From an e53 X5 to an e39 M5?

[swissfrank]

Does anyone here have a e39 M5 as well as a e53 X5. I've always wanted this particular pair of vehicles in my driveway.

As some of you know that 2 weeks back I was a victim in a head on collision totalling my X5 at freeway speeds. I'm looking for a replacement vehicle and i'm leaning to something such as an M5 as an alternative measure, until I find a suitable e53 4.6 or 4.8 of course. =)

I'll put this questions out to the X5 family first! What does X5world think/know of the M5?

[PersonaNonGrata]

There are a handful of guys here who have/had E39 M5's so you should get great feedback. TQ2K has an E53 and a gorgeous Petrol Mica E39 M5. Hopefully he'll chime in.

[Weasel]

I was at a toss-up between an E39 M5 and the 4.6is, and that M5 is currently still my favorite BMW to drive... I just love them! I ended up with the X because of the whole gotta pull a trailer thing. Which sucks because the BMW trailer hitch is on backorder for a few more months... no offroading fun or watersports for me until it gets cold outside.

[TQ2K]

Well to start off, the E39 M5 and E53 4.6/4.8 are totally different vehicles and serves it's different purpose as you may already know.

I've driven the E53 4.6/4.8 and are awesome SAV's that's a blast to drive on long trips, very comfy and with more than enough power that you'll need.

I currently have both the E39 M5 and the E53 4.4i and very happy with the combination specially here in Pennsylvania where we get a fair share of bad winters...

The E39 M5 is a monster with it's max torque available in low RPM's, it can get you in trouble really fast... Very nice family sedan when with it's comfort features and very nice full leather interior...

Let me know if you have specifc questions.

[ZsX5o3]

I think that car is a real classic now with the way the e60 looks. I love it.

[swissfrank]

TQ2K, Absolutely gorgeous!

I'm completely sold on the M5 minus all the VANOS issues that other forums are going on about. Should I even be worried about?

Now I think it goes without saying that any other forum doesn't have the wealth of information as found on here! So does anyone want to shed some light on M5 ownership pros and cons =)

[Chris_731]

I have a '00 M5 that I picked up a few months ago, and it's an amazing car. Very nice to drive, lots of gadgets, and VERY fast. Obviously not the go-kart that the E36 M3 (my previous car) was, but you can just feel that it would happily run at 150mph all day long and still take the kids to school in comfort (not at the same time of course!)

Also, they are reasonably affordable now and if you find one that has been well maintained you should get 100k+ miles out of it easily. Unfortunately they are very expensive if any major problems should arise, so it's good to know it's history and have some mechanical abilities for doing most repair jobs at home.

The M5 really belongs on the open roads at high speeds though... it's far too frustrating to putt around town doing 50mph or sitting at stop lights (until you get a chance to race an unsuspecting victim, of course), which is why I'm looking for an X5 4.8is as a daily driver. It seems that the 4.8is would be the perfect combination of BMW V8 torque with a great sounding exhaust note along with the ability to drive around town without having to row through a 6spd gearbox. The M5 will probably end up as the garage queen.

The best part is that you can easily pick up both of these cars for less than what one of them cost when new, thanks to everyone dumping their gas-guzzlers in a panic.

[Chris_731]

I'm completely sold on the M5 minus all the VANOS issues that other forums are going on about. Should I even be worried about?

I wouldn't worry too much about the vanos. By now most cars that are going to have vanos problems will have already had them replaced.

[swissfrank]

Originally Posted by Chris_731

I wouldn't worry too much about the vanos. By now most cars that are going to have vanos problems will have already had them replaced.

EXACTLY my thinking! And pretty much exactly what I wanted to hear! I'm Currently looking at a couple and there is one local here that I looked at today and might be considering, however it does have a diesel sounding vanos. Price is about right, now what do you think about the complexity of fixing this?

[swissfrank]

Originally Posted by Chris_731

....thanks to everyone dumping their gas-guzzlers in a panic.

haha, I second this one! Now Chris I don't like red cars, however your M5 looks absolutely gorgeous, even RED! Absolutely stunning car!