M3 or M5

[swordfish_gtr]

Ok, i have a budget of about 15k. I have just sold a 400bhp Skyline and a VW Passat and am looking for an all rounder. I dont just care about balls out performance, i want comfort etc etc. Now both these cars go for around the same money. Will the M5 be much more to run? If running costs are similar, i'd go for the 5. Now i have read many articles and both cars seem reliable and from what i can see on paper average near on the same mpg. Please discuss??

[Paulburrell]

I'm biased as I've recently acquired an 02 M5. It's such a civilised car for everyady use and cruising and an absolute animal when the mood takes you for some fun. Petrol consumption is C*ap around town but pretty good on a high speed motorway cruise. Haven't been in a an M3 recently but for me the M5 is far more understated and it's noise and accelearation is intoxicating.

Steve

[mat205125]

Your budget should get you a good example of either car, and standard servicing shouldn't be light years apart.

Really depends on how lucky you are with your car during your ownership period.

Sorry, that that sounds about as helpful as a teflon brake pad.

[maddernj]

Buy This :

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/991901.htm

Its not mine but it looks to be Great Value

M5 All the Way...

[deano23]

IMO the design of the M5 hasn't aged as well as the M3. M3 still looks much fresher.

[bher]

I suspect objective values will be almost the same.
The real question regard feeling.
I see the M3 as a user-friendly sport car with 4 seats and the M5 as a 5 seater with a mental engine giving unexpected performance for the size.

[Pork]

I've run both of the cars your thinking about and I think the M5 was the better all round car....

.....mind, thats in the same way that compared to Lucy Pinder, Kelly Brook would be a better all round girlfriend.

Either would be superb if its been well looked after. If its hasnt, and has underlying issues, it'll be a headache.

[swordfish_gtr]

And how did the running costs compare?

[derestrictor]

You should be hugely impressed with the M5, possibly more so over time.

[Pork]

swordfish_gtr said:

And how did the running costs compare?

I couldnt give you a fair answer on that as I only had the M5 for c4 months so didnt have any big bills (only reason was I moved overseas so sold it prematurely).

From memory, the M5 had more of a thirst, but then its a big car.

[AC Motors]

This might help...... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFDQwjqoj-Y

Enjoy

Edited by AC Motors on Wednesday 22 April 23:48

[isee]

I would say M5 for all roundiness and more comfort and practicality.
but as already has been stated, M3 looks fresher. for 15k you can even get a M3 cab.

[S600VXR]

I had this dilema, ended up with an M5 as my old 330 was not that far adrift of M3 performance wise after a few tweeks and the 5 whilst older looking seems to demand alot more respect on the road than the M3 does. Theres also practicality in my case having this as a primary car and not a toy. Both good cars, the M3 is becoming a little common now with costs so low and they do seem to be driven by more and more ex corsa drivers if you get my drift. (waits for the flaming to start!)

[AngryApples]

S600VXR said:

I had this dilema, ended up with an M5 as my old 330 was not that far adrift of M3 performance wise after a few tweeks and the 5 whilst older looking seems to demand alot more respect on the road than the M3 does. Theres also practicality in my case having this as a primary car and not a toy. Both good cars, the M3 is becoming a little common now with costs so low and they do seem to be driven by more and more ex corsa drivers if you get my drift. (waits for the flaming to start!)

What the? you

What do you mean you



No, actually even as E46 M3 driver, I can appreciate thats a fair comment

[Hedgetrimmer]

Having had m3 csl and M5 E39 I would go for M5 all day long as it is much more involving to drive. The steering is more communicative and it is much more driftable.