Why do M5's appear to be so cheap?
Discussion
Afternoon,
New to posting but have followed the site for some time.
I have a 1993 Griff with a big valve engine fitted by TVR power and half a 928 for fun days but everyday transport is a 1995 540 with some kind of sports pack (you can see that I am not really a BMW officionardo).
However, I have become very interested in chopping it in for an M5, a 2001/2 model most likely.
Is there a particular reason why they seem to be trading at the £25K mark (things going bang etc)?
Plus, can I get one with tiptronic and armrests? Most of the BMW driving I do is in heavy traffic and I have come to enjoy the lack of left foot and left arm action when sitting in 5 mile jams.
TIA.
New to posting but have followed the site for some time.
I have a 1993 Griff with a big valve engine fitted by TVR power and half a 928 for fun days but everyday transport is a 1995 540 with some kind of sports pack (you can see that I am not really a BMW officionardo).
However, I have become very interested in chopping it in for an M5, a 2001/2 model most likely.
Is there a particular reason why they seem to be trading at the £25K mark (things going bang etc)?
Plus, can I get one with tiptronic and armrests? Most of the BMW driving I do is in heavy traffic and I have come to enjoy the lack of left foot and left arm action when sitting in 5 mile jams.
TIA.
No tiptronic options on an M5. All built with a manual 6 speed gearbox. The quickest auto 5 series you'll probably find is something built by the likes of Alpina.
I don't know the reason for price but I know a V10 500bhp version is due to be released at the end of the year.
DAZ
>> Edited by dazren on Friday 13th February 14:47
I don't know the reason for price but I know a V10 500bhp version is due to be released at the end of the year.
DAZ
>> Edited by dazren on Friday 13th February 14:47
Thanks Daz, much appreciated.
Have become quite attached to having an auto box. I do have a chip by recelogic that switches my car over to paddle change whn in sport mode. It was a 3 series mod they put on my 5 but they couldn't get the engine mapping 100% so I took the chip out.
Is there anyone who can get a lot more oomph out of an old shape 540?
Have become quite attached to having an auto box. I do have a chip by recelogic that switches my car over to paddle change whn in sport mode. It was a 3 series mod they put on my 5 but they couldn't get the engine mapping 100% so I took the chip out.
Is there anyone who can get a lot more oomph out of an old shape 540?
Supply & demand would be my first reason - the market for this type of car is never going to be huge, so when BMW only built 900 or so RHD e34 M5's there was a chance that some people would not be able to buy one.
With the e39 M5 there is over 9,000 already in the UK and instead of waiting 6 months for your new car to be built, people went out and bought nearly new models as there were plenty in the country.
I'm sure the price of a 100k mile e39 M5 will soon be touching on the high end of 50k mile e34 M5 - or around £15k.
IMHO the new M5 is just not sporty enough - sure it has lots of power, but so has a 760 (445bhp). 400bhp from 5 litres is only 80bhp/litre, the e34 had 340 from 3.8 litres which is 89.5bhp/litre, even the 320 has 78bhp/litre (170bhp/2.17L).
The current engine is not tuned enough to be a sports engine - although it has a huge amount of grunt.
With the e39 M5 there is over 9,000 already in the UK and instead of waiting 6 months for your new car to be built, people went out and bought nearly new models as there were plenty in the country.
I'm sure the price of a 100k mile e39 M5 will soon be touching on the high end of 50k mile e34 M5 - or around £15k.
IMHO the new M5 is just not sporty enough - sure it has lots of power, but so has a 760 (445bhp). 400bhp from 5 litres is only 80bhp/litre, the e34 had 340 from 3.8 litres which is 89.5bhp/litre, even the 320 has 78bhp/litre (170bhp/2.17L).
The current engine is not tuned enough to be a sports engine - although it has a huge amount of grunt.
Horse_Apple said:
Is there anyone who can get a lot more oomph out of an old shape 540?
By 'old shape' do you mean e34 or e39 as both are now 'old shape' - the current model is e60 (I think)!
For an e34 you can get a:
- Dinan supercharger kit and get 390bhp at a cost of £9k
- Hartge H5 4.7 engine for 340bhp at a cost of £15k
For an e39 you can get a:
- Dinan S44 supercharger kit and get 404bhp at a cost of £13k
- Hartge H5 5.0 engine for 380bhp at a cost of £15k
All prices are from www.birdsauto.com and include installation.
Thanks. Currently an e34.
