The BaT thread for the cars we won't buy, but kinda wish we would

[clyde]

Originally Posted by JST

Wait, is clyde bidding on that M5?

I ain't that swanky

[SCA]

Given the choice I think I much rather have this versus an E39 M5. https://www.pcarmarket.com/auction/2022-bmw-m5-cs-1/

I have driven the F90 M5 Comp on the tracks at M school and I like them, a lot… Given that I currently own an E39, albeit a M62, I just do not get the appeal/fascination/hangup with the E39. It is nothing minding blowing… I far more enjoyed my E46 ZHP (gave up for the E39) which was probably the pinnacle for the 3-Series. Yes, many consider the E39 to be the pinnacle for the 5-Series, but I truly have a difficult time wrapping my head around that with 2 years of ownership. I remember test driving several E39s when they were new and I was never truly drawn to them. Of course I was also in my late twenties / early thirties and I could have never seen myself owning such a big and heavy car because being comfortable was a low priority, unlike now.

Edit, Note that the one year only production of the E39 540 M Tech has the M5’s suspension from factory. The S62 and the LSD were the two major items missing.

[JST]

Originally Posted by SCA

Given the choice I think I much rather have this versus an E39 M5. https://www.pcarmarket.com/auction/2022-bmw-m5-cs-1/

I have driven the F90 M5 Comp on the tracks at M school and I like them, a lot… Given that I currently own an E39, albeit a M62, I just do not get the appeal/fascination/hangup with the E39. It is nothing minding blowing… I far more enjoyed my E46 ZHP (gave up for the E39) which was probably the pinnacle for the 3-Series. Yes, many consider the E39 to be the pinnacle for the 5-Series, but I truly have a difficult time wrapping my head around that with 2 years of ownership. I remember test driving several E39s when they were new and I was never truly drawn to them. Of course I was also in my late twenties / early thirties and I could have never seen myself owning such a big and heavy car because being comfortable was a low priority, unlike now.

I've said it many times before (even contemporaneously, I'm sure aty could find it), but the M5 was a car I tried hard to love and never warmed up to. The 540 was, in my mind, a better expression of that platform. I came close to buying an M5 at least twice and both times realized that I was looking at it because I was supposed to like it, not because I liked it.

[SCA]

Originally Posted by JST

I've said it many times before (even contemporaneously, I'm sure aty could find it), but the M5 was a car I tried hard to love and never warmed up to. The 540 was, in my mind, a better expression of that platform. I came close to buying an M5 at least twice and both times realized that I was looking at it because I was supposed to like it, not because I liked it.

You have further reaffirmed my decision of not purchasing an M5 instead of the 540. Occasionally I think to myself, “You should have purchased an M5 instead of blowing all this money on a 540!”

I believe I have previously mentioned, but I give the 540 credit credit for this, it is an outstanding highway cruiser as it will devour miles upon miles while traveling well above posted speed limits and returning shocking MPG in the process. Edit: It sits mostly these days though.

[Jeff_DML]

I am guessing because the E39 is one of the best looking 5 series(bmw?) Also V8 with only a MT. Otherwise it does not seem that great, always read about the complaints about the steering which I assume the 540 also has.

[Josh (PA)]

Originally Posted by SCA

You have further reaffirmed my decision of not purchasing an M5 instead of the 540. Occasionally I think to myself, “You should have purchased an M5 instead of blowing all this money on a 540!”

I believe I have previously mentioned, but I give the 540 credit credit for this, it is an outstanding highway cruiser as it will devour miles upon miles while traveling well above posted speed limits and returning shocking MPG in the process. Edit: It sits mostly these days though.

my 2 cents having owned both (an e39 540 wagon and an m5). This version M5 didn't give up any of the highway comfort or ability to devour miles in peace and tranquility over the 540. It was a really comfortable car that when driven moderately would never let on its wild side. It simply had the ability to do a jeckle and hyde type transformation when you asked it to and shoved your right foot to the floor. It just had extra... everything you like about the 540 + the ability to take it up 3 notches when asked. It was/is a special car.

[Nick M3]

Originally Posted by JST

I've said it many times before (even contemporaneously, I'm sure aty could find it), but the M5 was a car I tried hard to love and never warmed up to. The 540 was, in my mind, a better expression of that platform. I came close to buying an M5 at least twice and both times realized that I was looking at it because I was supposed to like it, not because I liked it.

I don't understand this. The 540i has the same fundamental flaw as the M5 - the steering. It loses the joy of one of BMW's most hooligan-ish NA motors (maybe the most?) ever. AND the M62 is a lot less reliable than the S62 to boot!

And I'm not sure what you gain in comparison?

Edit: Like, if you said the 528i, which, which has great steering and a cable-esque throttle, I'd understand that. Mike's 3.0 swapped 528iT was a fantastic car.

[lip277]

Originally Posted by Josh (PA)

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...dster-1600-22/

This is my friend's car. Her dad was a collector before he passed away. They grew up with lots of really cool cars.

Curious to see where it winds up. Reserve is $200k

Growing up, the neighbors daughter had a 356 convertible (don't know if it was a Speedster or just the regular rag top)... She was (LOL- still is) about 3 years older than me. Just when we got the Mustang, she got the 356. Her dad made her sell it a couple of years later when he found out the PO raced the Porsche. She was not happy - and bought a late 70's Nova instead... (or something like that).

I do remember having one (kinda serious) discussion with my dad about buying the car as it was being let go right about the time I was getting a car to go to college with. I ended up with the 2002 (1983 or so).

Looking back at it - we sure missed the financial boat. But - the 2002 was the better car for what I needed - BY FAR... except for my financial future. LOL

[JST]

Originally Posted by Nick M3

I don't understand this. The 540i has the same fundamental flaw as the M5 - the steering. It loses the joy of one of BMW's most hooligan-ish NA motors (maybe the most?) ever. AND the M62 is a lot less reliable than the S62 to boot!

And I'm not sure what you gain in comparison?

Edit: Like, if you said the 528i, which, which has great steering and a cable-esque throttle, I'd understand that. Mike's 3.0 swapped 528iT was a fantastic car.

I honestly am not sure I've driven a 528.

To me, the 540 seemed like it was tuned to the right intensity for the chassis. It wasn't particularly fun, but it was an impressive highway car, relatively comfortable, and all around just very competent feeling.

The M5 felt like they'd taken that very competent car and tried to twist it into something else. I never really felt like there was a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde transformation; more just like Dr. Jekyll/Dr. Jekyll has had a little too much to drink and is kind of fun but also maybe he should just go home.

The engine was fantastic, yes, but the rest of the car left me cold. In a 540, leaving me cold is fine. It's sort of the point. In an M5? It just felt...meh, and why spend all that money to end up with meh?

[SCA]

Originally Posted by Jeff_DML

I am guessing because the E39 is one of the best looking 5 series(bmw?) Also V8 with only a MT. Otherwise it does not seem that great, always read about the complaints about the steering which I assume the 540 also has.

Yes, no rack and pinion steering in the 540 as well. Steering box only in the V8 E39s.