M5
 

So it’s with a heavy heart I say goodbye to the M5. It drove away today to a new owner. I was the second person who got to enjoy this icon. The original owner bought it new and was going to keep it forever. Then 2008 happened. I picked it up at 44k miles on 7/14/08.

I will say this is the longest car I have ever owned. That says something. Classic looks and the S62 makes this car. Enough torque down low to make around town so fun and enough revs to make running through the gears epic.

Not sure I will ever get to enjoy that type of engine again. The E9X M3 comes close but zero low end torque is the thing where the S62 was better.

Now the bad part. I’ve paid for this car twice with maintenance. This car, unless you can do you own work on it, is not worth owning. Maybe under warranty but not out.

Build quality is vault like. To this day besides the drivers side bolster the interior does not look like a 17yo car. Quality.

As I move on I will always remember the E39 M5. I wanted one in 02-03 but was not ready to spend that kind of money. I was not disappointed when I finally got one in 08.

I guess I let it go on way to long because as the years and miles piled on so did the expenses.

I do and don’t regret it.

Anyway 12y later I'm still glad I’ve had one.

:sad:

"Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened."

12 years of joy is a big deal.

I've had cars I've liked a lot, some (most, actually) I wish I still had at times. But most had flaws even considering their mission. The ZHP, E91, MCS, Miata, V70R come to mind.

The 4 cars that come closest to perfect for their role are:

1) 987S
2) 997TT
3) LR4
4) F80 M3

I really like the M3. Its negatives are easily outweighed by the positives. I like it enough that losing the Miata wouldn't really bother me that much. The 997TT had its moment and was great. The Boxster is they one I still really miss. Upgrading the Miata to one would be amazing.

Nicely done IMO.

Great news... Looks like it found a good home.
:cool:

I hear you with the expenses. I have put way too much into the E38. I don't regret it either.. but I think its also my time for me also with that car. I just have to nurse it along for a while longer.

It was a fantastic ride. Literally and figuratively. :thumbup:

I will miss your M5, too! You loved it so much. But, I’m looking forward to tales of the M2C.

Speaking of which, I wish they’d release a convertible M2. And a four-door, for that matter.

Convertible for sure. I would have bought one!

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/mod...m2-convertible

Ha!

The calculus of owning it and your understated way of addressing it was deft.

Makes me shudder to consider that in real dollars.

Probably set an interesting benchmark for you and will be a good reference point moving forward by which to gauge the M2.