Only thing stopping the purchase of an e39 M5 is whether I can face going back to a manual, seeing as I drive into central london everyday and am lazy
Am beginning to see auto 996 turbos for under £60K but for half that I can get something just as solid and more practical.
Only thing stopping the purchase of an e39 M5 is whether I can face going back to a manual, seeing as I drive into central london everyday and am lazy
Am beginning to see auto 996 turbos for under £60K but for half that I can get something just as solid and more practical.
Obviously what you want is an Alpina B10 V8S Auto which are going for between £16k and £30k at the moment for 1999-2001 40-60k mile examples.
e.g.
1999 S Reg BMW Alpina 5 series B10 4.6
Switchtronic Auto (F1 Style G/Box), Finished in Metallic Blue with Contrasting Black Leather Seats, 18 " Alpina Alloys, Electric Memory Seats, Heated Seats, Electric Rear Blind, Electric Sunroof, Traction Control, CD Multiplayer, Clear Lenses, Multi Function Steering Wheel, Climate Control, Cruise, Xenon Lights, De-Chromed, 79000 miles with full BMW Service History, £16,795.
and
1999 BMW ALPINA B10 4.6 V8. F1 CONTROLS 4.69,
4 door, Automatic, Saloon, Blue Metalic, 49980 miles, T Registration,Climate Control,Sport Seats,Sports exhaust,Sunroof,Tiptronic Transmission,Title Check,Coloured Skirts,Compact Disc Changer,Cruise Control,Driver's Airbag,Electric Mirrors,Electric Sunroof,Electric Windows,Electronic Air Conditioning,Fog Lights,Front Armrest,Full Manufacturers Service History,Glass Electric Sunroof,Headlamp Wash/Wipe,Heated Front Seats,Immobiliser,Leather Upholstery,Metallic Paint,Mileage Verified,Multi function steering wheel,Multiple Airbags,Nappa Leather,Outside Temperature Indicator,Parktronic,Passenger's Airbag,Power Assisted Steering,privacy glass,Rain sensor,Rear Airbags,Rear Blind,Rear Headrest,Satellite Navigation System,Side Airbags,Side Impact bars £22989.
e.g.
1999 S Reg BMW Alpina 5 series B10 4.6
Switchtronic Auto (F1 Style G/Box), Finished in Metallic Blue with Contrasting Black Leather Seats, 18 " Alpina Alloys, Electric Memory Seats, Heated Seats, Electric Rear Blind, Electric Sunroof, Traction Control, CD Multiplayer, Clear Lenses, Multi Function Steering Wheel, Climate Control, Cruise, Xenon Lights, De-Chromed, 79000 miles with full BMW Service History, £16,795.
and
1999 BMW ALPINA B10 4.6 V8. F1 CONTROLS 4.69,
4 door, Automatic, Saloon, Blue Metalic, 49980 miles, T Registration,Climate Control,Sport Seats,Sports exhaust,Sunroof,Tiptronic Transmission,Title Check,Coloured Skirts,Compact Disc Changer,Cruise Control,Driver's Airbag,Electric Mirrors,Electric Sunroof,Electric Windows,Electronic Air Conditioning,Fog Lights,Front Armrest,Full Manufacturers Service History,Glass Electric Sunroof,Headlamp Wash/Wipe,Heated Front Seats,Immobiliser,Leather Upholstery,Metallic Paint,Mileage Verified,Multi function steering wheel,Multiple Airbags,Nappa Leather,Outside Temperature Indicator,Parktronic,Passenger's Airbag,Power Assisted Steering,privacy glass,Rain sensor,Rear Airbags,Rear Blind,Rear Headrest,Satellite Navigation System,Side Airbags,Side Impact bars £22989.
Or try www.lindenspecialvehicles.com they have a supercharged 540i auto.
m-five said:
IMHO the new M5 is just not sporty enough - sure it has lots of power, but so has a 760 (445bhp). 400bhp from 5 litres is only 80bhp/litre, the e34 had 340 from 3.8 litres which is 89.5bhp/litre, even the 320 has 78bhp/litre (170bhp/2.17L).
The current engine is not tuned enough to be a sports engine - although it has a huge amount of grunt.
Sorry boss, must disagree although I am more biased than Brian McBiased...
I've recently described the E39 M5 as the nearest thing to a latter day 4 door Porsche although I accept the classic E34 was rawer.
In this respect, perhaps the E39 has something of the 996 about it relative to the E34's 993ness and perhaps the same type of inverse snobbery applies (although I'm more than happy to acknowledge the absolute superiority of the 996 over 993)...
