I am currently looking to get my next car on June, but still cant make up my mind
also nthg really can compare with the GS4, e.g. price range, reliablity
but the reason i want a new car cuz i want a stick, i have looked at the A4 3.0 Avant, S4, Suabru Legacy 2.5GT, Suabru STi, M3(used), M5(used), E55(used), C32 (used), Golf R32
but i am wondering how reliable r M5s? i know it wont be as reliable as GS4, i heard bad things about it
but i just wanna know how bad r they?
Thanks

well from what I hear the newer 5-series is one of the most reliable BMW series ever made...

problem is, thats not saying a lot :) I hear that the electrical components really suck; interior can fall apart like a GM or Ford and needs routine maintenance to keep going; but i hear its hella better than the M3 (aka camshaft-eater or grenade-for-a-differential)

my friend who is a Service Tech at a Mazda/BMW/Lincoln/Mercury dealer here in Mobile (one of the largest BMW dealerships in the region) says that the 5-series are ok; but still BMWs seem to have a ton more problems than any of the other brands they service; and we're talking new cars here

there IS a way to convert the auto in the GS400 over to a stick; check over on the SC boards for converting over an SC400/ Australian Soarer... IIRC Castlemain Rod Shop makes a transmission bellhousing for the V160 and the R154 and the W58 transmission for the uz-series motors

Had a chance to drive an M5 and an E55, along with a few other cars including my GS4, at Laguna Seca late last year. Three days of pretty hard thrashing. M5 and E55 left on trailers after being driven to the track.

If you want reliability, get a Lexus or you will regret it.

Originally posted by Bean
well from what I hear the newer 5-series is one of the most reliable BMW series ever made...

problem is, thats not saying a lot :) I hear that the electrical components really suck; interior can fall apart like a GM or Ford and needs routine maintenance to keep going; but i hear its hella better than the M3 (aka camshaft-eater or grenade-for-a-differential)

my friend who is a Service Tech at a Mazda/BMW/Lincoln/Mercury dealer here in Mobile (one of the largest BMW dealerships in the region) says that the 5-series are ok; but still BMWs seem to have a ton more problems than any of the other brands they service; and we're talking new cars here

there IS a way to convert the auto in the GS400 over to a stick; check over on the SC boards for converting over an SC400/ Australian Soarer... IIRC Castlemain Rod Shop makes a transmission bellhousing for the V160 and the R154 and the W58 transmission for the uz-series motors
isnt convert GS4 to stick too much trouble and not really worth the money and time IMO....
Gekko: i am totally fine with the GS but auto....:(

If you've got the bucks and are willing to make some tradeoffs for the stick, add the CTS-V to the list.

Originally posted by RON430
If you've got the bucks and are willing to make some tradeoffs for the stick, add the CTS-V to the list.
hehe i dun like how it looks:rolleyes:
and i want a european for my next car, if its possible

Agree about the looks and there is that possibly dodgy build quality. But it has that six speed and it is seriously fast - it was one of the other cars at Laguna Seca.

honestly...if the CTS-V is the only choice, i rather keep the GS

Originally posted by GS400kid
honestly...if the CTS-V is the only choice, i rather keep the GS

Certainly, your choice. But it doesn't cost anything if you can find one and they let you test drive it.

I think the reliability comes from knowing you will have to bring it in for repairs. :(

It's an M5....I can look past reliable for that car.:thumbup:

Originally posted by 1SICKLEX
It's an M5....I can look past reliable for that car.:thumbup:

Well said...:thumbup:

I'm looking for a fun car as well. I think I'm going to pick up a 2000 Audi A6 2.7T with a 6 speed. You can chip it, upgrade the turbos to KO6, drop the suspension, put some nice wheels and voila, you have an awesome piece of machinery for less than $30K total investment inlcuding mods. It will be about 400HP and will go like a you know what. It will handle with the quatrro drive as well.

check out www.audiworld.com

Just an alternative...I had a Bimmer before. It was a 740i and I will never have another BMW ever, ever, ever.

Murph

if it's m5 with relatively low miles i think it's good. i also heard that 5 series is one of the most bullet proof bimmer out there (e39), and the m5 is just a legend in engineering imho. i have sat in one, wow is all i can say

but pricewise your list is very off imho. you can't find a decent m5 for 30k...

