Advice: M5 or 550i
#1
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Hello all,
I'm REALLY struggling with "practicallity" versus desire. I really want to purchase a 2007 M5 but in all reality I do not need what the M5 brings to the table. I think that the 550 will probably be sufficient however i'm really craving a sports car/family mobile. It will be my daily driver and baby hauler, and because i'm lazy i'm looking at the SMG transmission.
Advice?
I've been reading the forums at other similar posts but really want to get some other thoughts, so I appologize in advance
EDIT: I dont care about MPG...never owned a vehicle that got over 18MPG let alone 20MPG.
Thank you
Aaron
I'm REALLY struggling with "practicallity" versus desire. I really want to purchase a 2007 M5 but in all reality I do not need what the M5 brings to the table. I think that the 550 will probably be sufficient however i'm really craving a sports car/family mobile. It will be my daily driver and baby hauler, and because i'm lazy i'm looking at the SMG transmission.
Advice?
I've been reading the forums at other similar posts but really want to get some other thoughts, so I appologize in advance
![Smile](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/smile.gif)
EDIT: I dont care about MPG...never owned a vehicle that got over 18MPG let alone 20MPG.
Thank you
Aaron
#3
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I would have to agree with 1600; 550 would be the way to go when the terms sport car/family mobile, daily driver and baby hauler are involved. Went through the same thing several years back and decided to get the 550 but down the line, will definitely join the M club.
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-AI
#6
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If gas isn't an issue then M5,
by 2007 they worked out a good amount of kinks that the 2006s had. It can still be comfortable and sporty, and classy all at the same time. You will not be disappointed
by 2007 they worked out a good amount of kinks that the 2006s had. It can still be comfortable and sporty, and classy all at the same time. You will not be disappointed
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#7
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My Ride: 2011.5 Alpine White E90 M3 | Black Novillo Leather | Carbon Fiber Leather Trim | ZCP | ZP2 | M-DCT | Navigation | Moonroof | 6FL Mods: TMS 12.5mm spacers all around l Hawk HPS Brake Pads l OEM M3 Edition Grills l Paint Matched Side Gills l Key Hole D
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have you test driven both? especially the m5 with SMG?
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My Ride: E61 535d carbon black m-kit panoramaroof with beige nasca interior and wood trim. 172m rims. DimSport Race, SB, SAT
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The LCI automatic is fast, especially when you have the sportsautomatic option. 200 ms shifts makes it an acceptable replacement for a manual transmission.
Despite a lower purchase price, the dealer advised me against the M5 and pushed me toward a 535D instead, which I know is sadly not available in your parts. The arguments were jerky shifting, too hard suspension for long family trips and fuel mileage (why don't you care about mileage, by the way? It isn't just about $$ at the gas station you know..
)
Since then, when I see an M5 which was the same price, I regret that I didn't take it as I love the engine sound and it has cool design features as well. Whenever the M5 is out of sight, I feel I'm driving the king of the road and when I make my infrequent stop at a gas station, thanks to the 600 mile range, I always have a smile on my face
Despite a lower purchase price, the dealer advised me against the M5 and pushed me toward a 535D instead, which I know is sadly not available in your parts. The arguments were jerky shifting, too hard suspension for long family trips and fuel mileage (why don't you care about mileage, by the way? It isn't just about $$ at the gas station you know..
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Since then, when I see an M5 which was the same price, I regret that I didn't take it as I love the engine sound and it has cool design features as well. Whenever the M5 is out of sight, I feel I'm driving the king of the road and when I make my infrequent stop at a gas station, thanks to the 600 mile range, I always have a smile on my face
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#10
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My Ride: 2008 BMW 550i Carbon Black
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i have an 08 550i, and i love it. i was also looking at an 06 m5, but decided against it for the following reasons:
- SMG transmission shifts are jerky around town/slower speeds - makes it less comfortable for family members, but it shifts well at high speeds, when your wife probably isn't around to make you slow down...
- gas mileage. you don't care about gas mileage, and neither do it (same boat - my last car averaged 17 mpg), and i average about 14-15 mpg in my 550. But people on the board have mentioned their M5's getting as low as 6-7 mpg. That is significant. You can expect to pay 3-400 a week on gas based on how you drive (just an estimate)
- maintenance costs. you had better get an extended warranty (not cheap) with the m5, because that is stratospherically more expensive than the 550i (expensive too) when something breaks. i would not want to own an M5 out of warranty
- fun to drive. it depends on where you live. where i live, driving is an absolute blast in my 08 550i sport with the sport auto. on the highway, they are still crazy fast - the M5 is of course faster, but, being in the states, you won't REALLY get to enjoy it like you could in germany.
Now, the M5 is a great car (sound itself is pure sex), but i'd recommend getting one as the "fun car" and not the family/daily duty car. just my 2 cents! in the end, get what you love.
- SMG transmission shifts are jerky around town/slower speeds - makes it less comfortable for family members, but it shifts well at high speeds, when your wife probably isn't around to make you slow down...
- gas mileage. you don't care about gas mileage, and neither do it (same boat - my last car averaged 17 mpg), and i average about 14-15 mpg in my 550. But people on the board have mentioned their M5's getting as low as 6-7 mpg. That is significant. You can expect to pay 3-400 a week on gas based on how you drive (just an estimate)
- maintenance costs. you had better get an extended warranty (not cheap) with the m5, because that is stratospherically more expensive than the 550i (expensive too) when something breaks. i would not want to own an M5 out of warranty
- fun to drive. it depends on where you live. where i live, driving is an absolute blast in my 08 550i sport with the sport auto. on the highway, they are still crazy fast - the M5 is of course faster, but, being in the states, you won't REALLY get to enjoy it like you could in germany.
Now, the M5 is a great car (sound itself is pure sex), but i'd recommend getting one as the "fun car" and not the family/daily duty car. just my 2 cents! in the end, get what you love.