It would be remiss of me, as a 993ite to call 996s unsporting as that's clearly bollocks but I think it's a bit strong to claim the E39 deficient in this department either: the committed navigation of roundabouts and general thrappage has left me in no doubt as to the E39's sporting credentials and quite frankly, the engine when called upon, is right up there with Merc AMG units for aural bombacity.
Having said all that, I still adore the purity of the E34 M5 - it deserves immense plaudits for defining genuinely effective, big saloon hoonage.
Consider an Audi S8, got power, tiptronic and 4wd, think Ronin .!.!.!. sure thats got DeR going!!!
davidy
plus its not got a BMW badge, a bit more stealthy and not as attractive to theives and joyriders.
and depreciates heavily in early years so bargains are there to be had.
>> Edited by davidy on Monday 16th February 22:45
davidy
plus its not got a BMW badge, a bit more stealthy and not as attractive to theives and joyriders.
and depreciates heavily in early years so bargains are there to be had.
>> Edited by davidy on Monday 16th February 22:45
Obvious a dull bit of steel compared to the Beemer . . .I'm not saying the e39 M5 is not fast - because it is, and faster than the e34. But on the track and through the twisty roads it will not get away from an e34 as the ride is a lot softer and you need a lot more confidence in it to throw it through the corners.
The e39 is definitely easier to handle although it just feels more 'removed' from the road/track and there is a noticeable vagueness in the steering.
If I could have the grunt and sound of the e39 V8 and the balance of the e34 it would be great - mmm group buy on a e34 v8 transplant & supercharger anyone?
BTW, have you had it on track yet?
>> Edited by m-five on Tuesday 17th February 11:07
The e39 is definitely easier to handle although it just feels more 'removed' from the road/track and there is a noticeable vagueness in the steering.
If I could have the grunt and sound of the e39 V8 and the balance of the e34 it would be great - mmm group buy on a e34 v8 transplant & supercharger anyone?
BTW, have you had it on track yet?
>> Edited by m-five on Tuesday 17th February 11:07
S8 is actually a better road car than the M5. When we launched M5, amoungst others we had an S8 and to a man we all thought the S8 came out top for every day use) The M5 is a mega awsome machine (the DSC is a bit over zealous though) but I found the M5 required a bit more work to drive it at road speeds. Open her up on track or something and its better than S8 but only then.
The S8 is just easy, fast and the quattro system is brilliant in bad weather. The only thing letting the S8 down is it is pretty dull looking but then lets face it, thats only important if your worried about your man hood.
The S8 is just easy, fast and the quattro system is brilliant in bad weather. The only thing letting the S8 down is it is pretty dull looking but then lets face it, thats only important if your worried about your man hood.
sjc said:
Or try www.lindenspecialvehicles.com they have a supercharged 540i auto.
They certainly do. Could well be the solution. Thanks.
One thing I'm happy about with the E39 Emster is in fact it's very real docility during urban crawl time; some have criticised it's recalcitrance in traffic but I've really found it very easy, quite theraputic, even: there's something 'clackety' and deliberate about the box action which adds an element of much needed tactility to differentiate it from the generic anasthesia proffered by slushtastics.
Am I talking bollocks? Well, no, for once, I'm delighted not to be missing the Lexian waft which I thought might undo an otherwise seminal saloon experience.
Best of all though, is that 'sport' button: the tightening in the helm that results is almost ludicrous and if you happen to be barrelling along like Larwood, the resultant accentuation of the vital requirement to unleash the motoring equivalent of a bodyline delivery is an all but irresistable transition.
Sorry, I just find it almost flawless...except for the glaring ommission of bling spec cupholders!
Am I talking bollocks? Well, no, for once, I'm delighted not to be missing the Lexian waft which I thought might undo an otherwise seminal saloon experience.
Best of all though, is that 'sport' button: the tightening in the helm that results is almost ludicrous and if you happen to be barrelling along like Larwood, the resultant accentuation of the vital requirement to unleash the motoring equivalent of a bodyline delivery is an all but irresistable transition.
Sorry, I just find it almost flawless...except for the glaring ommission of bling spec cupholders!
chippy69 said:
davidy said:
Consider an Audi S8, got power, tiptronic and 4wd, . . .
Obvious a dull bit of steel compared to the Beemer . . .
I think you mean dull bit of aluminium!!! just teasing
Oh man, looking at it again makes me sleepy.
An Aston passed me by with a great sounding 100mph this morning. Then one knows there are cars and there are CARS. So are we done on this subject?
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