13 M5 vs. 535i for DD?

[Damage Inc]

Not many folks cross shop these 2 cars.

My budget is up to $30k for a DD in Michigan. R8 in the garage for the fun/weekend car. I do lots of highway driving for work, and driving around the burb's. The car will not be garaged stored, driven in the snow, and gulp, run through a car wash (I only hand wash the R8).

I figure a 535i M Sport is a great option. About to pull the trigger on a 16 535i CPO for $29k black/black loaded up. 2 years warranty left. Brand new balanced tires. 32k miles on the clock exc condition.

Basically I drive the 535i for 2 years and all I pay is for an annual oil change and gas (in addition to depreciation of course). Solid german luxury sedan with low costs.

Then browsing around, I see 13 M5's w 60k miles in the low $30k range.

Dang, its very tempting.

I chose to pass on a 550i as the V8 has documented issues, and the MPG is much better in the 535i. And I actually prefer the BMW 6 over the 8 in a daily sedan (I'm a bmw purist I guess).

But an M5 is a different beast. But then I start thinking about the running costs on a 60k mileage 5 series let alone M car... and my goal is to spend $0 on repairs and running costs other than oil change/brake flush. But I'm willing to give a little extra for an M5. Looks like a Route66 is $3k for 5 years or up to 100k miles.

Does anybody have experience with comparing a 535i vs. M5 for daily driving?
Running costs annual?

I've owned many M cars over the years (see my sig). But I havent done much or any research on the F10 M5 since it wasnt on my radar.

My heart says M5 my brain says 535i.

[Ickdeep]

I'd recommend the 535i for your purpose. I had a 535i xdrive before getting my M5 but that's my daily fun car. I really enjoyed my 535i. Worked well in the rain and snow and repair was thankfully nothing major. Just keep up on your maintenance.

[Chesie]

I had a 2011 535i and a 2016 M5. The 535i is a better daily driver, if only because the cost of maintenance is cheaper. I routinely got 400+ miles per tank of gas, whereas the M5 would get thirsty at 250 miles, and with a bigger tank to boot! With winter tires, the 535 handled much much better than the M5 with winter tires.

M cars are just really pricey to maintain. And since you already have a fun car in the garage, it would seem an easy decision to go with the 535i. The car tech is better, it is more comfortable to drive, better warranty, cheaper fuel costs, and still a damn nice car.

If you didn’t already have the Audi, then the decision would be much more difficult.

Good luck,
Danny

[Chiraq M5]

You already have a weekend car in the garage. I would get the 535. I hope it's an X drive though.

I had a 2011 535xi never had an issue with it, traded it before it hit 50k miles. Great in the snow, mpg.

Plus you can still push the 535 if you want with tune and stuff

[Damage Inc]

I did pull the trigger on a 16 535i. Buying a high mileage M5 as a low cost daily makes zero sense

thanks for the input guys.

[Ickdeep]

Originally Posted by Damage Inc

I did pull the trigger on a 16 535i. Buying a high mileage M5 as a low cost daily makes zero sense

thanks for the input guys.

Congratulations! Post some photos once you get it