M3 to E60 M5?

[Damage Inc]

My path is 01 M3, 05 M3, 08 M3, 08 M6, 11 M3 currently. I really miss the big V10 power and sound. Drove the new M3/M5, turbo's not my cup of tea.

Came across a really nice 08 M5. Thinking about going back to the S85 - has anybody gone M3 to M5? I don't do track days anymore, so looking for something a bit roomier and more luxury for a DD.

Anybody made the switch?

[SunnyD]

Wow, most people go the other way around (myself included). In hindsight, if I didn't track my car, I would've kept the e60 M5. Sounded so much better with Eisenmann Race and was much roomier.

[blankstar43]

Originally Posted by MojorisinM3

My path is 01 M3, 05 M3, 08 M3, 08 M6, 11 M3 currently. I really miss the big V10 power and sound. Drove the new M3/M5, turbo's not my cup of tea.

Came across a really nice 08 M5. Thinking about going back to the S85 - has anybody gone M3 to M5? I don't do track days anymore, so looking for something a bit roomier and more luxury for a DD.

Anybody made the switch?

Love the s85 and wanted to get the e60 m5 as my daily, but I couldn't justify the price to buy or maintenance/repair if something serious happened mechanically. Ended up getting a 2001 e39 m5 instead which has been great so far.

If you don't plan to track and don't mind the upkeep cost, spending more time than most at the gas pump, potential repair bill, or glorious mechanical symphony of a howling V10, then I say go for it . I know I would have if I could

[Damage Inc]

Agreed on the maintenance. My m3 has extended maintenance through December 2016.

It's the repair cost on the m5 I get afraid of.

After owning m3's for 8 years zero repair issues they are bulletproof.

[Damage Inc]

In my m6 my mpg was 9. Lol.

[SunnyD]

Originally Posted by MojorisinM3

In my m6 my mpg was 9. Lol.

Sounds about right. When I drove like a grandma, I was only getting 11.5 mpg

[Honda]

Originally Posted by MojorisinM3

In my m6 my mpg was 9. Lol.

Shit...I won't get the car just because of this poor gas mileage..

[Keca10]

I enjoyed my M5. The engine and chassis are awesome. It's a bit more muted and definitely feels heavier than the M3.

I did rack up about $60 grand in repair bills. I had a catastrophic engine failure and it took a lot of things down with it. Ext. warranty paid for most items except about $10 grand but it was a stressful experience.

I hated the old iDrive. I would get a 2010 if I was gonna do it again.

[Merlin_83]

Ahhhh....yes the V10 S85 M5/6 is a car I must have someday ! No other engine sounds like that ! Truly approaching F1 high pitch whine with right exhaust

Sorry for any typos - using the app on tiny iPhone 6

[jaehshim]

I've driven F10 M5 6MT, own E90 M3 6MT, ridden in GTR and E60 M5 with eisenmann exhaust.

I'm totally with you, if money isn't an issue, E60 M5 would def be in my collection for sure. one of the best Ms ever made.

[Bavarian Beast]

If you can stomach the maintenance or repairs I don't think there is really a question. Those cars are beasts! I so miss the V-10.....

[Damage Inc]

Originally Posted by Keca10

I enjoyed my M5. The engine and chassis are awesome. It's a bit more muted and definitely feels heavier than the M3.

I did rack up about $60 grand in repair bills. I had a catastrophic engine failure and it took a lot of things down with it. Ext. warranty paid for most items except about $10 grand but it was a stressful experience.

I hated the old iDrive. I would get a 2010 if I was gonna do it again.

This is the type of story that always kept me from buying an M5. The potential for the engine or SMG to blow up. I understand Ferrari ownership, but I don't care to spend this much $$$ on a BMW even the motor is "exotic".

[dj_dub]

^I feel the same way...although I still want one. The price to get one nowadays is so tempting! Would be nice to have my E90 M3 and an E60 M5 in the garage.

[Keca10]

Despite having everything go wrong on my M5, it still took me 4 years to trade it in. I enjoyed it so much and it was hard to find a better car as a replacement. Ended up with a X5M last year since I had my second kid plus I have two dogs. And it helps in MN winters. But I miss the RWD NA engine and lighter weight. That's why I am lurking on these forums now.

[nick3753]

I would think going from an 08 M3 to an 08 m6 might be a similar experience, no? Bigger size interior obviously but aren't they similar otherwise?

[8600RPM]

If you get a nice xpipe with HFC, the m3 sounds superior than the v10 inside the cabin. M3 has better induction noise and less sound insulation. Outside the v10 sounds better. However I was in market to add a v10 to my e92 awhile ago and was disappointed in the cabin sound as it was too muffled on induction. M3 has that nice hood vent directly into the intake.

Second, the smg is intolerable once you have gone dct. A dct v10 would be really something but I couldn't stand smg.

Catless and tuned the m3 felt much quicker up to 100 mph so for me unless I was driving on autobahn the v10 felt bigger, slower and sounded worse while driving.

S85 engine is great

[Keca10]

V10 sounds better to me including induction noise. But it's subjective.

I also prefer 6sp > SMG >> DCT >> other automatic.

DCT is too smooth. I like the SMG jerkiness.

[s85e90]

Maintain it yourself and save 50% on the ownership experience.

[Antonio1988]

If money was no object, I'd be in an E60 M5, no doubt. The sound alone is worth the price of admission, and the space plus solid chassis makes it a great all around car. However, the cost of maintenance is what keeps me away, hence the "if money was no object" argument.

[RickP]

This movie will pump you up (no pun)

[NRBRNG]

Depreciation is good and bad. make sure you are on the good side. pick up a 2010, in 2015. So much car.
I agree with the comment on DCT Vs SMG. it was a pain to get used to...but you will. The engine and comfort are sublime.
I have both currently. I love depreciation

[stevelp99]

Owned both 10' E60M5 and 07' E63 M6 at the same time few years ago, sold both picked up a 09 GTR (700hp), sold few months ago and picked up a 11' e90 M3. While I loved the v10 sound, the interiors, the SMG transmission was too jerky for slow Houston traffic, and made me feel like I was a teenager learning to drive stick for the first time. I also managed 7mpg the first week of ownership of the M6 and M5 which went up to 13mpg later on but never really saw much better. The GTR was awesome on mpg and stupid fast and actually was pretty reliable during the 1.5 years of ownership, only needed tired and fluids. The transmission was basically like the M3, quick and comfortable to use in auto mode. The ride actually was actually more comfortable in the GTR than the M6 comparing comfort modes, and you could feel a difference in the stiffness when you changed suspension levels, unlike the M5 and M6. Interior wise the BMW wins hands down compared to the GTR which was one of the reasons I wanted to go back to BMW. I've only owned the M3 for about a month and my overall impression is that its just simply a great fun car that you can use everyday. It may not have huge power like the M5/6 but makes up for it when you get to rev out that V8, nothing quite like a high revving naturally aspirated engine. The M3 feels very light and agile compared to the M5/6. While I loved the larger space of the M5 and the sportiness of the M6 I don't think I would switch mostly because of the SMG especially if you would be using auto mode and if mpg matters to you at all (not that it should in vehicles like this). The hydraulic pump in the SMG transmission is prone to failure, there is a number of posts on the M5/6 board about it, basically people reported spending 3000$ to replace it. I do agree with you that the newer turbo BMW M's feel like they are missing something even though they have more power and what not, plus I think the newer styling are too aggressive, I prefer the wolf in sheep's clothing appeal of previous gen M models. But really you cant go wrong with any decision that ends with which M shall I go with.