vvanherk

Hello All.

Thanks for your help on my previous post regarding 2000 or 2002 M5. I think I will rule out the 00 based on your input.

I know this is an M5 board, so hopefully this is not an insulting question. You guys seem to know what your talking about, so your feedback would be appreciated.
Seems that I have another option besides the
2002 M5
$78K Cdn (rock bottom price)
42K kms
Silver/Black/Aluminun
Nav

As well, I can get a:
2003 M3 Cabriolet
$74K Cdn (may be negotiable)
16K Kms
Silver Grey/Black
19" Rims
Hard top in body color

I'm test driving the M3 today(will be first time driving an M3),


I realize they are different cars, but any feedback where one shines greater then the other, or issues that one might have over the other, etc. would be appreciated. Even just personal comments about driving them would be great!

This will be a daily driver, likely parked for the snow(I live in Canada).

Regards,
Vic

4ocious

Vic,

I have owned both, a 2002 M3 convertible 6-speed (is the one you are looking at an SMG or 6-speed?) and a current 2003 M5. There is a thread below that compares both cars. My 2002 M3 was configured just like the one you are considering even down to the roof. First and foremost, the M3 is LOUSEY in snow (from experience, I have not driven the M5 in snow but I've read it is not very good, that's why I bought a used front wheel drive Volvo turbo automatic for bad weather/snow), the M3's roof is heavy and difficult to remove and re-attach, there is a lot of wind buffeting when the top is down (fixed by the US $450.00 BMW wind deflector and oh by the way, forget listening to the radio or CD's due to the wind noise), the M3 cabin is cramped for anyone over 6'0", there is no room in the trunk when the top is down, the M3's paint is very soft and prone to chipping and swirl marks, 18" wheels are better than 19" when it comes to handling in inclement weather, you have to be very careful where you park the M3 convertible because BMW "haters" love to slash the soft top (mine was, $2,500 for a new one covered by i...nsurance), although the M3's accleration and dry pavement handling are excellent, the M5 is a much better ...car when it comes to "every day" chores such as hauling four people around in style and comfort (forget the BMW M3 claims), carrying items in your trunk such as groceries, creature comforts and cabin roominess are much better, the limited number of M5's vs. over produced M3's that are going "soft" on the market, possible M3 engine problems that appear to extend into later year production cars (2002 and beyond), and finally the M5 is just a much better, solid feeling ...car than the M3 is. For the reasons stated above and others, I quickly dumped my M3 for the M5 and have never looked back! IMHO, buy the M5, you won't be sorry.

__________________
2005 MB E55 AMG Silver/Gray
1997 850CiA, Black/Black , Automatic #264 of 353
Strong Strut brace, 16" Rondell #58's w/Avon Tech M500s, Hawk HPS brakes with Brembo rotors, S/S brake lines, Sirius radio
2007 Jeep Liberty Limited 4x4, Blue/Gray, Sirius radio, her car

Previous BMW's

2003 530iA Black/Black, Sport, Premium, Cold Wx, Xenons/Sold
2003 M5 Imola Red/Caramel/Sold
2002 M3 convertible, Leguna Seca Blue/Black, 6-speed -Sold
1998 328iS Sport, Silver/Gray, 5-speed - Sold
1998 528iA Sport, Silver/Gray - Sold
1995 540iA Sport, Red/Black - Sold

boostmiser

Do you need 4-doors? Do you have children? Are you planning on having children in the near future? Do you drive clients around?
If I were single, I'd go M3. I've got 4-kids so I need the 4-doors. Either one is a great car. You can't loose.
Also, the M5 is a bit more exclusive and grown up. There are lots of M3's around, not so many M5's.

__________________
The Car: 2002 Alpine White ///M5 / Lemans Blue extended (sport) leather / aluminum trim
The Upgrades: Dinan Stg. 1 / Dinan RSB / TCD Sway Bar Brackets / UUC Evo III SSK / UUC DSSR / UUC Tranny mounts / MKIV Nav Unit / JL 500.1 Amp / JL 12w6v2 Sub

vvanherk

Few updates to questions asked.


I do not plan to drive in snow....have a front wheel drive Taurus SHO.

I have 3 kids, but most of my driving is just myself. I also have crew cab pickup and the SHO.

Dont drive clients around.

Thanks for the comments so far. More are welcome!

boostmiser

Be prepared for the kids to want either car you decide to get

em5464

Go for the M5, besides Canada ain't no place to drive an M3 tops down....M5 all the way, let the beast reign.....

Ed

__________________
00 M5/Silver/Black

DINAN CAI
DINAN high flow mass meters,
DINAN Stage 3 software
DINAN 17mm adjustable rear sway-bar
DINAN strut tower brace
DINAN 3.45 diff
HAMANN DTM exhaust w/ Supersprint X-pipe
Brembo 14" BBK/355 mm/front w/ Porterfield RS4
UUC Ultimate V12 Flywheel and Clutch Kit
UUC EVO3 w/ DSSR
IATS kit
GC Coilover kit 430/380
19's RH w/ Potenza RA050
Angel eyes by HELLA, w/ clear front & rear lights
ALPINE IVA D900 Multimedia System

Ronin M5

Not insulting at all. I'm sure many of us asked the same question. I had a e36 M3, which I loved, so I wanted something different, slightly more mature, and I went with the e39 M5. I have a wife and kid, so that helped sway me.

Good luck!

vvanherk

Further Update.


Drove the M3 for the first time today. Nice car. Very good handling. Lots of wind with the top down.

Think I might have been spoiled driving the M5. It is a torque monster. Way more power then the M3. I like the power.

Thanks for all your input. I'll need to make a new post asking some specifics around the M5.

Regards,
Vic

mottati

another thing to consider is reliability. If you read some of the M3 mesage boards, there is a recall, or service campaign, i suppose, to replace the main, or is it rod, bearings on all of the M3 engines. THere is also talk about lowering the rev limiter. Not sure if this is in effect in canada yet, but it seems to be going on here in the US. I do really like the M3 convertible, i would love one as a second car, but not as my primary car. I wouldn't replace the M5 with one.
Mike

__________________
Mike

91 M5 Alpine White II, Silver Gray 3/90 production
17x8/17x9 M system with PS2, 20mm touring roll bar; Ground Control Coilovers; Confortti Chip, CD43; bmw/nardi blackline steering wheel, 3.8 Cam Gears

08 535i / 6 speed
Space Gray; Gray; Sport/Premium/Nav

00 M5 Ti Silver; Imola/black sportiv --Sold
Engine:
Supersprint Headers, Dinan CAI kit and MAFS, Throttle Bodies, Cams, Ported heads, Exhaust, Custom dinan software, Evosport Pullies, Dinan clutch and lightened flywheel; Ignition solutions plasma coils
Suspension:
Dinan Stage 3 with front and rear Strut Tower Braces, Beastpower Sway bar brackets, Dinan Wheels with 275/285 PilotSport, X5 Thrust arm bushings, Stoptech 355mm 4 piston front, 355mm 2 piston rear brake kit, Dinan 3.45 diff
Interior/Misc:
Eurodash, updated steering wheel, Bluetooth retrofit, Sirius Retrofit, hardwired V1, Widescreen Mk4 nav, M audio retrofit, Ice Link, BSW Stage 1 speaker upgrade, bmw towbar

phuster

vvanherk,
You should also want to check out this thread Why the E39 M5 over the E46 M3?
It is a good thread about comparing the M5 and M3. IMHO...go M5!!!

__________________
Current car:
'01 e39 M5 LeMans Blue

Previous cars:
'99 e46 328i Orient Blue
'87 e30 325is Red