E39 M5 or E36 M3

[Ga-3M]

Hey Gents, okay so here is the situation I find myself in, I have my 2000 E39 M5 which I love to bits, it's an epic car and I cannot wait to drive it every weekend. Next thing, about 2 years back I sold my prized E36 M3 3.0 in immaculate condition with low mileage due to the fact that I needed capital for business.

When I sold it told the guy that if he ever wants to sell it down the line he must please let me know... Guess what, today he gets in touch with me and says he's selling the M, it's still as immaculate as it was when I sold it to him and he has only put 6000kms on it and he wants to give me first option.

Now the thing is, as I have said, I love my M5 to bits, but the E36 M3 is the car which instilled in me my love for M cars! So, am I being crazy to consider selling the M5 to buy my M3 back, should I leave those M3 memories in the past or rekindle my love? Gonna go drive it later in the week but think I may feel let down due to the absolute awesomeness of the M5, but I remember how the M3 made me feel, so perfectly balanced, nimble and quick. At the moment I must be honest, leaning towards the M5 but there's that little something that keeps making me think of the M3..

 

[Mike1]

I would probably stick with the M5. :thumbs:

But then I do love the E39 shape. :inlove:

 

[figjam]

I'd keep the m5.. But that's just me

 

[msm]

I would probably stick with the M5. :thumbs:

But then I do love the E39 shape. :inlove:

+1

If it were a E46 M3, then it would be a different story.

However, I would take an E39 M5 over an E36 M3.

 

[Adi]

take the M3 and sell me the e39 M5..... :rollsmile:

 

[Raybimmer]

The e36 is older and book value probably about R80 K or so , much less than M5 .
M5 :thumbs:

 

[Doomsdaya]

Fuel is getting expensive, get the M3 or why not have both ???

 

[Ga-3M]

Thank you gents for the responses, the only reason I'm even asking this question is because I don't think I'll ever find another M3 in the same condition as mine was, well maybe 1 or 2 literally, but guys want R150-170k for them! So basically could sell the M5 for around R160-170k and get my old M3 for a little bit less and have some cash spare. Thing that I'm starting to see though is that the E39 M5 is heading in the same direction in terms of scarcity and clean examples! So yeah, will go take the M3 for a drive, but reckon I'll be sticking with the Beast!

 

[hoosain]

Ga-3M i can understand where you comming from i love my e36 m i owned a couple of 2door e36 m3 and many other e36 cars
ive owned e39 amd e46 cars and i always go back to the e36 m it just feels so nimble and steering accuracy and minimal electronics i can go on and on
most people wont understand us lol

 

[moranor@axis]

what ever you decide please post up the car you not taking so it can go to a fellow fanatic :rollsmile:

 

[Ga-3M]

@Doomsdaya - Bud I've actually thought about having both but that would really be me being financially irresponsible and at the moment that money could be much better utilised in other aspects of my life!:argh:

---

Ga-3M i can understand where you comming from i love my e36 m i owned a couple of 2door e36 m3 and many other e36 cars
ive owned e39 amd e46 cars and i always go back to the e36 m it just feels so nimble and steering accuracy and minimal electronics i can go on and on
most people wont understand us lol

Hoosain you completely understand what I'm thinking! This E36 I'm talking about is 1 of three E36 M3's, 2x3.0 and 1x3.2, that I've owned over the past 5 or so years and as I've said in the thread that's a tribute to the E36 M3, in between I've had Subaru WRX, Nissan 350Z, E46 330i, and one or two others but always seem to come back to the E36! But my M5, damn this thing is a monster!

 

[calypso]

Once you have driven the e36 again would will be able to decide what you really want.

 

[Henry330i]

Its a difficult choice to make but can think of worse ones.

I've never owned either, but for me it would have to be the M5 but I fully understand the idea of buying back your old car.

Decide after you've driven them both back to back.

 

[Andy1GP]

If you can afford the M5 then by all means I'd recommend to keep it. Both Epic in their own respect. Just me being a V8 fan :rollsmile:
No Replacement for Displacement :thumbs:

 

[Sith]

Wow, that's a tough decision. I can understand the emotional dilema you are facing. I also think, once you have driven the M3 again, it will give you a better perspective on which car to go for. Both great cars, but my vote would be for the M5 as a better long-term prospect. Good luck with your decision.:=):

 

[Gizmo]

I would say go back to your M3.
Finding them in the condition yours was will probably never happen again. I think it will be a better weekend toy as it is lighter and no granny aids. I also think the M3 will increase in value better than the M5 as they are so more rare than M5s these days.
Besides, you find far more clean M5s than M3s so finding another M5 in future won't be too bad.
The M5 should be the daily driver, the M3 should be the weekend special.

It sounds as though you miss your M3, like the one that got away. Now you have a chance to get her back, go for it!!!:thumbs:

 

[///MNM]

Decisions...Decisions.....I'd stick with the M5, otherwise we'd be one less at the "next" midnight run photoshoot? :rollsmile:

 

[jeff_denning]

This is a really tough choice. I'd probably talk myself into owning both to simplify things :rollsmile:

My opinion, stick with the E39 M5.

 

[Yuvan]

thats a k@k decision you have to make bro, if the M3 is mint nick, i wud say get her back but if you have some cash to spare why not buy the M3 without selling the M5 and make your decision down the line???

 

[Fordkoppie]

I prefer the M5, however the M3 is much cheaper to maintain in the long run