[gIzzE]

I got a quote from Lombard last week on an M3, borrowing £40k over 48 months with a balloon of £26k was £543 a month. But I reckon the balloon needs to be nearer £18k the way things are these days.

Also still not sure if buying a facelift E46 SMG M3 would not be a better bet right now?
I was offered a nice 2003 car today for £13500, that is trouser money.

Also offered a nice 330i E46 touring (2001 but before March so no high tax) for a ridiculous amount, going to have that for taking stuff to the tip etc. and taking the dog out in, it has done nearly a 100k but it is from a main dealer and they said they would warranty it, so can't go wrong!

There are some serious bargins out there.


You only live once so if you can afford to run the M5 then I say go for it.

[Steve A]

Originally Posted by gIzzE

I got a quote from Lombard last week on an M3, borrowing £40k over 48 months with a balloon of £26k was £543 a month. But I reckon the balloon needs to be nearer £18k the way things are these days.

Also still not sure if buying a facelift E46 SMG M3 would not be a better bet right now?
I was offered a nice 2003 car today for £13500, that is trouser money.

Also offered a nice 330i E46 touring (2001 but before March so no high tax) for a ridiculous amount, going to have that for taking stuff to the tip etc. and taking the dog out in, it has done nearly a 100k but it is from a main dealer and they said they would warranty it, so can't go wrong!

There are some serious bargins out there.


You only live once so if you can afford to run the M5 then I say go for it.

gizster what deposit was the finace as it sounds foooookin expensive??

[rogerxp]

I was just coming to the idea of putting it off until the 'perfect' car comes around (buying myself a little thought time in the process) but guess what, it's just turned up on the 'coming soon' bit of the BMW website. Just sent them an e-mail... ...I wonder if they can come anywhere near the other dealer, or even better, beat them!!!

[dxb335d]

so how much can yyou realistically pic up an M5 for now, 30k?

[gIzzE]

Originally Posted by Steve A

gizster what deposit was the finace as it sounds foooookin expensive??

No deposit. That was them lending me £40k over 48 months with a £26k balloon.
57 plate car.

[dxb335d]

57 plate so one year old skool. Id be happy with an 05 one.

[rogerxp]

Have a look on the BMW website Carl. Cheapest is £28,995 (coming soon at my local dealer) at BMW then some at the £30k mark on Autotrader then BMW website kicks off again at £32/£33k mark. Some on Pistonheads too.

[gIzzE]

Sorry that was a quote for a new M3.

I reckon you can be in an M5 with BMW warranty for £30k now, they want them shifted. You tempted Carlos??

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by gIzzE

Sorry that was a quote for a new M3.

I reckon you can be in an M5 with BMW warranty for £30k now, they want them shifted. You tempted Carlos??

Very much so mate, its such an awesome car its unreal. You really cant not consider one for that price. A Lambo Gallardo beater

[Porscha!]

rogerxp - If you are decided on a four door I don't think you could do much better

Carlos - No disrespect but do you really need a four door saloon? Other cars for £30K include things like -
Z4M
Exige
M3 CSL
MG SV - think about it 4.6V8 and how many have you ever seen?
Porsche 911 (Choice of generations)
If the M5 fits the bill for you though, go for it

[gIzzE]

But Carlos likes straight line speed, so an M5 would be perfect I reckon.

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by Porscha!

rogerxp - If you are decided on a four door I don't think you could do much better

Carlos - No disrespect but do you really need a four door saloon? Other cars for £30K include things like -
Z4M
Exige
M3 CSL
MG SV - think about it 4.6V8 and how many have you ever seen?
Porsche 911 (Choice of generations)
If the M5 fits the bill for you though, go for it

Z4M I do not like.
Exige Nah
M3 CSL Tried one, my diesel is faster.
MG SV NOT A HOPE IN HELL
Porsche 911, tried 996 turbo and it felt old, fast though
If the M5 LOOKS THE BOLLOX. Commands respect. Straightline performance is amazing. Handles well too.

Originally Posted by gIzzE

But Carlos likes straight line speed, so an M5 would be perfect I reckon.

Oh yes i do buddy, you cant beat the feeling of sheer monstrous acceleration.

I love a car that handles and as far as im concerned M division also know how to make em go round bends too

[Porscha!]

What about some stupidly quick bike engined kit car then?!

The M5, to me anyway, just seems faaaaaaar too grown up, still a lovely car but just very grown up!

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by Porscha!

What about some stupidly quick bike engined kit car then?!

The M5, to me anyway, just seems faaaaaaar too grown up, still a lovely car but just very grown up!

nAH, Dont really like kit cars.

M5 is the dogs. Nuff said.

I would like a Noble. But would rather an M5.

[Porscha!]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Z4M I do not like.
Exige Nah
M3 CSL Tried one, my diesel is faster.
MG SV NOT A HOPE IN HELL
Porsche 911, tried 996 turbo and it felt old, fast though
If the M5 LOOKS THE BOLLOX. Commands respect. Straightline performance is amazing. Handles well too.

