[gfounds]

I have owned several BMWs over the years, but never an M5.

A few years ago, it would have seemed ridiculous to me that an e60 M5 could ever become an appreciating investment, but that appears to be the case with the recent rise in price for the manual variant.

I found a used 2008 manual, black on red, which WOULD have been a great option, but the previous owner installed a carbon hood, carbon trunk with spoiler (tasteful), carbon steering wheel, and carbon exterior window trim. He also has nearly all Dinan options you could imagine and Dinan wheels. It's all rather tastefully done and "works," albeit a bit "boy racer." It's also in immaculate condition.

A few years ago, I would have been all over that as a toy, but ... here's the question: do these carbon and Dinan goodies mean that it likely will not appreciate in the same manner as a fully stock example? I'm torn. I have a fully stock option on the table, but this one looks like a hoot.

Any input would be appreciated!

 

[tangle]

Are you buying this for "when lambo" or to enjoy and have fun with? Either way, if you daily it or drive and enjoy the way it was meant to be, there are significantly better investment options (even if you parked a mint one, there are better options). You just won't come out ahead financially tbh, at best, break even and ruin your enjoyment of the car in the process.
In general, unmodded, low mileage ones command a premium always. But if you buy a low mileage one, drive it, put miles on it, and a couple choice mods, then it's a wash.

 

[gfounds]

Are you buying this for "when lambo" or to enjoy and have fun with? Either way, if you daily it or drive and enjoy the way it was meant to be, there are significantly better investment options. You just won't come out ahead financially tbh, at best, break even and ruin your enjoyment of the car in the process.

I have a humble 2014 535i xDrive (with a few performance upgrades) for the daily, and a 2017 X3 for the fam. Both are solid and still fun to drive. The M5 definitely would not be a daily. It would be driven a few times a year. Summer (I'm in Indiana), good weather, garaged otherwise. Started regularly and driven a bit every week or two to keep fluids flowing. Probably 1,000 miles per year, tops.

Fun with it? Yes. Wind it out and push it a few times a year? Yes! Definitely! The examples I'm looking at have all had the bearings and actuators done recently and all are manuals. All relatively low miles also (50k - 70k). I realize that there could still be maintenance issues, but if only 1,000 miles/year or so, treated right, I don't expect to pour thousands in each year, on average.

Back to the carbon goodies and mods--would you pay less for a car like that as compared to stock? Do you think that these things limit its long term value?

 

[tangle]

Back to the carbon goodies and mods--would you pay less for a car like that as compared to stock? Do you think that these things limit its long term value?

Are they OEM/Dinan/Karbonius parts and are they in good condition and are they pieces I would buy anyway? Then it probably adds value no? Or are they poor fitting "name brand" pieces that were finished by a mobile paint shop? It's really way too vague of a question as far as what someone in the future will pay and since you limit your buyer pool with mods (since not everyone has the same taste) you really can't tell. Unmolested cars are statistically safer bets.
However, that record selling e46 M3 in Laguna Seca Blue on BAT had a bunch of aftermarket carbon and stuff IIRC (even though the deal fell through in the end).
Buy what you like, no one has a crystal ball.

 

[Fiftytwoeighty]

At the end of the day, buy what you want to drive, not to invest. The WORST thing you can do to an e60 is park it. These things need to MOVE and can definitely be a daily driver -- 13 years and 185,000 miles.

He also has nearly all Dinan options you could imagine and Dinan wheels. It's all rather tastefully done and "works," albeit a bit "boy racer." It's also in immaculate condition.

I think I may resemble that remark with my Dinan S2++ 😂🤣😂. S2++ because I've had to replace several of the S2 bits, which I wore out from use, with true clubsport/motorsport bits. I even have boy racer track stickers on my car, from all the tracks I've lapped in my 6MT over the last 13 years. That said, my e60 is happily at home at the track or at a bougie Whole Foods Market. Basically, I developed a 6 speed e60 ///M5cs 13 years before BMW built an ///M5cs.

Keep in mind, you can always source an OEM hood and trunk.

I think any appreciation potential will depend more on the provenance of the car, number of owners and documented maintenance history. At some point, miles will not matter because EVERYTHING degrades and ages out. The "newest" 2010 has 13 year old rubber boots, bushings, belts, and mounts -- waiting to leak, crack, and get replaced.

Regarding CF, I think a little trim bling (steering trim, kidneys, and side gills) bits can work, as long as the quality is OEM. I just worry about the long term durability of some lower quality CF (looking at you peeling 996 Turbo CF trim).

That said, some CF hoods and trunks had compromises (missing washer squirters, lights, and toolbox) and fitment issues -- hard pass for me. A CF e60 hood is not that much lighter than the aluminum OEM hood. Personally, I would want an OEM hood and trunk.

BTW, e60 fitment Dinan Wheels are like hen's teeth. I just refreshed mine; really happy with the outcome.

Hope that helps.

 

[gfounds]

These comments are all really helpful, especially the advice to drive what you like. Thanks!

At the end of the day, what drew ME to this car when it first launched was that, to some extent, it’s a sleeper. Sure, it has several obvious performance clues, not the least of which is that glorious engine note! But to the average Joe, from a distance, it looks like a BMW luxury sedan.

With that in mind, I think I’ll stick closer to stock.

And, yes, I will TRY to limit the miles, but let’s be honest, who has that kind of self control?!

 

[AR424]

Why limit anything? Drive it to enjoy it!

You don’t save your wife for the next guy….why do that with a car? 😂🥶

 

[dullcho]

... You don’t save your wife for the next guy…

LOL - would you say that if there was market for those?

OP, just my opinion - while I personally enjoy stock/original, I think in terms of appreciation it's the condition of the components and the car overall, the maintenance, the record keeping that would make or break it for you in the long run.