E39 M5 experts

[JST]

What do you think of this car?

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...TAFSRCHUSDTEXT

[Nick M3]

Seems a bit expensive, but nice.

[kognito]

It does say OBO.

If the owner is like any of us here, a lowball offer will be laughed at.

But IMHO 22K might get you started on a nice car

[kognito]

but, I'm no M5 expert

[JST]

Originally Posted by kognito

but, I'm no M5 expert

It's very local, which is worth something in terms of being able to see it and not have to travel/ship it.

The color isn't ideal (I'd kill for Imola Red), but I do like the interior. And the mileage is reasonably low (though, in this area, that probably means he just spent a lot of time driving 5 mph in stop and go traffic).

[TD]

Honestly, I think that car will seem dated, heavy and slow compared to your E90 M3.

[JST]

Originally Posted by TD

Honestly, I think that car will seem dated, heavy and slow compared to your E90 M3.

You may be right. And the buyout on the M3 is less than 10K more...but the M3 is also narrower, which is kind of annoying, since it means you really can't squeeze a third person comfortably into the back seat with two carseats installed.

There is really only one way to find out.

[Nick M3]

On the plus side, the E39 has torque off idle.

[SARAFIL]

Originally Posted by TD

Honestly, I think that car will seem dated, heavy and slow compared to your E90 M3.

+1

The E39 M5 is a nice car, but given the choice of a 2002 M5 or your 3 year old M3 with a not-super-significant price gap between them, I'd say you'd be better off buying out the lease on your M3.

Also factor in that you don't have to fix any of the dents/scratches on your M3 for lease turn-in, and it would close the gap a bit more.

[TD]

So it makes sense for JST to check this one out and decide if he really would want an E39 M5. Then either this guy comes down on price or a longer search begins.