swap out M5 for M3??
08-06-2008, 12:08 PM
#11
Members
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: East Midlands,England
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by JayEll' post='640938' date='Aug 6 2008, 07:53 PM
with you there .. but wife absolutely refuses to drive a diesel. i'd happily get a 335D and DMS it.
I reckon the 335D is the thinking man's (or woman's) M3.
Go on try it
08-06-2008, 02:57 PM
#12
Members
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Lake Jackson
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2005 BMW 545i, Titanium Silver. Bridgestone 760s on Weds Bavaria II 18" wheels, standard sport pack size. Sport, AT. Latest job - NGK Iridium IX plugs installed.
LOL what is she going to try to fill the tank with?
08-06-2008, 03:06 PM
#13
Members
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2010 E60 SMG Interlagos Blue
Silverstone II Full Merino Perforated w/ Individual Piano Black Trim
All options except for fold down rear seats
1330 miles 02/12/10
2008 E92 DCT M3 Arctic White
Silver Novillo Extended w/ Carbon Fiber Trim
Pretty much all options
10k miles 09/09
135 E82 Black Sapphire Metallic
Coral Red w/ Gloss Black Trim
Pretty much all options
7k miles 09/09
I have owned a 545i (US) for almost 4 years. For some reason about four months ago I started seriously considering an M5, which for the previous two years had only been a nice fantasy. I test drove an M5 with SMG twice. I was very impressed with the SMG, especially after its mixed reviews. I was also very impressed with the handling - it feels more agile than its size and weight would predict.
This happened after two days of the BMW Performance School course last summer, where I was able to push the M5, M6, M3, (E46), etc. So I have had some familiarity with the models.
About a month later I realized I really like the looks of the 335i coupe. I drove one for fun and was also impressed. At that point I decided to run an M3 with manual for comparison. It was really a different car - a track car tuned a bit for street use.
The M3 struck me as more fun and more challenging for everyday use than the M5. The M5 is definitely an amazing product - and being a 5-series it has a high-end luxury feel to it. The M3 is at least as amazing - and it has a racer feel to it, requiring more attention to get its best performance (high revs, more attentive shifting, quick and precise steering, etc.).
I will admit that the better mileage was a small consideration for me. Not the money but from a convenience standpoint (200 miles per tank means a fuel stop every four - five days for me) and an environmental standpoint (less petroleum usage - slightly!).
So FWIW to you - the fun and challenge of tossing around the M3 won me over. I have the DCT transmission, which can be breathtaking. The two+ weeks with the car have been exciting, educational, a little intimidating (at night at high speeds
) - kind of like holding on to a tiger.
My suggestion would be to seriously test the M3. It is a different product, with a different feel. Only then will you be able to really know which set of wheels matches what you are looking for. Good luck - it will be fun and interesting.
This happened after two days of the BMW Performance School course last summer, where I was able to push the M5, M6, M3, (E46), etc. So I have had some familiarity with the models.
About a month later I realized I really like the looks of the 335i coupe. I drove one for fun and was also impressed. At that point I decided to run an M3 with manual for comparison. It was really a different car - a track car tuned a bit for street use.
The M3 struck me as more fun and more challenging for everyday use than the M5. The M5 is definitely an amazing product - and being a 5-series it has a high-end luxury feel to it. The M3 is at least as amazing - and it has a racer feel to it, requiring more attention to get its best performance (high revs, more attentive shifting, quick and precise steering, etc.).
I will admit that the better mileage was a small consideration for me. Not the money but from a convenience standpoint (200 miles per tank means a fuel stop every four - five days for me) and an environmental standpoint (less petroleum usage - slightly!).
So FWIW to you - the fun and challenge of tossing around the M3 won me over. I have the DCT transmission, which can be breathtaking. The two+ weeks with the car have been exciting, educational, a little intimidating (at night at high speeds
) - kind of like holding on to a tiger.My suggestion would be to seriously test the M3. It is a different product, with a different feel. Only then will you be able to really know which set of wheels matches what you are looking for. Good luck - it will be fun and interesting.
08-07-2008, 04:01 AM
#15
Members
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2010 E60 SMG Interlagos Blue
Silverstone II Full Merino Perforated w/ Individual Piano Black Trim
All options except for fold down rear seats
1330 miles 02/12/10
2008 E92 DCT M3 Arctic White
Silver Novillo Extended w/ Carbon Fiber Trim
Pretty much all options
10k miles 09/09
135 E82 Black Sapphire Metallic
Coral Red w/ Gloss Black Trim
Pretty much all options
7k miles 09/09
Yep. Kept my 545i. 
08-07-2008, 04:36 AM
#16
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: South East, UK
Posts: 594
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 E60 M5/SMG (LCI)
Interlagos Blue/Black Merino
Aux input, sun protection glass, Bluetooth, Voice control
hlmiii - thx for the response. i've decided to stop searching for a while and enjoy the M5 for a bit longer. at the turn of the new year i will revisit and see what takes my fancy.
08-07-2008, 04:39 AM
#17
Members
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2010 E60 SMG Interlagos Blue
Silverstone II Full Merino Perforated w/ Individual Piano Black Trim
All options except for fold down rear seats
1330 miles 02/12/10
2008 E92 DCT M3 Arctic White
Silver Novillo Extended w/ Carbon Fiber Trim
Pretty much all options
10k miles 09/09
135 E82 Black Sapphire Metallic
Coral Red w/ Gloss Black Trim
Pretty much all options
7k miles 09/09
"i've decided to stop searching for a while and enjoy the M5"
Nothing wrong with THAT!! In so many ways ...
You're welcome. And congrats on the M5. Whoooooooosh ...
Nothing wrong with THAT!! In so many ways ...
You're welcome. And congrats on the M5. Whoooooooosh ...
08-07-2008, 05:24 AM
#18
Contributors
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 545i
Model Year: 2004
Engine: N62
Originally Posted by JayEll' post='641556' date='Aug 7 2008, 08:36 AM
hlmiii - thx for the response. i've decided to stop searching for a while and enjoy the M5 for a bit longer. at the turn of the new year i will revisit and see what takes my fancy.
But you really can't go wrong wth either car.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
umichchris
Private Member Classifieds
1
09-10-2015 12:54 PM