[MarkG_M5Comp]

Didn't expect today to go like this but after a brief chat with my salesman this morning I was offered an M3 and M5 for a few hours.

Both cars being on my short list, this was a great opportunity to narrow the field (shortlist = 340i Tourer, M3, M5, X5 40d/50d).

So I rocked up this afternoon and jumped into a Tanzanite Blue M3, my thoughts:

• Lovely colour but covered in swirls - not impressed
• Opal interior is fantastic!
• Car well screwed together - felt much more solid than my 335d
• Front end sticks like glue and handles incredibly well
• Road noise is horrendous
• Exhaust noise is boomy and intrusive at times
• In 'comfort' mode its a pleasant car to drive around town
• Anything other than comfort mose steering is hard work
• Motorway road noise is terrible
• Manual mode gearbox on 'slow change' is way to slow
• Traction control is always flashing - this irritated me massively
• Too many settings required to set up for a nice spirited drive
• No harshness for a daily driver
• Gets losts of remarks from teenage boys!

So in summary, I would use the car in comfort mode all the time, it's too noisy for me and the traction control, while desperately needed is very aggressive which spoils the drive.

All in all - left me cold, it's OFF the list.

This is a major surprise to me. I did say to the guys in the dealership that if I had the car for a week I would probably never give it up. The issue is I'd have the same niggles I have with my 335d; noisy, un refined etc. and the day to day speed but isn't so great. I can totally understand why Guy has gone for the CP to make it more exclusive and special.

Now the M5...

• Silky smooth
• Very very quite
• Supremely comfortable
• Comfort mode does not render the car a regular '5' but I would likely drive with the engine turned up one notch
• A much much better car than the M3 for what I need
• Downside - around 12-14mpg but I could drive in comfort mode day to day
• Exhaust is quiet from inside
• Quality is a step up
• Braking seemed poor, turned out it was just the speed I built up!
• Silverstone seats are stunning
• Does not feel like a large car
• HK system is a mile ahead of the F30, more bass, more volume
• Standard sports seat great (thought I'd need the multi function seats)

This could be the car for me, seems to tick all the boxes.

May still have to try the X5 on a longer term text but I would be challenged to stick with a 340i after trying the M5 - bugger!

Already been offered a deal on the ex demo I drove.

[Tengocity]

That working from home malarkey is a tough gig...

[....,,,,..,,..]

Sounds a decent day, shame about the M3 not clicking with you.

I personally prefer the M4, however neither fits in with lifestyle.

I assume it had non run flats?

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

That working from home malarkey is a tough gig...

P!55 off

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Originally Posted by Brigand

Sounds a decent day, shame about the M3 not clicking with you.

I personally prefer the M4, however neither fits in with lifestyle.

I assume it had non run flats?

Only MPSS as far as the eye could see....

[Tengocity]

The M5... Only for most advanced man mathematicians!

Go on, you know it's the car you really want!

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

The M5... Only for most advanced man mathematicians!

Go on, you know it's the car you really want!

As it stands, it really is the car I want.

[WeaverBeaver]

If you're lucky enough to be able to afford an ex-demo M5 any reason you're not also considering premium fast models from other marques? RS6 would be top of my list given the avant space, which it seems you're after?

And if you're looking at 4x4s such as an X5 40d/50d, what about the SQ5? Or lightly used Cayenne Turbo, ML AMG?

[PaulT_M5]

Interesting, your comments regarding the M3 pretty much echo my own views and I’ve tried both a manual and DCT F80 M3.

Each time I've driven the M5, my feelings towards it have become less and less. The first time I drove one (October 2013) was in the wet and that was exciting. I then had a car for a couple of hours and covered 80+ miles, a small bit of motorway, but mainly country lanes. This was fun and I came out of it with a grin like a Cheshire cat.

I ordered a new car in 2014 but it was delivered with the wrong interior. It was the dealers’ mistake as they modified a build slot and missed changing the interior, but they then couldn’t honour the 0% offer on a re-order as it wouldn’t be built in time, so I cancelled. I had a look at a couple of used cars, but nothing really grabbed me. I then tried getting into an AUC last November and the deal was too good to be true, the 1 owner car had 2 owners, missed its run-in service and with 7k on the clock needed front pads in 2k miles, so had clearly been thrashed within an inch of its life - incidentally this car sold to somebody else in December and appeared back on the AUC site in January with 750 more miles on the clock than when I looked at it, so I guess the unfortunate purchaser found out. It’s a 2014 car in MCB with black interior, up for just under 48k and its’ registration rhymes with "what".

