I’m a real car (BMW) enthusiast. Since I have my license, I drive BMW cars and I just love them. First BMW I owned was an E30 and now an E36 (4-doors). I’m going to give the E36 to my girlfriend and I want to buy a used not abused M-car… I want to own and drive my dream, so I’m going to buy my first M-car!!!
I live in Europe and I’m choosing between a used M5 (E39) and used M3 (E46). I love BMW and those two are part of my dream cars. I mean dream cars that I can afford and own. Because they are sporty, quick, and more undercover (stealth), then let’s say a Porsche… It’s important for my work that people don’t think too much he’s loaded or he’s a showoff… An M3 or M5 will do reasonable ok in that area… Most people will think, it’s a 3serie or 5serie with alloy wheels.
What are my car needs…
* I need a very reliable sporty car, that’s not abused.
* I want manual gears.
* I drive 25.000Km (15.534 miles) a year.
* It will be my daily car.
* I seem to keep my cars a long time. If I love them. My E36 has 200.000KM
* I will service and maintain it as my baby, butt sometimes I will drive it hard
* I will use it on a track a couple of days a year. Just for the fun!
* I want a car that gives me thrills every time I get into it and drive it.
* I’m not going to mod this car. Engine, suspension, etc will remain stock. If the original wheels were damaged, then I would change them in aftermarket BBS wheels. For ride comfort and handling I prefer 18” over 19”.
* I don’t need a lot of space or a big trunk (I drive alone or with two, almost never with someone on the back seat).
E39 M5
My opinion…
+ I drove a 2000 M5 for one hour... I really loved it (performance, handling, engine sound, looks, comfort, etc)!!! I was so exited driving it. This car is so nice….
- Yearly tax is more painful in comparison with M3.
If there is one M5 I’m going to buy, then it’s this one….
http://supercar-be.mpname.de/UsedCar...e=bmw.front.nl
A friend of mine has an official BMW garage. Someone bought a new X5 with him and he has a black 2000 M5 (with black leather and xenon) for sale. One owner (85.000Km, 52.816 miles), he knows the previous owner and the history of the car, he has driven it not hard and had no accidents. Was always serviced in my friends garage and is in super condition. The car looks new from outside and inside. It’s a really reliable M5 with full history. The car is totally checked by BMW and I will get BMW quality selection warranty and a nice price ($32.000 - $38.000)…. So if my engine blows up, I got warranty… Can be important!
E46 M3
My opinion…
+/- Never driven it myself, but I’m sure I will love it also.
- Any other M3 or M5 will no be the same super safe buy as that used M5 from my friend’s garage.
+ Cheaper to insure and much lower yearly tax then M5
+ A used 2002 M3 is cheaper then a used 2002 M5
+ Better fuel consumption then M5 (fuel is expensive in Europe)
+ Better on track then M5
If I had a much bigger budget, I would buy a New M. But that’s not possible now. Money is an issue and so we are with the used M-cars…. Still I would be really, really happy with a used E39 M5 or used E46 M3…
Here are my questions…
* That used M5 I was talking about has not driven for a year. Is that bad?
* Is a 2000 M5 to old?
* Is there a big difference with the later models (beside the cosmetic changes)?
* What about the oil consumption and Vanos problems on the 2000 M5?
* How reliable is a used M3 vs used M5?
* Which one has the best brakes?
* Which one is most reliable and why?
* How good are the M5 / M3 wheels (do they dent easy, does the chrome come off)?
* Is it true an M3 is cheaper to run, own then an M5?
* How many miles can you do when you have to replace clutch or suspension?
* If you buy an M3 or M5 from someone you don’t know? You never really know what happened with it (track racing, accidents, service?)
* I was also looking for used M3 or M5 in Germany. Any thoughts?
* What KM, mileage would be the maximum to buy a used Mcar?
* Can you fit an aftermarket din radio in a M5 (or does it look ugly?)?
* A friend of mine drove M3 and M5. He says the M5 is easier to control on the limit.
* Is it ok to ride an original M3 or M5 on a track? Or is this abuse and better not done? That would be a down point