E90Post Campaign - Get Carlos into an MG SV

Pros -
Rarer than rare
4.6 V8
It's British
It will never loose money
They go rather quick

Cons -
Erm can't think of any and before you say the badge, theres nothing wrong with the MG badge, the ethos of MG was to produce sports cars

[Budgie]

There quick?? we arent talking M5 quick lol..and the way he drives i heard they handle like a wet weekend in Bognor...i want Carlos to live not end up in a bush round the manor lol.

And the only bush i want him to end up in is the misswah...init bud

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by Budgie

There quick?? we arent talking M5 quick lol..and the way he drives i heard they handle like a wet weekend in Bognor...i want Carlos to live not end up in a bush round the manor lol.

And the only bush i want him to end up in is the misswah...init bud

Yeah mate for sure

[Porscha!]

Originally Posted by Budgie

There quick?? we arent talking M5 quick lol..and the way he drives i heard they handle like a wet weekend in Bognor...i want Carlos to live not end up in a bush round the manor lol.

And the only bush i want him to end up in is the misswah...init bud

0-60 in 5 or 4.8 for an SVR

They are fun, fun, fun All MGs are a bit interesting in the handling department which makes them fun. Carlos wouls soon get into it and learn to take corners at the correct speed for the car, I have every trust in him

...and I'd rather not be knowing what Carlos and his "Misswah" are getting up to, especially not round his Mum and Dads Only joking Carlos

[rogerxp]

Well, took out the 'original' M5 today that sparked off my interest and... ...can't really make up my mind what I think just yet. Think I need a little time to review the experience in my head.

First impressions, the Interlagos Blue is great, more purple than blue, really stands out. Don't think it'll be my first choice of colour though, it's still Silverstone II. Wasn't totally taken by the leather colour being Silverstone (kind of a dirty looking cream) so Black is my first choice.

Fired it up and then the choice of colour seems irrelevant. Just a real monster. Adrenelin started to flow quicker!!! The range stated 15 miles until empty so the first stop was for fuel (may as well start as you mean to go on!!!). I was a little shocked at a 'roughly' quarter tank only seemed to give a range of 66 miles - eeck.

The gearbox took some getting used to (having never driven an SMG 'box before) however it was very similar to the CambioCorsa gearbox in the Maserati however much much better. Started in Auto mode but quickly switched to manual. So many adjustments can be made we just tinkered a little.

In manual mode it seemed fantastic, really smooth and fast. Auto mode was having a few difficulties (could be jerky as slow speeds and holding onto gears too long at other times) but I'm sure you'd get used to this with practice and learn how to drive it to it's best abilities. The throttle blips when you drop down a gear is highly addictive though,

The ride in 'relaxed' mode was great, super smooth, perfect for hauling the family around. In full 'M' mode it was still pretty compliant but obviously more firm. Didn't get chance to throw it around too much but you just got the impression it could handle anything you threw at it.

Loved the seats, start the engine and the bolsters move in to grip you - felt like the car was giving you a welcoming hug!!! These were the standard seats too (not the active ones). The head-up display was just brilliant, loved it, but I am a gadget fan. Really did make you feel like a fighter pilot.

The drive was pretty predictable really; amazing. So fast, smooth, loads of torque. Pulling away in 6th at any speed was a doddle (the car only ever starts off in 2nd!!).

As I said, I just can't make up my mind. I think you've actually got too much power on tap (I know that's a taboo phrase). I was in excess of 100mph on the slip road joining the motorway without realising it. You'd have to be sooooo careful with your speed otherwise you will lose your license for sure.

It's just the fuel thing that's stalling me. I remember getting so fed up filling up the Maserati all the time. It's not that it's unaffordable but you just keep seeing £70 vanishing once a week simply on fuel; it just bugged me after a while, especially as I don't do high mileage.

I drove away from the dealer thinking a 535d would be sufficient however now I want to get back into the M5. I think that's the thing about proper M cars, it's just the frill of driving them that makes you take a leave of your senses!!!

Oh, the warranty on the engine is 10 years on all M cars, apparently. Then 1 year standard BMW warranty on a used motor. Apparently an extended warranty works out at £1 per day (around £400 p/a) - that seemed stupidly reasonable.

Oh, decisions, decisions, decisions... ...I'll stick with the 330d for now though.

[gIzzE]

The most basic warranty is £400, that is with a £250 excess, that cover the engine, gearbox.......in fact all the driveline. To get the full warranty with no excess it jumps to around a grand.

66 miles from a quarter tank?? That is just the OBC, start driving and it will drop to between 40 and 55 depending on driving style.

[rogerxp]

Yeah, didn't really quiz the guy about the 'type' of warranty but that makes sense.

That's my worry about the fuel. It said 15 miles to go when I got in, when we arrived at the garage is said 8 to do - we'd only travelled 2!!!