This weekend just gone, I had a look at a new M5 Competition Pack car and it really was underwhelming. The figures say that the power to weight ratio is 50% more than the 335i, but it just doesn't feel it. Yes, it was quicker, but nowhere like the figures would suggest it should be – though I will admit that it was still more comfortable and a lot quieter inside than the F30. Unfortunately, even with a cracking discount (over 15k off list and top book for trade-in), more than £40k of depreciation over 4 years is a lot to stomach.

[magic77]

having driven both as well have to agree the M5 is miles ahead of the M3 in all areas.

Put the two cars side by side size wise its scary how close they are, all down to the packaging.

The X6 they had though at BMW during the open morning has lit up my interests very much as well

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by MarkG335

As it stands, it really is the car I want.

Do it, just clicked over 30k in mine coming back up from 2 days in and around London.

What a machine! Sat in the multifunction seats, carbon trim lightly reflecting the ambient lighting as you spear up the road at XXX mph it's like being in a luxury jet liner.

The most capable car I've ever owned, but it's not a sporty car but I love it for what it is.

[subsy]

M5 touring and I'd be all over it!

[mcdokika]

Originally Posted by MarkG335

Didn't expect today to go like this but after a brief chat with my salesman this morning I was offered an M3 and M5 for a few hours.

Both cars being on my short list, this was a great opportunity to narrow the field (shortlist = 340i Tourer, M3, M5, X5 40d/50d).

So I rocked up this afternoon and jumped into a Tanzanite Blue M3, my thoughts:

• Lovely colour but covered in swirls - not impressed
• Opal interior is fantastic!
• Car well screwed together - felt much more solid than my 335d
• Front end sticks like glue and handles incredibly well
• Road noise is horrendous
• Exhaust noise is boomy and intrusive at times
• In 'comfort' mode its a pleasant car to drive around town
• Anything other than comfort mose steering is hard work
• Motorway road noise is terrible
• Manual mode gearbox on 'slow change' is way to slow
• Traction control is always flashing - this irritated me massively
• Too many settings required to set up for a nice spirited drive
• No harshness for a daily driver
• Gets losts of remarks from teenage boys!

So in summary, I would use the car in comfort mode all the time, it's too noisy for me and the traction control, while desperately needed is very aggressive which spoils the drive.

All in all - left me cold, it's OFF the list.

This is a major surprise to me. I did say to the guys in the dealership that if I had the car for a week I would probably never give it up. The issue is I'd have the same niggles I have with my 335d; noisy, un refined etc. and the day to day speed but isn't so great. I can totally understand why Guy has gone for the CP to make it more exclusive and special.

Now the M5...

• Silky smooth
• Very very quite
• Supremely comfortable
• Comfort mode does not render the car a regular '5' but I would likely drive with the engine turned up one notch
• A much much better car than the M3 for what I need
• Downside - around 12-14mpg but I could drive in comfort mode day to day
• Exhaust is quiet from inside
• Quality is a step up
• Braking seemed poor, turned out it was just the speed I built up!
• Silverstone seats are stunning
• Does not feel like a large car
• HK system is a mile ahead of the F30, more bass, more volume
• Standard sports seat great (thought I'd need the multi function seats)

This could be the car for me, seems to tick all the boxes.

May still have to try the X5 on a longer term text but I would be challenged to stick with a 340i after trying the M5 - bugger!

Already been offered a deal on the ex demo I drove.

Very good writing and comparison, I was still hesitating buying M3 or M5 at some point. I think we have probably the same kind of expectations about a 'daily' sporty BMW.

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by PaulT_335i

This weekend just gone, I had a look at a new M5 Competition Pack car and it really was underwhelming. The figures say that the power to weight ratio is 50% more than the 335i, but it just doesn't feel it. Yes, it was quicker, but nowhere like the figures would suggest it should be – though I will admit that it was still more comfortable and a lot quieter inside than the F30. Unfortunately, even with a cracking discount (over 15k off list and top book for trade-in), more than £40k of depreciation over 4 years is a lot to stomach.

Take the CP M5 out to a quiet motorway, then everything to the max on the settings and slam your foot down at 80mph it's another world compared to the 335i.

The winter isn't really the time to appreciate the power and torque of an M5, I've had lots of very quick cars but the M5 is something else, if you find it underwhelming on the power front something's not right at all.

In the warmer months when it grips in 1st and 2nd the grunt is astonishing.

[mcdokika]

Originally Posted by WeaverBeaver

If you're lucky enough to be able to afford an ex-demo M5 any reason you're not also considering premium fast models from other marques? RS6 would be top of my list given the avant space, which it seems you're after?