Originally posted by Murph
I'm looking for a fun car as well. I think I'm going to pick up a 2000 Audi A6 2.7T with a 6 speed. You can chip it, upgrade the turbos to KO6, drop the suspension, put some nice wheels and voila, you have an awesome piece of machinery for less than $30K total investment inlcuding mods. It will be about 400HP and will go like a you know what. It will handle with the quatrro drive as well.

check out www.audiworld.com

Just an alternative...I had a Bimmer before. It was a 740i and I will never have another BMW ever, ever, ever.

Murph
i did think of the 2.7T but if i ever get that, y not go for the last gen A4? it looks better than A6 IMO, unless the it has the A6 4.2 wide body:D , also spend 30k on mods....its not what i am looking for.
My dad had the last last body style 735i, it was HORRIBLE...i remember he used to spend well over 1k every month to fix that ISHT for couple months and then finally gt rip of that for a E230....and the E had no problem for 6 yrs and then finally tranny died last year hehe

so i am looking at sthg around 45k, thats y M5 could be one of my option? and i trying to do some research to see if i really want it, M5 came up like couple hours before i post this thread and start doing my research, so i will take whatever u guys say. i dont care if u wanna bash on M5 or wutever:thumbup:

Hey if you like the M5 buy it, if you love the M5 buy it. No one buys BMW's for reliability anyhow. When it starts being a pest get rid of it and get something else.

M5 is the class of the field you are looking at. Finding one that hasn't been rode hard and put away wet will be the tough part.:)

prices of m5 drops to 45k already? that gotta be a high mileage m5

Originally posted by 1SICKLEX
It's an M5....I can look past reliable for that car.:thumbup:

I totally agree sick

Originally posted by Milla...
Hey if you like the M5 buy it, if you love the M5 buy it. No one buys BMW's for reliability anyhow. When it starts being a pest get rid of it and get something else.

Well said. Much like a classic muscle car or a SCCA racer, an M5 looks sexy, goes like stink, and breaks regularly. If you go into ownership with those expectations, you will not be disappointed. A 400 HP machine does come with a few sacrifices. I wanted a 3 series bad, but I chose reliability and comfort over speed, therefore I have an SC 400. Of course, now I also want a C5 Corvette.....sigh.....here we go again!:egads:

Originally posted by Milla...
Hey if you like the M5 buy it, if you love the M5 buy it. No one buys BMW's for reliability anyhow..

Very good point, more of an emotional connection, than a simple checklist of yay's or nay's!

Originally posted by RON430
Finding one that hasn't been rode hard and put away wet will be the tough part.:)

I totally agree there!!

I dont know why, but M5's = LOVE for me!

MMmmmmm, yummy!!!!!!

http://www.iforged.com/albums/album02/m5.sized.jpg

http://www.iforged.com/albums/album02/m51.sized.jpg

Originally posted by DGOT20s
MMmmmmm, yummy!!!!!!

http://www.iforged.com/albums/album02/m5.sized.jpg

http://www.iforged.com/albums/album02/m51.sized.jpg
this is really teasing me:banghead:
and i agree leaving Lexus is not a good idea at all...cuz nthg is as reliable with RWD in the market right now, ofcuz i know M5s r not reliable and i wonder how bad will that be. Also its gonna be my daily driver:egads:

Originally posted by GS400kid
Also its gonna be my daily driver:egads:

Used M5 as a daily driver? Not for me. I've gone through getting to know everybody at BMW service on a first name basis. But then that's why there is bimmer and Lexus and always will be. Only thing that could show it's tail lights to the M5 at Laguna Seca was the CTS-V. But the bimmer outclassed it by a bunch. Right up until it quit running.:sad:

Originally posted by GS400kid
this is really teasing me:banghead:
Also its gonna be my daily driver:egads:

yeah man, I figured I'd mess with ya head a little!! better be lucky I could not find the Racing Dynamics one!!! LOL its black, low and vicious!! LOL

On a serious note, I think the 4door body of the M5 causes folks to overlook what it is, a sporting instrument with a engine fine tuned to the upper limits of tolerances (to get 400hp without FI), etc etc.
Unless you have a very short daily commute, I dont know if I would go with the M5.

