BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)
 





 

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      07-02-2007, 11:03 AM   #1
OnRamp
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Yet another comparison - E39 M5 vs. 135i?

For argument's sake, if the 135i ends up in the high $30k's for a well equipped car, that compares to a pre-owned E39 M5 in price (roughly, depending on the year, miles, etc. on the M5).

So on the fun-to-drive side of things (ignoring the pracicality, size difference, warranty, and obvious things like 400bhp > 300bhp), dollar for dollar, which one of these two cars would you pick? I have to wait until next year before I can get anything new, so the timing of a 135i would be about right. However, the appeal of the E39 M5 is undeniable.

Not looking for an answer, most likely I will go with th 135i as long as it passes the wife test. If not, I'll probably look for a nice M5, which I know she'll go for.

Any thoughts?
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      07-02-2007, 11:19 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OnRamp View Post
For argument's sake, if the 135i ends up in the high $30k's for a well equipped car, that compares to a pre-owned E39 M5 in price (roughly, depending on the year, miles, etc. on the M5).

So on the fun-to-drive side of things (ignoring the pracicality, size difference, warranty, and obvious things like 400bhp > 300bhp), dollar for dollar, which one of these two cars would you pick? I have to wait until next year before I can get anything new, so the timing of a 135i would be about right. However, the appeal of the E39 M5 is undeniable.

Not looking for an answer, most likely I will go with th 135i as long as it passes the wife test. If not, I'll probably look for a nice M5, which I know she'll go for.

Any thoughts?
I agree that the fun to drive quotient and purchase prices are pretty close, but when it comes to running costs, the M5 would probably much more expensive. In real world driving, the 1 probably gets nearly double the fuel economy that the M5 does. I would expect the maintenance on the 5 to be much higher, as the V8 was a pretty exotic engine when it was released.
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      07-02-2007, 11:21 AM   #3
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i'd get the m5 because it's lighter.
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      07-02-2007, 11:22 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hector View Post
i'd get the m5 because it's lighter.
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      07-02-2007, 11:23 AM   #5
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Wow... That's a tough call.

I'm looking for something smaller and akin to E30 325e that I owned in '84, so for me the 135i will probably be ideal. But it's very hard to argue against any of the M cars and dollar for dollar the E39 M5 would provide a lot of bang for the dollar.

The 135i would obviously be under warranty, but it's much smaller and it isn't officially an M car despite all the M trappings. If the M5 is to be your primary car and you have a family it might be a better choice. If you are looking for a smaller car without warranty worries, then put your money on a 135i.

If the price point for 135i is close to 35K then it's the car for me. However if it's closer to 40K and I found a E39 M5 for less then I would find it difficult to pay more for the 135i.

Good luck with your choice!
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      07-02-2007, 11:44 AM   #6
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How about an E46 M3 ?
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      07-02-2007, 12:07 PM   #7
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Quote:
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How about an E46 M3 ?
That's an even tougher call, but even though the E46 M3 is a classic to my eye I'm still really drawn to the 135i. Maybe it's the shape akin to a E30 or the N54 engine, which is close to the E46 M3's engine in specs but less exotic (although I feel that all BMW engines are somewhat exotic). As was mentioned earlier in regards to the E39 M5, maintenance tends to be pricier on the M cars. Although the N54 is a technical marvel, it's being produced in higher numbers than the M powerplants. I'm hoping that this bodes well for increased longevity and lower maintenance costs.
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      07-02-2007, 12:35 PM   #8
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      07-02-2007, 01:13 PM   #9
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135i hands down. No brainer. It will kill a e39 in every aspect, including price, performance, maintenance, gas mileage, lack of warranty, etc.

No brainer.

The m5 wins on holding more people, then I would get a 335i instead.
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      07-02-2007, 02:51 PM   #10
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That's an interesting dilemma. My $.02

Is the M5 certified? Maintenance of M cars outside of the warranty period is ridiculously expensive. I was quoted something like 2,000+ for a front brake job on said M5!! :eyebulge: Have to consider the maintenance costs, no way around it. Having said that, M cars are special. The M will only decrease x% now in terms of depreciation. The 1 coupe is special now, but over time it will be just another bmw, a la 6 series. But someone somewhere will be looking for an M6 10 years from now. If this isn't a car you will keep forever, you will likely take less of a hit on the M, well depending on interest rates new vs. pre-owned (pre-owned is usually higher).

To really help you, I think you'd have to give a little more insight as to what the deciding factors are, then people could make comments as to which ride fits each criteria better in their opinion. Interesting to see the feedback though.

By the way, I'm new here and didn't really see much of a facility to really introduce myself. Greetings from Germany. I too have been waiting for this car since I saw that now famous rendering of the M2 however many years ago.
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      07-02-2007, 04:06 PM   #11
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135i and it should be easier to acquire the necessary spousal support for than the M5.
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      07-11-2007, 10:58 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by danp View Post
How about an E46 M3 ?
Have given that a lot of thought as well, but if it came down to E39 M5 vs. E46 M3, I would take the M5 in a heartbeat. The E46 interior just doesn't do it for me. If I were to get the E39 M5, I would search one out with the extended leather and wood interior over the alum. trim.

