M3 vs M5 vs 330 sport for 20k
Discussion
After a long break from ph i can now start to get exited about getting a car again, now with third member to family and a buisiness to run I dont have the time, patients or budget to run a cerby. M cars are stroking me though! Did a search and found nothing so any help recived greatfully.
I loved my E39 M5 and you can't beat it for practicality either. There are a number of good 'uns around now at around £20k and one drive behind that gorgeous V8 should convince you.
The M3 is a different experience altogether - more spritely and nimble but lacks the space & grace of it's big brother.
Lots of specialist info at m5board.com
The M3 is a different experience altogether - more spritely and nimble but lacks the space & grace of it's big brother.
Lots of specialist info at m5board.com
I owned an E36 M3 3.2 and more recently, while the E39 M5 was being fixed I was loaned an E46 M3, which was basically the same as the E36
Both were *rubbish*
Get the M5 every time. The E46 made up slightly for its pathetic engine for a bit more nimbleness, but you simply can't get close to that grunty 5 litre. Servicing costs cheaper too (My first light went out 5k after service and the services work out cheaper anyhow)
The M3 made a dreadful racket all the time as well, only sounding reasonable (though still too intrusive) at 5k+, compared with the wonderfully quiet V8 rumble.
Only problem with the M5 is I always seem to have a Citroen Saxo or Peugeot/Vauxhall Chavwagon in my boot whenever I'm stuck in traffic on a motorway.
SM
Both were *rubbish*
Get the M5 every time. The E46 made up slightly for its pathetic engine for a bit more nimbleness, but you simply can't get close to that grunty 5 litre. Servicing costs cheaper too (My first light went out 5k after service and the services work out cheaper anyhow)
The M3 made a dreadful racket all the time as well, only sounding reasonable (though still too intrusive) at 5k+, compared with the wonderfully quiet V8 rumble.
Only problem with the M5 is I always seem to have a Citroen Saxo or Peugeot/Vauxhall Chavwagon in my boot whenever I'm stuck in traffic on a motorway.
SM
I've no experience of 330s that's why I didn't mention them in my argument. Having said that it's probably fair to assume they're not as good as the M3.
As far as resale goes, I suppose the M3 being fashionable will hold up better in the long term, but they seemed a lot dearer than equivalent M5s when I bought mine. Maybe look at how well pre-E39 M5s are doing?
Andy
As far as resale goes, I suppose the M3 being fashionable will hold up better in the long term, but they seemed a lot dearer than equivalent M5s when I bought mine. Maybe look at how well pre-E39 M5s are doing?
Andy
I love my M5!
Mind you I love the M3 as well
M3 residuals are falling away - mine went for under £20k and that was a giveaway price for the performance - it was 70k miles and still going strong, just the colour against it.
The 5 is different - not as pointy and you do notice the extra weight that its carrying, but bugger me it'll pick up its skirts and fly when you want it to.
Case in point, I was in Norfolk the other week and got behind some traffic just as plod came past us with sirens going and lights flashing. I nipped past the numpties and followed plod, figuring that he wouldn't nick me for doing 80ish if he was in front and getting away. But he couldn't get away from me! I was holding back a lot from my normal rate of travel, and having to back off a lot on the bends cos I was catching up with plod sooooo easily (plod was in a volvo and not holding back from what I could see!)
So if you need to carry 4 peeps or more on a regular basis, the 5 is a must have.
Mind you I love the M3 as well
M3 residuals are falling away - mine went for under £20k and that was a giveaway price for the performance - it was 70k miles and still going strong, just the colour against it.
The 5 is different - not as pointy and you do notice the extra weight that its carrying, but bugger me it'll pick up its skirts and fly when you want it to.
Case in point, I was in Norfolk the other week and got behind some traffic just as plod came past us with sirens going and lights flashing. I nipped past the numpties and followed plod, figuring that he wouldn't nick me for doing 80ish if he was in front and getting away. But he couldn't get away from me! I was holding back a lot from my normal rate of travel, and having to back off a lot on the bends cos I was catching up with plod sooooo easily (plod was in a volvo and not holding back from what I could see!)
