BMW e39 M5 vs. e60 M5
Discussion
apart from price and engine size (one being the V8 and the other a V10) i can't see that much difference between them performance wise, or am i talking out of my ar$e?
both hit 60 in just under 5sec and both are limited to 155. I assume that both will get to 155 in about the same time too.
I would like an e39 M5 and with the prices dropping like stones, they are looking more tempting every time i check up on their prices.
both hit 60 in just under 5sec and both are limited to 155. I assume that both will get to 155 in about the same time too.
I would like an e39 M5 and with the prices dropping like stones, they are looking more tempting every time i check up on their prices.
E39 M5s are fantastic cars that can be had for a bargain purchase price. Just be aware the running costs can be high.
Although a quick car, don't make the mistake of thinking it's as fast as an E60 M5, It's not. Once over 100, the E60 is fully getting into it's stride. At a VMAX we had my E39, still accellerating through the speedtrap at 164 and Adamt's E60 having hit the limiter at 164, 1/4 of a mile before the speedtrap!
The E60 is also a different driving experience with the SMG adjustable gearbox and the different suspension settings. Ability to stick it in auto mode when in traffic etc.
DAZ
(Got an E39, frequently drive my brother's E60)
Although a quick car, don't make the mistake of thinking it's as fast as an E60 M5, It's not. Once over 100, the E60 is fully getting into it's stride. At a VMAX we had my E39, still accellerating through the speedtrap at 164 and Adamt's E60 having hit the limiter at 164, 1/4 of a mile before the speedtrap!
The E60 is also a different driving experience with the SMG adjustable gearbox and the different suspension settings. Ability to stick it in auto mode when in traffic etc.
DAZ
(Got an E39, frequently drive my brother's E60)
Also, don't think for a second the build quality is the same.
The new car is miles ahead - I'm in an E60 525d loaner today whilst the old bruiser goes in for it's "I trust you know a good proctologist, Sir" service - it is superb.
Having driven an E60 M5 too, in reasonable anger, I can vouch for it's immense ability to cossett and slay with equal aplomb: hyper solid cabins, first rate material quality and zero cabin squeak or rattle, even around this crumbling town's dark age dirt tracks masquerading as roads...
Although after this little experience, I can't imagine how anyone could argue against the 535d variant which I now intend to test drive.
Having said all that, the E39 M5 is now almost bargain banger money in the great scheme of things and ito bangs per buck it would be immoral not to consider it.
The new car is miles ahead - I'm in an E60 525d loaner today whilst the old bruiser goes in for it's "I trust you know a good proctologist, Sir" service - it is superb.
Having driven an E60 M5 too, in reasonable anger, I can vouch for it's immense ability to cossett and slay with equal aplomb: hyper solid cabins, first rate material quality and zero cabin squeak or rattle, even around this crumbling town's dark age dirt tracks masquerading as roads...
Although after this little experience, I can't imagine how anyone could argue against the 535d variant which I now intend to test drive.
Having said all that, the E39 M5 is now almost bargain banger money in the great scheme of things and ito bangs per buck it would be immoral not to consider it.
mungo said:
0-60 is a crap acceleration measurement.
What is the difference in in-gear times between the two cars? This I think will reveal more!
What is the difference in in-gear times between the two cars? This I think will reveal more!
it a good measurement for cars around town and traffic light grand prix
how often do you go 0-100 unless you live near the dartford toll booth? Sounds like i best start saving for an e60 instead then.
Knowing me i'd probably buy the e39 and then get itchy feet in a year and want the e60 anyway. I like the idea of having an auto box for around town as i have now gotten used to my steptronic box on the 530.
The E39 is a great car, but the E60 is a lot quicker
Nordschleife times from Sport AUto tests with Horst von Saurma:
8:13 --- 150.426 km/h -- BMW M5 (E60), 507 PS/1844 kg (sport auto 12/04)
8:28 --- 145.984 km/h -- BMW M5, 400PS/1833 kg (sport auto 03/99)
The E60 is about 0.3 to 0.4 seconds quicker to 60 for what it's worth, but over 1 second quicker to 100 and over 4 seconds quicker to 125.
Nordschleife times from Sport AUto tests with Horst von Saurma:
8:13 --- 150.426 km/h -- BMW M5 (E60), 507 PS/1844 kg (sport auto 12/04)
8:28 --- 145.984 km/h -- BMW M5, 400PS/1833 kg (sport auto 03/99)
The E60 is about 0.3 to 0.4 seconds quicker to 60 for what it's worth, but over 1 second quicker to 100 and over 4 seconds quicker to 125.
