Buying M5 E60

[barrisimo]

Planning on getting an E60 M5 and trying to decide on buying a high spec low mileage car around 18 months old for about £55k or possibly an import new from www.eclasslondon.com - can get a well spec'd new car for £62k and only a 4 month delivery time. Wanted to know if anyone new anything about www.eclasslondon.com and also interested from owners as to what extras you think are really worth having as the basic spec is better than my C4S had even after I'd put £7.5k of extras on it but I do tend to get a little carried away on this front. I plan to keep the car for 3 years if bought second hand and 5 years if bought new.

[dazren]

Hmmm interesting trade off. Buy new or save 15/16% on a car you will be keeping for 3 to 5 years. In this scenario I'd go the new route, but would want to be absolutely sure I've got the future back up of my local BMW dealership! ie I'd go for a base spec car from your local garge with a cheap functional options, should come in at sub £65k.

Options is all down to personal taste, only spec what you will use. My brother's got an E60 M5 which I drive regularly and it has the following cost options:

Moving Seat bolsters - I find them annoying so always switch it off.
TV module - don't use it.
Ski through hatch - could be useful think it was a v.cheap option.
Side and rear blinds. - works fine.
Bluetooth for phone - works fine.

[barrisimo]

I'm not buying new in this country I'm not willing to wait 18 months for a new car as I am getting bored driving around in the wife's Polo GTI.

[dazren]

18 months?????

Have you tried other UK dealers? My brother got his in Dec 05 having ordered it in Feb 05. When I ordered my porsche in Aug 01 I was told 18 months and had it 8 months later in Apr 02. I can't believe there is still a long waiting list for the M5.

[dazren]

Interesting thread from 6 months ago. In particular the last post.

www.m5board.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=73781&highlight=Waiting+List

[john_r]

I think the waiting list is bollox to keep demand coming in - all they do is bounce a BMW head office or dealer car down the list if it means they sell a 'flagship' car to a real punter. I was told if I paid a £1,500 deposit 'today' I could have a car within 3-5 months or alternatively I could make an offer on their 3 month old fully loaded demo and drive it away within a week.

I would advise against buying an import - the spec is different, i.e. no DAB, single CD only, etc; and the European warranty is only 2 years... Any warranty claims within the 2 years have to be referred back to Germany on a car being driven outside of the supplying country; apparently this can take up to 14 days for them to agree to a repair, which is a bloody long time to wait! Warranty is also from the build completion date in Germany if the car is due for 'non-BMW' export; irrelevant of when the car is first registered in the destination country. A BMW UK supplied car is warranteed as from delivery date to the first owner in the UK.

As for Dazren comments re extras - I totally agree!:

TV - never use
Bolsters - switched off auto function as annoying and just use 'size to fit'
Blinds - yep, they work
Bluetooth - invaluable
Sun protection glass - dark rear windows - looks nice and does keep the interior cooler on hot days

Edited by john_r on Thursday 28th December 16:59

[barrisimo]

Thanks John R - the car would be totally UK spec apparently as they arrange that with the local dealer, the 2 year warranty is not an issue as that's going to be more than that left on an 18 month old car and I could probably put up with a potntial 14 day wait to save £7k - I can basically get a new my spec car for the price of an 18 month old vehicle so still tempted but appreciate the extra info.

[w8pmc]

You could of course just buy mine.

It's for sale in PH Classifieds & a long way under the £55K you've been offered.

No such thing as a well spec'd NEW M5 for £62K. A full spec new M5 is over £73K if you want proper toys.

Mine is fully loaded with the only option not taken being heated rear seats (i never have passengers in the back).

Drop me a line.

[barrisimo]

Tempted buy set my heart on a black one for the full drug dealer look!

[john_r]

barrisimo said:

Tempted buy set my heart on a black one for the full drug dealer look!

Oh yes... black on black with tints... worked for me!

[Ashok]

I've heard nothing but good things about Gareth at Bespoke Auto Consulting - worth giving him a call.

Hudsons of Stoke Poges have a new one (Black/Black) but they want £71k!!

Edited by Ashok on Saturday 30th December 12:30

[Zod]

john_r said:

I think the waiting list is bollox to keep demand coming in - all they do is bounce a BMW head office or dealer car down the list if it means they sell a 'flagship' car to a real punter. I was told if I paid a £1,500 deposit 'today' I could have a car within 3-5 months or alternatively I could make an offer on their 3 month old fully loaded demo and drive it away within a week.

I would advise against buying an import - the spec is different, i.e. no DAB, single CD only, etc; and the European warranty is only 2 years... Any warranty claims within the 2 years have to be referred back to Germany on a car being driven outside of the supplying country; apparently this can take up to 14 days for them to agree to a repair, which is a bloody long time to wait! Warranty is also from the build completion date in Germany if the car is due for 'non-BMW' export; irrelevant of when the car is first registered in the destination country. A BMW UK supplied car is warranteed as from delivery date to the first owner in the UK.

As for Dazren comments re extras - I totally agree!:

TV - never use
Bolsters - switched off auto function as annoying and just use 'size to fit'
Blinds - yep, they work
Bluetooth - invaluable
Sun protection glass - dark rear windows - looks nice and does keep the interior cooler on hot days

Edited by john_r on Thursday 28th December 16:59

I still like the bolsters.