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keep 03 evo or buy E39 M5?

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#62 ·
Re: keep 03 evo or buy E39 M5? (AKADriver)

Quote, originally posted by AKADriver »
As far as family goes, my wife gave the OK when I was looking a while ago (and not the "do whatever you want
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" bear trap OK).

LOL anyone who has a significant other has been there, fantastic...
But it'd be hard for me to live with an Evo day to day. The same things that make it so amazing at the limit would annoy me on the day to day grind - the lack of creature comforts, the lack of power down low - I've been in a friend's Evo on a hot summer day driving through a hilly part of Hollywood. With four people, and air con on full, that car does NOT like pulling away from a dead stop on a steep incline.
It's a pretty poor commuter car if you live in a dense urban area. BUT.. If you buy one of these used and also buy a nice used entry level luxury import like an 325i, A4, IS300 or something like that, you'd have the ideal combo!
 
#63 ·
Re: keep 03 evo or buy E39 M5? (MylesPH1)

^ I know what you're talking about, I was a passenger in my buddy's Evo thru heat soak quite a bit... sux
 
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#64 ·
Re: keep 03 evo or buy E39 M5? (sebas@hometuning)

Bro drives his everyday, and he doesn't seem to care.
He knew what he was buying though and was willing to take the hit of no creature comforts that a more everyday driver could offer.
 
#65 ·
I find that E39 M5s tend to ride farily poorly. They knd of have a narrow range of brittle-feeling motions. I have heard more than one person first hand describe it as "feels like a cavalier" that is unless they are giving it the spurs, then its becomes rewarding, but for the day to day, its somehwere between "whats the big deal about the M badge" and "my this is annoying for all the extgra $$$"
also, the motor in those love to auto-destruct at 60k, maintained or not.
mileage isnt the best (but it isnt in any 400hp v8 or modded EVO for that matter)
most parts are typical bmw, which is not terribly expensive, but not cheap. However, the tires, brakes, and oil will give you an anurerism. A good euro shop may have someone who knows these cars better than the dealer, but the hourly rate wont differ much. The dealer guys are pretty well trained too, but may lack the experience.
All E39s tend to get needy around 60-80k miles. You will do nothing but spend money on keeping it running in this range. after that, they will go for a long while, but as a general rule, bmw builds crappy V8s(briliant, but crappy)
Other than that, its a pretty straightforward car. but agian, I do not like the golfcart suspension ride, or the expensive timebomb under the hood. A 540i 6spd is just a big of a pain too. Go read reviews of 2nd owners of thsose cars. You dont see complaints on the m5 as much because the owners can afford to fix them and dont spend time on msg boards. However, the 540 6spd guys, are getting them because they are a poormans m5 and hence try to get info on msg boards regarding if they can elect to postpone a schedualed service or try to fix problems themsleves, or look for "bandaid" repairs.
 
#66 ·
Re: (Harv)

Quote, originally posted by Harv »


Everyone jumps on the M5 nutsack because its ''OMGZ BMW! M5!! PANTY DROPPER!!!1111''
Lets get real for a second. M5's are extremely expensive in the maintenance department. There is no way in hell I would buy a M5 unless I had a very open disposable income. And if I had that, I'd be buying things beyond the M5.

BMW has the best serivce plan out there if your buying from the dealer
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#68 ·
Re: (DanTurboGP)

Quote, originally posted by DanTurboGP »

also, the motor in those love to auto-destruct at 60k, maintained or not.

Really? I've been posting on M5board.com for about 5 years now, and lurking since 1999 (before the board change) and I've only seen a few grenaded engines. Lots of guys on that board are 100k+ miles with no issues from the S62. There was a very small production run that shared the same crappy rod bearings that failed in the E46 M3. Most of those are already in the history books, so there is little worry about a second or third owner finding it.
The M62 is a lot more reliable of an engine than the S62 is, so the 540/6 guys (like me) can sleep a bit easier, but I do keep a $3k account for "E39 related expenses" at all times. M62's don't eat MAFS, Can sensors, VANOS accumulators and oil like the S62 does.
I do agree though that E39's get cranky around 60-80k. At that time, generally speaking you need a clutch if you have a V8, tranny mounts, trust arm bushings, water pump, thermostat, radiator, and a final stage resistor in the HVAC.
If there is any big thing to worry about with any V8 powered E39 is the Getrag 226 gearbox. It's strong as hell, but if beat on hard, especially shifted hard when cold, the shift detents break, and the tranny either wont go into gear, or gets stuck in gear. Getrag doesn't sell any parts for it, so it is a $6k reman unit. Ouch.
Having lived with my current E39 for over a year, and a 6cly E39 for 2 or so years before, I highly recomend them. They aren't the hero car the Evo is, but as long as you know how to dance with a fat lady it is a really rewarding big car.
You learn soon to forget the turbo kick and embrace the tidal wave of torque they have.
 
#70 ·
Re: (Bah Humbug)

Quote, originally posted by Bah Humbug »
The M5 will certainly be more comfortable, however it's a larger car and will be less telepathic than the Evo.

