Your opinion on second car??? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

stedes · 8th February 2009, 07:17

Hey guys. Moved to Sydney for 3-4 years (good salary to pay for M5 restoration!) and looking for a used car here. Couldn't possibly have another M-car financially so what would you go for:

1. 2003 E46 320ci M-Sport Coupe auto (immaculate condition) ~50.000km

or

2. 2005 E90 320i Sedan (just less than immaculate) SE auto ~60.000km

Both going for the same price...just wondering what your thoughts are...

Thank you.

///Manuel · 9th February 2009, 03:48

What will you use the car for?

legacy260 · 9th February 2009, 10:26

I would go for something quite mad, totally different and unusual.

Sebring NL · 9th February 2009, 13:55

By all means the E90 !

residual value will be at least twice that of the E46 in a couple of years. I'm already surprised they can be had for the same money even now. The fact that the E46 is M-sport wouldn't bother me at all , its an auto afterall.

My choice. M3 CSL. 993 GT2. You catch my drift. Those make good secondary cars.

pspassos · 9th February 2009, 14:05

E90 for sure, financially speaking

stedes · 9th February 2009, 14:21

Thanks guys. Car will be used on evenings, weekends and the odd trip to work ( i can walk to work if weather is ok).
Sebring NL...good thinking but unfortunately all used-car-price european logic does not apply here in Australia. As an example...A 4 year Golf V 1.0 TDi (manual) loses just 18% of its value in 4 years and 40.000 km! Also cars like those mentioned attract very high taxation here so are about 3-4 times my budget!
Having driven both cars now here's an update:
1. E46 - immaculate condition inside and out. Car feels tight and small 6 sounds nice and sweet.
2. E90 - Fair condition with a few scratches on the bodywork and partly worn leather driver's chair. Engine sounds horrible, car feels brisk but not tight. Interior trim sounds like it is falling off when going over bumpy roads. Quite dissapointed as girlfriends 316i (cyprus) which is around same age as this car feels much sweeter and tighter.

So the search continues. By the way...have already looked into E34s...unfortunately haven't found one in decent condition (non-M), and drove E39 525i (cheaper than both 3s) which felt slow and very "heavy". I guess if one is used to E34 M5 one will never be happy in the "hands of another girl".

kiudog · 9th February 2009, 16:21

man, i would buy the newest car i could get maybe a 2006 e90...to be a reliable daily driver and to get the factory warranty. keep the shop money for the E34M5....you know she will need it! keep looking, you will find one that meets your needs!

Ferrari-Bmw · 9th February 2009, 19:23

124036,,,,,,,,,,, anyday

M540i LE · 10th February 2009, 09:41

If you are looking at E34's, there are a few of the 70 original 540i Limited Editions for sale at the moment and I personally know that 2 of them (#15 and #16) are both excellent cars in outstanding condition - and no - neither are mine!

Full 1995 E34 M5 suspension including EDCIII, 6 speed, full M5 interior, etc

#15 also has been dynoed at around 230-240kw, so not too short on power compared with a 3.8 M5.

If interested, or want more info, let me know.

And welcome to Australia. I hope you enjoy your time here. Whether you purchase an E34 or not, please feel free to join either or both of the groups in my signature.

The 540iLE group in particular is very active and organises regular get togethers of all E34 'supercars' sold in Australia - both the 540iLE and the M5.

You would be most welcome to join us on one of the Sydney get togethers and, no doubt, a seat could be found for you on our annual race day and alps tours (again, 540iLE and M5's).

Cheers

Quote:

Originally Posted by stedes

By the way...have already looked into E34s...unfortunately haven't found one in decent condition (non-M), and drove E39 525i (cheaper than both 3s) which felt slow and very "heavy". I guess if one is used to E34 M5 one will never be happy in the "hands of another girl".