Thoughts on BMW M5

[db1]

As a longstanding MB customer with 2 MBs (S500 and SL55) I am very tempted by the new M5. The road tests that have been done so far seem positive.

What is the general opinion, why would you buy an E63 over an M5 today?

If you look at the comparisons:

1. Engine
2. Gearbox
3. Handling
4. "Tech" - eg: surround cameras, head up display

Many seem to favour the M5 if you are looking for a sporty saloon car.

I am going to visit AMG soon and want some questions/comments to ask them about this.

Cheers

DB1

 

[developer]

As a longstanding MB customer with 2 MBs (S500 and SL55) I am very tempted by the new M5. The road tests that have been done so far seem positive.

What is the general opinion, why would you buy an E63 over an M5 today?

If you look at the comparisons:

1. Engine
2. Gearbox
3. Handling
4. "Tech" - eg: surround cameras, head up display

Many seem to favour the M5 if you are looking for a sporty saloon car.

I am going to visit AMG soon and want some questions/comments to ask them about this.

Cheers

DB1

That's a great question - I look forward to the replies.

I suspect you'll get bias in the answers, but in the real world they are both spectacular engineering examples.

 

[st4]

You may find the new F10 M5 quite far removed from M5s of yesteryear.

Tables are turning and BMWs (particularly the F10) are not being praised for good dynamics but the Jags and even Mercs are.

You may find the 212 E63 very pleasing.

You may wish to consider the XF-R as well as the Bonkers Audi RS6 V10 twin turbo.

 

[d w124]

You forgot to mention looks,not a fan of the 212 look but the AMG clearly pulls it off
Every late BMW looks like it was meant for some MADMAX movie

 

[db1]

You forgot to mention looks,not a fan of the 212 look but the AMG clearly pulls it off
Every late BMW looks like it was meant for some MADMAX movie

True. I didn't mention looks but then that is down to individual preference and mostly subjective. I wanted to focus more on the technical comparison.

 

[db1]

You may find the new F10 M5 quite far removed from M5s of yesteryear.

Tables are turning and BMWs (particularly the F10) are not being praised for good dynamics but the Jags and even Mercs are.

You may find the 212 E63 very pleasing.

You may wish to consider the XF-R as well as the Bonkers Audi RS6 V10 twin turbo.

I think they are all great cars and definitely worth considering.

There is a video on YouTube of the engineers describing the differences between the m5 and the other F10 series cars. I found it quite interesting. Worth a look.

 

[Oli]

The new Turbo charged M5 and E63 are both sure to be great cars,however if it was me I would be saving alot of money and buying a 2/3 year old RS6 for half the money and getting it remapped to 700+BHP, like *** said thos cars are truly mental.

 

[timskemp]

A tough choice - Used to be pretty clear cut. E63 for comfort ahead of outright handling, M5 for handling ahead of outright comfort, Audi for traction and day-to-day usability. Now the 5 series is getting softer and the E class is getting tighter it makes them harder to choose between.

I'd be staying loyal to my chosen brand and get the E63, the new engine and gearbox are great, but I'd not kick any of the three off my drive.

 

[Red C220]

Quite honestly if I was in the market for an £80,000 car which I assume these are, I'd be buying an Aston Martin.

 

[Biglips]

Quite honestly if I was in the market for an £80,000 car which I assume these are, I'd be buying an Aston Martin.

Or Maserati

 

[gIzzE]

The new Turbo charged M5 and E63 are both sure to be great cars,however if it was me I would be saving alot of money and buying a 2/3 year old RS6 for half the money and getting it remapped to 700+BHP, like *** said thos cars are truly mental.

The RS6 is seriously, seriously disappointing.
It doesn't really do anything, other than accelerate quickly, very well at all.


I am not a fan of the F10, but the M5 might be very different, but the new 5 series is a nothing car really. Softened down to appeal to more people and now does everything in an OK manner but doesn't really feel very BMW.

Only thing to do is try them out I guess.

One thing though, I bet the M5 gives alright economy, friend of mine has the 550i, which is also a twin turbo V8 and he is seeing 28mpg average, which is pretty impressive. But then, if you're buying a car that is loosing £2000 a month in the first year then I guess that doesn't really matter?

