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I've had an E46 M3 for a couple of years now, which replaced an E36 M3 before that. I'm thinking about a change now for something newer, with a budget of up to £35k.
I don't like the manual gearbox on my E46, as I find it heavy and clunky, so I fancy trying something with DCT or SMG next. I've driven both the E60 M5, and DCT E92 M3, and Manual E92 M3. I found the manual box on the E92 to be better than the E46, although too similar for my liking.
The main thing i'm looking for is increased ride comfort, and a smoother drive / transmission.
The main advantages and disadvantages I see for both cars are as follows:
E60 M5 - Advantages:
1. Faster top end (although I can't say I noticed a huge difference).
2. More comfortable, roomier, and more 'grown-up'.
E60 M5 - Disadvantages:
1. Really bad fuel consumption.
2. Unreliable SMG gearbox (I loved the paddle shifting, but the auto mode was grim).
3. Scared I would need to pay up thousands every 30k miles for clutch & flywheel replacement.
4. Consumables such as brake disc replacement more expensive (i.e £1000 for discs and pads).
5. Handling not as tight due to size of car.
E90 M3 – Advantages:
1. Better handling.
2. Better fuel economy.
3. Smoother / faster transmission.
4. Cheaper consumable parts costs.
5. DCT trans more reliable than SMG???
E90 M3 – Disadvantages:
1. Not so much outright power as M5.
2. Not sure if I like the looks quite as much as M5.
3. Not as comfortable ride, interior space etc. with not so many luxury features.
Anyone else been in the same boat? They seem to be at a similar point price-wise at the moment, so it’s a difficult decision to make. I like them both to drive. I’m comfortable with the running costs of an M3, so I don’t have any hesitations there, but running costs for an M5 are a bit of an unknown to me, so I don’t know what to do for the best.
I don't like the manual gearbox on my E46, as I find it heavy and clunky, so I fancy trying something with DCT or SMG next. I've driven both the E60 M5, and DCT E92 M3, and Manual E92 M3. I found the manual box on the E92 to be better than the E46, although too similar for my liking.
The main thing i'm looking for is increased ride comfort, and a smoother drive / transmission.
The main advantages and disadvantages I see for both cars are as follows:
E60 M5 - Advantages:
1. Faster top end (although I can't say I noticed a huge difference).
2. More comfortable, roomier, and more 'grown-up'.
E60 M5 - Disadvantages:
1. Really bad fuel consumption.
2. Unreliable SMG gearbox (I loved the paddle shifting, but the auto mode was grim).
3. Scared I would need to pay up thousands every 30k miles for clutch & flywheel replacement.
4. Consumables such as brake disc replacement more expensive (i.e £1000 for discs and pads).
5. Handling not as tight due to size of car.
E90 M3 – Advantages:
1. Better handling.
2. Better fuel economy.
3. Smoother / faster transmission.
4. Cheaper consumable parts costs.
5. DCT trans more reliable than SMG???
E90 M3 – Disadvantages:
1. Not so much outright power as M5.
2. Not sure if I like the looks quite as much as M5.
3. Not as comfortable ride, interior space etc. with not so many luxury features.
Anyone else been in the same boat? They seem to be at a similar point price-wise at the moment, so it’s a difficult decision to make. I like them both to drive. I’m comfortable with the running costs of an M3, so I don’t have any hesitations there, but running costs for an M5 are a bit of an unknown to me, so I don’t know what to do for the best.