M5 for sale in the GTA

[SLCraig]

That car is so gorgeous.
Without a word of a lie if I made a few bucks more I would buy it.
I love the E39... Those rims look so mint on that car too.

Awesome, just noticed the guy has a Skyline in his garage.
My kind of guy.

 

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
Two different M3s...i didnt FIT in one. (That generation 3series just does not fit me comfortably.) The other...nothing below 3000RPM was my biggest gripe. Also, darty steering & a jumpy clutch.

Not even mentioning the heart stopping repair costs.


Those characteristics are primarily due to the car's intended use (track time, very sporty driving, etc). However, they do make it tougher to use as a DD, but most people who use an M as a DD are willing to accept some compromises for performance.

Either way, E39 =

At some point, I'm going to be hunting for an E34 M5 as a second car, with eventual plans for a turbo.

 

[SteveSRT8]

One piece of advice... DO NOT BUY a supercar like this without first considering high costs of repairs, maintenance, insurance and so on.

That said, this car is worthy of a premium. Extremely low production numbers and very few mint condition examples left.

 

[D189379]

It's a gorgeous car no doubt. The only BMW I'd care to own.

 

[IndyIan]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
One piece of advice... DO NOT BUY a supercar like this without first considering high costs of repairs, maintenance, insurance and so on.

That said, this car is worthy of a premium. Extremely low production numbers and very few mint condition examples left.

Its crazy though how much they drop their value, of ~$100K sports cars is there anything less expensive than an 10 year old M5?
Old, old, Vipers are still way more, and plain jane Corvettes of similar vintage are about the same, nevermind a ZO6. I guess the AMG Mercs do have similar values to the M5 too.
Interesting, I guess the complexity of the cars takes away some interest/value as performance toys but they are a nice combination of performance and comfort.
I should price out an aftermarket warranty for one.

$5k for warranty and $15k for the car sounds more fun than a new $20k Corolla...

 

[Win]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Why so much for such an old car ?


What do you think it's worth?


Less than what he's asking, for sure, or somebody would have already bought it.

edit: have the trees already leafed in Canada? There's a lot of green in those pictures for this time of year. I'd be suspect of those pictures.

 

[mechanicx]

I don't see the point of a big heavy 4-door high performance car like the M5. Especially not at 100k new. That buys a real sports car like a 'vette and and a luxury car like the CTS.

I see the point in a 5-series or even a 7-series and I see the point of an M3 coupe and the 135i coupe. I just have no interest in a big and heavy 4-door luxury/sports car. It seems like an oxymoron to me.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: Win
edit: have the trees already leafed in Canada? There's a lot of green in those pictures for this time of year. I'd be suspect of those pictures.


Very interesting point. They're barely that full here, and our spring bloom came a month early this year.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
I don't see the point of a big heavy 4-door high performance car like the M5. Especially not at 100k new. That buys a real sports car like a 'vette and and a luxury car like the CTS.

I see the point in a 5-series or even a 7-series and I see the point of an M3 coupe and the 135i coupe. I just have no interest in a big and heavy 4-door luxury/sports car. It seems like an oxymoron to me.


It (the E39) was faster than the NSX and a C5 'vette (Z06 excluded) around the 'ring, and could comfortably seat 4 adults (or two adults and three kids in my case) as well as a boot full of luggage.

Point blank: If you can't see the purpose, you likely aren't in a situation that would cause you to appreciate it (I assume you don't have young kids that you need to cart around?).

Basically:

In 1999, the CTS didn't exist, let alone the CTS-V. And it has only been in VERY recent history that the quality of GM interiors has begun to approach that of those offered by Cadillac's European competition.

The M5 was (and GM appeared to appreciate the niche for such a car, hence the CTS-V) a way to get a sedan that went like stink and handled like a sports car, yet was incredibly well equipped, fitted with the finest interior materials, extremely safe, and could cart the family around in luxurious comfort when required.

It is truly an attempt to have your cake and eat it too.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Win
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Why so much for such an old car ?


What do you think it's worth?


Less than what he's asking, for sure, or somebody would have already bought it.

edit: have the trees already leafed in Canada? There's a lot of green in those pictures for this time of year. I'd be suspect of those pictures.


