Will miss the combustion engine..

[tnord]

it's not miles that's causing me to look at other options. the car hasn't given me much trouble, and I've already done the hateful VCG, replaced the eccentric shaft sensor, both guibos, trans mounts, OFHG, one of the DISAs, etc. the car is fine for the job I ask it to do, I just don't "love" it partly from how it's optioned, and because of the bodywork. the bodywork has some issues (non-rust) that are an expensive fix, and I wouldn't hate a slightly larger vehicle at the same time.

[02_lsb]

I’ve been thinking about one of these as a winter beater. Nobody likes them so they’re cheap and they seem pretty rust proof. IMO they’re aging pretty well too, I used to hate their looks much more than I do now.

Winter Beater you say..

[Obioban]

I do have the 3 stage intake, it’s a 530xit, but I decided against all the noise and tune. Full supersprint in my e46 is enough.

For anyone out there mulling over a cheap, fun, fuel efficient daily, highly recommend a bangle era naturally aspirated 3 or 5 series. Yes. I said it.

Yeah, my brother had a no sunroof 128i— <3050 lbs with just light wheels and non run flat tires, 300 NA hp. Not bad.

… and our M3 wagon replaced a rwd 6mt e91.

[02_lsb]

Yeah, my brother had a no sunroof 128i— <3050 lbs with just light wheels and non run flat tires, 300 NA hp. Not bad.

… and our M3 wagon replaced a rwd 6mt e91.

IMO, e91 is more of a hatchback as opposed to the e61 being a wagon. Benefits of the e91 are, having the ability to find a RWD (although AWD is pretty good on these contrary to popular belief) and a single hump dash.

[Obioban]

IMO, e91 is more of a hatchback as opposed to the e61 being a wagon. Benefits of the e91 are, having the ability to find a RWD (although AWD is pretty good on these contrary to popular belief) and a single hump dash.

I’m not sure what your differentiator is between wagon and hatchback, but I’m pretty sure the e91 is a wagon

yeah, our e91 was rwd, manual, and idrive free… took some effort to find one like that.

[02_lsb]

Not mine… https://www.ebay.com/itm/2006-BMW-5-...-127632-2357-0

[simonnim]

I actually like the e60 M5 styling. Maybe I'm an outlier, I think it has aged very very well.

You're fine to disagree with me.

[Obioban]

I actually like the e60 M5 styling. Maybe I'm an outlier, I think it has aged very very well.

You're fine to disagree with me.

E60s can be good or bad on the exterior, depending on mods/condition/spec, but the interior is always one of BMW’s worst efforts.

[pawa_k2001]

I actually like the e60 M5 styling. Maybe I'm an outlier, I think it has aged very very well.

You're fine to disagree with me.

99% of people will disagree but prefer the E60 M5 to the E39 M5. Yes, E39 looks better but its steering is garbage(have driven a few).

[Tbonem3]

E60 m5 only looks good due to body kit and knowing it has s85.

[simonnim]

E60 m5 only looks good due to body kit and knowing it has s85.

Yes, that's why I said E60 M5. However, the M-tech package also looks pretty aggressive as well, especially on the 550i. S85 is a godly engine, regardless of rod bearings, throttle actuators, vanos solenoids. But, it completed the cars total package.

[02_lsb]

99% of people will disagree but prefer the E60 M5 to the E39 M5. Yes, E39 looks better but its steering is garbage(have driven a few).

Uhhhhh have you seen dude’s imola a few posts up?

[pawa_k2001]

Uhhhhh have you seen dude’s imola a few posts up?

Yep, E39 looks amazing. Steering not so much.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Obioban]

The e60 absolutely is a more sporty driving experience. More taught suspension, better steering feel, revvy/peaky engine.

That sure, I'm not sure it's a better M5. Relaxed, easy speed seems more well suited to the character of M5, supple ride quality seems better suited to M5 than taught handling, and going long distances at high speed is THE name of the game... the e39 is significantly better at this-- both because of range (real world high speed range is ~250 in the e60 vs ~400 in the e39) and effortlessness (e39 just leave it in 6th).

Oh, and the e60 M5 front seats are stupidly thick (unlike non M e60), making the back seat pretty well useless if the driver if over ~6'... which feels self defeating in an M5 to me.

The e60 is absolutely the more sporting experience. I just don't know that I think that's the most important thing in a 4000 lb sedan.

(that said, prior to thinking gas cars were going to go unviable, my plan when my family outgrew the M3 wagon was to import a no sunroof e61 M5, manual convert it, and swap in non M front seats, so I do see e60/1 M5 allure).

I might also feel differently if I didn't have the M3. Part of what I really enjoy about our e39 M5 is how completely different the driving experience is from the M3, while still being enjoyable. e60/e9X M were much more larger/smaller(ish) versions of the same experience.

[02_lsb]

Now that we have completely derailed OP’s random thoughts column, I think an e39 m5 is a better overall weekend / special day car. E60/1 (non-m) is a better daily driver. Granted, our cars are not the most reliable cars out there, but it seems that owning an e60 m5 is like maintaining an aircraft carrier.