As it stands right now, I'm really leaning toward the 135i. My local dealer isn't taking deposits yet, but I have already talked to my salesman and the sales manager. I also have friends at two other BMW stores, so I shouldn't have any trouble getting one when I need it.

Really comes down to cost of ownership and convenience, and the 135i will definitiely have an edge there.
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      07-11-2007, 11:22 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OnRamp View Post
... Really comes down to cost of ownership and convenience, and the 135i will definitiely have an edge there.
I'll say, both the E46 M3 and the E39 M5 are fuel hogs, not to mention the cost of parts for M cars are usually higher.
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      07-11-2007, 03:35 PM   #14
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E39 M5? That car is so outdated it isn't even funny. Still a nice car but old outdated designs do nothing for me. Life is too short to be living in the past. The future is better in this case.
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      07-11-2007, 04:21 PM   #15
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E39 M5? That car is so outdated it isn't even funny. Still a nice car but old outdated designs do nothing for me. Life is too short to be living in the past. The future is better in this case.
Wasn't the E39 M5 last produced in 2003? I'm not sure that I would call it outdated. Besides aren't you driving a 2001 330i? Interesting... :iono:
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      07-11-2007, 06:33 PM   #16
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Wasn't the E39 M5 last produced in 2003? I'm not sure that I would call it outdated.
The e39 M5 may have been last produced in 03 but the body style (e39) was first produced in 1997. That’s 10 years. I don’t know about you, but given the choice between a fresh (yet to be released) design or a design that I’ve been seeing on the road for the last 11 years. It’s a no-brainier for me. I guess I’m different.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ibeam81 View Post
Besides aren't you driving a 2001 330i? Interesting... :iono:
I never said that my car wasn't outdated. Why do you have to make it personal? interesting...:iono:
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      07-11-2007, 06:50 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by Spoonie View Post
The e39 M5 may have been last produced in 03 but the body style (e39) was first produced in 1997. That’s 10 years. I don’t know about you, but given the choice between a fresh (yet to be released) design or a design that I’ve been seeing on the road for the last 11 years. It’s a no-brainier for me. I guess I’m different.



I never said that my car wasn't outdated. Why do you have to make it personal? interesting...:iono:
I guess that it depends on what is meant by outdated. IMHO outdated can refer to looks/styling, technology, or something just not being new. I don't feel that an E46 or E39 M5 is particularly outdated, but I like the E30 too. Interestly I'm not a big fan of the E36.

In '84 I spent some time in a 2002 and quickly feel in love with the car. I then drove a new 318i and didn't feel the same magic. Even though it was a very nice car, I enjoyed the 2002 more. However a 325e convinced me to go with the new instead of the old (2002).

Anyway I understand the new vs. old argument. In a lot of cases I prefer to go with the new because I'm a firm believer in technology, but I still appreciate old and classic things.

Anyway, please don't take it personally. This is a great forum and I appreciate all the different points of view.
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      07-11-2007, 09:54 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ibeam81 View Post
I guess that it depends on what is meant by outdated. IMHO outdated can refer to looks/styling, technology, or something just not being new. I don't feel that an E46 or E39 M5 is particularly outdated, but I like the E30 too. Interestly I'm not a big fan of the E36.

In '84 I spent some time in a 2002 and quickly feel in love with the car. I then drove a new 318i and didn't feel the same magic. Even though it was a very nice car, I enjoyed the 2002 more. However a 325e convinced me to go with the new instead of the old (2002).

Anyway I understand the new vs. old argument. In a lot of cases I prefer to go with the new because I'm a firm believer in technology, but I still appreciate old and classic things.

Anyway, please don't take it personally. This is a great forum and I appreciate all the different points of view.
No problem. I do have an appreciation of fine machinery irregardless of the age. I can recall drooling over the E39m5. My post might have been over the top:frown: I also like the e34 530i, the one with the 3.0 liter v8. Now that was a gem of an engine. My boss's boss has one with well over 200k miles on it. I'm trying to do the same with my 330i. I'm halfway there :-).
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      07-11-2007, 10:24 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Spoonie View Post
E39 M5? That car is so outdated it isn't even funny. Still a nice car but old outdated designs do nothing for me. Life is too short to be living in the past. The future is better in this case.

Outdated? I'll call it classic. The E39 M5 is probably one of the best sports sedans ever produced........hands down. I would love to own one.......but not the maintenance cost.
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      07-12-2007, 09:55 AM   #20
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As much as I dream of owning an E39 M5 I know that when push came to shove I'd put my money on a new 135i because of the piece of mind of having a new car with a new warranty, greater fuel efficiency of the TT 6, plus all the electronic niceties that come with a 2008 automobile ~> namely iPod/iPhone integration:thumbup:
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      07-12-2007, 02:35 PM   #21
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Originally Posted by HotShoe32 View Post
iPod/iPhone integration:thumbup:
I had forgotten to factor that into my decision. Definitely a plus for the 1er!
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