I also had an M3 cab and loved it but having two kids who are growing fast it eventually became impractical.

I then had an X5 4.8is (which my wife now mostly uses) and now the M5. Whilst the M5 was on order I had a 750is on loan from BMW for a week and a bit having had one as a service loan once. I was tempted for a while to cancel the M5 and have a 750is.

If I had the money and the drive space I would have an M3 cab, the X5, the M5 and a 750i. They are all totally different and suit different moods, weather conditions and distance to be covered needs though the X5 and 750is are closest in character.

In my week of driving the 750is I found it extremely comfortable, quiet, powerful in a cruising sort of way and handles bad roads supremely (we have our share around here too). It is hard to have any fun in it though. The 4.8is can be a oversized hooligan, the seven could not. For me I'm not yet old enough (mid 40's) to settle for a seven.

The M5's suspension is more compliant on comfort settings than the M3 cab and the longer wheelbase makes it less jittery but it does not have the ride of the seven for sure. What the M5 can do is make a reasonably comfortable cruiser and town car that still makes me smile from ear to ear when I hit the M button and floor the throttle. 7,500 miles down the line and it still makes me grin. In the M5 I find that I take the long way home to take in a decent stretch of road, in the seven I would just drive home.

Hope that helps a bit!

 

Can't compare orange to apple

I love both cars, really, But from different aspect..

M5's ride quality will never ride like a 7 series and even if you got a 760i, it won't run as strong as the M5 does..

The thing is,, what really matters ?
ride quality ? or the unbeatable handling ?

I know it's hard to decide, it all depends on how you look at it.

 

Get both! :biggrin:

They're both awesome. From your post it sounds like you would be happier with the 750. Your other option is to wait for the Alpina B7.

 

Get an X5 4.8 HP and a Alpina B5 :biggrin:

 

Given the uncertainty, you should definitely get the 750. Two different M5 buyers from my dealership returned their M5s for 750s. They had never owned M cars before and weren't real performance enthusiasts, but the power and the exclusivity of the new M5 appealed to them. However, after a few weeks they discovered they would rather be back in a bigger car (both came from a 7) with a very smooth ride and a real automatic transmission.

To answer your other question, I own the E60 M5, recently had an E46 M3 cab, and have owned the 745Li. The suspension on the M5 is more comfortable and compliant than the M3, but is not as cushy as the 7.

Tom

 

You folks in the US really do need to start lobbying BMWNA to get off the pot and import the Alpina B7 - 7 series size and comfort, fully auto transmission, all the power and most of the pace of an M5, with a mountain of torque to waft along on and a lovely cultured V8 snarl.

Make it happen!

 

I own both. To give you a little background, I owned the E39 M5 for about two years and loved it. When I brought it in for service they let me have the (then brand new) 745Li for the day. I loved the comfort and handling, and had gotten tired of shifting in my daily commute with the M5. So I made the trade. After about 6 months I got tired of the novelty and gave the 7 to my wife, who still drives (and loves) it. I have since moved on to various other toys (SL 500, C4S cab etc.) and when the new M5 came out, I had to have it (sight unseen, no test drive). There is simply no comparison. The only adjustment, as everyone will tell you, is the SMG. It will take you about 1000+ miles to get the hang of it, but after that you will never look back. This car is a blast, and it doesn't matter if you live in the city and never take full advantage of its potential, you will come home with a smile on your face. The suspension in the "comfort" setting absorbs everything nicely, and still handles like a dream. Enough said.

 

You folks in the US really do need to start lobbying BMWNA to get off the pot and import the Alpina B7 - 7 series size and comfort, fully auto transmission, all the power and most of the pace of an M5, with a mountain of torque to waft along on and a lovely cultured V8 snarl.

Make it happen!

Do anyone know if there is a waiting list for the B7.

 

Do anyone know if there is a waiting list for the B7.

Unlikely. There's a production time of a few months as they are each custombuilt. If not there are a few German dealers with LHD cars in stock.

 

Unlikely. There's a production time of a few months as they are each custombuilt. If not there are a few German dealers with LHD cars in stock.

Thanks

 

just curiouse guys, what is the city/highway MPG of the M5? on BMW's site it says "TBA"

NYCM3, the M5 guzzles gas like there is no tomorrow. I have had my M5 for 4 months and im still complaining at hwo often i have to stop for gas. I had the M3 coupe and miss it's economic(in comparison) fuel consumption.

anyways, i think you'll be better off with the 750 since you live in NYC....though i find the 7 size on the large side, and NYC is pretty tight.

 

Yes, not so much a waiting list as a lead order period. If you're not fussed on spec, best thing might be to look at one of Sytner's demo cars.

 

NYCM5, another factor to consider for city driving (and on street parking, if you do any) is the size of the car and rearward visibility. The M5 is 7 inches shorter and 2 inches narrower than the 750i and feels even smaller than that.

 

How about the B5 ?

Hey, here I got an articals about the Alpina B5,
It was written in Japanese, but I think some of the figures are internationally recoginozed..

Its price is about 15% more than a ordinary M5.
Mm.. I'd rather stay with the M5.


Nick

 

Hey, here I got an articals about the Alpina B5,
It was written in Japanese, but I think some of the figures are internationally recoginozed..

Its price is about 15% more than a ordinary M5.
Mm.. I'd rather stay with the M5.


Nick

Well, the choice between M5 and B5 is a matter for personal taste (I chose the Alpina), but the discussion here is about E60 M5 vs E65 750iS - the B7 is a potentially different dimension altogether, providing M5-like pace in an E65 bodyshell and, as such, is unique among BMWs.

