To E60 M5 or to Not E60 M5?

[Bugger]

So I am toying with the idea of getting an E60 M5, that V10 just pushes all the right buttons, but I've heard many bad things about the SMG gearbox and fuel consumption. The fuel consumption I am not too stressed about,my M3 is currently averaging at 13.8L/100km's and a tank is lasting me, if I am lucky and with normal driving,about 350km's.
So I guess what I would like to know is:
Pros and cons of owning an E60 M5
Insurance premiums (roughly, I am 36 years old)
Costs of ownership,repair bills etc (servicing especially)
Are there still any under MP?
Is the SMG gearbox REALLY that bad to live with?
Should I move from the M3 to the M5?

The V10 M5, like the V8 M3,is likely to be the last of the normally aspirated M5's and I've been told that the car is just amazing, except for the gearbox. As unbelievably awesome as the F10 M5 is,the acoustic enhancer in the cabin is a turn off (this is just nitpicking cos I can't have one now!), and it's a little out of my price range. Other than that,I have lusted after an E60 M5 for a long time now.....

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

I say keep your M3 and supercharge it

 

[SP33DYV]

Just do a search, this has been discussed at length in previous posts.
I say keep the M3.

 

[Hugo_za]

If you want to buy an M-anything you should not be worried about fuel economy.

As for the V10, grrrrrr! What machine. Drove an M6 coup the other day and it is a gorgeous sounding car. Sadly you are correct about the naturally aspirated monsters. Even the new M6 is a v8 bi-turbo :-(

 

[Bugger]

Just do a search, this has been discussed at length in previous posts.
I say keep the M3.

Busy researching it now. You right Hugo,the fuel consumption isn't too much of a stress for me. The way I am seeing it is it may be a last opportunity to still get one at a good price and motorplan and be able to finance it.
I reckon here at the coast there must be little in the super saloon category that can catch it,although it's not about the pure speed for me,rather the package as a whole.
However, finding one in Cape Town is nigh on impossible.
So Sabre you reckon supercharge? Bolt on supercharger is around R150k or so. It is a consideration.

 

[Theo D]

The sound that V10 makes is just :drool:

 

[Whacko]

Do it :thumbs:

 

[Rommies]

Just do a search, this has been discussed at length in previous posts.
I say keep the M3.

Please read this thread bugger
1
http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=34421
:=):

 

[Bugger]

Lol Rommies, you saved me a whole lot of digging there mate!:roflol: Thanks!

This is what I am considering, although the white leather puts me off a bit.:thumbdo:

http://www.autotrader.co.za/used-ca...8013c1998d6b01043/makemodel/make/bmw/model/m5

Morne, in Rommies thread you said a big difference between the 2005 and the 2006, any particular reason? Was there a mechanical upgrade somewhere along the line? Don't worry, read your reply on Rommies thread!

 

[MRivoluzione]

..Bolt on supercharger is around R150k or so. It is a consideration.

If it truly is, then boost the beast instead and imo you'll have a mean all round-package.. Handling With Power

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

that does look good

 

[Bugger]

It's a tough choice. I kinda missed out on the E39 M5, and I won't buy one now because they have probably had the ring pulled out of them.

As far as the M3 is concerned, it's going for a couple of mods soon,so maybe I should at least wait for that to be done before being too hasty and getting an M5....Or maybe convince the wife to let me have both? Ya.....right.

 

[Rommies]

My biggest issue was the running costs...the parts are insanely expensive!

Ps: Oh and it doesn't have a oil dipstick. So your oil level works with a sensor...and guess what happens when the sensor doesn't work and your oil level is low....?!?!
Then we play that knock knock game:
Knock Knock
Who's there?
Rod
Rod who???
CONROD!! :rollsmile:

And not just one! TEN of them hahaha!

Still one of my favourite cars in the world. I would love to supercharge this car! It would be awesome!!! I just need to make better friends with the bank managers then I'll attempt this!

 

[Whacko]

I must admit, the M3 wins in the looks department :thumbs:

 

[Bugger]

My biggest issue was the running costs...the parts are insanely expensive!

Ps: Oh and it doesn't have a oil dipstick. So your oil level works with a sensor...and guess what happens when the sensor doesn't work and your oil level is low....?!?!
Then we play that knock knock game:
Knock Knock
Who's there?
Rod
Rod who???
CONROD!! :rollsmile:

:roflol: Yeah, my M3 is the same, no dipstick, confused the hell out of the petrol attendant the first time I had to top up oil! LMAO!!!

I saw someone mention on your thread about getting a decent after market warranty to cover the BIG parts,like gearbox,diff etc. which would obviously play a MAJOR role in whether I do this or not.

---

I must admit, the M3 wins in the looks department :thumbs:

And you've got F10 AND E60!

 

[SP33DYV]

Lol Rommies, you saved me a whole lot of digging there mate!:roflol: Thanks!

This is what I am considering, although the white leather puts me off a bit.:thumbdo:

http://www.autotrader.co.za/used-ca...8013c1998d6b01043/makemodel/make/bmw/model/m5

Morne, in Rommies thread you said a big difference between the 2005 and the 2006, any particular reason? Was there a mechanical upgrade somewhere along the line?

It's so long ago, I can't remember all the detail except that they changed to the new key from the old "diamond" key. I do remember that the SMG box was awesome when you gave it stick and absolutely rubbish in traffic, and fuel consumption of 28l/100km after my short stint on the highway. :dropjaw: Not a car I would buy now though. I would rather have an e90 M3 LCi. :fencelook:

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

My biggest issue was the running costs...the parts are insanely expensive!

Ps: Oh and it doesn't have a oil dipstick. So your oil level works with a sensor...and guess what happens when the sensor doesn't work and your oil level is low....?!?!
Then we play that knock knock game:
Knock Knock
Who's there?
Rod
Rod who???
CONROD!! :rollsmile:

:biglol::roflol:

As funny as this post is, its true.

Oh and talking aboutE39M5, there was a mint one that was for sale here not so long ago. Bossie I think is the owner

 

[Bugger]

Lol Rommies, you saved me a whole lot of digging there mate!:roflol: Thanks!

This is what I am considering, although the white leather puts me off a bit.:thumbdo:

http://www.autotrader.co.za/used-ca...8013c1998d6b01043/makemodel/make/bmw/model/m5

Morne, in Rommies thread you said a big difference between the 2005 and the 2006, any particular reason? Was there a mechanical upgrade somewhere along the line?

It's so long ago, I can't remember all the detail except that they changed to the new key from the old "diamond" key. I do remember that the SMG box was awesome when you gave it stick and absolutely rubbish in traffic, and fuel consumption of 28l/100km after my short stint on the highway. :dropjaw: Not a car I would buy now though. I would rather have an e90 M3 LCi. :fencelook:

:fencelook: Frigging hell!!! Still, I suppose when you buy a car like this it's not to save fuel is it?

There aren't too many E90 LCis around are there?

 

[Rommies]

[video=youtube]

[video=youtube]

[video=youtube]

:=):

 

[Bugger]

I know there are still some stunning E39 M5's around,but they are a bit costly from a price perspective, more because you won't be able to get that warranty or MP. Still a dream of mine to have one......

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Love the CHAIN holding that M5 down....:roflol: