That's a real hard one. I think I'd pick the m5, too close to call

m3 pro- more attractive exterior/aggresive/popular choice

m5 pro- more sleek/more practical/more rare/doesn't draw as much attention/respected car by enthusiasts

 

if youve got a family = M5

if its just you = M3

both are equally awesome cars...im just a huge fan of coupes to be honestimpin:

 

another pro for the m5-- wouldn't get profiled by a cop as a boy racer type

not saying that m3 owners are boy racers, but the m5 is a sleeper sedan

 

E39 M5 :drool:

 

Thanks for the replies so far guys

It is a really tough call .. it's just me .. so the back seat in the M3 is enough when I have to use it ..

I'm really torn though .. the M5 really is a sleeper and less attention from cops is nice as well .. but damn I love the M3 coupe .. but the M5 is badass ...

UGH .. I guess I need to go drive an e39 M5 and see how it is ...

does anyone know how they handle compared to the M3s?

 

e39 M5> e46 M3 all day

 

I'd go with the M5 for the V8 and the fact it would be a better daily driver. The M3 is just too hard core sports car for me.

 

follow your hartge

 

:spit:

 

since gas prices are rising, you might consider an m3

 

m5

 

I don't think you can go wrong, unless if it has a lot of mileage on it.

 

It's a 2002 w/ 45k miles so it's not bad at all ... Silver w/ Black/Grey interior .. looks brand new ...

 

M5......at least that would be my pick, nothing wrong with the M3, but the M5 is pretty rare compared to the M3. I still remember the BMW films movie with Madonna in it being thrashed around in an M5.......after that, wanted one so bad ever since. Hard to find them around here. You can find M3's, but guarantee, between a used M3 and M5, the M5 will have been taken care of better IMHO. Just my 2 cents. I would be proud to own either though. Drive them both, even out the prices, and make your own decision. M5 does have benefits but so does the M3.

 

I'm 28 in a week and my driving record is clean now so I don't imagine the insurance price will matter too much .. I'm just completly and utterly torn now ...

 

If it's that close, then it's going to be nit-picky such as color preference, interior preference, etc....

I'd pick stick over auto and I hate the color silver, but love grays.

 

E39 M5...They are rare and absolute gorgeous cars

 

I'm going to go against the trends here and say E46 M3. The E39 M5 is a pricey car to repair, maintain, etc. It guzzles gas, requires$12/quart oil (that it drinks), chews through tires and clutches, and has been known to need attention to engine issues, for example with its VANOS system. It is very attractive to see about getting a $60k+ car with a $20k Motorsports engine package for less than $30k these days, but be prepared to put in a hefty chunk of cash annually to keep in running right. Buy the M3, or perhaps the 530i/540i Sport you really can afford.

 

e46 m3. hands down. e39's, imo, are boring, m5 or not.

 

I don't know about m5 being boring,

 

i;d buy the m5, youve already had a 330ci. why get the same car, but in 'performance' version. the torque in the m5 is nuts. get a lemans blue one or imola red. theyre sick

 

I agree, the M3 will be very similar to your car in appearance - when you look at the dashboard you are going to see a very familiar interior.

 

M5 Anytime!

 

ive driven both and DD a 03 M5 and the M3 is undenialy better handling...but the M5 is very rare, fast and highly respected...but beware.... youve better have deep pockets for gas ....get a warranty

 

if i had to do it all over again i would have gotten the M5 but I do love my M3

 

M5 E60 though...

 

E39 M5 is probably the best looking 4 door ever made...
and the V8 if u give it minor modifications its a beast

 

The M3 is better handling than the m5. better MPG too. acceleration is very very close. with a slight edge to the M5.

 

I'm looking at a 2002 .. possibly with 60k miles .. now I know thats kinda high .. but I figure for the price difference between that and an 02 or 03 with 40k miles is worth it .. I could replace the clutch or anything else that needs to be ...

the gas shouldn't be an issue .. I'll be paying less a month than I am now for a car payment, but I'll be paying more for gas so it should all balance out ...

as far as other maintenance .. that is what concerns me .. I can do pretty much all the work my self, except for things like dropping the tranny or lifting the engine .. I've heard that maintaining an e46 M3 is pricey as well, compared to a 330ci .. so is the M5 really that much more to maintain than an M3?

Thanks for all the replies guys .. it is greatly appreciated!

 

how is an M5 more maintenance than M3?

they use the same transmission, it has a big V8 instead of a high compression straight 6 ( high compression engines usually have shorter life spans than lower compression v8s), its basically 2 more spark plugs to buy than the M3...

 

Well thats what I was thinking, but some other members have mentioned that they are more to maintain .. just wondering what they need more than an M3 would ...