Oppo-inion Time! CTS-V or M5?

"Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin)
08/17/2015 at 21:22 • Filed to: None

More specifically the first CTS-V or the E39 M5?

And I’m talking about buying one now in 2015.

Similar HP and torque figures

Similar prices for clean examples

Both excellent chassis

CTS-V has a terrible interior compared to M5

M5 is significantly more expensive to repair and maintain compared to CTS-V

So for your money, which one would you take?

DISCUSSION (32)

Nibby > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/17/2015 at 21:27

My citroen won't start > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/17/2015 at 21:28

M5 without a shadow of a doubt.

djmt1 > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/17/2015 at 21:28

E39 without a doubt.

AthomSfere > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/17/2015 at 21:29

I’d say e39 is my least favorite M... And the CTS-V are awesome!

CTS-V wagon with manual... Perfection

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/17/2015 at 21:29

The E39 will appreciate, the V will likely not.

TheOnelectronic > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/17/2015 at 21:30

Easiest question ever. E39. If it was the second gen CTS-V vs the E60, I’d be much more on the Caddy’s side, but the first gens were only impressive while the second gens were phenomenal.

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > AthomSfere
08/17/2015 at 21:31

The first generation CTS-V didn’t have a wagon variant, it was sedan only. Does this influence your answer?

dogisbadob > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/17/2015 at 21:32

I don’t think so, as all the older M and AMG cars, except the E30 M3, don’t hold their value that well, mainly due to astronomical cost of upkeep.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/17/2015 at 21:33

Manual CTS-V for reliability and ease of repair. Also dat exhaust note.

Sneaky Pete > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/17/2015 at 21:35

I prefer the M5 in every way other than upkeep/maintenance. That, however, is the deciding factor. CTS-V.

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/17/2015 at 21:35

I believe the first CTS-V is in a somewhat similar situation that many classics go through before they become desirable. There was a point when original M3’s and M5’s were cheap and not highly valued as well

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > dogisbadob
08/17/2015 at 21:36

Except the E30 did not up until a few years ago. By that logic, original 6-figure muscle cars should be worthless because they were dirt cheap in the 80’s. Every car has a fall. It is predicted to climb.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/17/2015 at 21:38

M5. Always.

dogisbadob > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/17/2015 at 21:39

Muscle cars aren’t high maintenance.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > dogisbadob
08/17/2015 at 21:42

Yes, but that has nothing to do with appreciation, examples: E30 M3, E28 M5, McLaren F1, vintage Ferrari’s, vintage Lambo’s, vintage Alfa’s, vintage Jag’s, etc.

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/17/2015 at 21:43

I am actually thinking about purchasing one of these two cars, a good example of the CTS-V is actually a lot harder to find compared to the M5. Does anybody know the sales figures for the two cars? I just want to know if one was simply less successful than the other

qbeezy > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/17/2015 at 21:51

Ask yourself, WHEN something breaks would you rather it be the caddy or BMW?

Ssfancyfresh > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/17/2015 at 21:52

I wouldn’t count on the 1st gen CTS-V being much cheaper to repair and maintain. A friend has one. He’s put 2 rear differentials in it in 5 years. It’s a known issue.

Cadillac dealer service is just as expensive as the imports (personal experience w/ Audi and Cadillac in metro Detroit).

Not trying to push you either way. Based on personal experience, I don’t think cost is going to tip this decision in the Caddy’s favor as much as you may think it does

AthomSfere > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/17/2015 at 21:52

Nope!

I still prefer the CTS-V. Not by a landslide, by any means.

dogisbadob > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/17/2015 at 21:57

E28 M5’s prices aren’t that high, nowhere near E30 M3 levels. In the teens.

The vintage Alfas and Ferraris and the F1 are more special than the hot German sedans, which just look like plain old cars.

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > Ssfancyfresh
08/17/2015 at 22:01

From what I’ve read, it’s more prevalent on the 04 and 05 models and if you check the carfax on a model with say 70k miles and it’s hadn’t had it’s diff replaced, it’s a good one. I would be interested in finding out how much the diff repair costs compared to the known E39 M5 issues, but you’re definitely right both would not be cheap

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > qbeezy
08/17/2015 at 22:04

That’s kinda the question I’m asking here but perhaps more specifically, “Is the M5 worth the heartache compared to the CTS-V as a daily driver.”

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/17/2015 at 22:10

9 times out of 10, I will take a refined luxury car that’s unreliable and expensive to fix over a more reliable, less fancy car. As such, I’ll take the M5 every time.

iSureWilll > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/17/2015 at 22:26

How much more money will you spend on the m5? How about a CTS-V with a supercharger/turbo? Hello 500whp. You can do so much with the V.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/17/2015 at 22:51

Not even a question. I'd take the E39 M5 every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

JR1 > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/17/2015 at 22:53

The Cadillac. It looks better, is American made, and was a significant turning point in the marques history.

jkm7680 > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/17/2015 at 22:59

M5 all day every day. The V is crap.

AM3R shamefully returns > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/17/2015 at 23:01

I would literally never ever ever in my life take a first gen CTS-V over an E39 M5. Fuck maintenance costs. E39 M5 is the GOAT.

Ssfancyfresh > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/17/2015 at 23:20

Right. My buddy has a 2005.

Pick one based purely on the driving experience. The CTS-V is a brute: Big motor, small car, lots of NASCAR noises. It can be driven throughout a Michigan winter with snow tires.

911e46z06 > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/18/2015 at 01:28

E39 all damn day bro. I’ve driven that 1st gen V, and it’s a bit of a pig in the corners.

StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/18/2015 at 09:59

Both great cars, I’ve had friends with both.

E39 - more expensive to repair, odd clutch (all the way at the top), nice interior, good exhaust noise, its a nice car.

CTS-V - Be ready to replace every bushing in the rear end and the diff. Diff whines, it happens, it sucks. Driveshaft bearing/bushing should be done, much better replacement with poly. Just replace it all with poly. Interior kinda sucks, ride is good though. LS motor, so cheap upgrades. 6 lug wheels, for what its worth. Find a Mallet if you can (very rare, my friend has one).

Over all, if you can find a good CTS that has had some work done to it already, get that. They are fun cars and cheaper. Just know what you are getting into, GM kinda dropped the ball on a few things.

wiffleballtony > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/18/2015 at 17:21

CTS-V. I guess.