Aint no where near the same, but you can now get an E60 545i with sports suspension and big wheels for £24k from a dealer! Thats 333BHP of 4.4 V8 and a close setup to the M-Tech version (though not the same - M-Tech is fundamentally stiffer, stronger and better). Thats less than 1/2 of what it was just over 3 years ago.....
But now we are starting to see the E39 M5 for near £10k - it wont be long before it breaks this psychological barrier and at which point it becomes cracking good value for money. Though be warned - cheap definately isnt chearful and a good condition E39 is still worth good money....
Mind you still want an E60 - complete with headup display and all of the toys...
But now we are starting to see the E39 M5 for near £10k - it wont be long before it breaks this psychological barrier and at which point it becomes cracking good value for money. Though be warned - cheap definately isnt chearful and a good condition E39 is still worth good money....
Mind you still want an E60 - complete with headup display and all of the toys...
Edited by off_again on Monday 17th July 15:35
Good value the car maybe but imho the car looks so dated now that i'm not sure who would want to buy one.My M3 is starting to look very leggy now and as soon as the new one comes out it will really look banger money.
Thing is with bmws they really dont age as well as they used to,so buying a nice e39 for 15k might be a bargin in terms of performance and fun,but do you really want a car that looks worth 3k and may cost that just to run it?
Thing is with bmws they really dont age as well as they used to,so buying a nice e39 for 15k might be a bargin in terms of performance and fun,but do you really want a car that looks worth 3k and may cost that just to run it?
rob05 said:
Good value the car maybe but imho the car looks so dated now that i'm not sure who would want to buy one.My M3 is starting to look very leggy now and as soon as the new one comes out it will really look banger money.
Thing is with bmws they really dont age as well as they used to,so buying a nice e39 for 15k might be a bargin in terms of performance and fun,but do you really want a car that looks worth 3k and may cost that just to run it?
Thing is with bmws they really dont age as well as they used to,so buying a nice e39 for 15k might be a bargin in terms of performance and fun,but do you really want a car that looks worth 3k and may cost that just to run it?
Maybe but this is PistonHeads, not PosingGenitalia.
Funny that, Pod, my old barge was really struggling at Brunters whereas previously, it was a 160+ no problemski - I blame Bliar since the heat would sound like a lame excuse, not to mention the inbuilt BMW inhibitor that deliberately slows me down before the anual raddish insertion.
Of course, the key to the E39 M5 is to whack on a fack orf pair of double barrelled APs on't front and revel in the sublime chassis, traction off.
It's still quite fast once past Agincourt but it's twin appeal lies within the appreciation of it's fine versatility but also, latterly, it's much cheapness for a classic recipe of finest growl.
I'd buy two.
Of course, the key to the E39 M5 is to whack on a fack orf pair of double barrelled APs on't front and revel in the sublime chassis, traction off.
It's still quite fast once past Agincourt but it's twin appeal lies within the appreciation of it's fine versatility but also, latterly, it's much cheapness for a classic recipe of finest growl.
I'd buy two.
_deano said:
Sounds like i best start saving for an e60 instead then.
Life's too short. Buy an E39 now and wait a little longer for your E60 and pick it up further down the depreciation curve.
The E39 is a very quick car, it's just that the E60 in bonkers mode is 996TT X50 quick! (Well until about 140, also tested at a VMAX event)
DAZ
Nothing to do with posing, these cars are expensive to run so when newish they give better value for money,so to sink 15k(for a nice one)into a car that looks old and will cost a small fortune to run does'nt make sense to me.I have a 3 year old car that has cost me 2k already in runing costs after just 3 months and that includes the expensive warranty.
Not much chance you will find many 10k M5s with warranty so for me its not an easy car to buy with peace of mind,each to there own,mine is just another opinion and its not based on snobbery.
Not much chance you will find many 10k M5s with warranty so for me its not an easy car to buy with peace of mind,each to there own,mine is just another opinion and its not based on snobbery.
Chill, Winstan. 
An E60 M5 bought now is going to see you walk like J Wayne c/o depreciation.
An E39, even with servicing bills, is unlikley to cost anything similar.
Don't get me wrong, however - the E60 is a far, far better car although I maintain my belief that the 535d is the best car BMW currently produce.
An E60 M5 bought now is going to see you walk like J Wayne c/o depreciation.
An E39, even with servicing bills, is unlikley to cost anything similar.
Don't get me wrong, however - the E60 is a far, far better car although I maintain my belief that the 535d is the best car BMW currently produce.
rob05 said:
Nothing to do with posing, these cars are expensive to run so when newish they give better value for money,so to sink 15k(for a nice one)into a car that looks old and will cost a small fortune to run does'nt make sense to me.I have a 3 year old car that has cost me 2k already in runing costs after just 3 months and that includes the expensive warranty.
