What about an M5 as a daily driver?

I just read through the entire 997TT vs. 430 thread, wondering also where is the consideration for the M5? I'm definitely a BMW guy (on my third car and my second motorcycle) and can't seem to get at all interested in the Mercs. I just bought an '02 360 Modena (my first sportscar, and what a way to start!) and my 4.4L X5 is coming off lease in the fall. I have in mind to turn that in and get an M5 as my daily driver (I drive into NYC 4 days a week). I haven't seen a discussion of AMG vs. M car on this board - I realize this is an F-car board, but this category seems to be very relevant to F-car owners based on all the experience described in the 997TT vs. 430 thread. Does anybody have any perspective?

 

Probably needs to be moved to proper section...

As a former BMW owner, I'd say they're all designed to be daily drivers. Look like normal sedans (with ample tacked on trunks), ample ground clearance, probably a thousand dealers, prepaid service, seats five, etc.

Having been to NYC a lot, my question would be when you would use 500bhp anywhere during the week.

 

An M5 as a daily driver?......................Hell YES.
I too have a 360 spider and an X5 daily and I would make an M5 my daily in a heartbeat. If I could do it comfortably, I would.

 

hp doesn't matter. Do Enzo owners really need the hp for cruising on PCH? Nope.

 

The M5 is a great car. Can be tame when you want it to, and can be a powerful laden beast when you want it to.

 

I used an M5 as everyday car for 2 years and I found I got too used to the performance to the extent that it felt ordinary.

Also, while a great handling car and good riding for the performance, the crashing in potholes got tiring after a long day.

I found that using a 7 series as an everyday car, still a drivers car but more soothing, meant that when I took the M5 out for a specific journey the acceleration and handling were much more enjoyed. I also had a sports car which always felt more special when not using the M5 everyday.

You can become acclimatised to a good thing, and it can detract from your enjoyment of sports cars. When used sparingly, you always leave yourself looking forward to more.

 

I have 21000 trouble free miles on my '06 M5. I would highly suggest it to anyone as a daily driver.

 

wow. What dealership did you get your car from??

 

I have a beautiful LeMans blue 02 M5, yes its an excellent daily driver

 

Apologies for posting in the wrong section - I'm still finding my way around but will be more diligent in the future.

I've heard the argument about not getting too high performance of a daily car so as to not detract from the sports car enjoyment, but I'm not sure I subscribe to it if you have the resources for both. I'm sure there are plenty of people that would concur.

As for an ability to enjoy the car around NYC, I'm usually in early and leave on the later side of rush hour, so I do actually get some opportunities to "enjoy" the drive (to the extent possible around NYC). I have a second home in PA and that 2 hour drive typically has plenty of "opportunities" shall we say...

Brian

 

where in PA??

 

On Lake Wallenpaupack - northeast PA - in the Pocono Mountains.

 

I have to agree with David. Having something more mundane to drive than the M5 would leave you enjoying the M5 and your sports cars more. Is it a capable daily driver? ABSOLUTELY HELL YES! *ahem*

Its not simply a function of HP but the torque usable in the daily drive. There is something to be said about the ability to get out of the way of others or perform a passing manuever with limited road ahead of you from behind a blocking vehicle.

I think your choice of transmission and year M5 is what will make or break it in your situation.

 

I've been using my M6 as a daily driver, I'm sure a M5 would be just as good.

 

It all depends on your driving style, on the AMG Vs. M battle, i see it as two different types of cars, I own a 04 E55 amg, while I know that the M5 will run circles around it, its not as fun (to me) the I drive and SMG ruin it for me, also the E55 has more torque. The AMG is for someone who wants to go fast in a straight line and feel a kick in the @$$ from the engine, the M5 is someone who wants to slice through traffic, and know they are driving something equivalent to a F22 fighter jet. I guess im old school in liking the "muscle car" style of the AMG, yes i know the suspension and handling can not compare to the M5 and it wont for a while, but its the engine that won it over for me. People are always battling "M5 vs E55" but they are two different cars for two different people.

 

I commute into the city most days and see loads of AMG cars doing the bumper to bumper crawl along with me. Less so the new M5, which I know little about. The issues as I see it are:
stick v. paddle- conventional shifter will be a pain in the ass in the bumper to bumper thing.
wheels/tires- those city roads suck. The low profile tires on big wheels are risky, I think.
size- I have commuted in everything from a Porsche GT2, to my M3 SMG, to several motorbikes. Small and lithe is best. I used to do the haul in a 7 series and frankly, if you don't need to be schlepping such a big wagon, you will have more fun. the M5 is not small, but I would think it would be pretty manageable.
While I am also a fan of BMW, these days I am quite partial to Porsche for practical cars. So, I dumped the M3 in favor of a 993 C4 cabrio. Loads of fun to drive, I love the small size of these cars, and the open top to boot.

 

also you figure, its not about maintainability, but rather driveability. Go out and test drive both cars, assuming your serious it should be no problem. a good 10 min test drive of both cars will tell you almost 90% of the car. Test them both on the same day within and hour of each other, munch on it for a day or two then pull the trigger assuming you have found a verdict. If not, do a little more research, talk to some owners etc. In todays day and age, the resources are out there for everyone to make a educated decision you just have to be diligent enough to do the homework and put in the work, the reward, is knowing that you purchased a car you truly will enjoy and be able to use. Good luck hunting!

 

Was just at Greenwich BMW, they recieved a M5 with smg as opposed to the stick ordered by the customer. Car has Dinian exhaust and some suspension wheel upgrades. Was treated to a ride.

7 hrs ago I would have said this was not a good commuter car, but the ride is really very smooth I reckon it would handle the NY drive no probs. With smg I guess the traffic can be dealt with. Most surprising aside from the comfortable ride was how smooth and spinnable the v10 was, I think it would make a great daily driver. Since the orig customer ordered a non smg car I understand the SMG car is suddenly avaidlble.

Whart was that you 993 c4 cab I saw tue am on 44st NYC bouncing through a BIG pothole.

 

Noah,
I got the car from Wyoming Valley Motors in Larksville, Pa. My sales Person was George Haslin great guy.

 

oh ok. Thanks. I work at a dealership in the philly suburbs, and was curious if you got it from us.

 

Here's Mine, excuse the quality I just clicked it with my phone.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

But I have a question about the SMG. Does it function more like a tiptronic or to the F1 transmission (meaning, is it basically an automatic car and you're just telling it when to shift, or is it a manual car without a clutch)?

 

F1 transmission

 

Ask a fellow M5 owner to let you drive it around for a day. You will know after that. It's truly epic.

 

Would you let someone drive your $80k car around for a day?