My dad owned a e39 540 and i used to stare at it in the garage... I had the M5 catalog in my room. I will own an E39 M5 someday, sooner than later (depending on when i get out of school). I think the e39 has so much more presence and is a nicer looking vehicle than the M3. Its also alot more rare and understated. If you''re worried about maintenance costs, I wouldn't consider either vehicle.

 

++M3

 

both sound tempting but i would go for the m3. drill the price down a bit or look for a better deal m3. overall even though the m5 performs nice i really love the look of the e46 M3

 

well there is alot more M3 to choose from than M5...... much easier to to attain M3 since more local places to choose from....


yeah I think I am trying to justify getting M5 in every way possible.... but all in all, M3 is probably a better choice.....


Thanks everyone....


james

 

CTS-V problem solved

 

E39 M5. I have spent time behind the wheel of both and the E39 just does it for me. I agree with a lot of comments here - and I also look at the E39 M5 as the last of the great M cars. The newer stuff is too overteched and complex - the E39 just embodies everything that is great automotive IMO.

Great car - rare, sexy, practical and subtle enough to enjoy without drama (i.e. every ricer revving at you, etc).

 

///M5

I love M3s, but I would love to own the M5. M3s are common where I live, i think I've only seen 2 M5s in the past year though.

 

M3 all the way great fun car from what i have read up on them. And that is the same year range i would get they are going for a good price now from the 02-04 modles. But the only reason i can't pull the triger is how much they cost if something goes wrong i hear all the stories and that just makes me not want a BMW. But dam there so nice inside and out and a fun V6 under the hood with 333hp and i think they do 13.6 at the strip and a 5.6 0-60.

 

Eh. I6.

 

Whatever you do, don't get the SMG transmission if you get an e46 m3. If you check on the e46 section of m3forum, every other post is related to SMG issues. Other than that, they are fairly reliable. Make sure you have the rear subframe checked.

Maintenance is expensive, even if you do it yourself. My e36 m3 easily runs me $1k per year in maintenance, and it is a very well taken care of example. Once the mileage piles up things will need to be replaced.

The e39 m5 is very expensive to fix, as it was made in much lower volumes = higher cost of parts. The motor is hand-built, and the early production models had issues you might want to look out for. Of course I don't remember what they are so check bimmerforums.

That being said, I would probably go for the M5 because they are just amazing.