 

[Oli]

Quite honestly if I was in the market for an £80,000 car which I assume these are, I'd be buying an Aston Martin.

Horses for courses really, I would much rather any of those 3 than an Aston, I know they have their fans but modern Astons to me arn't that pretty,cost lots of money and arn't THAT quick for what you pay(apart from the One-77 but would much rather an Aventador and a huge pile of change)

 

[gIzzE]

Or Maserati

Problem with that is everyone I know who has owned one says the running costs are off the scale, at least an AMG or M car is pretty reasonable in that respect.

 

[Red C220]

Horses for courses really, I would much rather any of those 3 than an Aston, I know they have their fans but modern Astons to me arn't that pretty,cost lots of money and arn't THAT quick for what you pay(apart from the One-77 but would much rather an Aventador and a huge pile of change)

Absolutely, with £80K I'd be buying this:-

Detailed photo

Zero depreciation, (possible appreciation) oozes class. More performance than you're ever going to reasonably need.

If it's outright performance you want then a Skyline GTR is probably the best real world car there is right now.

If it's track day - Ultima GTR.

 

[bolide]

Absolutely, with £80K I'd be buying this...
Zero depreciation, (possible appreciation) oozes class

Finally - the voice of reason!

All you guys buying new/newish performance cars must be very confident in your future earning power. The smart money is in older cars with low depreciation

Nick Froome
the independent Mercedes Estate specialists

 

[Palmball]

As gIzzE says....Maserati running costs are astronomical. Even if you're used to the inflated priced charged to M and AMG owners then this will not prepare you for Maserati ownership. This is fine if you do under 10k a year but for the likes of me (20k+), it just wasn't viable (depreciation being the main issue on a high-mile Maser).

Anyway, back on topic....I'm a big fan of cars like the E63, M5 and XFR - I've driven all of them (well, not the new F10 one obviously as it's not out yet) and reckon they're the best engineered all-round cars that money can buy.

Being based on a mass-produced premium car means it's well made and has the substance to add the considerable performance and dynamic upgrades that they all have in abundance. This is not something that could be said of lower volume exotics like Maserati's, Astons etc....believe me, I know!

Anyway, for me the E63 is one of my favourite drives so far, but....if the F10 drives as well (which it probably will) then I'd go for that as I favour the looks of the BMW over the W212.

The XFR is though....if you thought a 2 year old E63 was cheap at under £50k, you can't overlook that you can now buy an 18-24 month old XFR for mid £30k's! Incredible value and with enough ability to match the German's (if not quite as 'solid')....for a youngster like me though, I'd struggle with the "Jag'ness" though

 

[C240Sport97]

Detailed photo

that is LUSH !!

 

[Red C220]

There is some logic in there.

However consdier this.

If you have £80,000 or so to spend on a vehicle, then two vehicles should be no extra consideration whatsoever.

Really, who in their right mind would spend £80K on a single vehicle household as a commuter for 20K+ miles a year.

The depretation loss, plus fuel costs, plus servicing and running costs would cover a very nice economical commuter vehicle thus allowing your sports car to be completely uncompromised and aimed absolutely at power and fun.

Of course if you "want" one then there's no point trying to justify it, just buy one.

I guess I'm on the outside looking in - but if you can really afford £80K cars, running costs simply shouldn't be an issue, in which case depretiation really doesn't matter, in which case you may as well buy something else to slog around in and save your special vehicle for special days.

If you're in a position where the depretiation and running costs are a genuine consideration, then you have to ask yourself can you actually afford the thing in the first place.

 

[Oli]

Absolutely, with £80K I'd be buying this:-

Detailed photo

Zero depreciation, (possible appreciation) oozes class. More performance than you're ever going to reasonably need.

If it's outright performance you want then a Skyline GTR is probably the best real world car there is right now.

If it's track day - Ultima GTR.

That's a nice car, I like the older ones alot,just modern Astons from say the DB7 onwards do nothing for me at all.

 

[Oli]

The RS6 is seriously, seriously disappointing.
It doesn't really do anything, other than accelerate quickly, very well at all.

Please don't tell me that, I really had set my sights on a 700+ BHP RS6 in the next couple of years to replace the E55.