e46 M3 to e60 545/550
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I'm just curious as to how satisfied people have been making the change from the e46 M3 to the 545? I have had my M3 for 3 years and have loved it, but am ready for a change. I just hated the e60 styling when it first came out, but now really like it. I test drove a 545 last summer and was impressed. I suspect I will also like the 550. Thanks in advance.
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My Ride: 530iA Silver Grey , black interior. Premium Package, Navigation System, Head-up Display, Radio Satellite, Adaptive Xenon Headlights. AC Schnitzer Front Lip, H&R springs, Rear red reflector, All season Floor mat,
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IMO if you want an upgrade and stay with coupe, go for 650i.
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My Ride: 2002 M3 Convertible SMG Silver/Black
2005 545i ED Jet Black/Beige
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Originally Posted by darkside' date='Oct 8 2005, 04:47 PM
I'm just curious as to how satisfied people have been making the change from the e46 M3 to the 545? I have had my M3 for 3 years and have loved it, but am ready for a change. I just hated the e60 styling when it first came out, but now really like it. I test drove a 545 last summer and was impressed. I suspect I will also like the 550. Thanks in advance.
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The M3 is a little more "fun" to drive, especially around real tight twisties. I also miss the SMG flippers.
Acceleration is about equal, but different - m3 is rougher and throatier, maybe a tiny bit quicker; the 5 is as powerful, but a little deeper and smoother. I found the M3 often had a lag from the line, and its acceleration was unpredictable. I shift the 5 manually, and it is sweet; 2nd and 3rd are awesome.
But the 5 blows it away in the following areas:....Highway driving (remember I had a convert, so if you have the coupe, it may be different)....the Suspension is much smoother, but still tight....Comfort seats are awesome....Nav is great...Bluetooth is great....Premium sound is great.
Also, I had way too many problems with my M3; I have yet to have one issue with the 5.
Both are great cars, just different; it is really more of an emotional decision. If I scored them in an objective test, comparing all the different elements (including value), the 545 would win big. (fwiw, my plan is to very possibly get the next M3, hopefully by '07.)
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Originally Posted by darkside' date='Oct 8 2005, 07:47 PM
I'm just curious as to how satisfied people have been making the change from the e46 M3 to the 545? I have had my M3 for 3 years and have loved it, but am ready for a change. I just hated the e60 styling when it first came out, but now really like it. I test drove a 545 last summer and was impressed. I suspect I will also like the 550. Thanks in advance.
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I traded in my 2002 e46 M3 for a new e60 530d in August.
The two are totally different cars, it's hard to compare them like-for-like but here are my observations:
M3 - like a bullet, needs to be driven hard. But boy is it rewarding, the car has huge limits, and my driving skill would be exhausted way before the limits were reached. Also, that sound! Like a barrel of angry wasps amplified 1000 times on full throttle. It turns heads wherever you go, I'v had kids on the side of the road waving and clapping when driving past. Sometimes this attention is a pain though, especially when you come back to the car and there are a few teenagers checking it out - but hey, I remember what I was like as a teenager, I'd be round that car like a fly around s**t
![Thumbsup](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/thumbsup.gif)
e60 - more refined - like a cruise missile compared to the bullet of the M3. It's still rapid, and still drives well, but not in the same league as a driver's car. However the quality is way better, the ride smoother and it's much easier to live with. The running costs are also way lower, and I can get nearly 500 miles from a full tank as opposed to ~230!
I miss my M3, it was my first "proper" car, and I wanted an M3 since I was about 14. It's an icon, and everyone should at least drive one in their lifetime. I still smile now when I think about driving it.
However, for me the e60 is a better all-round car, and I'm glad I made the change. Also, I'm getting old now (27!) and it suits my image better
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My Ride: In a place where the Mercedes density is the highest in the world (no. of MB per square kilometer) I choose a Bimmer, why? because of one thing "The Ultimate Driving Experience"
My Ride:
523i Steptronic, Silver Grey Exterior, Black Interior with Black Dakota Leather and Maple Wood Trim. Chrome Grill, Style 123 rim, Airbags everywhere, PDC, Rain sensor, Auto lights, Moveable front armrest, Advance Climate Control, Glass Sunroof, Auto dimming interior and exterior mirror with foldable functions, Extended Lights package, 6 CD changer in glove box, Power seats with memory, Power adjustable steering wheel, Power rear sunblinds.