Since you love them, why not pick up a clean M5 and a beater car on the side? (something cheap but not embarrassing like a Taurus or older Maxima, etc etc)

Originally posted by DGOT20s
yeah man, I figured I'd mess with ya head a little!! better be lucky I could not find the Racing Dynamics one!!! LOL its black, low and vicious!! LOL

On a serious note, I think the 4door body of the M5 causes folks to overlook what it is, a sporting instrument with a engine fine tuned to the upper limits of tolerances (to get 400hp without FI), etc etc.
Unless you have a very short daily commute, I dont know if I would go with the M5.

Since you love them, why not pick up a clean M5 and a beater car on the side? (something cheap but not embarrassing like a Taurus or older Maxima, etc etc)
LOL, its not like i have 100k laying around for a nice car and a beater, and i know i will mod the crap out of the next car, i am already trying so hard not to mod the GS until my finally decision is made.

Originally posted by GS400kid
LOL, its not like i have 100k laying around for a nice car and a beater, and i know i will mod the crap out of the next car, i am already trying so hard not to mod the GS until my finally decision is made.

if you are going to "mod the hell" out of your next car, the m5 is definitely NOT a car you want. you can't really touch too much of the engine. plus keep in mind too, all the mods for m5 are stupidly expensive. what, over 1000 for the strut bar?

Originally posted by GS400kid
LOL, its not like i have 100k laying around for a nice car and a beater, and i know i will mod the crap out of the next car, i am already trying so hard not to mod the GS until my finally decision is made.

To be honest man, when i say beater I mean something you can pick up for 3-5 grand!! A 00 Taurus can be had for that amount. I just mean something to drive to the supermarket and carry crap in, drive on rainy days, etc etc.

I have a 03 Taurus, and I couldnt imagine using my GS for everyday chores, much less a M5 :eek2: :eek2:

Originally posted by rominl
what, over 1000 for the strut bar?

Wow, there's expensive and then there's THAT!!!! :eek1: Makes JP tails seem like a bargain in comparison eh?

my friend has a m5...
a m5 was made to give hel
he gives it hel
you more than likely won't find one that has not seen a rough time
he has been through a few clutches
seen one the other day 35k...69k miles..not too bad...
but....i would hate to see a regular service bill for that thing.
My friend has a 1998 gs400 as well...
guess which one he likes better :)

Originally posted by DGOT20s
Wow, there's expensive and then there's THAT!!!! :eek1: Makes JP tails seem like a bargain in comparison eh?

oh yeah you bet. just look at the mods for the e46 m3. i thought about getting that car, but the prices for mods are just insane. the AC strut bar is like 800 bucks, the AC front lip (just a lip) is like 1200? i forgot the price for the rear exhaust diffusor, but it's not pretty too

Damn this thread has me M5 FIENDING again!! God I love these cars!!!!

C'mon let us all DROOL together!!

http://www.iforged.com/albums/album02/bmwm5_001.sized.jpg
http://www.iforged.com/albums/album02/m5w_001.sized.jpg

http://www.iforged.com/albums/album02/540irear.sized.jpg http://www.iforged.com/albums/album02/540i.sized.jpg

Awe man...an M5 isn't a fun car...this is a fun car. Grin. And dead reliable to boot. I've got 85K on mine and she's just hummin'

sean

Originally posted by DGOT20s
Damn this thread has me M5 FIENDING again!! God I love these cars!!!!

C'mon let us all DROOL together!!



Those are not bad looking BMW's.
However, I feel more at home in my Lexus.

Originally posted by flat6
Awe man...an M5 isn't a fun car...this is a fun car. Grin. And dead reliable to boot. I've got 85K on mine and she's just hummin'

sean
sorry is this a Carerra????i dont know much about porsche
right now i can get one if this body style Carerra sthg...AWD??? its 98 with less than 25k miles whole thing looks new, and i can get it for 28k hehe, since its red i dont know if i want it

GS400kid,

This is a 2 wheel drive Carrera. The best place for information on Porsches, and the '95-'98 body style (commonly known as the 993) are the forums at www.rennlist.com. The 4 wheel drive versions are called Carrera 4's and there's a wide-body version, called the Carrera S, Carrera 4S that was made from '96-'98, though they command a premium.

