E39 M5 or e36 M3

[stacks]

I have been searching for a e36 M3 for almost 2 years and have had no luck finding any cars that are in good shape or the right price. Every car I have went to see was misrepresented as being a gem on the ads and in person being a nightmare; Or the owner was asking a astronomical amount for his 13 year old 100k mile, basically a warmed up 328, M3 coupe. After hearing news that a possible deal was sold out from under me because of a greedy owner, a high mileage e39 M5 crossed my path. The car has 120k miles, but was magnificently maintained over its 11 years on the planet. The price feels right for around 10,000 USD, but I'm still stuck between the e36 and e39. I was hoping to hear some input from all of you as to what I should do. Do I Keep searching for a e36 that doesn't have high miles and does not look like ray charles has been performing the general maintenance and care of the car, or Take a chance with a 400hp 4 door V8?

:help

[evertoconquer]

Depends on how handy with a wrench you are really. Th 5er is a beast no doubt, but the upkeep can be a nightmare and costly. Unless you have an unlinited amount of cash or mechanical knowledge, I would stay away from the 5.

[sjpgoalie]

Um. Do you want an apple or do you want an orange? E36 Ms are a dime a dozen in the tri-state area. C'monnnn. I'd be weary of an E39 M going for 10k. I live under a rock, though. So, values may have taken a dip, but someone else please chime in on that one. E39 Ms are going to be a handful in the maint. dept. What about an E46 M3?

[e36hombre]

Depends on what you're looking for. If you want speed off the line and a sweet daily go for the m5. In the m3 you'll get a much lighter package and IMO a more pointable setup. For me i would take the e36, but i have a strong preference toward a smaller car and i also don't have a family to tote around.

[stacks]

Well luckily I have no family to transport around so extra room or not doesnt matter to me. I am a CGM (Certified Garage Mechanic) and I have the help of my father is is a former 20 year BMW master technician. And though the e36 M3 is a dime a dozen in my area, 90% of them are destroyed and neglected and the other 10% are ridiculously overpriced. I have seen this M5 in person at my friends shop and like what I have seen, but I am a die hard e36 M fan, who is now currently driving a e34 535i and loves the comfort. Sucks when a tough decision arises in life lol.

Thank you for the input though

[White94RX]

The E39 and E36 are completely different animals. I am currently in the market and have looked at several E39 M5's. I would be very wary of a $10k M5. And I would be hesitant on the mileage as well. 10k sounds like a steal, but you better keep a couple thousand extra for tires and maintenance. The "good" M5's are closer to, and sometimes over, $20 grand for a lower mileage 2003 model. I know a guy that just sold his 2001 with 70k miles and still got $21k for it.

[Graffix000]

The E39 and E36 are completely different animals. I am currently in the market and have looked at several E39 M5's. I would be very wary of a $10k M5. And I would be hesitant on the mileage as well. 10k sounds like a steal, but you better keep a couple thousand extra for tires and maintenance. The "good" M5's are closer to, and sometimes over, $20 grand for a lower mileage 2003 model. I know a guy that just sold his 2001 with 70k miles and still got $21k for it.

What he said. I would not walk, but run from a $10k M5. If it had 200k miles on it, then maybe the price would seem right.

They are two very different cars. I had an E36 M3 before I bought my M5. The past 4 years with my M5 have been great. Pretty much no issues with it at all. I did buy low mileage single owner though. Still to this day, I get an instant smile starting the car with the eisenmann race setup.

[MoMurda04]

No doubt that M5 for 10k. Thats a steal. All the M5s around here go for 19k. :( And since your a Mechanic you can check the whole car out yourself before buying it. Or get a BMW specialist to check it out before the purchase. If its still in good running condition then you would have a great deal.

[New2M3]

Get the M5 that's my next //M of choice

[stacks]

The guy called me back.. he said i can come test drive... I will keep you all informed... maybe the best deal of the decade is on the horizon :rolleyes lol.

Thanks again guys.

[jtq007]

10k for an e39 m5? I am with the guys that are alittle weary about that. My brother recently picked up an m5 that is nearly double that and he has a couple of things he has to do. It's not pricey things but the stealership kinda bs'ed a couple of things and he has to pay for some of it. Just be extremely cautious with that m5 because 10k is way way too cheap for one.

e36 vs. e39. I would prefer an e36 m3 just because I like to drive and enjoy the turns, the m5 on the other hand is a great DD just because it is smooth and it is very fast family sedan haha.

[remshot11]

I love my E39 M5! I picked it up for a very low price but I had to put some money into it to get it to the condition I desired. Its a beast and makes me love driving everyday. I also do love the E36 M3 but have never owned one so I am a little biased.