Add ons: 123 wheels, chrome grill, K&N Hi flow filter, Eibach Pro Kit, e60.net decal and 24,000km
Past rides:
2001 Nissan Xterra SE
1999 E39 523i
1999 E46 323i
1996 Acura Integra LS
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Originally Posted by shiny' date='Oct 10 2005, 06:01 PM
However, for me the e60 is a better all-round car, and I'm glad I made the change. Also, I'm getting old now (27!) and it suits my image better? ![Whistling](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/whistling.gif)
![Whistling](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/whistling.gif)
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I am really not that fond of the 650's styling, and besides it is out of my price range. The 550 is stretching what I want to spend. I guess if age is an issue I should switch from the M3 to the 550, as I am 56 and not getting any younger.
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Originally Posted by AC_S5' date='Oct 10 2005, 01:17 PM
[quote name='shiny' date='Oct 10 2005, 06:01 PM']
However, for me the e60 is a better all-round car, and I'm glad I made the change. Also, I'm getting old now (27!) and it suits my image better?![Whistling](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/whistling.gif)
However, for me the e60 is a better all-round car, and I'm glad I made the change. Also, I'm getting old now (27!) and it suits my image better?
![Whistling](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/whistling.gif)
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[/quote]Your age
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Skaffa
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tell me about it... i used to have an e46 323ci as my first car... that was when i was 24... then i got a 745Li when i was 27... awesome luxo-cruiser, but boy did i feel out of place... people always thought that i was driving my father's car!!!
so now i'm 31 and flipped to a 545i... it seems to fit me a lot better... still single, but about to get married in less than a year. the e65 was an awesome car, but didn't fit my lifestyle just yet.
now i gotta buy a house. AND pay for a wedding. good thing I got a good deal with my 545i lease since they were trying to pump them outta the lot to make room for the upcoming 550i.![Smile](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/smile.gif)
MMAfia
so now i'm 31 and flipped to a 545i... it seems to fit me a lot better... still single, but about to get married in less than a year. the e65 was an awesome car, but didn't fit my lifestyle just yet.
now i gotta buy a house. AND pay for a wedding. good thing I got a good deal with my 545i lease since they were trying to pump them outta the lot to make room for the upcoming 550i.
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MMAfia
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I own m3 and 545i and 545i it's great, and acceleration it's not much different between 545i and M3. I was little bit disappointed it with the amount of torque the M3 has. I think 545 it's faster on the highway, but not from the stop. I love my e60 and I'm 26 years old.
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My Ride: In a place where the Mercedes density is the highest in the world (no. of MB per square kilometer) I choose a Bimmer, why? because of one thing "The Ultimate Driving Experience"
My Ride:
523i Steptronic, Silver Grey Exterior, Black Interior with Black Dakota Leather and Maple Wood Trim. Chrome Grill, Style 123 rim, Airbags everywhere, PDC, Rain sensor, Auto lights, Moveable front armrest, Advance Climate Control, Glass Sunroof, Auto dimming interior and exterior mirror with foldable functions, Extended Lights package, 6 CD changer in glove box, Power seats with memory, Power adjustable steering wheel, Power rear sunblinds.
Add ons: 123 wheels, chrome grill, K&N Hi flow filter, Eibach Pro Kit, e60.net decal and 24,000km
Past rides:
2001 Nissan Xterra SE
1999 E39 523i
1999 E46 323i
1996 Acura Integra LS
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Originally Posted by skaffa' date='Oct 10 2005, 09:22 PM
[quote name='AC_S5' date='Oct 10 2005, 01:17 PM'][quote name='shiny' date='Oct 10 2005, 06:01 PM']
However, for me the e60 is a better all-round car, and I'm glad I made the change. Also, I'm getting old now (27!) and it suits my image better?![Whistling](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/whistling.gif)
However, for me the e60 is a better all-round car, and I'm glad I made the change. Also, I'm getting old now (27!) and it suits my image better?
![Whistling](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/whistling.gif)
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![Think](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/think.gif)
![Cool](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/cool.gif)
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[/quote]Your age
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Skaffa
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[/quote]I am 26, still young but not the youngest I bet.