The B7 should be available in the US later this year, with luck, but the B5 will likely never be available there. The Autoweek article about the B7 is inaccurate - US sales have not (yet) been confirmed. Hence why I say you guys should lobby BMWNA if you want to have the opportunity to go really fast in a full size BMW.

BTW, in the UK market, the B5 costs about the same as the M5, base price.

 

M5 ALL THE WAY. i had 2002 smg M3 cab. that was a toy compared to the M5. 750i, after you get married you will have all the time in the world to have a 7 series. M5 is with out a doubt the strongest saloon on the market.

 

NYCM3 --

No need to put on any flame suits. You pose a perfectly legitimate question to which the answer is not obvious given your priorities.

To specifically answer your questions --

(1) The comfort suspension setting on the M5 provides a noticeably softer, more compliant ride than the M3. However, no one will mistake it for a luxury cruiser on bad pavement, with which you have to deal daily. I would not describe the ride as jarring, but you will notice each bump, I suspect considerably more so than in a 750.

(2) I very much doubt that you would find the 750 to be more responsive or powerful in every day driving. Contrary to the popular myth, disseminated mainly by those who do not drive an M5 each day, the M5 has more than enough power throughout its rpm range, and it is capable of shooting forward with a slight press of the gas pedal on a moment's notice. You do not need to be at 7,000 rpm for this effect. As long as you are not lugging it, I doubt you will find the power lacking.

Good luck with your decision and let us know if we can help further.

 

I used to have a 745, impressive as a car this size handles so well with all that comfort, but you will get bored. I used to own an M3 as well, no comparision with the M5. Much better, much comfier, suspensions are better sorted for daily driving and could be tweaked by a touch of a button, SMG III is miles ahead of SMG II, I say M5 all the way - you won't regret it.

 

Guys

I know I am risking a serious flaming with this, but here goes:

I live in New York and drive a 2003 M3 convert. I have enjoyed the M3 and use it year round with hard top and snow tires, but I will not miss the ride on the roads around here; they must be the worst in the western world.

I will replacing the car over the summer (doing Euro delivery). Until recently I had always planned to get an M5. But lately, I have found myself ogling every new 750 I see, especially the short wheel base versions. Everytime I see one, I just really like the look of it and, from all accounts, it is very quick and a pleasure to drive. So, I am now considering an E65 750i with the sport package as a possible alternative to the M5.

I understand of course that the M5 is a totally different car with 150+ extra hp... I'm 38 years old, not married (close), no kids, so I know it may be crazy to be looking at a Seven. And, when I read posts here about the M5, it sounds awesome. But, around NY I have found that I rarely get to have "fun" in my M3 and the ride is really tough on these streets. Also, the power band of the 750 is such that I wonder if I may get the feeling of more torque and effortlessness in every day driving around the city (ie. as opposed to at 7,000 revs in the M5).

My question is, to any ex M3 drivers, how does the M5 compare in terms of ride with the EDC set to comfort? Or, to any New Yorkers, how are you finding the m5 on our tri-state roads?

More generally, has any one else grappled with a decision between two completely different types of cars?

Appeciate any thoughts on this - asbestos suit now in place... ouich

There's only one answer. Get one of each. ouich We bought an M5 and a 750iL on Dec 13. The 750iL (has the sports mode button) is my "wife's" car (hehe) and the M5 is "my car". I find the M5 to be totally thrilling and fun to drive but usually am alone in it. I gave a friend a brief ride a week ago (still in the break-in period mode of driving) and his eyes went wide and refuses to get in it anymore after I told him there was another 100 hp on tap. The 750 is more of our "formal" use car - with comfort for 4 or more people.
Different cars for different purposes.

 

I live in NYC, and before my M5 I had a manual '02 M3. I loved the M3 - it was like a wasp, with extreme agility and responses, with the rasping engine noise to match. However, I tolerated the harsh ride on these roads. I looked forward to driving to and from work each day, because I loved driving that car hard. Now that I have the M5, I find myself more relaxed during the drive. I have the option of hitting the power button, but during my commute I actually find I don't need it. There's more than enough power to accelerate, pass, and merge. The best part about my commute now is that I don't wince every time I hit a pothole or manhole.

Where the M3 was fast, you have to really be involved to get the most out of it, and the engine always let you know that it was working. The M5 builds speed quickly, but is never intrusive. I can say that I'm ecstatic to have the M5, but sometimes, just sometimes, I miss the M3. With the added civility of the M5, I feel that there's some connection lost with the car as compared to the M3.

 

**** i hate the nyc roads! I live in the brookyln area.... They need to fix our roads.. thats another reason why im not sure of getting a M6.
~Alpha~

 

I miss the M3.

Used to drive a 540, currently drive a 645, on the waiting list for an M6, wife drives a 7, had an E46 M3.

Miss the M3 also.

Best car I ever had.

 

Used to drive a 540, currently drive a 645, on the waiting list for an M6, wife drives a 7, had an E46 M3.

Miss the M3 also.

Best car I ever had.

I thought I would miss my E46 M3, but I don't. It was a great car, and though it doesn't feel like it, I honestly believe the M5 is a better handling car once you gain confidence in it.

 

I thought I would miss my E46 M3, but I don't. It was a great car, and though it doesn't feel like it, I honestly believe the M5 is a better handling car once you gain confidence in it.

I have a feeling that I'm going to like the V-10 M6 I'm waiting for a little better than the M3.

 

I would not describe the ride as jarring, but you will notice each bump, I suspect considerably more so than in a 750.

how is the suspension compared to that of the e39 m5 ? is it as harsh and hard ?

i used to feel each pothole back in boston and actually look out for them inorder to avoid them. is it the same case for the e60 m5? thank God no potholes over here.. just was curious :wroom: