Any BMW E60 M5/M6 owners on here?

[dparm]

Thinking I may grab an E60 M5 or M6 next spring to replace my Audi. I really love that V10 and both cars get stellar reviews. Performance is outstanding as well, though the styling is a bit more controversial.

Any owners of either car on this board? Or do you have intimate knowledge of either vehicle? (friends/family that own them)

 

[Quattro Pete]

No experience here, but I'm interested in the feedback you get as well, although I'm probably closer to a 550i than an M5 with my budget. Are you looking at the manual trans versions?

 

[dparm]

Actually no, I've decided I want the SMG version. Better performance and easier to live with for DD-duties. My current job might include a lot of local driving to client sites so I'd rather not sit in traffic with my 6 spd anymore.

The M5s are not that pricey, Pete. $30k will get you a nice used one. The maintenance costs are what get you...oil, brakes, etc is always pricey on the M cars.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: dparm
The M5s are not that pricey, Pete. $30k will get you a nice used one.

What year?

Whatever I get, I'll want it to be CPO, which means something relatively new. I don't want another BMW with no extended warranty. I've learned my lesson.

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: dparm
The M5s are not that pricey, Pete. $30k will get you a nice used one.

What year?

Whatever I get, I'll want it to be CPO, which means something relatively new. I don't want another BMW with no extended warranty. I've learned my lesson.


Yeah, for $30k you'll be out of warranty, though there are lots of good third-party ones. The 550i is very nice too and gets you about 90% of the performance of an M5. They even look similar.

I'm okay with spending $40k or more, especially since I'm planning a sizable down payment and am not driving 15k a year.

 

[SteveSRT8]

They aren't really as bad as some models.

I definitely would agree that the 6 speed stick is not an option on that particular car. It received a lot of flack for being severely torque limited and is way down on performance compared to the DSG.

Almost bought one at the auction last year, just feared repair costs. But that's a LOT of car for even 30k.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
No experience here, but I'm interested in the feedback you get as well,


+1

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
They aren't really as bad as some models.

I definitely would agree that the 6 speed stick is not an option on that particular car. It received a lot of flack for being severely torque limited and is way down on performance compared to the DSG.

Almost bought one at the auction last year, just feared repair costs. But that's a LOT of car for even 30k.



I'd go CPO or get a third party warranty, though truthfully my S4 has been problem-free other than routine maintenance. And everyone was scaring the bejeezus out of me with "OMG what if the 4WD breaks!" The V10 is pretty bulletproof and the SMG is very sturdy too, from what I read.

I only drive 6-8k a year so the car just won't get as much wear and tear as someone who commutes 40 miles each way, 5 days a week.

If I don't end up with a replacement for the Audi come spring, I might just get a second car for weekends and racing. Maybe another S2000, an NSX, or an older M3. Haven't decided yet.

 

[JHZR2]

I highly doubt that CPO will get you a nice V10 M car for $30k. Even $40k seems a stretch for CPO to me...

Personally, Id try to find one that was bought by some rich guy and well maintained, not just leased and given minimal service.

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I highly doubt that CPO will get you a nice V10 M car for $30k. Even $40k seems a stretch for CPO to me...

Personally, Id try to find one that was bought by some rich guy and well maintained, not just leased and given minimal service.


That would work too, it's how I made out so well on my S4.

Don't forget that BMWs have the no-cost maintenance so there's basically no excuse for a car to be behind of service (short of being lazy).

 

[CBR.worm]

A buddy of mine bought an M6 when they first came out. It was a fun car, I can say from first and secondhand experience that some of those cars have been used and abused. That is one car that people tend to buy that are actually interested in performance.

The V10 is awesome, revs like you wouldn't believe. I didn't care for the SMG gearbox, but I guess it is the best option. It was great when you were beating on it, but around town it felt clumsy, slow to react and not smooth at all. Brakes were great. Car felt kind of wide, but I think it was just the shape of the front of the car combined with the view from the driver seat that made it feel wide.

This particular car used a quart of oil every other tank of gas and the back tires didn't last much longer. And it wasn't a kid who owned it.

For me, the M5 would be more practical than the M6. It seems silly, but the sedan is actually useful.

One thing I will say, I think he owned it for two years and lost about 50K in depreciation. That is a big hit that would make a used one very appealing.

 

[MCompact]

I've looked at a couple of E60 M5s. My research(such as it was) revealed a few issues with the SMG. Google "Red Cog of Death". I'm probably going to go with an E39 M5 if I don't land on an E46 M3.