Returning to BMW......possibly!
Discussion
Seriously considering selling my porker and getting back into a BMW 
, (my previous car before the 911 was a manual E39 535 with all of the sport goodies). Have decided that too much cash is tied up in what is effectively a toy so looking for a bit cheaper, more practical car but still one I can get out and enjoy caning when the kiddies are not in it 
.
I loved the 911 for the year I've had it but despite several outings with the 2 kids in the back, trying to convince myself of its practicality, it is just too compromised for me with the kiddiewinkles......so I think it will be going up for sale this coming week and I've started looking at ads for E39 M5's and E46 M3's.
Having previously had a E39 V8
for almost 2 years and enjoyed it a lot with no hassles or breakdowns I am migrating towards the M5, they also seem very good value with plenty of really nicely specced cars in the high teens and low 20's. However it is an older design of car than the more modern E46 and there seems to be quite a few nice examples of M3's around for 20-ish also. In terms of practicality I'm sure both would be more user friendly for the brats than the 911 but obviously the 4 door M5 would be better in this regard.
I wanted to post this up and seek advice and also anything I should be careful of and any opinions you may have on the respective merits of each. I hear the VANOS system can be an expensive problem on both cars - what's the score with this, is the failure generally mileage related? Also any M3/M5 owners thinking about changing into a minted facelift C2, keep an eye out for my ad, there may be scope for a deal!
, (my previous car before the 911 was a manual E39 535 with all of the sport goodies). Have decided that too much cash is tied up in what is effectively a toy so looking for a bit cheaper, more practical car but still one I can get out and enjoy caning when the kiddies are not in it . I loved the 911 for the year I've had it but despite several outings with the 2 kids in the back, trying to convince myself of its practicality, it is just too compromised for me with the kiddiewinkles......so I think it will be going up for sale this coming week and I've started looking at ads for E39 M5's and E46 M3's.
Having previously had a E39 V8
for almost 2 years and enjoyed it a lot with no hassles or breakdowns I am migrating towards the M5, they also seem very good value with plenty of really nicely specced cars in the high teens and low 20's. However it is an older design of car than the more modern E46 and there seems to be quite a few nice examples of M3's around for 20-ish also. In terms of practicality I'm sure both would be more user friendly for the brats than the 911 but obviously the 4 door M5 would be better in this regard. I wanted to post this up and seek advice and also anything I should be careful of and any opinions you may have on the respective merits of each. I hear the VANOS system can be an expensive problem on both cars - what's the score with this, is the failure generally mileage related? Also any M3/M5 owners thinking about changing into a minted facelift C2, keep an eye out for my ad, there may be scope for a deal!
I'm told that the VANOS issue isn't common on the E46 M3, unlike it's predecessor. There is, however, a VANOS issue with the E39 M5 which has been much discussed on this forum, have search for it (searching for "E39 VANOS" should do the trick!). Apparently it costs approximately £3,600 per cylinder bank to fix (at a main stealer).
If it were my choice I'd go for the E46. The rear seats are large enough to accomodate younglings comfortably, and there's plenty of boot space. In addition there are a lot of them on the market, so you can pick and choose, and the new model is about to hit the streets which will put even more downward pressure on them. In my view the benefits of the E39 would only be seen if you have grown-up kids or a real excess-luggage affliction, and they come at a noticable cost over the E46.
It's true that the M5 is more exclusive, or at least less common, than the M3. But then it's an older car and not going to win any style competitions against the E46. If you want to stand out from the crowd then get a E46 in one of the M Colours (or rather just "colours", as opposed to silver or black). Imola Red, Laguna Seca Blue or Phoenix Yellow are all pretty rare on the Coupe and look pretty special when paired with matching leather.
If it were my choice I'd go for the E46. The rear seats are large enough to accomodate younglings comfortably, and there's plenty of boot space. In addition there are a lot of them on the market, so you can pick and choose, and the new model is about to hit the streets which will put even more downward pressure on them. In my view the benefits of the E39 would only be seen if you have grown-up kids or a real excess-luggage affliction, and they come at a noticable cost over the E46.
It's true that the M5 is more exclusive, or at least less common, than the M3. But then it's an older car and not going to win any style competitions against the E46. If you want to stand out from the crowd then get a E46 in one of the M Colours (or rather just "colours", as opposed to silver or black). Imola Red, Laguna Seca Blue or Phoenix Yellow are all pretty rare on the Coupe and look pretty special when paired with matching leather.
Andrew D said:
I'm told that the VANOS issue isn't common on the E46 M3, unlike it's predecessor. There is, however, a VANOS issue with the E39 M5 which has been much discussed on this forum, have search for it (searching for "E39 VANOS" should do the trick!). Apparently it costs approximately £3,600 per cylinder bank to fix (at a main stealer).
If it were my choice I'd go for the E46. The rear seats are large enough to accomodate younglings comfortably, and there's plenty of boot space. In addition there are a lot of them on the market, so you can pick and choose, and the new model is about to hit the streets which will put even more downward pressure on them. In my view the benefits of the E39 would only be seen if you have grown-up kids or a real excess-luggage affliction, and they come at a noticable cost over the E46.
It's true that the M5 is more exclusive, or at least less common, than the M3. But then it's an older car and not going to win any style competitions against the E46. If you want to stand out from the crowd then get a E46 in one of the M Colours (or rather just "colours", as opposed to silver or black). Imola Red, Laguna Seca Blue or Phoenix Yellow are all pretty rare on the Coupe and look pretty special when paired with matching leather.
If it were my choice I'd go for the E46. The rear seats are large enough to accomodate younglings comfortably, and there's plenty of boot space. In addition there are a lot of them on the market, so you can pick and choose, and the new model is about to hit the streets which will put even more downward pressure on them. In my view the benefits of the E39 would only be seen if you have grown-up kids or a real excess-luggage affliction, and they come at a noticable cost over the E46.
It's true that the M5 is more exclusive, or at least less common, than the M3. But then it's an older car and not going to win any style competitions against the E46. If you want to stand out from the crowd then get a E46 in one of the M Colours (or rather just "colours", as opposed to silver or black). Imola Red, Laguna Seca Blue or Phoenix Yellow are all pretty rare on the Coupe and look pretty special when paired with matching leather.
I agree on the colour, found a Ruby Red one on the BMW site. Looks fantastic
Cheers for the responses, I put my porker up on here last night www.pistonheads.com/sales/158216.html and have a couple of nibbles including someone offering a le mans blue 01 M5 with 34K up and BMW warranty as a part ex. Just starting to have some dialogue on a possible deal but in the mean time still interested to hear further opinions.
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