Help me Choose! E39 M5 vs E46 M3
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,763
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From: 310 SoCal
Originally Posted by CKit,Aug 16 2009, 07:32 PM
I'd pick neither if you're worried about gas and maintenance costs.
I'd pick the M5 if you're keeping your S2000 and don't have another car at home.
I'd pick the M3 if you're trading in your S2000.
I'd pick the M5 if you're keeping your S2000 and don't have another car at home.
I'd pick the M3 if you're trading in your S2000.
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 11,615
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From: North Richland Hills, TX
E39, b/c a 4 door fits my needs better. If I had no kids or other reg. need to haul back seat passengers, I'd look for an E46 w/ the Comp. Pkg.
I've driven both of your choices, and IMO you can't go wrong from a driver experience perspective; can't speak to the relative maint. costs.
I've driven both of your choices, and IMO you can't go wrong from a driver experience perspective; can't speak to the relative maint. costs.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Orange Park
Neither will get good gas mileage...if mpg is a concern then I would rule both of these out. Both are great cars with great engines and I have owned both. I prefer the handling of the M3 and the 8K+ RPM's sounds pretty amazing with the right exhaust combination. The M5 offers more room...V8 punch and is marginally quicker and I think both will be classics in due time...can't go wrong either way. You need to understand going in that it's an "M Car" and will require more maintenance and it won't be cheap...expect around $2-2,500 in maintenance about every 30K miles as a minimum.
Former Moderator
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Burlington, VT
Originally Posted by derryck,Aug 17 2009, 09:06 AM
...expect around $2-2,500 in maintenance about every 30K miles as a minimum.
I work at a BMW dealership, am on my 5th one (working on my 6th), and have a really good friend who owns a BMW-tuning shop who doesn't agree with these perception either. Yes, there is the occasional car that has a lot of issues, but that is not the norm.
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Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Orange Park
I have owned 1 E39 M5 and 2 E46 M3's(as well as other M's). Both vehicles require 'Inspections' which occur about every 30K miles. The 'Inspection' ran about $1,500 on my M3 and about $1,900 on my M5. To my knowledge it mostly fluid/filter changes but also includes a valve adjustment. Just because you say it's BS doesn't mean diddly. Do yourself a favor and call your local dealership and ask them how much the 'Inspection' will run...they will generally come in about $300 less than what it will actually cost you in my EXPERIENCE.
[/QUOTE]I really don't understand where you guys keep coming up with this outright Bull Shit[QUOTE]
Maybe when you get a break in your busy schedule you can run around to the service desk and inquire as to the cost of an 'Inspection' service on one of the mentioned cars. When they tell you please add an apology to your post...thanks.
[/QUOTE]I really don't understand where you guys keep coming up with this outright Bull Shit[QUOTE]
Maybe when you get a break in your busy schedule you can run around to the service desk and inquire as to the cost of an 'Inspection' service on one of the mentioned cars. When they tell you please add an apology to your post...thanks.
hmm, I want to live where you live then
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Joined: Mar 2009
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Originally Posted by derryck,Aug 17 2009, 05:45 AM
I have owned 1 E39 M5 and 2 E46 M3's(as well as other M's). Both vehicles require 'Inspections' which occur about every 30K miles. The 'Inspection' ran about $1,500 on my M3 and about $1,900 on my M5. To my knowledge it mostly fluid/filter changes but also includes a valve adjustment. Just because you say it's BS doesn't mean diddly. Do yourself a favor and call your local dealership and ask them how much the 'Inspection' will run...they will generally come in about $300 less than what it will actually cost you in my EXPERIENCE.