrs!