Replacement for M5?
I know this has been covered at length but I’m back at it and faced with a real dilemma.
History:
I had a beautiful 02’ M5 that I absolutely loved! Did all the right mods. Submarined car in a rain storm and blew the motor. Replaced motor –car ran better than ever-got scared about future resale value and traded for a 04’ Porsche Cayenne.
My thought was that the E60 M5 would be out about now and I would roll into it.
As we all know this is still some time away even farther if I want something for my left foot to do-which I do as I really dislike, no hate SMG, before I get flamed I have driven all current versions of SMG and think they are terrible compromises, I can’t imagine the next version to resolve my issue of driver to car to road interaction that a true manual provides. So until a manual is provided this is not a car I’m interested in. I should note that the three BMW dealers I spoke to have unanimously stated that SMG and I quote “SUCKS”. This has to be a byproduct of owners and potential owner’s dislike of SMG. I also found it interesting that all three dealers did not have a SMG equipped car beyond a M3? BMW are you listening!!!
Enough of my SMG bashing. I have driven the following cars in order of interest:
1. Cadillac CTS-V, Great driving experience-reminds me of M5 after my mods! Cheap interior, no handbrake?
2. BMW 645ci Sport, Manual, Liked driving experience, though a little to soft, great interior, lots of gadgets a + for me, no back seat.
3. Audi S4 05.5’ Great driving experience, no Bluetooth? Small interior.
4. Porsche 997S Fabulous car, obviously has the un-weighted front feeling-though much better than 996. Not practical for me.
5. BMW 545 Sport Auto Did not like the driving experience, road rough, felt under powered compared to 645, Interior did not work as well as the 645, felt cheaper? The only thing to like was the back seat and trunk.
I’m not sure a used M5 works as I would want a really low mileage car that I could do a short term 24 month lease.
Have I missed anything?
I need to do something fairly soon or my wife is going to kill me. My obsession with this has rendered me useless and unproductive.
I look forward to your thoughts!
I know this has been covered at length but I’m back at it and faced with a real dilemma.
History:
I had a beautiful 02’ M5 that I absolutely loved! Did all the right mods. Submarined car in a rain storm and blew the motor. Replaced motor –car ran better than ever-got scared about future resale value and traded for a 04’ Porsche Cayenne.
My thought was that the E60 M5 would be out about now and I would roll into it.
As we all know this is still some time away even farther if I want something for my left foot to do-which I do as I really dislike, no hate SMG, before I get flamed I have driven all current versions of SMG and think they are terrible compromises, I can’t imagine the next version to resolve my issue of driver to car to road interaction that a true manual provides. So until a manual is provided this is not a car I’m interested in. I should note that the three BMW dealers I spoke to have unanimously stated that SMG and I quote “SUCKS”. This has to be a byproduct of owners and potential owner’s dislike of SMG. I also found it interesting that all three dealers did not have a SMG equipped car beyond a M3? BMW are you listening!!!
Enough of my SMG bashing. I have driven the following cars in order of interest:
1. Cadillac CTS-V, Great driving experience-reminds me of M5 after my mods! Cheap interior, no handbrake?
2. BMW 645ci Sport, Manual, Liked driving experience, though a little to soft, great interior, lots of gadgets a + for me, no back seat.
3. Audi S4 05.5’ Great driving experience, no Bluetooth? Small interior.
4. Porsche 997S Fabulous car, obviously has the un-weighted front feeling-though much better than 996. Not practical for me.
5. BMW 545 Sport Auto Did not like the driving experience, road rough, felt under powered compared to 645, Interior did not work as well as the 645, felt cheaper? The only thing to like was the back seat and trunk.
I’m not sure a used M5 works as I would want a really low mileage car that I could do a short term 24 month lease.
Have I missed anything?
I need to do something fairly soon or my wife is going to kill me. My obsession with this has rendered me useless and unproductive.
I look forward to your thoughts!