Which car after the E39 M5?
Discussion
belleair302 said:
SL55 AMG? Porsche Cayman S, Ferrari 360, Aston Martin DB9, and the lsit grows. A Corvette maybe, Alpina B10...Maserati, Audi RS6 Avant....how much do you have....how fast do you want to go??
They are all as fast if not slower though.What about the M6?...if not then i may just modify the brakes ect on the E39.
I thought about the Z06 but the lhd could be an issue
derestrictor said:
Mate, I reckon you will be thinking a well known saying within a very short space of time, post E39 M5. You don't know what you've got untill it's gone.
What he said. What you really mean is what car in addition to an E39 M5!Might I suggest a 996TT or a GT3 might make an interesting addition?
M6 is sublime (though most would not tolerate the 'box long enough to gorge upon it's repertoire) but it's a testament to the old master that I can jump out of the ubercoup (or for that matter the Alpina Lexus) and rarely worry about the frankly enormous power defecit.
My Lord Dazren of The West Country postulates similar enthusiasm and he runs a fleet of contemporary Mercs but principally an X50 996tt.
On his leadership during various Eurohoons, the old girl mixes well with some of the finest Italian stallionary...
I'll tell you how good it is: it's better than the generally feted E34 M5 which I had thought might just be perfect. Which it is but stepping straight from that into the '39 persuaded me that BMW's M folk had not only sipped from the grail of elixint autoglory juice during the critical moments of it's design but had cemented their ascent into perfectly damped, lairy Nirvana with a carefully injected moment of B road laced heroin, too, just to be safe.
Dispose of it not, young Padowan.
Bo Duke.
My Lord Dazren of The West Country postulates similar enthusiasm and he runs a fleet of contemporary Mercs but principally an X50 996tt.
On his leadership during various Eurohoons, the old girl mixes well with some of the finest Italian stallionary...
I'll tell you how good it is: it's better than the generally feted E34 M5 which I had thought might just be perfect. Which it is but stepping straight from that into the '39 persuaded me that BMW's M folk had not only sipped from the grail of elixint autoglory juice during the critical moments of it's design but had cemented their ascent into perfectly damped, lairy Nirvana with a carefully injected moment of B road laced heroin, too, just to be safe.
Dispose of it not, young Padowan.
Bo Duke.
Boulder said:
Have had the e39 for a couple of years and it does everything with great finess.
But i fancy something quicker and leaner without sacrificing too much refinment and 4 doors are not really needed.
Any suggestions welcome.
Cheers
If the budget allows, 997 GT3 Comfort - all the car I'd ever need! But i fancy something quicker and leaner without sacrificing too much refinment and 4 doors are not really needed.
Any suggestions welcome.
Cheers
Do you need 4 seats? what is your budget?
I have just changed from an E39 M5 to a Z4 M Coupe, completely different beasts. But I love it just the same. The Z4MC is a lot harder to master, and not quite as instantly rewarding as the M5, but once you get it right, there is not much to beat it.
If you need 4 seats, the CSL is a very good sugestion.
I have just changed from an E39 M5 to a Z4 M Coupe, completely different beasts. But I love it just the same. The Z4MC is a lot harder to master, and not quite as instantly rewarding as the M5, but once you get it right, there is not much to beat it.
If you need 4 seats, the CSL is a very good sugestion.
derestrictor said:
Mate, I reckon you will be thinking a well known saying within a very short space of time, post E39 M5. You don't know what you've got untill it's gone.
Now DeR - You know we've been here before. I think we shall have to look in opposite directions on this one. The E39 is capable of all the things you say, but exciting? I think not. Boulder is making the same noises I did last month. Weight, weight, weight. I ended up craving something lighter, more involving and nimble.I undertook a similar (albeit unofficial) Eurohoon fest and found the M5 slumbersome. With a blanket on my knee I did enjoy watching the (appropriately) Bavarian countryside drift by, but it wasn't what I wanted. I wanted to streak through the Swiss alps and switchbacks, loving the challenge of feeling the car through the bends and hearing the V8 warble reflect back off the face of the mountain. I wanted to arrive at the evening beer hole feeling sated from a day of experiences and sensations. But the truth is I arrived ready to start my day then instead of the day starting when I was driving. Compared to what I was looking for it was inert and dare I say lacking character?
Boulder - I'm not going to proffer any suggestions as I've been utterly seduced by the Eastern setting sun again and that's my choice for ever more, but I will say that I understand your thinking and good luck with the search.
