Is the E60 M5 really worth it? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Michael_s · 27th November 2006, 17:55

I have a 2007 on order that is in production as I type. Currently I drive an E39 M5 with just shy of 47K on the clock and have no mechanical problems at all and I love the car. It pulls hard, rides great (no squeeks, rattles, etc.). When I ordered the E60 M5 I was sure I was ready to upgrade to the new M5 and now I am having some doubts, maybe buyers remorse. While $$ is a factor with the new M5, I would not have ordered the car if I could not afford it. Having said all this (my apologies for being a little long-winded), I would like to hear some thoughts/opinions from current E60 M5 owners who upgraded from the E39. Is it everything you thought is would be? Is it more? Do you regret buying the new M5, etc. Thanks in advance. Best regards, Michael

liquido · 27th November 2006, 18:12

There was a thread about the same question......I never owned the e39 so I wouldnt know but I guess you will get a lot of input from here:

Any E39 M5 owners regret upgrading to E60 M5 ?

M-aniac · 27th November 2006, 18:13

I totally regret my purchase. Even though the car has had almost no issues, it's just a weird car. When I say that I mean, I get very annoyed with all of the crap on the car and the clunky transmission. I wish that I would have purchased a Porsche or E63

labelexec · 27th November 2006, 18:17

Comparing the E60 M5 dollar for dollar with other high performance cars, it is a bargain.

Gustav · 27th November 2006, 18:22

You changed yoru opinion over the last 1,5 months?

Quote:

Originally Posted by M-aniac

I totally regret my purchase. Even though the car has had almost no issues, it's just a weird car. When I say that I mean, I get very annoyed with all of the crap on the car and the clunky transmission. I wish that I would have purchased a Porsche or E63

bernhtp · 27th November 2006, 18:49

This M5 is by far the best car I've ever owned. What some might consider "weird," I consider to be important innovations in automotive design and technology. I also have 22,000 miles on it without problem making this the most reliable car I've owned. Relative to other performance-luxury cars, it is a huge bargain.

Tom

rodman31 · 27th November 2006, 19:17

Having owned both E39 and now E60, I can tell you they are worlds apart! The E60 is by far IMO worlds ahead of the E39 and I have not looked back. Yes, I had problems with my E39 and yes there are problems with the E60.

My E39 went thru rear sway bars, clutch and bad steering wheel all replaced under warranty. The only thing I miss about the E39 is the LeMans Blue color and the silverstone interior!

I think you will develop the same attachments to the E60, its always difficult to let go off something we are comfortable with.

Robert

liquido · 27th November 2006, 19:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gustav

You changed yoru opinion over the last 1,5 months?

Ouch.......you got a pair of observing eyes there Gustav!

///MURDOCK · 27th November 2006, 19:43

never owned an e39 but you WILL NOT REGRET the new beast. (IMO)

M CRISIS · 27th November 2006, 19:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///MURDOCK

never owned an e39 but you WILL NOT REGRET the new beast. (IMO)

+1

mricorp · 27th November 2006, 20:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael_s

I have a 2007 on order that is in production as I type. Currently I drive an E39 M5 with just shy of 47K on the clock and have no mechanical problems at all and I love the car. It pulls hard, rides great (no squeeks, rattles, etc.). When I ordered the E60 M5 I was sure I was ready to upgrade to the new M5 and now I am having some doubts, maybe buyers remorse. While $$ is a factor with the new M5, I would not have ordered the car if I could not afford it. Having said all this (my apologies for being a little long-winded), I would like to hear some thoughts/opinions from current E60 M5 owners who upgraded from the E39. Is it everything you thought is would be? Is it more? Do you regret buying the new M5, etc. Thanks in advance. Best regards, Michael

Bought an E60 and sold it 6 months later!

Thank god I kept my E39!

Unless you spend all day long over 6,000 rpm, the E39 M5 is a much better car all around.

Just my opinion but I always thought of my E39 as the "perfect" car. The E60 does not hold a candle to it.

Gadgets · 27th November 2006, 20:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael_s

I have a 2007 on order that is in production as I type. Currently I drive an E39 M5 with just shy of 47K on the clock and have no mechanical problems at all and I love the car. It pulls hard, rides great (no squeeks, rattles, etc.). When I ordered the E60 M5 I was sure I was ready to upgrade to the new M5 and now I am having some doubts, maybe buyers remorse. While $$ is a factor with the new M5, I would not have ordered the car if I could not afford it. Having said all this (my apologies for being a little long-winded), I would like to hear some thoughts/opinions from current E60 M5 owners who upgraded from the E39. Is it everything you thought is would be? Is it more? Do you regret buying the new M5, etc. Thanks in advance. Best regards, Michael

With all the respect to the E39 M5, you cannot compare those cars, the E39 M5 is closer in performance to my 550i.

I love all the gadgets in the car, the comfort, I love how it rides, I love the I-Drive and I love how it looks, Otherwise I wouldn't have bought it being my 3rd E60 over the past 2 years.

Bottom line - I don't think you can get a better car (4 door sedan...) for the same money.

Good Luck with your decision!

DRM · 27th November 2006, 21:05

Question: Have you spent much time driving an E60 M5?? I mean hours; not a few trips around the block. Frankly, I don't see how you could make a decision to part with your E39 until you experience an E60 at length. If you poke around at some BMW dealerships enough, act like and prove financially you're a real buyer, and you find one whose GM or Sales Mgr has one as their personal "company car" (dealership guys at that level get that perk, ya know); then you can probably get them to let you take it out for a few hours; especially since you're already an M5 owner. That's the process I went through when I wanted to fully evaluate a new M5 and M6. 'Had to whine a little; show them I was very serious; but I was given the keys in each case.

Eventually I decided to keep the E39 M5(which had already been modded to a "full monty" Dinan S2 pkg.). There were a lot of reasons, but none of them economic. There are some good things about the new "M" cars; and some not so good. But at the end of the day, the new models just didn't deliver a visceral reaction like the e39 did and always has for me.

In fact, I delivered my car today to get the full S3 pkg installed. No economic difference at all between doing that and suffering depreciation by buying a new car. For me, doing this is the best of both worlds; having a high performance sedan I really like, without having to compromise on all the things I don't like about the new "M" cars.

Good luck with your decision.

Dan