Hi,

I recently posted asking if the M5 was worth the extra over other
higher end 5 series and I know that I won't be happy with my next BMW
unless it has the M badge on it.  However now I'm not so sure about
the pros and cons of M5 v M3.

Of course the M3 is still holding it's value at around £42k and the M5
has dropped a lot for a few year old car they're around £35k, so on
that front the M5 probably won't lose much more and the M3 might do.

The M3 would be slightly cheaper to insure and probably better on
fuel, so is it a good option over the M5?

Thanks

Daz

Unless you are going to race it on a track you are unlikely to be able to
use the M5 much, certainly with the 400bhp limited lifted.  Sure it has
brakes that won't fade on a fast alpine descent etc. etc., but at the end of
the day it is nearly £70,000.

OTOH a 550i is just over £45k, gives you 367bhp and an M badge to go on the
boot will cost not a lot...

Horses for courses.  Performance wise there isn't THAT much of a difference
between the two, but the M3 will be a lot more nimble, more a sports car,
than the M5.  Both will require significantly more maintenance than their
more mundane siblings.  Everything from oil to tires will be changed more
often and at greater expense.

The 335Ci is a pretty nice compromise and offers enough thrust for 99% of
real world driving situations.  Crank up the boost (enlarge the oil cooler
when you do) and it can be quite a beast.

R / John

Hi,

I recently posted asking if the M5 was worth the extra over other
higher end 5 series and I know that I won't be happy with my next BMW
unless it has the M badge on it.  However now I'm not so sure about
the pros and cons of M5 v M3.

Of course the M3 is still holding it's value at around £42k and the M5
has dropped a lot for a few year old car they're around £35k, so on
that front the M5 probably won't lose much more and the M3 might do.

The M3 would be slightly cheaper to insure and probably better on
fuel, so is it a good option over the M5?

Thanks

Daz