And if you're looking at 4x4s such as an X5 40d/50d, what about the SQ5? Or lightly used Cayenne Turbo, ML AMG?

Did not mention here , but drove an RS4 last week,with 65 plate and 9000 on the clock .
450 HP at 8250 rpm (!) , 4.2 FSI V8 naturally aspirated.

I can tell is not the car I would like to drive on daily basis, did not sound as good as X6 M which I drove a few months ago. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice car, no rolling in the corners it's like a real sportscar- fantastic . Sharp brakes, very good throttle response (naturally asp.).. I was enjoying when I revved over 8000 in 3rd gear. Lots of fun.

Suprisingly the 7 speed gearshift was not better than our 8 speed ZF , maybe it would have neeeded more time to get use to my driving style. Did not amaze me too much.

Exhaust was great , but also boomy on lower revs in the town, irritating.

(interior great,like each Audi nowadays)

I would enjoy an RS6 rather than this RS4 however I can't afford that one. So , summarized M cars are more iconic cars IMO than RS's ...

I would buy this F10 M5 or the old E63. (still love the old 6.3 naturally asp. one )

[mcdokika]

Originally Posted by PaulT_335i

This weekend just gone, I had a look at a new M5 Competition Pack car and it really was underwhelming. The figures say that the power to weight ratio is 50% more than the 335i, but it just doesn't feel it. Yes, it was quicker, but nowhere like the figures would suggest it should be – though I will admit that it was still more comfortable and a lot quieter inside than the F30. Unfortunately, even with a cracking discount (over 15k off list and top book for trade-in), more than £40k of depreciation over 4 years is a lot to stomach.

Is this car on the autotrader website ?

[JustChris]

Sounds a good day and great comments thanks.

In summary £80k > £60k car in quality and refinement. Although with their time of life cycle both are similar prices now.

I'm really curious as to how you think the Comp Pack addresses any of your negative comments on the M3 though, if anything they will make them worse and for more ££?

Agree with the comment above, think you should take a look at the RS6 as that looks, sounds and feels special to me...but at a price of course.

Good luck!

[mcdokika]

Originally Posted by Wills2

Take the CP M5 out to a quiet motorway, then everything to the max on the settings and slam your foot down at 80mph it's another world compared to the 335i.

The winter isn't really the time to appreciate the power and torque of an M5, I've had lots of very quick cars but the M5 is something else, if you find it underwhelming on the power front something's not right at all.

In the warmer months when it grips in 1st and 2nd the grunt is astonishing.

Originally Posted by subsy

M5 touring and I'd be all over it!

E60 M5 V10.

[Wills2]

Audis DSG 7 speed box is pants compared to the MDCT.

[mcdokika]

How long is the warranty on a 2014 M5 if you buy it from the dealership ? I normally comes with 12 months BMW used cars warranty, but they come normally with 3 years warranty, do they ? In this case 12 months or 3 years from 2014 is the same. Am I right ?

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Originally Posted by Chris10Bimmers

Sounds a good day and great comments thanks.

In summary £80k > £60k car in quality and refinement. Although with their time of life cycle both are similar prices now.

I'm really curious as to how you think the Comp Pack addresses any of your negative comments on the M3 though, if anything they will make them worse and for more ££?

Agree with the comment above, think you should take a look at the RS6 as that looks, sounds and feels special to me...but at a price of course.

Good luck!

You are of course spot on there.

My point about the competition pack was that the M3 just isn't extreme enough to be memorable, with the CP it will look better and go a bit better, that will make it just the car Guy is seeking. For me, no M3 is the car I'm seeking as I want some more refinement.

Perhaps I should look at an RS6 as I would love an estate - I've just never got on with Audis and my local dealer is a pile of shite.

I looked at Porsche - dealer never comes back to me and finance is pricey; not a fan of the SQ5. The ML is an impressive beast but seems so much larger than an X5 (probably not!).

Funny, this was just the conversation I had with Terry this evening!

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Originally Posted by Wills2

Do it, just clicked over 30k in mine coming back up from 2 days in and around London.

What a machine! Sat in the multifunction seats, carbon trim lightly reflecting the ambient lighting as you spear up the road at XXX mph it's like being in a luxury jet liner.

The most capable car I've ever owned, but it's not a sporty car but I love it for what it is.

Interesting....

What in your opinion are the must have options?

I decided today I needed nothing! The multifunction seats look great but the car I had today had the standard sport seats and I loved them. It also had piano black trim which is my favourite.