Anyone here owned or driven an E60 M5? M3 coupe or M5 with kids?

[ROADKING36]

Hi everyone, I love the new M3 coupe and also love the E60 M5. I was wondering if anyone has owned both or even driven both. I am debating this because I have a little one on the way. I was dead set on the M3 coupe, but now really started looking at the M5. Other then the obvious, larger, 4 doors etc.. How would you compare the cars? What are your thoughts, likes and dislikes on the M5. Thanks for everyones help.

[GnokGnik]

M3 sedan?

[NosonyxM3]

Ive owned a 2006 M5 sedan SMG, 2007 M5 sedan 6 speed...

Pros- Ventilated Seats
Multi function seats
More rear leg room(obvious)
does not feel that big on track
soft close doors

Cons-
SMG sucks DCT blows it away
6 speed gear box is horrible
Gas guzzler.. good luck getting over 15 mpg highway

I know have a 2008 DCT M3 Coupe, best car I have ever owned...

[signes]

I debated the same thing for a long time but wound up with the E90. Here was some of a previous post of mine on the subject:

I looked at M5s for a while before getting my E90. Loved the M5 - how could you not like a 200mph-capable sedan? But at the end of the day, the M5 felt too big and too removed compared to the E90. I think the M3 has more aggressive styling (personal preference, though I like the sleeper look of the M5), has more of a raw feel, is more nimble and "feels" faster than the M5. As far as cabin room, both are able to handle family duties, with the E60 having more (obviously) but it seems only really noticeable in width.

I am one of the few out there who liked the SMG gearbox, so that had nothing to do with my decision. E60 M5's have gotten absolutely clobbered in value (you think E9x M cars are being discounted...) so if you decide on an M5 you could probably get a very low mileage 2007 for mid-high $50s.

[shchow]

I have driven both extensively. The M3 is the better driving car, hands down. But there is something about a V-10 screaming at 8000rpms that cannot be described.
I have 3 kids so I also needed the space.
You cannot go wrong with either choice.
With the M5, you get a 2 day Driving Experience in Spartanburg as part of the package; which was very nice. Get to abuse all the M cars there.
I personally like the SMG, but I hear great things about the DCT as well.
M3 if you plan on tracking the car at all.
M5 because it's a 7 speed V10 with 500hp.

Hope that helps.

[T Bone]

I have driven both at the track and street. M3 handles better but the M5 blows it away in acceleration. Not even close.

You can stuff more luggage in the M5.

08 M5's are cheap too.

Do the M5 unless you want to track alot.

[inmotion]

M5's SMG tranny is old tech vs. DCT on the M3. The M5's straightline pull is much greater than the M3's V8. You will indeed get more leg room in the rear and the interior is nicer than the M3s. HUD is nice on the M5 as well

[Greer]

Get the M3 sedan with Dct and you will never look back.

The kids will have a blast in the back seat as you row up and down the gears with the paddles!

[ebohon]

There is information on this post all over the place...I'm sure stuff you expected to hear from obvious differences such as horsepower and size, etc. I have two teens and this is my first Coupe since before my kids were born. Even as teens, it is a pain to get in and out of the car. If you have a baby on the way, Coupe should not be an option. Everything else is obvious..accelaration differences, sounds from the v10 v v8 etc and it should come to a personal preference. Good luck and congrats on the baby!

[FStop7]

M5 Pros:

More room front and rear
Ventilated seats, HUD, other cool options not available for the M3
More powerful than the M3, insane top end pull

M5 Cons:

Poorer handling vs. M3
Poor gas mileage and a small tank
SMG isn't very good and the 6 speed is mismatched and feels 'wrong'
Insane depreciation

M3 sedan pros:

Costs less (varies)
Handles better
Has better iDrive (if you get a 2009)
DCT much better than SMG, 6MT much better matched to the car
Slightly better gas mileage (but in either case it's not exactly good)

M3 cons:

Smaller interior, less cargo space
Not as powerful
Stiffer ride even in comfort mode
Lacks some of the neat features like HUD, etc

[Nate@IND]

Anthony@IND has an E60 M5 and a 3 year old little girl. The car is a perfect size for the family but like others said the gas mileage is horrible. Personally I would go with an M3 sedan. Great handling and the space when you need it.

[m3larson]

M5 all day long

[jml]

Massive Britax Boulevard car seat fits in the middle and sides just fine in the M3 Sedan. There is still room for two passengers, albeit snugly.

[ase2dais]

M3 Sedan would be my take!

A Killer Space Grey with 18" is a mini M5

[Ken37.73]

Originally Posted by ROADKING36

Hi everyone, I love the new M3 coupe and also love the E60 M5. I was wondering if anyone has owned both or even driven both. I am debating this because I have a little one on the way. I was dead set on the M3 coupe, but now really started looking at the M5. Other then the obvious, larger, 4 doors etc.. How would you compare the cars? What are your thoughts, likes and dislikes on the M5. Thanks for everyones help.