Pictures could be from last year too. No, trees are just starting to bud right now.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
It is truly an attempt to have your cake and eat it too.


yes it is! And I will add that I am once again thankful that we all don't like the same cars.

MMMM (eating cake!) and lots of it!

 

[Dave Hess]

What I would like to know is why this guy has two fancy cars and lives in a tiny matchbox townhouse ?

I still think the car is priced too high if it hasn't been sold yet.

 

[mechanicx]

It's not that I don't get the idea behind the M5, it's just not my style. If I need a larger 4-door a regular 5-series seems plenty fast and sport enough without giving up too much in ride quality and every other virtue a luxury car has vs a sports car (there's always compromises). If I want more performance than that, then I want the car to look the part and be built from the gorund up to be a sports car like the Porshce or Corvette.

Also the price premium to get the M spec seems a little steep to me. An overpriced big hopped up luxury 4-door car is just not my thing. It's OK if it is for others. Maybe if you had a family and one car that you did all the driving it would make sense.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
What I would like to know is why this guy has two fancy cars and lives in a tiny matchbox townhouse ?

I still think the car is priced too high if it hasn't been sold yet.



Good question regarding the other cars and the house, I don't know the owner, so I can't comment. However housing that style is very common in the suburbs of the GTA, which is where the car is purported to be located.

I bought mine through a dealer, who also wouldn't budge on the price. While they fetch a pretty penny for a vehicle of their age, they aren't overly popular for that very reason (and the potential expenses associated with maintaining an 11-year old M-car).

You've indicated you wouldn't spend that kind of money on a car that is 11 years old. You wouldn't be the only one. Many people would have a hard time justifying spending that kind of coin as well.

Another car in this price bracket would be an '03/04 Cobra. They are both toys in my opinion, with the M being a bit more practical, and certainly better appointed.

You have to be a certain kind of "car guy" to want something like this. Somebody who can appreciate the utility of a Camry is not that kind of car guy. And somebody looking to impress their neighbours isn't going to buy an 11 year old M-car for 20 grand either. They'll buy a 5-series for a fraction of the price and slap M badges on it

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
It's not that I don't get the idea behind the M5, it's just not my style. If I need a larger 4-door a regular 5-series seems plenty fast and sport enough without giving up too much in ride quality and every other virtue a luxury car has vs a sports car (there's always compromises). If I want more performance than that, then I want the car to look the part and be built from the gorund up to be a sports car like the Porshce or Corvette.

Also the price premium to get the M spec seems a little steep to me. An overpriced big hopped up luxury 4-door car is just not my thing. It's OK if it is for others. Maybe if you had a family and one car that you did all the driving it would make sense.


Or have to take the family with you a lot of the time

LOL!

 

[Garak]

Well, I guess different people place different values on cars. Some would say you can buy a new Brand X Econobox for that price, so why buy used? My dad would have said that you could get a newer yet still used Town Car for that price, so why bother? Or, he'd grumble that a car of that vintage, no matter the make, isn't worth that kind of money.

Obviously others, including myself, would disagree with that assessment. That's why there's more than one make and model manufactured in this world.

 

[hattaresguy]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
I don't see the point of a big heavy 4-door high performance car like the M5. Especially not at 100k new. That buys a real sports car like a 'vette and and a luxury car like the CTS.

I see the point in a 5-series or even a 7-series and I see the point of an M3 coupe and the 135i coupe. I just have no interest in a big and heavy 4-door luxury/sports car. It seems like an oxymoron to me.


You haven't properly experienced one yet.

Its not something you can describe, you have to give it a go.

Nothing drives like a German car at high speed. These cars are built from the ground up to be able to run at WOT all day long. The Germans have a long tradition of high speed driving. Our cars like the CTSV are fast, but we live in the land of the double nickle speed limit, we just don't have that tradition. So while a CTSV will haul it will not drive at 150mph like a Brabus V12 Mercedes, or a BMW M5. It just won't.

The best way to describe it is boring speed. The scenery is moving fast, you see the needles way up their, but the experience is no different than driving say a Camry at 70mph. You also get the impression that the car would be very happy to do that kind of speed every day, all day, and in horrible weather conditions as well. While in say an American car its not as sedate, you definitely feel like your pushing it a bit, and the car would be more happy at say 100mph instead of 150.

German cars also come with two tire inflation guides, one for sub 100mph driving, one for over. I don't beleive the CTSV does...

