I am currently looking to get my next car on June, but still cant make up my mind
also nthg really can compare with the GS4, e.g. price range, reliablity
but the reason i want a new car cuz i want a stick, i have looked at the A4 3.0 Avant, S4, Suabru Legacy 2.5GT, Suabru STi, M3(used), M5(used), E55(used), C32 (used), Golf R32
but i am wondering how reliable r M5s? i know it wont be as reliable as GS4, i heard bad things about it
but i just wanna know how bad r they?
Thanks

 

well from what I hear the newer 5-series is one of the most reliable BMW series ever made...

problem is, thats not saying a lot I hear that the electrical components really suck; interior can fall apart like a GM or Ford and needs routine maintenance to keep going; but i hear its hella better than the M3 (aka camshaft-eater or grenade-for-a-differential)

my friend who is a Service Tech at a Mazda/BMW/Lincoln/Mercury dealer here in Mobile (one of the largest BMW dealerships in the region) says that the 5-series are ok; but still BMWs seem to have a ton more problems than any of the other brands they service; and we're talking new cars here

there IS a way to convert the auto in the GS400 over to a stick; check over on the SC boards for converting over an SC400/ Australian Soarer... IIRC Castlemain Rod Shop makes a transmission bellhousing for the V160 and the R154 and the W58 transmission for the uz-series motors

 

Had a chance to drive an M5 and an E55, along with a few other cars including my GS4, at Laguna Seca late last year. Three days of pretty hard thrashing. M5 and E55 left on trailers after being driven to the track.

 

If you want reliability, get a Lexus or you will regret it.

 

isnt convert GS4 to stick too much trouble and not really worth the money and time IMO....
Gekko: i am totally fine with the GS but auto....

 

If you've got the bucks and are willing to make some tradeoffs for the stick, add the CTS-V to the list.

 

hehe i dun like how it looks
and i want a european for my next car, if its possible

 

Agree about the looks and there is that possibly dodgy build quality. But it has that six speed and it is seriously fast - it was one of the other cars at Laguna Seca.

 

honestly...if the CTS-V is the only choice, i rather keep the GS

 

Certainly, your choice. But it doesn't cost anything if you can find one and they let you test drive it.

 

I think the reliability comes from knowing you will have to bring it in for repairs.

 

It's an M5....I can look past reliable for that car.

 

Well said...

 

I'm looking for a fun car as well. I think I'm going to pick up a 2000 Audi A6 2.7T with a 6 speed. You can chip it, upgrade the turbos to KO6, drop the suspension, put some nice wheels and voila, you have an awesome piece of machinery for less than $30K total investment inlcuding mods. It will be about 400HP and will go like a you know what. It will handle with the quatrro drive as well.

check out www.audiworld.com

Just an alternative...I had a Bimmer before. It was a 740i and I will never have another BMW ever, ever, ever.

Murph

 

if it's m5 with relatively low miles i think it's good. i also heard that 5 series is one of the most bullet proof bimmer out there (e39), and the m5 is just a legend in engineering imho. i have sat in one, wow is all i can say

but pricewise your list is very off imho. you can't find a decent m5 for 30k...