So people are still over valuing then?

 

well

put it like this

2000 pre-facelift model without the comms pack

supposedly low 40Ks on the clock

rather too much wear and tear inside - not commensurate with exterior being a bit too clean, apart from the pebbledash effect bonnet and steamed up lights

evidence of poor maintenance an care eg hinges not lubricated, toolkit incomplete, knackered alloys, cheaper tyres

paperwork sparse

new clutch and rear suspension fitted (on a 40,000 mile car?) with a 'bill' for

 

Sounds to me like you are approaching this in exactly the right way

The problem with M cars is that they are hugely desirable (and deserve to be as they are very special). However, this means that people who cannot really afford to run them and care for them as they should end up convincing themselves that they can, take the plunge and then discover that they need to cut corners in the maintenance to make ends meet.

To me this is a sad situation as it hits the values of even the good cars hard and gives an impression of fragility which is just not the case. It also frustrates me when someone who has only ever driven a 'tired' example proclaims that they are nothing special

Real M enthusiasts maintain their car irrespective of cost and are usually more than realistic when it comes to 'value'.

Up until now, when the warranty situation is changing quite dramatically and prices have been falling for a while I would be suprised to see any enthusiast owned M cars (especially M5's) without a full BMW service history/warranty that are genuine and would therefore steer well clear of anything even remotely suspect

Unfortunately though, I think improprerly serviced/maintained cars will become more and more common...

I hope you find yourself a good one - it's a good time to be buying IMO

Andy

 

getting there.......RS4s too expensive and the steering IS wooden

M5s too many dogs but one or two gems around

I like the exclusivity over the M3, even if I don't need four doors

watch this space

 

how quick does the M5 feel when compared with the S? I guess the speed must be quite deceptive....does it actually feel very quick?

 

Oh yes......

Although it's difficult to draw that kind of direct comparison with the S2000; convertibles always feel fast, and big, luxurious saloons frequently don't. The way that the cars build and carry speed is very different too. But yes, an M5 feels BLOODY fast.

With the S2000, as you know, you need to hammer it through the gears, and in all the examples I've driven, there is still a point at around 6000rpm where you anticipate 'phase 2 power'. None of this is bad imo.

An M5 has sledgehammer acceleration in most gears - and it's linear power. You could probably drive it comfortably all day, using only three gears out of the six, such is the flexibility.

S2000s have never felt heavy to me, and I've never felt a huge sense of momentum, despite travelling very fast at times.

In an M5, you are aware that you are sitting in a heavy (comparatively) hunk of metal, which is at the centre of some fairly monstrous physical forces. What this means in practice, is that you are acutely aware of closing speeds and the need to back off or brake well in advance, such is the momentum. For heavy, don't read clumsy (unless shagged); the cars feel like bigger, more luxurious M3s.

Basically the car will redefine what you think a big saloon can do - it is significantly faster than an M3 in a straight line and will happily play in the bends. The difference is bigger again within an S2000. These opinions are based on driving M3/M5/tweaked S2000 within 30 minutes of each other yesterday.

It should be fast; cars I was testing yesterday and last week cost between

 

Sounds similar to the Testarossa with regard to a linear power delivery although with the Fezza there was a definate point in the rev range where you could tell it was coming alive

I remember with my E36 M3 the double vanos delivery was noticeable.....is there such a sensation with the M5?

 

Interesting write-up, Pete.

The M5 appeals, but I suspect for me the M3 might be better suited. I don't commute by car and do only limited motorway/A-road driving - I suspect the M5 might be a bit of a handful around the B-roads..... The M3 isn't exactly light but seems likely to be a bit better suited to that environment.

I shall look forward to your further musings with interest!

 

much less imo

memories fade, I last drove an E36 EVO five years ago - and only a few times

my GT was single V - much less problematic

I think in most cars you get that 'peak power' point

and yes, that big V8 really sings as it gets over 6000rpm, bit no step as a such

luurvely noise though, although some say it's too subdued

they should open the bloody windows

 

I got overtaken by an M5 this afternoon. Doing about 40, pulled out and nailed it past me.

Jesus Christ it was quick