Its very different than a sports car, they are not sports cars. More of a GT car.

 

[SLCraig]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
I don't see the point of a big heavy 4-door high performance car like the M5. Especially not at 100k new. That buys a real sports car like a 'vette and and a luxury car like the CTS.

I see the point in a 5-series or even a 7-series and I see the point of an M3 coupe and the 135i coupe. I just have no interest in a big and heavy 4-door luxury/sports car. It seems like an oxymoron to me.


It (the E39) was faster than the NSX and a C5 'vette (Z06 excluded) around the 'ring, and could comfortably seat 4 adults (or two adults and three kids in my case) as well as a boot full of luggage.

Point blank: If you can't see the purpose, you likely aren't in a situation that would cause you to appreciate it (I assume you don't have young kids that you need to cart around?).

Basically:

In 1999, the CTS didn't exist, let alone the CTS-V. And it has only been in VERY recent history that the quality of GM interiors has begun to approach that of those offered by Cadillac's European competition.

The M5 was (and GM appeared to appreciate the niche for such a car, hence the CTS-V) a way to get a sedan that went like stink and handled like a sports car, yet was incredibly well equipped, fitted with the finest interior materials, extremely safe, and could cart the family around in luxurious comfort when required.

It is truly an attempt to have your cake and eat it too.


I agree with you 100%. I am a sedan guy for life. I prefer cars like this over actual 2 door cars. They are useless, no interior room, no trunk space, all you get is speed. Practical cars that are fast look even more gorgeous to my eye because they are practical and awesome at the same time. The E39 M5 is one of the greatest sedans of all time.

 

[IndyIan]

Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
I don't see the point of a big heavy 4-door high performance car like the M5. Especially not at 100k new. That buys a real sports car like a 'vette and and a luxury car like the CTS.

I see the point in a 5-series or even a 7-series and I see the point of an M3 coupe and the 135i coupe. I just have no interest in a big and heavy 4-door luxury/sports car. It seems like an oxymoron to me.


You haven't properly experienced one yet.

Its not something you can describe, you have to give it a go.

Nothing drives like a German car at high speed. These cars are built from the ground up to be able to run at WOT all day long. The Germans have a long tradition of high speed driving. Our cars like the CTSV are fast, but we live in the land of the double nickle speed limit, we just don't have that tradition. So while a CTSV will haul it will not drive at 150mph like a Brabus V12 Mercedes, or a BMW M5. It just won't.

The best way to describe it is boring speed. The scenery is moving fast, you see the needles way up their, but the experience is no different than driving say a Camry at 70mph. You also get the impression that the car would be very happy to do that kind of speed every day, all day, and in horrible weather conditions as well. While in say an American car its not as sedate, you definitely feel like your pushing it a bit, and the car would be more happy at say 100mph instead of 150.

German cars also come with two tire inflation guides, one for sub 100mph driving, one for over. I don't beleive the CTSV does...

Its very different than a sports car, they are not sports cars. More of a GT car.

So do you go to Germany or Italy and rent a nice car for a vacation? I can understand what you are saying, but where in N.A. can you exceed 100mph for more than a minute or two before fear of visiting the yokel county jail for a night takes over?
OVERK1LL has mosport nearby but high speed lapping is not relaxed cruising and has its own risks.
Its funny though, the fastest I've ever been on the autobahn was in a late 80's Cadillac Sedan de Ville(I was told the only one in Germany). We only went 110-115 mph but it seemed quite composed at that speed and seemed like it could do that all day.

 

[Virtuoso]

Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
Nothing drives like a German car at high speed. These cars are built from the ground up to be able to run at WOT all day long. The Germans have a long tradition of high speed driving. Our cars like the CTSV are fast, but we live in the land of the double nickle speed limit, we just don't have that tradition. So while a CTSV will haul it will not drive at 150mph like a Brabus V12 Mercedes, or a BMW M5. It just won't.


This.

Had a discussion with an old boss awhile back about German cars. He drove a nondescript BMW; and he loved driving them after he spend some time abroad. He said "Sure, we have fast cars here in the states. Mustangs, Camaros, etc. But you can't take them on the autobahn and wrap them out forever like you can a BMW. They're just not built for it. They will take it for a while, but eventually, that engine will come apart on you keeping up with the traffic."