I had that choice before I bought my 550i and have no regrets. The M5 is a super car while the 550i is a great car. I could not justify it with my commute.

 

I had the option a few weeks (a month ago) to upgrade to an M5 with low mileage (less than 5K odo.), but I felt the cost difference ($25K) was not worth it after test driving it. We all have a need for speed, but at the current cost, I was not ready. After full second quicker and roughly 12 mph faster in the quarter (which is a HUGE driving experience difference), it still didn't sway me.

Most drivers/cars on the road could bearly hang with a 545i and my driving skills (not to boast, but I know my roads prettty well), and I have a 60 mile commute (round trip) across the Houston Metroplex. So for now, I'm happy with my current car.

What makes you want an M5? The looks, the power/performance, or both? Well, if you think its worth it to you, then go for it. Keep in mind that you lose the biggest depreciation in the first year (of your 550i), you can upgrade the looks to an M5 fairly inexpensive compare to the actual M5, and the power/performance can (most of the time) be offset by driving skills unless you're doing solo passes.

 

Gentlemen,

I'd like to throw in a couple of yen...

I have a 98 540i and an 06 525i. The key here is that BOTH have that litte MD on the tags denoting a medical doctor is behind the wheel. My wife, not me - I'm a Soldier committed to violence and destruction (a strange couple we are)... Anyway... Went to the stealer last year for service and after trying to give me 3 seperate loaners (none would start), a salesman, who knew my car and what the little MD meant, offered to give me a M5 for the weekend (in hopes of making a sale).... After a few "you're kidding, right?" he threw me the keys.

Ok. Drove it home slowly trying to figure out the SMG... That was Friday evening. Saturday we run errands with kids in tow. Saturday evening dog jumps in for a ride to Home Depot... So late Saturday night I finally get alone with this... machine.

Well, excuse the language, but FUCK!!! The power in that car was ridiculous! A few SMG taps and I passed some car at 130 in a few seconds. The urge to stay around 100 mph is insane! The seat bolster tightening up was an extra... I put this thing to the test for four days. I was in awe!

550 or M5???

Let me put is this way. I put my wife through medical school and I'm not doing so bad as a 12 year military officer... We can afford it, but here is the issue...

1. I've been to 8 different combat zones.
2. I have 2 kids I'm sitting up for Stanford.
3. Together we own a handful of real estate properties.
4. We've traveled to some of the most exotic places on earth.
5. I traveled the world to some really remote areas and survived ALL ALONE!
6. I have a master degree that required extreme discipline
7. I have led hundreds of Soldiers into combat.
8. .. there are tons more of "adulthood required" accomplishments to list!

With all that said... I AM NOT MATURE ENOUGH TO DRIVE AN M5. I took it back the next week and never looked back!

If you are mature enough to handle that much power! Go for it!

MPG? Like a guy in France once told me when I asked what his Diablo gets in gas... his response, "you don't buy a car like this for the mileage."


....Do I get some change back...

 

\

 

On a side note, I have a friend with a last name "Klein." Half of his family owns Earthman, a major funeral company. The other half of his family are mostly doctors, particularly OB/GYN. When there's a family reunion, the joke is that "we get' em when they come and we get 'em when they're gone."

As for the M5 experience, love your narrative. You ought to try either a used Porsche 997 TT when the opportunity arises. Then, you'll think an M5 is relatively a 550i in comparison with regards to handling and performance but not for tow kids/groceries around.

 

I am probably gonna make the switch from 550 to an M5 soon..its just sooo tempting..btw does anyone know when will preorders for MY'09 M5s start becoming available ?

Also, I am not really into finance deals..so yea was also wondering how much a fully loaded sticker price for an 08' M5 (black on black) would cost on average?

I am currently in downtown LA..any recommendations for dealers nearby =D ?

Pardon my many questions...been kinda out of touch lately =(

 

Oops double posted >.<

 

I think the dealers around LA are all more or less the same, some seem a little faster to deal than others. You should probably just go to the one closest and buy the car from them even if you have to get quotes from other dealers to get the price you want. People on this board say they have been able to get 7K+ off sticker recently.

 

Still thinking!!!!

 

Get the M5 and have fun with it!