soon to be m5 owner--- needs help - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Z06owner · 10th November 2003, 22:06

Hi guys My name is Tom Casali and I have been a fan of the m5 for years now and have been browsing this forum for the past 2. Anyways I think I am finally ready to buy an m5. I am looking at a 2000 blk w/ cinnamon m5 with 40000 miles. It is CPO and looks to be in good shape. My current car is a 2001 z06 with 7k miles and is in mint condition. So this leads me to two quesitons:

1) What do you think a good deal is for the m5. My car plus $10k? I know they got the m5 from a trade in but I have no idea how much dealers mark a car like an m5 up.

2) Will I enjoy the m5. I love the power of my z06, i like my dads 2002 m3, but I hated my buddies 7series (just to **** big). I am virgin to the 5series.

So thanks in advance for any help you can give.

Tom

rennen · 10th November 2003, 22:38

I had a 2002 Z06, they are obviously very different cars. The performance on the 02 was in another league from the M5, I never drove an 01, but I think think they are a little closer acceleration wise. The M5 is very fast for what it is, a large four door. Handling is impressive, again for what it is. It has to be one of the most enjoyable cars to drive however, as it does everything very well. It really is a no-compromise car.

MEnthusiast · 10th November 2003, 22:57

the M5 wont be as raw, but it will constantly amaze you with how good it is at being a sports sedan. Not quite a sports car- yet very comfortable and quite the highway monster. Go around a turn and it handles very nicely. Its a medium sized car- so you will like it better than the 7. I wish I could help you on pricing. I would say the 2000s should be going for lower value since they are the oldest model year in the US and BMW has made small improvements all along the way. That doesnt mean you should not get a 2000 model, but it does mean you shouldnt pay as much for it as you would a 2003 model. Id love to see some pictures if you make the move. Good luck and let us know how it works out.

MAH · 11th November 2003, 00:22

I think if I was looking for a used M5 at this point, I would be looking for a 2001 or newer. The biggest changes were made between the 2000 and 2001 models. Just my two cents of course. I did own both model years. Nothing the matter witha good MY00 though.

Mark

C4RACER · 11th November 2003, 09:43

I just bought a 2000 CB w/ black interior from a BMW dealer. Car had 39k miles and is as flawless as a used car could be - owner took very very good care of it. CPO as well, would not have bought it otherwise. I traded in a 540iT with a useless aftermarket warrantee and will sell my beloved M3 soon to cover most of the cost of the upgrade. I paid $50K in the SF Bay area, which was KBB trade-in value for the car. I've seen 2001 Z06's for under 40K but with your mileage you could probably get $40K in an open market sale but probably not from a dealer. But all-in all your estimate of $10K on top of the Z06 is within spitting distance, no worse than 20% off is my guess.

As far as which car you will enjoy more? Depends what you are looking for in a car. I say this from the perspective of driving a 2000 FRC with the full Z06 suspension, Koni SA's and some light engine mods the past several days - my buddy's car who has been enjoying my M3 and may buy it from me. I must say I am impressed with the C5 platform - much much stiffer and better composed chassis than a C4. But still very darty over rough surfaces that the M-car BMW's just suck up in stride. I find the M3 and M5 both inspire a lot more confidence than does the C5. Accelleration in the normal C5 is quite comparable to the M5, but that Z06 is a tiny bit lighter, has lower gears and is up a good 50 ponies or so - so it will be faster. Like maybe half a second quicker and 5mph faster in the 1/4mi - this is noticable. The Z06 has right-now turn in, amazing grip and stunning all-around capability. But the M5 is really a special car in it's own right, and for a daily use car that sees a good component of hwy driving is very hard to beat. The Z06 beats you up on the freeway while the BMW is effortless - you feel as if you could drive in it all day and often wish you could. same is true of the E39 5-series, we took the 540iT on a family trip to Portland earlier this year and it was far less fatiguing to drive than our Suburban - the M5 is even that much better than a 540.

So - really depends what you want - a superb all-around supercar with capability to carry 4 adults to a business meeting and then go tear up a twisty section of road late at night after dropping everyone off at their hotel? Or a slot-car to use for track days. If I had to make the choice and was limited to one car - M5 for me (actually, I just made that choice - I could have purchased a '01 Z06 and kept my M3 as the daily driver). If I had room and budget in the stable for both a sports car and M5 and could not afford a 911 Turbo, I'd end up with both a Z06 and an M5.

Good luck - you cannot make a wrong decision between those two options.

Scott
'00 M5
'98 M3
'01 Suburban
'91 Corvette - race car

Z06owner · 11th November 2003, 15:19

thanks for your input guys. Im really on the fence. My m5 would not be my daily driver because the guys i work with would hate me even more then they already do. Im only 22 and one of the youngest there. As far as they know I drive a 1993 jeep cherokee

. Im still waiting to hear from the dealer on the m5. Currently they are offering me $31500 for my z06 which is just to **** low. I think $33500 is fair considering the thing is absolutely mint and a desirable color combo (blk on blk). I wish buying cars didnt have to be such hassle. This will be my 7th car in 6yrs and its always the same ****. You tell thema fair deal... they try to weasel a few more dollars out of you... they give up and you get the deal you offered weeks before. I cant blame them but it is a hassle.

Tom

hcvone · 11th November 2003, 15:33

I have a 02' Z06 and a 02' M5, both great cars. My M5 will keep up with most standard Vettes, it ran a 12.88 at Atco last year

You will love the way the M5 rides and handles, they are great cars, the fit and finsh is much better than the Vette, of course it should be it costs 20k more. Good luck.

MAH · 11th November 2003, 16:46

Tom,

My partner has a 02 Z06. Because I drive the MY01 M5 we do a lot of comparisions. The Z06 has 405HP and the M5 396HP, although with the mods I have I am probably at around 420HP at the flywheel.

The nod goes to the Z06 for handling and accleration, but it is quite loud compared to the M5. There is that constant roar of the exhaust that can get old. Nice seats. Really good mileage compared to the M5.

The M5 is more of an all around performer for 4 people. I would have to say that it will do 9/10s in the performance category of the "Z". It is much more comforatable to drive every day and will not attract the authorities like the Z06.

Mark