Help me decide b/w e39 M5 and e46 M3 esp. w/ carbon issue - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

imran · 6th December 2005, 16:59

Hi - visitor from roadfly board..e39 540/6 driver for the last 5 years..like the car but am looking for something with better handling and more speed and its basically down to the M3 or M5. In either case, my budget will allow only a first model year car, and with all the carbon issues and clutch issues I've been reading about, I'm kinda spooked bout the M5. Anyone had both or driven both extensively and can provide feedback?? Which is more reliable in the long term.

IMPORTANTLY - If I get an aftermarket warranty, will it cover the secondary air issue or not?

Thanks...Imran

ALEV8 · 6th December 2005, 21:40

Did the pictures come through that I sent of the M5? I used www.dropload.com to send the .zip file. Let me know if a re-send is necessary.

Alex

gsfent · 6th December 2005, 22:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by imran

Hi - visitor from roadfly board..e39 540/6 driver for the last 5 years..like the car but am looking for something with better handling and more speed and its basically down to the M3 or M5. In either case, my budget will allow only a first model year car, and with all the carbon issues and clutch issues I've been reading about, I'm kinda spooked bout the M5. Anyone had both or driven both extensively and can provide feedback?? Which is more reliable in the long term.

IMPORTANTLY - If I get an aftermarket warranty, will it cover the secondary air issue or not?

Thanks...Imran

If you do a search, there was a recent discussion comparing the two cars. A lot depends on what you want, but there is a natural bias here towards the M5. More comfortable, tons of torque, 2 extra doors etc. If you are tracking the car, then M3 is what you want; anything less, I think you would be pleased to step up from a 540 to an M5. For under $2k, you can do a different suspension that would pretty much keep up with a stock M3 suspension wise.
Warranties vary. It seems the BMW CPO warranty will cover it. It has been an issue primarily for the 00 model year cars (at least before the March 00 production change on piston rings).
Prices continue to decline as the E60 comes on line, and as 00 and 01 leases expire. You should be able to find something in your budget, just be prepared to do some shopping and be patient.
Regards,
Jerry

imran · 6th December 2005, 23:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALEV8

Did the pictures come through that I sent of the M5? I used www.dropload.com to send the .zip file. Let me know if a re-send is necessary.

Alex

dmz · 6th December 2005, 23:43

If you are looking for something that handles better than your 540i and don't mind a 2 door car then you should go with the M3. You can find a better deal on a M3 too since there is more of them out there for you to choose from.

mottati · 7th December 2005, 00:23

from my readings on the roadfly e46 m3 board (fun board btw), i wouldn't say an M3 would be a more reliable car than the M5. Certainly the m5 can have some issues, with the clutch and carbon problems, but it seems like there are a lot of M3's with blown engines and bmw na declining warranty due to rev data in the DME. I'd be worried about buying a used one that 'might' have been reved or has some bad mojo stored in the dme should a rod bearing decide to let go.

It's highly unlikely an aftermarket warranty will cover carbon build up, the only chance, other than a successful class action, would be a good relationship with your dealer, i.e. a good will repair. If you're in a state that does not have to do a routine smog check, the carbon build up is really a non-issue if you plan on keeping the car (would hurt resale if it came up and you didn't fix it, but no drivablilty problems).
Mike

SteveHI · 7th December 2005, 05:00

I too considered an E46 M3, but in the end, it was evident to me that the M5 was a better fit for me. I'm not speaking for anyone else, but at age 35, I can't see myself driving an M3. It's a wonderful car, but I feel like it would have been a better fit in my 20's (if I could have afforded it then). In addition to the extra torque, doors, and space, the M5 offers more exterior subtlety and exclusivity than an M3, too.

Good luck!

Driven · 7th December 2005, 05:24

The m3 are holding thier value better than the m5 on Ebay. Does that mean the trend will continue into the future? Probably so. With the new m5 on the road, and showing up in Car and Driver today, the furor over the v10 will continue to erode the e39 resale.

That is music to the ears of anyone in the market for an e39. Hmmm... new ford focus or '00 M5. TOUGH CHOICE, if you are worried about warranty. No brainer if you like to drive.

Any further word on the Austin, TX M5 gathering?

Driven.

HDClown · 7th December 2005, 14:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by mottati

from my readings on the roadfly e46 m3 board (fun board btw), i wouldn't say an M3 would be a more reliable car than the M5. Certainly the m5 can have some issues, with the clutch and carbon problems, but it seems like there are a lot of M3's with blown engines and bmw na declining warranty due to rev data in the DME. I'd be worried about buying a used one that 'might' have been reved or has some bad mojo stored in the dme should a rod bearing decide to let go.

If you happen to be talking about the most recent saga, then that was resolved. The engine was opened up and a BMW field rep was sent out and decided BMW will replace the entire motor, on them.

Every issue of a blown engine posted to that forum on a car that had required any of the bearing replacements has been because of the bearings. You just can't let BMW NA push you around like they did to this guy.

M3 should be just as reliable once you've had the appropriate "fixes" done.

Kin Mak · 7th December 2005, 21:13

Remeber the M5 on the whole would also cost more to maintain. Service and day to day running costs.