I'm going to go on a limb and assume you've never owned/driven and ///M car. The steering on ANY BMW is going to be far superior to a run of the mill Mitsu.
 
#71 ·
Re: (Wolf1.8)

If you find an M5 in really good condition go for it. I would not worry about what people that never owned a BMW are saying about the cost of maintenance or repairs. Just make sure the car you want to buy was maintained properly by the previous owner(s). A properly maintained car(no matter what brand) is going to be reliable. Get yourself a slice of heaven...get the M5.
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I owned several pre-owned BMWs(including M3s) and I never had one single problem with any of them.
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#72 ·
Re: keep 03 evo or buy E39 M5? (serge03)

I purchased a 2001 M5 about one year ago and would be happy to share my experience. The car has about 70k on it now.
Maint. expense: Cars are pretty solid with no hideous issues other than VANOS problems on early cars. Brake rotors are expensive at $250 each but an aftermarket source has now become available for half that. It's a $70,000 low production car, it is going to be more expensive to maintain than a Camry. Duh!
Oil is expensive as you have to buy BMW specific oil but in the scheme of life it isn't a big deal.
MPG: I average 18MPG. Again, 18mpg or 25mpg. If it matterst that much to you buy a Prius.
Winter: Does just fine with a set of snows, modern electronics are amazing.
Driving: It feels heavy and it feels like it has lots of power. Very confidence inspiring.
Looks: I always liked it and my opinion is the only one that has ever mattered, that's what I told my wife about my NX2000.
Clubs: PCA>BMWCCA
 
#73 ·
Re: (imnutz)

Quote, originally posted by imnutz »

I'm going to go on a limb and assume you've never owned/driven and ///M car. The steering on ANY BMW is going to be far superior to a run of the mill Mitsu.

Yes, but not the Evo. I'm sure somebody will call me out on this, but I believe the Evo has one of the tightest steering ratios of any stock car...even GASP an M
 
#74 ·
Re: (imnutz)

Quote, originally posted by imnutz »

I'm going to go on a limb and assume you've never owned/driven and ///M car. The steering on ANY BMW is going to be far superior to a run of the mill Mitsu.

Yes and no. It's hard to beat a BMW rack and pinion setup, but sadly the E39 M5 doesn't have one. All of the large V8 E34's and E39's had recirculating ball steering, and although it works, it's more numb and less communicative than the other M cars.
Quote, originally posted by EvoIX »

Yes, but not the Evo. I'm sure somebody will call me out on this, but I believe the Evo has one of the tightest steering ratios of any stock car...even GASP an M

Quick steering ratio doesn't mean best feel though. Although the Evo does have great feedback, I felt compelled to throw my two cents in there.
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#75 ·
Re: (Brendan@bwalkauto)

Quote, originally posted by Brendan@bwalkauto »

Yes and no. It's hard to beat a BMW rack and pinion setup, but sadly the E39 M5 doesn't have one. All of the large V8 E34's and E39's had recirculating ball steering, and although it works, it's more numb and less communicative than the other M cars.
Quick steering ratio doesn't mean best feel though. Although the Evo does have great feedback, I felt compelled to throw my two cents in there.
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Well said Brendan. You've covered the topic well.
 
Discussion starter · #76 ·
Re: (imnutz)

FYI, I'm married... negates poon factor.

i'm still having a tough time with the decision. i also have to make up my mind tomorrow- someone coming to take my evo for $24,000 (pretty good price).
whatever car, it will barely get driven, always be pampered, and no expense will really be spared. i'm pretty much having a mental crisis (just turned 29), and have no idea what i want out of any of my life. not much makes me happy.
i may even take the money, invest it in a CD for 6 months, and see what i can find for cars in the meantime. if i find nothing, i will keep my money making interest.
i may also raise the asking price of the evo. tons of people want to buy it, and i could really care less about any of them. if i ask more, i could get more.
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#77 ·
Re: (serge03)

You're facing the same situation almost every normal guy experiences in life. It's always that next big purchase that will lead to the Holy Grail of happiness. In my experience, it just doesn't exist. I'm just now paying off my little Focus and have recently gotten a nice promotion/raise. The temptation to buy a fancy used Z06 crossed my mind.....I've firmly decided to enjoy my paid for car. It will be nice to have a little extra "flash" money and increase my 401 contributions.
 
#79 ·
Re: (serge03)

I know where there is a mint mint mint 84 M635csi with Dinan stroker engine...this is a 3100 lb, 350+ hp sexy beast that falls within your price range...
That would be *my* choice and I'd probably be on my way to get it if I didn't have the 911.
 
#80 ·
Re: (Ford5pointoh)

Quote, originally posted by Ford5pointoh »
You're facing the same situation almost every normal guy experiences in life. It's always that next big purchase that will lead to the Holy Grail of happiness. In my experience, it just doesn't exist.

OMG this is me too... 5 cars in the last 4 years.
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