So if you need to carry 4 peeps or more on a regular basis, the 5 is a must have.
kstead said:
Thanx guys, take it no one rates the 330 in the company of m3/5s then? Could get a far newer and lower millage one for the money. Any one care to have a guess for resale value in say one to two years, Im guessing m3 would come out best.
Used to have an E39 M5 which I liked now have a remapped 330D which I love and point to point is faster (I think)!
Agree with Patricko - I also have a chipped 330D. Has less power but the same torque as an M5, and less weight even though it's diesel. Twice the economy for 90% of the fun.
Worth a look before you decide, I was keen on the M5 but let it go because of the servicing / warranty costs.
If you could stretch to £30k a chipped 535D would all but cane the E39 M5.
Worth a look before you decide, I was keen on the M5 but let it go because of the servicing / warranty costs.
If you could stretch to £30k a chipped 535D would all but cane the E39 M5.
keitht1 said:No, it would not. A chipped 535d is a good cr, but it can't get close to an E39 M5.
Agree with Patricko - I also have a chipped 330D. Has less power but the same torque as an M5, and less weight even though it's diesel. Twice the economy for 90% of the fun.
Worth a look before you decide, I was keen on the M5 but let it go because of the servicing / warranty costs.
If you could stretch to £30k a chipped 535D would all but cane the E39 M5.
I had a 330ci Clubsport and loved it...ok not an M3 or M5 but for 20k you'll get a lot newer car that is less expensive to run and insure... worth taking the overall costs into account before making up your mind.
Also, try driving them all if possible...I drove an E46 M3 and LOVED it...exhause note was lovelly but at £20k you're going for the well used ones...and if anything goes remember the bills will be bigger on the M's than on the 330.
Also, try driving them all if possible...I drove an E46 M3 and LOVED it...exhause note was lovelly but at £20k you're going for the well used ones...and if anything goes remember the bills will be bigger on the M's than on the 330.
I have just upgraded my wife's 330 ci to an 03 reg 330 clubsport. We considered an M3 but a similar car with a similar spec was going to cost at least 8k more from a dealer and couldnt justify the additional purchase and running costs.
We are really pleased with it. The engine is strong and really smooth (much smoother than the M3's that we drove) ok it's not going to stay with an M3 or an M5, but it is still quick, handles and stops well, looks lovely with the m sport kit and split rims, does 28 mpg and costs a great deal less to run.
For a fair bit less than we could of bought a ropey early 2001 base spec M3 privately, we bought a 2003 8000 mile car from a dealer with Sat Nav,bluetooth,sunroof,leather,heated seats,CD etc etc..
We are really pleased with it. The engine is strong and really smooth (much smoother than the M3's that we drove) ok it's not going to stay with an M3 or an M5, but it is still quick, handles and stops well, looks lovely with the m sport kit and split rims, does 28 mpg and costs a great deal less to run.
For a fair bit less than we could of bought a ropey early 2001 base spec M3 privately, we bought a 2003 8000 mile car from a dealer with Sat Nav,bluetooth,sunroof,leather,heated seats,CD etc etc..
Watch out for that "my diesel is as torquey as an M5" thing. Given the low redline, you have to gear a stinkwheel that much higher to get any speed -- look at the relatively poor BHP figure. This means the torque to the back wheels isn't as impressive as you'd think. If you ran the same gearbox you'd get the same great acceleration up to like 100 (after some frantic gearchanges on the way) then it'd be all revved out while the M5 was roaring off into the distance. But gear it properly for the real world and I'm certain it wouldn't look like a car with the same amount of torque.
Andy
Andy
stuh said:
No, it would not. A chipped 535d is a good cr, but it can't get close to an E39 M5.
Absolutely. No wonder so many reps try and chase me down thinking they are quicker
E39 M5 - 4.3 secs 30-70
Standard E60 535D - 3.3 secs 30-70
Fair point about the torque and gearing, and on a track the M3/M5 would paste a diesel. But, real world motorway cruising? Check out the figures above. 'nuf said.
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