Most decent 993s are priced in the 30s, I'd be wary of one thats less than that, esspecially if the ask is sub-30.

The 993 is the most intoxicating car car in the world, particularly with the Euro suspension, an RS clutch & flywheel, and a chip from Rennsport systems in Portland, OR. (mine has all of these "mods").

Good luck in the search, let me know if you would like more help.

sean

Originally posted by Gekko
If you want reliability, get a Lexus or you will regret it.

Generally true but Infiniti and Acura products are also up there in Lexus' reliability range.
Some Acura TL transmissions, hovever, have been failing.

Stay AWAY from Mercedes, BMW, and the Cadillac Catera/CTS if you want reliability.

just get a 540i 6 speed most bang for your buck if you get a later one like 98-2000 your price range would be apx. 15-25,000. my brother had a 540 auto those suckas haul. we had 4 bmw's 97+ each one after 100,000+ miles the cooling system would need work couple hundered dollars and then thats it nothing to crazy. but the m5's are known for having a very restrictive exhaust. if you change the exhaust you could easily pump 400+ hp's in that baby. my uncle got a red conv. 03' m3 SMG 0-60 in the 4's so fast!! my brother now has a clk hes selling it to get either a m5,745,x5 or escalade(baby comin').

-abboushi

oh and FLAT6 your porsche is very sexy!! very very sexy!:thumbup: :thumbup:

I am not certain as to what problems an M5 would have. But After owning a 530 and having multiple issues, I then got rid of it for an E320. After multiple issues with my E320, I now own a GS300. I will see what happens from here. I am a huge German car enthusiast, but they are putting out too many shoddy products. And for this amount of money, I have very little tolerance for problems. Only other german auto that I will purchase will be a Porsche. Porsche puts ALOT in there autos and they seem to be much more reliable.

Originally posted by DGOT20s
Damn this thread has me M5 FIENDING again!! God I love these cars!!!!

C'mon let us all DROOL together!!

http://www.iforged.com/albums/album02/bmwm5_001.sized.jpg
http://www.iforged.com/albums/album02/m5w_001.sized.jpg


the lip on the rear wheels of this car looks like its 6inches or so.....:eek2: :eek2:

Originally posted by rominl
oh yeah you bet. just look at the mods for the e46 m3. i thought about getting that car, but the prices for mods are just insane. the AC strut bar is like 800 bucks, the AC front lip (just a lip) is like 1200? i forgot the price for the rear exhaust diffusor, but it's not pretty too

Yeah, but this is mostly true if you insist on having AC-Schnitzer or Hamann mods. AC-Schnitzer is the most expensive of them all though. What is nice about AC-S is that they manufacturer the most quality parts that I have seen from any after-market manufacturer. They absolutly, under no circumstances use fiberglass for their exterior mods (like bumpers, lip spoilers, roof spoilers, side skirts, etc..). Instead of fiberglass, they use ABS plastic and there is a clear visible and physical difference. ABS is far more durable and can withstand a far greater amount of stress under pressure than fiberglass. It is truly quality stuff. That's what BMW uses also for its front and rear bumpers.

My point is, you are going to pay a lot of money in mods for a BMW if you insist on going with AC-S or Hamann. These are the premiere after-market vendors for BMW. In fact, AC-S is to BMW what AMG is to MB. Hamann, on the other hand, is pretty much just namebrand. They charge priemium prices for their mods because they've established a good name, but all of their stuff is that cheep fiberglass stuff.

I decided to go the AC-Schnitzer route for a few things on my Bimmer and yes they are almost painfully expensive, but I will also say, for the quality product that extends beyond just look and feel, it was well worth it. I got the following AC-S products:

ACS full carbon fiber interior trim (approx $1300)
ACS carbon fiber/leather shifter (approx $200)
ACS pedals (approx $200 without dead pedal)
ACS sports side view mirrors with memory (approx $650)

So admittedly it's real expensive stuff, but when you look around the interior and have your hand on that shifter, it all just screams quality and therefore, for me, it's very much worth it.

