M5 vs M6GC

[PatatasFritas]

Hi guys,

I currently have an F80 M3 and a F12 M6. My family is expanding, and I will be trading the cars in. I want to stay in an M no matter what, and I'd like some thoughts.

I'm between the M5 and the GC. I prefer the appearance of the M6 GC but have not had a chance to sit in one (the closest one is a ways away, and I was wondering how much tighter it is than the M5. Given I am getting the car as a means to have more space for baby seats, this is an important component (really wish I could keep the M3 and the M6 coupe but I can't)...

Also witl the F10 M5 be much more spacious than my F80?

Thanks

[Stash21]

Get the m5 if you need space. And as you are going from 2 cars to one get a toy as well.

[avi8tir]

I went from F10 M5 to M6GC. The GC definitely feels like a coupe in the drivers seat. Too much so for me, so I sold mine and am in the market for another M5. Small things like having to reach way back for the seat belt (I have bad shoulders) drove me crazy. M5 is easier to get in and out of and more usable space. M6GC is better looking, in my opinion.

[kiwistu]

I have a F30 3 series and an M5, the 3 series has at least the same if not more "family room in it". The 5 is a wider side to side - look up the numbers or go and sit in one and you'll see, the 3 series is an ace family car - the 5 has much thicker more luxurious seats which seam to take up space. Weird but true (for me using everyday).

Going from a current M3 to an M5 will be about same for kids seats etc...though the M5 is much bigger and heavier so safer (maybe? - another debate) etc etc...I'd keep the M3 and get an X5 with key less entry, soft close and an electric boot - 1st world needs for a family...tons of other people on this site have that combo. With the heavy metal (M6) you talking and US prices this should be a walk in the park $ wise.

My Kids like the 3 series but we used to have a mid range ford SUV - my daughter wants it back - so she can see out properly! Real world - get a kid car - just wait till your 2 year old blows chunks all over the GC's roof/doors and front seats, primary concern with be your child, once he or she is tucked in to bed and happily asleep - well then you have to clean your car, now I am not a detail freak and its only a car...

My 5c

[Mgone]

I like the F10 a lot, can fit anybody in back seat, I thought the GC had only bucket seat or 2 seater or is it 3 seater now a days/>

[cassidysdad]

the m6 gc is one beautiful car
however, it is hard to get into
i am about 5'8" and had to duck to get in
personally i love to put my daughters seat in the middle of the m5
with the m6 gc you will have to decide where to put the seat
it is a personal choice
good luck

[E90potentialbuyer]

Originally Posted by PatatasFritas

Hi guys,

I currently have an F80 M3 and a F12 M6. My family is expanding, and I will be trading the cars in. I want to stay in an M no matter what, and I'd like some thoughts.

I'm between the M5 and the GC. I prefer the appearance of the M6 GC but have not had a chance to sit in one (the closest one is a ways away, and I was wondering how much tighter it is than the M5. Given I am getting the car as a means to have more space for baby seats, this is an important component (really wish I could keep the M3 and the M6 coupe but I can't)...

Also witl the F10 M5 be much more spacious than my F80?

Thanks

I just got my M5 today (stateside). It's not much bigger in the back than my e90. I have a Recaro car seat and its snug. The boot is huge - can easily fit Uppababy stroller with lot of room to spare for groceries. We used a MDX for a bit and my wife is complaining about the space in the back now...

To give you some comparison, M3 to M5 will only give you an additional 1.5 inches of additional leg room in back. M3 to 7 series will give you an additional 4 inches of legroom in back. LI will give you more.

[ozbmwnut]

i agree with KIWISTU....

take a long look at an X5 before thinking of getting rid of either...

just my 2 cents....

[notredame3951]

My dealer had a '14 GC that they had marked down $25k in an attempt to get it off the lot.

We were between the M5 and the GC. Similar to the other posts, my wife and I got into/out of the GC and we had difficulty and felt cramped (and we aren't big people).

It definitely is a beautiful vehicle...but the M5 me the needs that we have and still looks great.

One other thing on the GC- I felt it difficult to see over the hood and felt that I'd be driving a boat ....

[M5Beast_NYC]

I had an F30 and now I have an F10. i got rid of my F30 simply because it was too small. I have two kids, 5 and 3 yrs of age and it was just not roomy enough. The trunk was small and the space between the two car seat was tight. I am way happier on the F10 body as I can fit another person in the middle if i need to.

I will be in the same boat on deciding whether to go M5 or M6 GC in the future and at this time I am leaning very heavily on the M5.

[chong0]

Originally Posted by kiwistu

I have a F30 3 series and an M5, the 3 series has at least the same if not more "family room in it". The 5 is a wider side to side - look up the numbers or go and sit in one and you'll see, the 3 series is an ace family car - the 5 has much thicker more luxurious seats which seam to take up space. Weird but true (for me using everyday).

Going from a current M3 to an M5 will be about same for kids seats etc...though the M5 is much bigger and heavier so safer (maybe? - another debate) etc etc...I'd keep the M3 and get an X5 with key less entry, soft close and an electric boot - 1st world needs for a family...tons of other people on this site have that combo. With the heavy metal (M6) you talking and US prices this should be a walk in the park $ wise.