JezF said:
Buy two cars!
All you need is a Caterham/Elise and something more sensible for the practical stuff. That's what I had for 8 years and it worked brilliantly.
This is a bit weird, I have the above and its fantastic in ways, but I'm aspiring to own wait for it...an e39 bmw M5 some day.All you need is a Caterham/Elise and something more sensible for the practical stuff. That's what I had for 8 years and it worked brilliantly.
ETA: E60 M5??
Edited by patmahe on Thursday 8th November 12:46
I too have thought about replacing my E39 M5, but there is nothing that does so much for so little cash. I long to have a 911 again, and a ropey 993 could be had for similar cash, but given that the M5 will outrun a 996, except in the twisties, I'm sure it would feel like a huge mistake, being underpowered and will taint my memories of them.
As others have suggested, you could go hardcore with an Elise/Caterham type thing and get used to lightweight, but if it's an everyday car how often are you really there, on the limit making the most of the lightweight agility.
The CSL would be an option, SLK 55 perhaps but probably too soft, TVR....mmmm let's not start that argument up, Skyline GTR probably too big, Monaro too big and basic, 996 - probably!
At the end of the day, line up a load of test drives with the E39 between each one and then make the decision.
As others have suggested, you could go hardcore with an Elise/Caterham type thing and get used to lightweight, but if it's an everyday car how often are you really there, on the limit making the most of the lightweight agility.
The CSL would be an option, SLK 55 perhaps but probably too soft, TVR....mmmm let's not start that argument up, Skyline GTR probably too big, Monaro too big and basic, 996 - probably!
At the end of the day, line up a load of test drives with the E39 between each one and then make the decision.
Smifffy said:
derestrictor said:
Mate, I reckon you will be thinking a well known saying within a very short space of time, post E39 M5. You don't know what you've got untill it's gone.
Now DeR - You know we've been here before. I think we shall have to look in opposite directions on this one. The E39 is capable of all the things you say, but exciting? I think not. Boulder is making the same noises I did last month. Weight, weight, weight. I ended up craving something lighter, more involving and nimble.I undertook a similar (albeit unofficial) Eurohoon fest and found the M5 slumbersome. With a blanket on my knee I did enjoy watching the (appropriately) Bavarian countryside drift by, but it wasn't what I wanted. I wanted to streak through the Swiss alps and switchbacks, loving the challenge of feeling the car through the bends and hearing the V8 warble reflect back off the face of the mountain. I wanted to arrive at the evening beer hole feeling sated from a day of experiences and sensations. But the truth is I arrived ready to start my day then instead of the day starting when I was driving. Compared to what I was looking for it was inert and dare I say lacking character?
Boulder - I'm not going to proffer any suggestions as I've been utterly seduced by the Eastern setting sun again and that's my choice for ever more, but I will say that I understand your thinking and good luck with the search.
I appreciate the M5 is not an out and out sports car but if its not powersliding it aint happy-this is where it feels best with loads of oppo lock on,At 5 tenths though its quite detached and un wieldy.
I think a CSL might be on the cards.
Boulder said:
Then get back in the M5 and realise how nice it is.But although the cossies are pretty crude they are always exciting to drive.
And here's the problem - It's a nice car. If ever there was damning by faint praise there it is.Boulder said:
I appreciate the M5 is not an out and out sports car but if its not powersliding it aint happy-this is where it feels best with loads of oppo lock on,At 5 tenths though its quite detached and un wieldy.
Spot on. 
It's refreshing to hear someone who's come away from owning an e39 M5 with the same feelings.
Thing is, people reading my posts may get the impression I didn't like it and that's far from the truth. It's just not what I wanted from my car.
Boulder said:
I think a CSL might be on the cards.
Hmm... It might just be the answer? When I was looking they were just outside what I wanted to pay. Time for some research. 
Edited by Smifffy on Friday 9th November 07:49
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/202124.htm
£30k appears to be the entry point.
It weighs 1380 kgs. Pretty good for a lardy Bimmer.
Maybe it was the only BMW that might have made me happy. Ah well. I'll never know now
Good luck Boulder....
£30k appears to be the entry point.
It weighs 1380 kgs. Pretty good for a lardy Bimmer.
Maybe it was the only BMW that might have made me happy. Ah well. I'll never know now
Good luck Boulder....Edited by Smifffy on Friday 9th November 07:54
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