I had an M5 and replaced it with an M3 coupe. Also have a small child. IMO the M3 is about twice as satisfying to own, which is not to make little of the M5 but as far as I'm concered the M3 is a classic, better than any 911 except the Turbo. It is, in a word, MAGNIFICENT. Don't worry about practicality until you have 2 or 3 kids and anyway by then we'll all be driving hydrogen Hondas so it's not going to matter anyway !

PS - there is always a lot of debate about SMG. What I will say is that it really divides opinion so you should be absolutely sure you like it if you go with the M5. It's at it worst in town driving, particularly coming to a halt on hills as the gearbox loses it's mind about what it's doing. If it starts to bug you, you will want to set fire to the car rather than drive it. If you like it then you won't care. FTR I hated it.

[grizzy727]

I had a e46 m3 cab and 2 kids
I looked and and drove 6sp m3 sedan-- great car, torquey but still small back seat
I went with m5 in the end -- just bigger/nicer and overall more luxurious
car is a rocketship and scary fast when driving at 5k rpm and higher
If you are worried about mpg and filling up then m5 isnt for you.
Depends on your needs with space and with $$$$.
I wanted the ultimate all in one car and got it.
btw I own a 996 911 and the M5 is faster and can almost match the 911 in handling
except when pushed to the limits--the 911 is scary how far you can take the car in the corners and turns
Good Luck--Mike

[GT3 Tim]

Originally Posted by signes

I debated the same thing for a long time but wound up with the E90. Here was some of a previous post of mine on the subject:

I looked at M5s for a while before getting my E90. Loved the M5 - how could you not like a 200mph-capable sedan? But at the end of the day, the M5 felt too big and too removed compared to the E90. I think the M3 has more aggressive styling (personal preference, though I like the sleeper look of the M5), has more of a raw feel, is more nimble and "feels" faster than the M5. As far as cabin room, both are able to handle family duties, with the E60 having more (obviously) but it seems only really noticeable in width.

I am one of the few out there who liked the SMG gearbox, so that had nothing to do with my decision. E60 M5's have gotten absolutely clobbered in value (you think E9x M cars are being discounted...) so if you decide on an M5 you could probably get a very low mileage 2007 for mid-high $50s.

Same here. Drove a buddies E60 M5 for a while and thought it was a bit too disconnected and "heavy" for the driving I enjoy. I found the E90 M3 (sedan) was the perfect car for me. Rear seat legroom is roughly the same....but who cares, kids have short legs!

If you are worried about a coupe and getting the kid in and out (like I was), go for the sedan! I love mine.

[Speedtrap]

Sold my 2006 E60 M5 (fully loaded with everything on it as I took it off Christian Horner from Red Bull racing FI team principal) after 6 months of driving around and taking her to the Nurburgring. So I have the chance to actually drive it properly in the road and also track. I have a 1 year old....

Pros.
1. a super car level of performance in a straight line, but not on bends or turns (I dropped it on H&Rs). Hourses for courses - M3 is nowhere near the acceleration and top speed in a straight line.
2. able to take your friends, dearest, etc on a long journey comfortably.
3. engine sounds is second to none - I enjoyed downshifting the most...


Cons
1. i do not like the space in the car - I preferred the cocoon in a coupe
2. looks like a normal 5 series, not much difference to styling
3. drinks engine oil like there is no tommorrow
4. eats up rear tyres like there is no tommorow
5. makes me feel like an old man...

Now I have the ultimate car...my E92 M3

[david @ eas]

For kids, I would stick with the e60 M5.

Driven most higher performance sedans today including the C63 AMG, E63 AMG, the M3 Sedan, and the IS-F. Though the Mercedes might be more comfortable, obviously everyone wants the sportier versions.

I personally would still stick with the E60 M5 over all these including the M3 Sedan any day if I had children in the backseat. It's more comfortable, there's a bit more leg room and it's a great touring car if you took it cross country

[!Xoible]

i have the M3 coupe, and my brother has the E60 M5. if i am expecting a kid i would not even look at the coupe. getting the kid in and out with the seat and all will make you cry!

E60 is very nimble, fast, responsive, it's a beast. and it feels like 10x more of a car than the M3. in other words i feel my m3 is pretty ghetto now.

one thing tho, the M5 has much more body roll that i can notice. still pretty damn nimble, handles great and all, but not as precise as the M3.

if i were u, my options would be the E90 M3 (sedan) and the E60 M5. coupe is definitely a no no with a kid

[nofear]

I have a M6 with SMG and I must say my wifes M3 with DCT is absolutely amazing....I would go with the M3 sedan w DCT

[Dascamel]

After the age of 2-3 coupe is more than ok.... Before that stick with a four door.