E90 M3 or F10 550 Msport

[CSBM5]

Originally Posted by WWM3

I agree. Love my M5 but looking to move into an e90 M3 to try something different. Seems like a natural replacement. Only 39k miles and a flawless experience. Just hope I don't regret it.

I have both cars, have had the M5 for going on 11 years now (24/7 garaged, almost never in rain, 62k miles) and picked up a very low mileage 2011 E90 M3 a bit over a year ago. I love the E90 M3, but kids are long grown and on their own, so I don't need a lot of room (we bought an E28 535i back in 1986 when our first was born...both came home in a "real" 5-series which, agreeing with C&D, the F10 is anything but). The E39 is still a bit larger than the E90, including the trunk. However, the E39 is a very aged platform having been designed starting more than 20 years ago now...back to back comparing/driving/owning etc reveals such.

The E90 M3 is a fantastic car. I bought it for my fun car, autocross car (been autocrossing since 1975) and if I go to the track (former instructor, usually do private rentals nowadays), I'll take the M3. Dynamically, it is far more alive and communicative than the E39 M5, and I've done a lot of suspension mods on the M5. The M3 is setup for F-street class, so it just has a larger front swaybar and pins-out-max-camber up front.

The difference between the S62 and S65 couldn't be more profound. Both are fantastic engines and so much fun to own/drive. The S62 is the ballroom brawler with all its low-to-mid-range torque just aching to spin the tires any chance it gets, while the S65 is monster screamer with a broad, flat torque curve and HP that just builds and builds into a fantastic 6-8400rpm explosion. When you drive them back-to-back, you miss the gut hit at 2500rpm of the S62 while in the M3, and you really miss the wicked 6-8400rpm rush while in the M5. The M3 is the faster car on pure acceleration.

Anyway, two fantastic cars, two of the best BMW has ever built imo, and I've been driving BMWs since 1974.

Regards,
Chuck

[WWM3]

Originally Posted by CSBM5

I have both cars, have had the M5 for going on 11 years now (24/7 garaged, almost never in rain, 62k miles) and picked up a very low mileage 2011 E90 M3 a bit over a year ago. I love the E90 M3, but kids are long grown and on their own, so I don't need a lot of room (we bought an E28 535i back in 1986 when our first was born...both came home in a "real" 5-series which, agreeing with C&D, the F10 is anything but). The E39 is still a bit larger than the E90, including the trunk. However, the E39 is a very aged platform having been designed starting more than 20 years ago now...back to back comparing/driving/owning etc reveals such.

The E90 M3 is a fantastic car. I bought it for my fun car, autocross car (been autocrossing since 1975) and if I go to the track (former instructor, usually do private rentals nowadays), I'll take the M3. Dynamically, it is far more alive and communicative than the E39 M5, and I've done a lot of suspension mods on the M5. The M3 is setup for F-street class, so it just has a larger front swaybar and pins-out-max-camber up front.

The difference between the S62 and S65 couldn't be more profound. Both are fantastic engines and so much fun to own/drive. The S62 is the ballroom brawler with all its low-to-mid-range torque just aching to spin the tires any chance it gets, while the S65 is monster screamer with a broad, flat torque curve and HP that just builds and builds into a fantastic 6-8400rpm explosion. When you drive them back-to-back, you miss the gut hit at 2500rpm of the S62 while in the M3, and you really miss the wicked 6-8400rpm rush while in the M5. The M3 is the faster car on pure acceleration.

Anyway, two fantastic cars, two of the best BMW has ever built imo, and I've been driving BMWs since 1974.

Regards,
Chuck

Great insight. Thank you Chuck. I do love the S62 for the reasons you mentioned, but the idea of a high revving V8 is very appealing.

[Yugo]

Thanks for very valuable input everyone! I think I am more and more leaning towards giving the E90 M a shot vs any other option at this point. I think also that I can get more car for the money in comparison to the F10. Also wife likes the idea of another M3 better.

We will just keep on taking her SUV for family trips.

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by Yugo

I have been a happy owner of two E46 M3's since 2007. Sold my beloved E46 last November as my family is expanding and we are getting a new house built. Have been since thinking of what to get next and of course E90 M comes to mind as a natual progression as well as a 4 door car which is a must with two kids (2nd one to be born in May). Also moving in May, so needless to say it will be a busy year for sure!

However, have never been a huge fan of the E90, but always wanted to experience it's high reving V8 engine. As I am not 100% set on any car at the moment, as was the case when I wanted to get into the E46, I am also keeping options open for other possibilities. Main concern is that if I do go the F10 route, I will never take that car to the track, on the other hand E90 would maybe see the track once a year.

I understand responses on here will be biased towards the E90, but wanted to get everyone's opinion on the two cars. I have driven E9x M's before, but never an F10 550. Also, if I do end up geting an F10 the M sport pkg will be a must.

Any input is appreciated.

I test drove a 550xi M-sport and chose my Audi S6. Car felt tighter overall, and the interior was stunning. With your family expanding, the 5 will be much more useable. Yes, you can make the M3 work, but it will be less than optimal for your needs.

With regards to the M5, I really feel a car with this much torque, especially early on in the powerband, the way turbos typically deliver, needs AWD. If you go for the 550, get the x drive.

However.....if you want the character of the M3 motor, need more room, and don't need/want AWD, my vote would be to find a nice E60 M5.

[crl8474]

While clearly not a 550, I had an F10 535i M-sport for about a year and hated it after the newness wore off - too big, suspension sucked, streering feel sucked and it never felt like a true BMW. Traded to an E90 M3 and smile every time I drive it! It's a little crude for the bumper-to-bumper traffic I encounter everyday but damn it's fun to drive on the open roads. I too bought the F10 due to the "practicality" but that ultimately translated into "boring". My only suggestion would be to get an M3 with EDC and Comp package, I didn't due to impatience during the search process and regret it somewhat. Good luck future E90 M3 owner!!!

[atopa2002]

That's what I did if you can afford it go that route. Cpo x5 for the wife and kids.
I drive my M3 alone because the wife and kids would not tolerate redlining and chipping the tires every time. The M3 turns me into a mad man when ever I hit the start bottom