would you swap the 4.6is for an M car?

c4racer · #1 01-25-2010, 09:37 PM

I had been debating about swapping my S4 for an M3 and have decided against it. S4 is going to be a keeper for now. I love it too much and it is so much the perfect daily driver for me. Covers all of my needs - can carry our family of 4, dog can ride in the back when needed, enough cargo space for my music equipment or a bike, snow capable for ski trips, and quite entertaining to drive.

Recently we picked up a new 09 G37 sedan that the wife and I am sharing. She still has her Mazda Protege5 wagon to log a lot of the weekly grind miles. We both drive a lot right now - I'd say 45-50K miles between the two of us. G37 gets weekend road trip duty for family use for the most part now too, which used to be the X5.

So the X5 4.6is has now become a 3rd vehicle and a very part time driver. Sort of like my "garage queen". About the only thing it can do that the S4 cannot is carry bikes on the back plus the roof, or tow a trailer since it has a hitch. But I rarely do either of those things these days.

I have been wanting to get back into a BMW M car for awhile now. I have owned 2 - E39 M5 and E36 M3. So I am thinking about picking up another one of those or maybe even an E34 M5 as my "garage queen" secondary driver - special car instead of the X5. I would certainly miss the X5 for all it can do, but I think that could be outweighed by the extra enjoyment I would get from the M-car. Budget is somewhere in the mid to upper teens. Plenty of room for a really nice E36 M3 or E34 M5. I also can't get the E39 M5 out of my head now that you can get a pretty decent 70-80K mile car within my budget range. I still think the E39 M5 is the best highway cruiser ever built, and since I do a lot of highway driving it would be a good fit. I have always wanted to own a E34 M5 too - much more raw driving experience and still a good highway ride, although those are much more dated and getting really hard to find decent examples w/o a ton of miles.

I would certainly miss the X5 if I sold it. First of all I have always loved Estoril Blue, and I finally got a vehicle with this color and it is in perfect shape. And it really is an excellent highway cruiser in it's own right - right up there with the E39 M5 I'd say, but with more utility. And there are times when the S4 is tight on cargo space and the X5 works better. Also if the S4 is down for a repair or maint and I need to get my drumset somewhere I have options, which is nice.

So I'm torn...

Any thoughts? What would you do? Keep the X5? Or swap it for a M3 or M5?

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cheappc · #2 01-25-2010, 09:43 PM

I got my X5 because I love BMW cars and get to tow my seadoos in the summer to the colorado river... but if your not using it anymore for these purposes.... get the M of your choice, you wont regret it!

nom3rcy · #3 01-25-2010, 10:32 PM

I'm getting an X5 to tow my M car.

If I didn't need it for towing I would be looking at a 335ix

Tleong · #4 01-25-2010, 10:51 PM

I think you should go for the M-car because you only live once and this isn't a major decision, but it'll certainly be a decision you'll regret if you don't do it.

FYI... I traded in my X for a 09 G37x, but the infiniti forums i've been on compared to xoutpost blows.

dragoncoach · #5 01-25-2010, 10:55 PM

Each of them has their attributes but if we had to choose, it would be the E39 M5, hands down no questions. It's just so fun to drive and fast. It can be used as a DD as well as a garage queen. Cleasic BMW styling, perfect highway cruiser and a sleeper. What more can anyone ask for? As for an M3, anything short of one with a V-8 wouldn't cut it. Also, with your family, an M3 would be VERY cramped! Good Luck!

MINIz guy · #6 01-25-2010, 10:55 PM

Well, you say that your Audi and Infiniti suffice for daily driving. Now you have a 4.6is that doesn't get driven as much and is only a highway cruiser, like a garage queen.

If I were in that situation, I would definitely replace the 4.6is for something more enjoyable. Sure, an X5 may drive well, but there are many other vehicles on the road that drive much better. You say you have had an E39 and E36, so an E34 or E46 would be a great change if you wanted to try out a new chassis. Either way, I would dump any X5 for a chance at a ///M car as a garage queen.

RickM5X3 · #7 01-25-2010, 11:32 PM

That's a tough one. I think you'd end up missing the utility (mainly b/c of towing capability) of the X5 sometime in the future if your needs happen to change. I'd be hesitant to go to an all car fleet. But if your X5 is hitting high miles and starting to be problematic, maybe get out while you can. Our M5 has thus far been the most durable car in our garage. Its a great parts go-getter and backup car when the X cars invariably fail.

Maybe dump that Mazda and put the proceeds in the M car fund for now . . . .

nom3rcy · #8 01-26-2010, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragoncoach

As for an M3, anything short of one with a V-8 wouldn't cut it.

Curious why you would say that considering the M3 is known for it's handling, not its acceleration.

The E30, E36, and even E46 are very rewarding driver's cars.

1stE53 · #9 01-26-2010, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickM5X3

That's a tough one. I think you'd end up missing the utility (mainly b/c of towing capability) of the X5 sometime in the future if your needs happen to change. I'd be hesitant to go to an all car fleet. But if your X5 is hitting high miles and starting to be problematic, maybe get out while you can. Our M5 has thus far been the most durable car in our garage. Its a great parts go-getter and backup car when the X cars invariably fail.

Maybe dump that Mazda and put the proceeds in the M car fund for now . . . .

Get rid of that Mazda. We have had an SUV in my garage for about 7 years. Mid last year I got rid of the only SUV we had and replaced with a car. I have one 4 year old son and a dog. I missed the SUV so much I had to get one only 6 month later. An SUV is invaluable

.

c4racer · #10 01-26-2010, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tleong

I think you should go for the M-car because you only live once and this isn't a major decision, but it'll certainly be a decision you'll regret if you don't do it.

FYI... I traded in my X for a 09 G37x, but the infiniti forums i've been on compared to xoutpost blows.

I agree - they do suck. Although I haven't spent much time on them. Honestly I've only even driven the car a few times so far - currently it is the wife's only available car until I finish up a motor swap in her Mazda. She will continue to be the main driver of the G37 anyway, since we are adding a teenage driver this year and the Mazda will be the only car I plan to let her drive on her own. For starters anyway.

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