Guess I should have mentioned in my last post that the other popular BMW aftermarket vendors are not as expensive as ACS and Hamann, but they are probably more expensive than the Lexus aftermarket vendors. What sux about that is they are not of the same quality as ACS but still they are high-priced.

Henry, I forgot what the ACS //M3 CF diffuser goes for, but it is super expensive... but look at the quality of the cf and the craftmanship of the unit and IMHO, it looks like it's worth even more than what they're asking.

Originally posted by MSBoy
Yeah, but this is mostly true if you insist on having AC-Schnitzer or Hamann mods. AC-Schnitzer is the most expensive of them all though. What is nice about AC-S is that they manufacturer the most quality parts that I have seen from any after-market manufacturer. They absolutly, under no circumstances use fiberglass for their exterior mods (like bumpers, lip spoilers, roof spoilers, side skirts, etc..). Instead of fiberglass, they use ABS plastic and there is a clear visible and physical difference. ABS is far more durable and can withstand a far greater amount of stress under pressure than fiberglass. It is truly quality stuff. That's what BMW uses also for its front and rear bumpers.

My point is, you are going to pay a lot of money in mods for a BMW if you insist on going with AC-S or Hamann. These are the premiere after-market vendors for BMW. In fact, AC-S is to BMW what AMG is to MB. Hamann, on the other hand, is pretty much just namebrand. They charge priemium prices for their mods because they've established a good name, but all of their stuff is that cheep fiberglass stuff.

I decided to go the AC-Schnitzer route for a few things on my Bimmer and yes they are almost painfully expensive, but I will also say, for the quality product that extends beyond just look and feel, it was well worth it. I got the following AC-S products:

ACS full carbon fiber interior trim (approx $1300)
ACS carbon fiber/leather shifter (approx $200)
ACS pedals (approx $200 without dead pedal)
ACS sports side view mirrors with memory (approx $650)

So admittedly it's real expensive stuff, but when you look around the interior and have your hand on that shifter, it all just screams quality and therefore, for me, it's very much worth it.

tell me about it ron. you know me, you know i put the best on my car. i really like AC stuff so man if one day i get a bimmer, i can only imagine myself start stealing money to mod my car, haha

Originally posted by rominl
i really like AC stuff so man if one day i get a bimmer, i can only imagine myself start stealing money to mod my car, haha

LOL good one Rom, gotta get that mod money by any means necessary!!

Originally posted by DGOT20s
LOL good one Rom, gotta get that mod money by any means necessary!!

yeah, though i have to do anything to avoid devorce :D

Originally posted by rominl
tell me about it ron. you know me, you know i put the best on my car. i really like AC stuff so man if one day i get a bimmer, i can only imagine myself start stealing money to mod my car, haha


Yeah for us married guys, doesn't that mean stealing from our wife? :D
"The car...uh...needs service...It needs this...need that...":D

Originally posted by flat6
GS400kid,

This is a 2 wheel drive Carrera. The best place for information on Porsches, and the '95-'98 body style (commonly known as the 993) are the forums at www.rennlist.com. The 4 wheel drive versions are called Carrera 4's and there's a wide-body version, called the Carrera S, Carrera 4S that was made from '96-'98, though they command a premium.

Most decent 993s are priced in the 30s, I'd be wary of one thats less than that, esspecially if the ask is sub-30.

The 993 is the most intoxicating car car in the world, particularly with the Euro suspension, an RS clutch & flywheel, and a chip from Rennsport systems in Portland, OR. (mine has all of these "mods").

Good luck in the search, let me know if you would like more help.

sean

hey what kind of price would one expect to pay for one of these modded like yours?
i had a "1966 912" back in the late 60's and early 70's and just loved going into curves and down-shifting midway thru them, i've never had as much fun in any other car even though my gs400 is lots faster, it lacks that stick shift fun.:)

also what kind of horsepower and 0-60 times are you looking at?:driving:
thanks:)
3dog

My heart skips every time I see an M5 or 540i, especially modded. Those pics are oooooooh man:eek1:

Classic