I got super-lucky in that a local CarMax suddenly had both an E92 M3 and an E60 M5. Took a few hours this morning to head over and drive both to see if I'm really ready to sell the S4.
I drove the 2008 M5 first. It had the 6-speed manual (I wanted the SMG) and about 32k miles and they wanted $46k for it. Dark blue metallic with black interior & walnut trim.
The M5 is very roomy and feels upscale inside. It does feel a tad dated since the platform originates from 2003. Still, very upscale and everything felt and looked nice. Good leather, nice tactile feedback from the switches, etc. It was holding up very well. The iDrive is not as infuriating as people make it out to be though if I were driving and trying to do things it could be tricky; I am a tech/gadget guy anyways so maybe that's why I didn't mind it?
The 5.0L V10 is surprisingly "noisy" at idle when you're outside the car. Clarkson was right: it does sound a bit like a diesel. The powerplant is VERY smooth and when you're inside you can hardly tell it's running.
I ran it in all the different modes for the suspension, throttle, and power output. In the more docile modes (400hp, soft suspension, etc) it drives like a normal 5 series. Quiet, compliant, easy to drive. In the sportier modes, it absolutely lived up to expectations. Made all the right noises, had some serious hustle, and generally behaved as if it were not a 3800lb car. The split-personality thing really makes me think this would make a good daily driver. Totally smooth and quiet at 20, 40, 60, even 80mph.
Right on the showroom floor they had a gorgeous 2009 M3 coupe in white. Absolutely flawless condition with around 30k and an asking price of $47k. All options except navigation (bummer). It had the DCT.
Right away you know it's a smaller car. It's also a simpler and more spartan vehicle. Fewer buttons, simpler layout, less to be distracted by. It doesn't feel cramped but you certainly know it's small and low to the ground. Visibility was still very good. Better seats though I wonder if the extreme bolstering will be tiring on longer drives.
The M3 drove very very well. The V8 is responsive and docile at low speeds. I found the DCT to be imperceptible -- impressive to say the least. Over expansion joints and rough pavement, the ride was composed but still very hard. I got lucky in that there was road construction adjacent to the dealership and was able to take both cars on the bad pavement. The M3 just doesn't do well on that kind of surface.
On the highway onramp, neither I nor the salesperson were prepared for the raw power. The acceleration in second and third gears (in S6 mode) was incredible. The power was linear and with the ultra-fast gear changes you are doing 90 before you know it. But once you back off the throttle it is a good highway cruiser.
The M3 is a purpose-built sport coupe. It is far more visceral and raw than the M5 and does not suffer from any split-personality disorder. It's fast, rides hard, and is built for speed.
I'm really leaning towards the M5 since it gives you about 95-99% of the M3 performance with none of the drawbacks. The interior is a bit more dated and complicated but I feel like I can deal with that compared to an overly-harsh ride and a lack of a nav system.
Still, I think I need to sleep on it for a while and see if any other cars pop up. I was hoping for an M6 since it might be the best compromise between the M3 and M5.
I recommend anyone who is serious about cars check out the M3 and M5. Amazing machines for sure and I know I'll be happy with either. Hopefully I won't miss the 4WD too much...
I drove the 2008 M5 first. It had the 6-speed manual (I wanted the SMG) and about 32k miles and they wanted $46k for it. Dark blue metallic with black interior & walnut trim.
The M5 is very roomy and feels upscale inside. It does feel a tad dated since the platform originates from 2003. Still, very upscale and everything felt and looked nice. Good leather, nice tactile feedback from the switches, etc. It was holding up very well. The iDrive is not as infuriating as people make it out to be though if I were driving and trying to do things it could be tricky; I am a tech/gadget guy anyways so maybe that's why I didn't mind it?
The 5.0L V10 is surprisingly "noisy" at idle when you're outside the car. Clarkson was right: it does sound a bit like a diesel. The powerplant is VERY smooth and when you're inside you can hardly tell it's running.
I ran it in all the different modes for the suspension, throttle, and power output. In the more docile modes (400hp, soft suspension, etc) it drives like a normal 5 series. Quiet, compliant, easy to drive. In the sportier modes, it absolutely lived up to expectations. Made all the right noises, had some serious hustle, and generally behaved as if it were not a 3800lb car. The split-personality thing really makes me think this would make a good daily driver. Totally smooth and quiet at 20, 40, 60, even 80mph.
Right on the showroom floor they had a gorgeous 2009 M3 coupe in white. Absolutely flawless condition with around 30k and an asking price of $47k. All options except navigation (bummer). It had the DCT.
Right away you know it's a smaller car. It's also a simpler and more spartan vehicle. Fewer buttons, simpler layout, less to be distracted by. It doesn't feel cramped but you certainly know it's small and low to the ground. Visibility was still very good. Better seats though I wonder if the extreme bolstering will be tiring on longer drives.
The M3 drove very very well. The V8 is responsive and docile at low speeds. I found the DCT to be imperceptible -- impressive to say the least. Over expansion joints and rough pavement, the ride was composed but still very hard. I got lucky in that there was road construction adjacent to the dealership and was able to take both cars on the bad pavement. The M3 just doesn't do well on that kind of surface.
On the highway onramp, neither I nor the salesperson were prepared for the raw power. The acceleration in second and third gears (in S6 mode) was incredible. The power was linear and with the ultra-fast gear changes you are doing 90 before you know it. But once you back off the throttle it is a good highway cruiser.
The M3 is a purpose-built sport coupe. It is far more visceral and raw than the M5 and does not suffer from any split-personality disorder. It's fast, rides hard, and is built for speed.
I'm really leaning towards the M5 since it gives you about 95-99% of the M3 performance with none of the drawbacks. The interior is a bit more dated and complicated but I feel like I can deal with that compared to an overly-harsh ride and a lack of a nav system.
Still, I think I need to sleep on it for a while and see if any other cars pop up. I was hoping for an M6 since it might be the best compromise between the M3 and M5.
I recommend anyone who is serious about cars check out the M3 and M5. Amazing machines for sure and I know I'll be happy with either. Hopefully I won't miss the 4WD too much...