08 335 vs 06 m5

[handyman13]

What is your take on the predicament I'm in

[Gator325525]

I would go with the M5 hands down. Probably the biggest reason is that it will hold its resale value so much better. You don't say whether the 335i is the coupe or sedan but I'm guessing that it's the coupe, hence your dilemma.

10 years from now the 335i will be just another BMW, but the M5 will always be an M5 (i.e., a legend).

[Remphoto]

I would go with the M5 hands down. Probably the biggest reason is that it will hold its resale value so much better. You don't say whether the 335i is the coupe or sedan but I'm guessing that it's the coupe, hence your dilemma.

10 years from now the 335i will be just another BMW, but the M5 will always be an M5 (i.e., a legend).

I agree, but the M5 will likely be much more expensive to maintain not to mention fuel, if money is an issue.

[mryakan]

Fuel, maintenance, insurance, tires, parts, all cost more on the M5. But if money is not an issue, don't skip on the M experience. Just make sure to get a thorough PPI.

[Ian1973]

I don't know if you have done any research what so ever, but you better pray nothing brakes on the M. I don't know what your financial status is, but M5's are not the most reliable in the world and cost a ton to deal with when they do break things. Not too mention you'll be lucky to get 12mpg driving even remotely like it's meant to be driven. Even the highway you'll be lucky to get 20mpg.

Honestly I'd prefer the '06 E46 M3 or the M5. Prices are dropping on E9x M3's also, not that it helps the fuel mileage issue.

[Gator325525]

Anyone with money issues shouldn't be considering a used BMW, period.

[handyman13]

The 335 could be either coupe or sedan, its a lot harder to find a 335 with the color combo and packages I want than to find a m5, but insurance and has mileage is much better on 335

[Georgere]

prolly M5 for me. my problem though is that I would not be able afford to keep it

[radelow]

Having just come from an M5 to an 335d I would say if money no object obviously the M5. But the reason I made the switch (other than negotiations from the wife) I got rid of the M5 for several reasons.

1. Gas Mileage. I was averaging 13mpg. What's funny is that it wasn't the fact I was spending almost $500 a month on gas. It was that I was going to gas station every few days. IT GET'S OLD. Seriously.
2. SMG. My second car with SMG. Sorry but I finally woke up and realized that SMG is just utter crap. It is amazing when you push hard but who does that most of the time? It just get's old.
3. Maintenance. $250 oil changes, $300 per tire, $2500 for a brake job. The list goes on and on.
4. Repairs. I sold my car before the warranty expired. Typical things that can crap out... VANOS ($7000 per cylinder bank), SMG ($5000), ECU ($1000). Again the list goes on and on.

When these cars break, the cost of repairs IS HUGE. I looked into an extended warranty before I sold my car. $6000 and many underwriters are dropping the M5 because they are losing their butts.

The M5 is a four door Ferrari. The V10 is absolutely epic. The car drives amazing. But after all in said and done it just wasn't worth it to me...and I can afford it easily. Just go eyes wide open into the world of the M5 before you take the leap. It requires DEEP POCKETS PERIOD.

Hope that helps.

[Gator325525]

Very interesting perspective. It sounded like you were using the M5 as a daily driver, but many M-owners I know use the car as a second or third vehicle. Any particular reason you didn't go that route?

A friend of mine recently traded his E60 M5 for a fully-loaded F-10 550i and he did it for similar reasons: You get most of the performance for less money.

[radelow]

While the M5 is a spectacular performer it is a four door sedan. It does not have the dynamics of a true sports car. When it came down to it, I really want a true raw sports car. So I negotiated with the wife that if I buy a more mundane daily driver she'll let me get that Factory Five Cobra I have always lusted for. Now THAT'S a sports car in the truest sense of the word.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i124/radelow/Cobra_LR.jpg

[Loco]

M5 no question.