Of these E60 5ers, which would you rather have ... the Alpina B5 (link from Autoweek) or the M5?

I realize they are different cars, but both are beasts in their own right. :blink:

Given the amount of engineering involved, the new M5 is a steal. How long do you think it would take Alpina to develop a V-10 and 7-speed SMG?? I think the M5 may be the best car ever developed. When you think of what you get for the $'s it is absolutely remarkable.

That said, the B5 is an absolutely beautiful car - moreso than the M5 IMO. And if you want 'effortless performance', then it is the car for you. The interior is gorgeous. I don't know why the BMW people can't design interiors, especially the trim, that are at least reasonably attractive. The stock offerings for the M5 are shameful.

Given the amount of engineering involved, the new M5 is a steal. How long do you think it would take Alpina to develop a V-10 and 7-speed SMG?? I think the M5 may be the best car ever developed. When you think of what you get for the $'s it is absolutely remarkable.

That said, the B5 is an absolutely beautiful car - moreso than the M5 IMO. And if you want 'effortless performance', then it is the car for you. The interior is gorgeous. I don't know why the BMW people can't design interiors, especially the trim, that are at least reasonably attractive. The stock offerings for the M5 are shameful.
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Agree.

I think the Alpina B5 accentuates the "luxury" side of the E60.

The M5 on the other hand accentuates the "performance" side of the E60.

Each has its own attributes.

Given the amount of engineering involved, the new M5 is a steal. How long do you think it would take Alpina to develop a V-10 and 7-speed SMG?? I think the M5 may be the best car ever developed. When you think of what you get for the $'s it is absolutely remarkable.

That said, the B5 is an absolutely beautiful car - moreso than the M5 IMO. And if you want 'effortless performance', then it is the car for you. The interior is gorgeous. I don't know why the BMW people can't design interiors, especially the trim, that are at least reasonably attractive. The stock offerings for the M5 are shameful.
[/quote]

Agree.

I think the Alpina B5 accentuates the "luxury" side of the E60.

The M5 on the other hand accentuates the "performance" side of the E60.

Each has its own attributes.
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exactly the B5 has performance in all ranges while the M5 reach it "only" in the upper or top range of rev.

B5

Wow what a drivers car the B5 is! :wow:

I prefer the individual look of the M5 though. IMHO the Alpina looks too much like the standard SE car on the outside. The interior wood is nice but where's the sports steering wheel? :blink:

From a pure resale point of view the M5 has got to win hands down. Have you seen how cheap used Alpina E39s are now? The depreciation on those cars is simply scary. Great engineering I'm sure but it has the wrong badge for the used market and high servicing costs (if you can find a dealer who knows what they are doing with these specialist bits of kit) generally put used buyers off.

supercharged alpina is nice, but I still like NA M5 better

M5

the B5 is must be a nice car, but there is no way I'll pick over the M5, the engine to that car alone makes we want it more than anything. and then add the 4 beautiful pipes on the end wat's there not to love. Plus the alpina looks like a regular e60, but that m5 while still a sheep in wolves clothing just looks down right scary! I would thoroughly enjoy scaring people on the highway, :D