M3 vs M5 (and Cayman S)

"Vi517, JDX Racing" (vi517) 06/15/2014 at 01:47 • Filed to: None

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I tried posting this a minute ago, but Kinja ate the post. It was pretty long and in-depth and I don't really feel like typing it again, so here is a shortened version.

The BMW E60 M5, BMW E90 M3, and Porsche Cayman S all cost around $35,000 with about 50,000 miles on CarMax. They can all have a CarMax warranty, so disregard reliability.

First: M3 vs. M5

Second: M3/5 vs. Cayman S

Which would you choose for both scenarios?

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Vi517, JDX Racing 06/15/2014 at 01:51

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E60 M5 for everything. Because V10 bellow.

anothermiatafanboy > Vi517, JDX Racing 06/15/2014 at 01:52

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I would choose the M3 over the M5. They both have 8000+ rpm screamer motors, but I would have more fun every day winding out the smaller V8 than the 1 or 2 times a month on a freeway I could let that V10 stretch its legs.

And I would once again take the M3 over the Cayman because I think it would feel more special. That high-rpm V8 wail, the potential tail-wagging provided by the front engine. To me, an M3 is a 3 series turned to 11, and the Cayman is a baby Porsche. Give me the flagship!

Vi517, JDX Racing > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 06/15/2014 at 01:54

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That's what I'm thinking. I remembered the other two, so I wanted to know what Oppo thought.

Yossarian > Vi517, JDX Racing 06/15/2014 at 01:56

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M3. Perfect size. Perfect car for day to day driving.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Vi517, JDX Racing 06/15/2014 at 01:57

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And with an M3, you instantly know it's an M3 because of the carbon roof and all the scoops. With the M5, you'd think it was just like any other 5-series until you look closer and the quad tips and light aero modifications. If you de-badged the M5, you'd have a total sleeper.

Manuél Ferrari > Vi517, JDX Racing 06/15/2014 at 04:11

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My opinion is that it depends on your age and your personal life.

I have an E90 M3 and a 997.2 C2

BMWs and P cars are very different. It's amazing how some of them are so closely matched when it comes to 0-60 or lap times but go about it in such different ways. Modern BMWs feel like a classic muscle car compared to a small P car.

I think the easy way to pick is to look at how much people/cargo space you need today and how much you will need in the next 5 years. Even if you have another more practical car you're going to want to drive your nice performance car as much as possible, so it's good to pick one that you can use a lot.

If you're young and single then all of these cars can be used. You can just pick based on whether or not you need good gas mileage and whether you prefer razor sharp handling or good handling with brute force power. Go Porsche if you're going to do AutoX. Go Porsche or M3 if you're going to do track days.

If you have a family or will be having a family go M3 or M5. If there is a possibility that you'll have more than one kid then go M5 cause it will be a lot more flexible.

I agree with what others have said - the bespoke engines in the M3 and M5 are more special than the engine in the Cayman S. If you value a truly special engine go BMW. You have to get a GT3 to get an engine that's on par with the S65 or S85.

If you love race-car like handling then go Cayman S. It's a great handling car stock. And with some mods it will be truly epic.

And a final factor to consider is luxury vs. simplicity. The M3/M5 will be more luxurious than the used Cayman S. But with that luxury comes more things to break.

Let us know what you pick!

asindhidude > Vi517, JDX Racing 06/15/2014 at 07:58

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My mind says Cayman S, but my heart says M5.

Between the 3 and 5, while the 3 is going to be more nimble/light etc, nothing can beat the special-ness of the amazing V10, which is why I'd rather have that of the pair. I also like the jerky shifts in the most hardcore DCT mode of the tranny, because racecar.

I am almost positive though, that either M car will be more costly to run, will lose value faster, and may well be too much car for the public road. 35 large is a lot to spend on a car, and getting the (in theory) most reliable, least complicated car would make sense. Given that for me, space is not a major considerations, logic pushes towards the S.

BKRM3 > Vi517, JDX Racing 06/15/2014 at 09:00

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M3 by a mile. Practicality + track car. M5 is a boat and sucks on track, although the V10 is otherwise awesome. You can't put anyone or anything in a Cayman, so no utility there. M3 does everything superbly.

E92M3 > Vi517, JDX Racing 06/15/2014 at 11:07

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I've already been thru this.

Manuél Ferrari > BKRM3 06/15/2014 at 15:08

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Or you could get the M5 and the Cayman. You could probably fit the Cayman in the M5's trunk.

Manuél Ferrari > Vi517, JDX Racing 06/15/2014 at 17:14

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Are there a lot of twisty roads by your house?

If not then the M5 would be pretty sick. You can't use the handling of the M3 or Cayman S if you live in an area with flat streets unless you do AutoX / track days.

I'm only using my E90 M3 as a road car right now. The roads are pretty flat and boring by me. Sometimes I wish it was the M5.

Vi517, JDX Racing > Manuél Ferrari 06/15/2014 at 20:32

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Yes, lots and lots of mountain roads. I drive this route about every other weekend. Here's a picture I found on the Google.

A M3 would seem like great fun on this! I guess I want something a little practical and can be driven daily if needed, not just a weekend car. I have a C30 currently (I won't get rid of) and it's semi-practical. You just can't fit furniture in it.

I want to start going to track days/AutoX in a a few years, so I'd like to have a car that could do that if needed. Drag racing near me is a lot cheaper, so I might need something *fast* in a straight line as well. A BRZ wouldn't work for that.

The torque deficit is livable right? My C30 has 250 ft/lb and it's fine, so 300ish in the M3 should be ok.

Manuél Ferrari > Vi517, JDX Racing 06/15/2014 at 20:37

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OMG

That is awesome!

M3 or Porsche for sure then!!!

The torque deficit isn't even a real thing. It's made up by the media to talk shit on the M3. Or by 335i owners who have M3 envy.

I was worried about it too until I drove one. The revs will make you so happy that you'll give zero fucks about having to shift a lot to stay in the meat of the torque range. The sound and feel is so awesome. It's seriously like having a slightly smaller German version of the F430's engine.