[DrewDude320i]

Depends on how handy with a wrench you are really. Th 5er is a beast no doubt, but the upkeep can be a nightmare and costly. Unless you have an unlinited amount of cash or mechanical knowledge, I would stay away from the 5.

IMO, M5 upkeep costs aren't as bad as people make them out to be. I spent $1k baselining mine when I bought it (new sensors, plugs, fluids), and haven't put another dime into it. People talk about rod bearing failures and chain tensioner failure...but think about it. There's a few hundred people who have reported that. They made what...20,000 M5's? If it happens, file an insurance claim and be done with it. Steve Dinan pushes those engines to the bitter end in some of his race cars, and they take it just fine. So puttering around town, you'll be okay too.

With the exception of flick-ability (since the e36 is much lighter) The E39 M5 does everything better. Better looking, better sounding, waaaaaaaay better interior, faster, more fun. I love the E39 M5, I wouldn't trade it for anything.

And just to give you an idea, mine has 117k miles and i'd sell it for no less than $18k...so if that one you're looking at is in good shape and doesn't have any codes from a peake reader...you're all set.

[slocar]

10k for an e39 m5? I am with the guys that are alittle weary about that. My brother recently picked up an m5 that is nearly double that and he has a couple of things he has to do. It's not pricey things but the stealership kinda bs'ed a couple of things and he has to pay for some of it. Just be extremely cautious with that m5 because 10k is way way too cheap for one.

e36 vs. e39. I would prefer an e36 m3 just because I like to drive and enjoy the turns, the m5 on the other hand is a great DD just because it is smooth and it is very fast family sedan haha.
You make it sound like the e39 is a Buick Century. We're talking about what is one of the best sport sedans ever made. You wont ever reach it's handling limits on the street anyway so it's pointless to say things like that.

My choice would be the M5.

[bmdubbayoo]

either one will make you happy...you just have to find the right deal...sounds like you don't have to worry about throwing labor $$ on maintenance, so just make sure you get a good specimen on whichever route you take...

i scooped up my m5 a few months ago with 110k miles for $16k...it had the rod bearings replaced, chain tensioner and guide, new tires, battery, sensors, cooling system was overhauled, and all new suspension was done as well...took me a couple months to find the right one, but you'll know when the time is right to pull the trigger...

good luck...

[VolvoNJ]

Does the M5 have a salvage title? Maybe that can explain the low price.

If you don't go with the M5, can you send the listing my way? I'm in the market for one as well. :D

[pbonsalb]

E39 is a lot more car than an E36. More modern, comfortable, spacious. And the M5 is really a tremendous car. All 10-15 year old cars will need work and the M5 won't be cheap to operate despite what anyone says. If you are willing to accept that, give it a try. Torque is awesome and the M5 has it. I do like E36M3s if they are nicely hotrodded.

[berserkr]

I've owned both...both great cars. I'm on my second e36 rather than second e39 for one reason...cost. The M5 has the potential for massive maintenance expenses. And for 10k, that M5 is either the deal of the century, or the biggest nightmare you could imagine.

It's true that clean e36s are hard to come by these days. Be patient and you will find one.

[pbonsalb]

Alternatives? E46 330i. E39 540i or 530i. E46M3. E90 335i.

[jtq007]

You make it sound like the e39 is a Buick Century. We're talking about what is one of the best sport sedans ever made. You wont ever reach it's handling limits on the street anyway so it's pointless to say things like that.

My choice would be the M5.

The dragon and plenty of backroads isn't enough to push a car to its limits? :confused

To me, the m5 is more of a DD then an m3. I have driven both and own an e36 so I am coming from what I want in a car. If I wanted a car to drive daily, m5 all the way. If I wanted to take a car on the backroads, I would prefer the m3 just because it feels alot lighter.

OP, you need to drive both of them yourself and see what YOU want. We don't need to decide for you because as you can see there are people who would prefer the m5 over the m3 and vise versa. If you want a lighter feeling car suited more for the turns, go m3. If you want a car that will throw you back into the seat and the average person wouldn't think twice about till you smoke them, go for the m5. Especially if you are gonna be hauling a family around or plan on going on trips.

[90turbo1]

The e39 was probably the best car BMW ever made. chassis, electronics, body parts, ect ect. all are great on those cars.

the m5 was a good car for us here. a few had cam sensor problems, some had valve cover leaks, putting plugs in them is not as bad as they tell you.

the parts for the motor will be expensive, but we rarely ever had to take on apart. transmissions are bulletproof. aside from that its all regular e39 common things.

i would go with e39 m5 in a heart beat. Just make sure its never been wrecked.

[Joker97M3]

Eventually, I intend to have both. :)