My Kids like the 3 series but we used to have a mid range ford SUV - my daughter wants it back - so she can see out properly! Real world - get a kid car - just wait till your 2 year old blows chunks all over the GC's roof/doors and front seats, primary concern with be your child, once he or she is tucked in to bed and happily asleep - well then you have to clean your car, now I am not a detail freak and its only a car...

My 5c

agree with this-

there is surprisingly not much significant difference in the back of the f10 vs even my e91.

the big change is if you go to an suv model maybe an x5m since you are willing to spend m5 money. the kids absolutely prefer to ride in my cayenne because of the spaciousness.

I bet even with the f10 a car seat facing backwards will feel cramped.

[PatatasFritas]

Thanks for all the feedback.
I've decided to keep the M3 and the M6 and to explore the X5 as many suggested.

I've read they can be had with 3 rows, which would be fantastic.

[gmfive]

Originally Posted by PatatasFritas

Thanks for all the feedback.
I've decided to keep the M3 and the M6 and to explore the X5 as many suggested.

I've read they can be had with 3 rows, which would be fantastic.

Yes, that's the way to do it. We similarly have an X5/M5 combination and it works very well. If BMW make an X7, that would be even better. I generally don't like Audis but the new Q7 might be a bit more spacious than the X5.

[ernests]

Get the new X5M. Best of both worlds. Just traded in my M5 for it, absolutely no regrets.

[RPiM5]

Originally Posted by ernests

Get the new X5M. Best of both worlds. Just traded in my M5 for it, absolutely no regrets.

X5M would be my choice if I couldn't keep the M5, but I honestly believe an F80 M3 makes a great baby on board car too.

[vladberca]

X5 35d with M Sport pack would be a good alternative

[shellbmb]

Originally Posted by PatatasFritas

Thanks for all the feedback.
I've decided to keep the M3 and the M6 and to explore the X5 as many suggested.

I've read they can be had with 3 rows, which would be fantastic.

The third row in the X5 is borderline useless. IIRC, you have to manually raise/lower them and they are very small. We looked at it, but ended up going with a MB GL550 and we love it. Best luxury 3 row SUV out year IMHO. It honestly seems like a smaller car, especially parking wise, than my M5. Or there's always the GL63.

[gmfive]

Originally Posted by shellbmb

The third row in the X5 is borderline useless. IIRC, you have to manually raise/lower them and they are very small. We looked at it, but ended up going with a MB GL550 and we love it. Best luxury 3 row SUV out year IMHO. It honestly seems like a smaller car, especially parking wise, than my M5. Or there's always the GL63.

Agree, that's why I was mentioning the need for an X7. They should also check out the new Q7 and see if they like it.

[E90potentialbuyer]

Originally Posted by gmfive

Agree, that's why I was mentioning the need for an X7. They should also check out the new Q7 and see if they like it.

I would go with the MDX. The 3rd row is more useful, $$$ less, and it's fun to drive. It's a suv - never going to be as much fun as a car. Also with 3rd row up in both SUV's (or any luxury crossover / SAV), you will minuscule boot space. If you need the space, get a full size SUV. If I had to go full size I would get Mazda CX-9. The GL is a boat - make sure you get all the cameras, driver and parking assists you can get on it.

MDX advanced with entertainment package would be my choice. There is so much space in that thing and it's such a calming place to be. I have one, hence the recommendation. I have more space in the center console than I can ever need (though it filled up nicely) - you could fit laptops, iPads, tissue boxes ets all together. The Nav is not as fancy as BMW but it works fine (with a delay though). The seats are very very nice and the ride is great. It's got all the bells and whistles albeit absence of few - no power folding mirrors, no heated steering wheel (can get it as dealer installed but it's ridiculously expensive and not worth it).

I wish m5's seats were less "fat". There is technology out there that makes the seats as comfortable while having a thinner profile. These seats eat up nearly all the gain in interior space when you go from from 3 series to 5 series. But they are mighty comfortable. Active seats feature is useless though - more annoying than anything else.

The car is wider, so you can more comfortably seat people across without scraping elbows. but the leg room in the back is apalling. I am 6'0" and I don't sit in the ghetto "sofa recline" position while driving if you know what I mean. Even with that, if you put a 5'10" passenger behind me, their knees would have maybe 1" of space before hitting the seat back, and feet will be partially under the front seat - snug position at best. Thankfully my wife is petite so it works better otherwise she might be going for my head...

[lsturbointeg]

Great info here!

[lsturbointeg]

Originally Posted by ernests

Get the new X5M. Best of both worlds. Just traded in my M5 for it, absolutely no regrets.

+1! This might be my wife's next Car!

[MCarsFan]

Originally Posted by RPiM5

X5M would be my choice if I couldn't keep the M5, but I honestly believe an F80 M3 makes a great baby on board car too.

There isn't enough trunk space for a family vs the M5. We looked at it and the space issue for me isn't in the cabin..