Not much chance you will find many 10k M5s with warranty so for me its not an easy car to buy with peace of mind,each to there own,mine is just another opinion and its not based on snobbery.
Not much chance you will find many 10k M5s with warranty so for me its not an easy car to buy with peace of mind,each to there own,mine is just another opinion and its not based on snobbery.
I regard the E39 as a classic shape and luckily for my overdraft I do not suffer from "musthavethelatestshapeitis". I have a habit of buying cars just after the new model has come out and prices have experienced freefall (witness S class before buying the M5).
People buy these cars with different priorities. I'm just happy running an everyday car with four doors that takes five people and goes as quickly as a standard 911. I only do 7/8k miles per year in it and if I get one or two unexpected £3k vanos bills during four years of ownership then so be it. Although I can understand why the potential for unexpected bills may put people off, especially those intending to do high mileages in them or those without the abilty to pay the occasionaly few £k repair bill. Same goes for any M series car, the potential need for repairs is why BMW have recently hiked up the cost of M car warranties including not allowing warranties to be taken out once the vehciles pass 100k miles.
DAZ
Edited by dazren on Monday 17th July 17:43
dazren said:
rob05 said:
Nothing to do with posing, these cars are expensive to run so when newish they give better value for money,so to sink 15k(for a nice one)into a car that looks old and will cost a small fortune to run does'nt make sense to me.I have a 3 year old car that has cost me 2k already in runing costs after just 3 months and that includes the expensive warranty.
Not much chance you will find many 10k M5s with warranty so for me its not an easy car to buy with peace of mind,each to there own,mine is just another opinion and its not based on snobbery.
Not much chance you will find many 10k M5s with warranty so for me its not an easy car to buy with peace of mind,each to there own,mine is just another opinion and its not based on snobbery.
I regard the E39 as a classic shape and luckily for my overdraft I do not suffer from "musthavethelatestshapeitis". I have a habit of buying cars just after the new model has come out and prices have experienced freefall (witness S class before buying the M5).
People buy these cars with different priorities. I'm just happy running an everyday car with four doors that takes five people and goes as quickly as a standard 911. I only do 7/8k miles per year in it and if I get one or two unexpected £3k vanos bills during four years of ownership then so be it. Although I can understand why the potential for unexpected bills may put people off, especially those intending to do high mileages in them or those without the abilty to pay the occasionaly few £k repair bill. Same goes for any M series car, the potential need for repairs is why BMW have recently hiked up the cost of M car warranties including not allowing warranties to be taken out once the vehciles pass 100k miles.
DAZ
Edited by dazren on Monday 17th July 17:43
While the E60 is a technological marvel compared to the E39, and it'll blow it away on every level, the E39 has a secret weapon:
It doesn't look like Dame Edna Everage.
An E60, yesterday:
Dame Edna, last week:
Yes, the E60 is more than a little Dame Edna but goes like stink. The E39 has more torque and therefore pulls away easier at very low speeds. The cars are very different in nature. I like to think of the E39 as a charging rhino but the E60 as the starship enterprise - all hi-tech and warp speed - whoosh!
Both are excellent cars and unbeaten at carrying five people very quickly.
Both are excellent cars and unbeaten at carrying five people very quickly.
rob05 said:
Ah i see we agree on something then,the E60 M5 is a mega car but far to expensive when you add the options and take into account the depreciation.Your not to far off the mark imho with the 535d,a great car.
Don't agree at all. In fact, the E60 M5 is one of the best bargains on the market. Just look at the price of the competition. It costs half the money of any other car with 500 bhp or similar performance. It is very well equipped as standard and depreciation is NOT at this stage worse than that of any comparable car. Edited by rob05 on Monday 17th July 17:23
As you drive one i can see where your coming from but i dont agree.Yes its a great car but for me anyway its not all about performance if it was i'd be in an evo 8 for half the price and similar 0-62 times,fits five etc...
The car is just not special enough for that kind of money and there are other new and used cars i'd choose before i would consider the M5,997,997s 996 gt2,gt3,turbo or a good used 360,although i would have to drive the 360 again as i was'nt won over the first time i drove it.
Also i'm no fan of smg so that would kill it for me,dont get me wrong i know the M5 is a great car that would wipe the floor with most things on the road,i just dont think a 5 series is worth that type of money.
The car is just not special enough for that kind of money and there are other new and used cars i'd choose before i would consider the M5,997,997s 996 gt2,gt3,turbo or a good used 360,although i would have to drive the 360 again as i was'nt won over the first time i drove it.
Also i'm no fan of smg so that would kill it for me,dont get me wrong i know the M5 is a great car that would wipe the floor with most things on the road,i just dont think a 5 series is worth that type of money.
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