[slowcar]

Currently driving a 2006 bmw 325i 6 speed. Bought the n52 for reliability.

Year and a half into ownership, getting slightly bored.

m3/335i is too similar to my e90, and missing the xfactor of the v10.

should I buy an e60 m5? or should I just start handing out 100's to forum members?

[TunafishE93]

I think the 100's sounds like the proper choice...

[Biginboca]

The drama of constant expensive repairs is just the thing you need to keep you from being bored... Go For It!

[tlow98]

If you have $10-15k set aside for a motor or vanos or... then yes

Alternatively, buy the car then pay $3-5k for the preventative rod bearings, Vanos, and whatever else it needs. And put $5k aside for a clutch.

Either way, you need about $10k ready to deploy at any time if you intend to have an independent mechanic replace the above (dealer - double or triple).

You might get lucky, never know, but it's a pretty old platform at this point. I've driven the M6 very hard on several occasions. They're so big that they really never feel that fast, imo. There's just not a lot of torque so you really have to commit to going fast with all out throttle using ever bit of revs. I think the newer tt v8s are a better fit to those heavy chassis. Never thought I'd say that!

If you have place to really stretch its legs, they can be fun. Cruising around town, tho, kinda meh.

Might I suggest an E55? Wasn't that your jam, anyway?

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

send money plz

[slowcar]

Originally Posted by tlow98

If you have $10-15k set aside for a motor or vanos or... then yes

Alternatively, buy the car then pay $3-5k for the preventative rod bearings, Vanos, and whatever else it needs. And put $5k aside for a clutch.

Either way, you need about $10k ready to deploy at any time if you intend to have an independent mechanic replace the above (dealer - double or triple).

You might get lucky, never know, but it's a pretty old platform at this point. I've driven the M6 very hard on several occasions. They're so big that they really never feel that fast, imo. There's just not a lot of torque so you really have to commit to going fast with all out throttle using ever bit of revs. I think the newer tt v8s are a better fit to those heavy chassis. Never thought I'd say that!

If you have place to really stretch its legs, they can be fun. Cruising around town, tho, kinda meh.

Might I suggest an E55? Wasn't that your jam, anyway?

Would be a 6 speed, so maybe 2.5k for a clutch.

After test driving an e63, I was just disappointed with the mercedes experience overall. I still need to find an e55 to test drive. I think I might be a bmw guy for life :/

[stewbets]

Originally Posted by slowcar

Would be a 6 speed, so maybe 2.5k for a clutch.

After test driving an e63, I was just disappointed with the mercedes experience overall. I still need to find an e55 to test drive. I think I might be a bmw guy for life :/

Did you end up test driving an M3? I thought that's what you were considering, but in that other thread I just remember you saying you test drove several M5's.

[relative4]

The E60 M5 is an amazing car, but I shudder to think what maintenance would be like, and I recently beat one in a 0-80 pull in my Stage 1+ 335xi.
At my track day last week, a very new M5 was there. They did a couple of very fast laps. Then I saw them in the paddock with the hood up, and that was the end of their day.

[Serf27]

Yes buy one and do the rod bearings and you will be good.
My buddy and I did the bearings on his m6 and it took about 5-6 hours.
They’re not the fastest anymore but nothing beats the way that v10 sounds, except Lexus.

I’ve also been thinking about getting an m5/m6.

[Aceway]

Find a manual if you can, I've been looking for the right one to pop up since the smg is the only thing I don't want to deal with.

[fastboatster]

I say why not, especially if that’s a manual. Who knows, maybe it’ll appreciate a bit after a few years, after all, what v10 cars are there now for the e60 m5 prices

[JM98]

If you find a manual one and do all your own work go for it, I'd say they are on par with N54 ownership when it comes to cost and reliability but much more unique.

Used car prices on them have pretty much bottomed out as well.

[JingChai]

Watch this video here:

[slowcar]

Originally Posted by stewbets

Did you end up test driving an M3? I thought that's what you were considering, but in that other thread I just remember you saying you test drove several M5's.

drove a dct m3 and 6 speed m3.

was slightly underwhelmed by the m3. i think driving the m5 tainted my view. m3 just didnt have the xfactor that the v10 did.

that said, i didnt really get to push it on the twisties, which to be fair, is probably where the m3 would have shined.

[CTinline-six]

Originally Posted by JingChai

Watch this video here:

Nathan's right. If you can do the work yourself on an M5 then by all means go for it. If you have to pay a shop, it will bankrupt you and isn't worth it.

[nsjames]

my brothers m sport 535 e60 is(was?) great fun. active swaybars and most of the m5 jazz, but n54 things.

[fortywater]

Are you going to keep your 325i as a DD? The M5 is a terrible car to DD. It get's awful gas mileage, especially around town. So if you have any sort of a commute, you will pay for it at the pump. The v10 is amazing and every time you step on it, you will smile and it is actually a pretty reliable car if you keep up on maintenance. I recommend shopping for one that has already had the rod bearings addressed and has extensive maintenance records. Don't get an 06', id look for 08'+ as most of the issues had been somewhat addressed.

Get a 3rd party inspection before you buy. Obviously they won't be able to tell you about bearings etc, but suspension components on these cars aren't cheap either, and they can get it on a lift and look for leaks.

If you buy any M car, you gotta pay to play. If you are thinking you will be able to get one and maintain it like your 325i, even if it is well sorted, it will not be the case. For example, I recently had to get a coil pack replaced and the cost for 1 coil pack from BMW is around $115. You can get all 6 for that price for a 325. Add the cost of installation at an Indy and you're looking at a $350 replacement.

Unless you have decent amount of disposable income, you would be better off getting a 335i or 535i. A well sorted E60 M5 in a 6 speed is going to be knocking on the door of $30k...

Source: E60 M5 owner currently getting ready to sell the E60 M5.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by slowcar

Would be a 6 speed, so maybe 2.5k for a clutch.

After test driving an e63, I was just disappointed with the mercedes experience overall. I still need to find an e55 to test drive. I think I might be a bmw guy for life :/

E55 /= E63. confused

[ryan stewart]

Holy god, I just looked up that vanos pump and rod bearing issue. That would be a hard pill to swallow...

[slowcar]

Originally Posted by tlow98

E55 /= E63. confused

E63 = E55 with less tq, better steering and handling

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by slowcar

E63 = E55 with less tq, better steering and handling

Yeah, but e55 was like your idol before. Just wondering why you bailed on it

[slowcar]

Originally Posted by tlow98

Yeah, but e55 was like your idol before. Just wondering why you bailed on it

Honestly it just felt like a really fast lexus. Not the worst thing in the world but would not recommend driving it back to back with an m5. Not even remotely comparable in terms of driver feel/engagement.

I would have loved to love an e55 :/

its 50% of the purchase price and like 10% of the ongoing maintenance costs.