2013 M5 DCT as Daily Driver?

[Jagu]

Hi All,

I currently drive a 2013 535i, which I love, but it's too soft and lethargic. So I have narrowed my next car down to a 2013 M5 with DCT or a 2014 650I Gran Coupe.

I commute 60 miles round trip daily and it's 70% highway with no traffic.

My questions are: whether the M5 will make a good daily driver? I am aware of the gas consumption and maintenance cost. I need it to be comfortable without excessive exhaust drone. I also want to make sure that the 20 inch wheels don't make you feel every pebble on the road. I have never driven one but I will test drive one this Friday. I wanted to ask from you guys with true experience instead of relying on a 10 minute test drive impression.

Second, I saw the CNET video where the reviewer complained of a high frequency steering vibration. Did BMW ever come up with a remedy for that and what is that remedy, if they did?

I found a 2013 CPO unit with 35k miles,B&O, DCT, Executive Package, Leather dashboard, cold weather package and 20 inch wheels for $60595. What are your thought on this price? It only has 5 months of original warranty left on it but it's a CPO.

Last, I think I want the extended maintenance policy from BMW. What can I expect to pay for this policy at the dealership and are their alternative sources where I can buy it if this dealership tries stick it to me ?


Thanks in advance

[TrevorM3]

Got a 2013 white over sakir with 38k miles. Warranty over in september. Pm me if interested.

[Jagu]

Thanks Trevor, but that interior will not work for me.

[13M5F10]

My M5 is fully modded with DCT and it's a DD. It's an amazing DD. Of course gas and maintenance is going to be higher however, the car is amazing.

Vibration was in the earlier 2012-2013 cars. Drive it between 70-90 mph and see if you feel any vibration. It will be apparent.

[apexlocator]

Thats a fair price for a CPO MY2013 (~$60). Each model year increase you can add ~$10k. Personally I would not buy a 2013 w/o a CPO warranty...I'm a big fan of warranties on expensive cars.

As a daily driver on mostly highways, I would say its pretty comfortable; the seats are nice and supportive. I dont believe there is any drone from the stock exhaust....hell, BMW had to add pre-recorded sounds so you can hear the engine/exhaust more. The 30/35 profile tires are not bad; the car is well balanced, just set to softest suspension setting and cruise.

[AGS]

As you can see from my signature I've had a long line of M5s, and all since the 2006 E60 have been daily drivers (30 miles round trip per day, about 50/50 mix of highway and local streets). On my '13 and now on my '16 I have the 20 inch wheels, and with the comfort setting the suspension is pretty forgiving. There is no drone from the stock exhaust.

[SteveC]

The Eco and Comfort settings make for an ideal everyday driver's car. Highly responsive with great handling, the car is exceptional over long distances.
The adaptable M suspension is a lot more sophisticated and less choppy than the M-sport suspension fitted to non-M cars, especially the slightly older models

[Maverick997]

I have an 83 mile RT and have been doing it for a year now......great way to start and end the day. Only issue I have is occasional vibrating resonance on certain pavement types that seems to come from the paddle shift area. I get 19.5-20.5 mpg and its 85% freeway. The beauty is you always have the ability to get around or away from pretty much anything you choose.....pure therapy

[cassidysdad]

it is a great dd
go for it

[Jagu]

Originally Posted by Maverick997

I have an 83 mile RT and have been doing it for a year now......great way to start and end the day. Only issue I have is occasional vibrating resonance on certain pavement types that seems to come from the paddle shift area. I get 19.5-20.5 mpg and its 85% freeway. The beauty is you always have the ability to get around or away from pretty much anything you choose.....pure therapy

This is exactly what I hope to get from using an m5 as a DD. Power on tap and looking forward to driving it.

[Jagu]

Thank you, gentlemen. I'll most probably do it next week after test driving one locally. Car is out of state.

[johnm550]

60 mile round trip commute in NY and I wake up every morning at 5am excited to drive my 2015 M5 with Competition pkg. ?. Depending on where you live you may need a second car for snow, etc. Keep in mind you will need new tires every 15k - 20k miles. I previously leased a 535 then a 550 and never worried about tires.

[lemetier]

Well here are my $0.02 based on having had both and other variants of the same also.

Both have no issue with DD use and each had its pros and cons for me. Fuel consumption won't be drastically different between the two. Some maintenance will be slightly more for the M5 since you'll be outside the complimentary period. The suspension is nearly the same. All 6er in the US come with Adaptive M Sport Suspension standard so there won't be a significant difference there. Wheel size would cancel out or make the difference. Seats and seating position are far better in the M5 if you're above average height. The seats in the 6 are a bit firmer and are lower to the floor. 30 mins or more in it and I was always shifting around trying to find a comfortable position. I think the 6 drives better, sounds better, and looks better. It's not as quick but it doesn't feel appreciably slower in normal driving. Compared to your 535 it will feel quite quick. The M5 is more versatile if you're carrying more than 1 passenger for more than a short distance. It's also more discreet.

It's also what fits you best. Neither is a bad choice and the best thing to do is try to do an extended test drive of both. If you're unable to get a dealer to do that, Hertz has both of them in their fleets in quite a few cities. If it's in your budget and have the time, definitely do what you can to get some proper seat time in both before committing.

[Phatcat]

To me, a four door powerful sedan/SUV is the perfect daily driver, it is practical, hauls people, and fast if you want to have some fun.

Obviously several cars fit into that category, there are big ones like the Benz S63 to smaller ones like M3, but for me the M5/RS7/E63 are a good compromise between size and power.

And since we are here, M5 it is.

[M5Hambre]

I've had a 2013 M5 as daily driver for over 57k miles and is it truly the most comfortable and satisfying DD ever. U can pass and overtake any other car at will on the highway. There really is no exhaust drone, just fake sound pumped into the cabin from active sound. You can also easily disable active sound for an exceptionally quite freeway cruiser. Also, I have not experienced the steering vibration. Took it up to nearly 120 mph today on my morning commute and the steering felt buttery smooth. The only real downside is worse gas mileage and the car can feel heavy around quick tight turns. Otherwise a great and fun DD!!! Btw I also have 20 inch wheels and they feel fine.

[Jay-K]

your daily trip is perfect for the m5,

[Rearview]

Only the cool kids DD the M5

[Jagu]

LOL, you guys are the best. I'll update on my decision, whatever I do.

[M6-Coupe]

My M6 is my DD and I am so happy with her... For sure M5 is more comfortable and has softer suspension; So yes M5 is a good DD car IMO

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by M5Hambre

I've had a 2013 M5 as daily driver for over 57k miles and is it truly the most comfortable and satisfying DD ever. U can pass and overtake any other car at will on the highway. There really is no exhaust drone, just fake sound pumped into the cabin from active sound. You can also easily disable active sound for an exceptionally quite freeway cruiser. Also, I have not experienced the steering vibration. Took it up to nearly 120 mph today on my morning commute and the steering felt buttery smooth. The only real downside is worse gas mileage and the car can feel heavy around quick tight turns. Otherwise a great and fun DD!!! Btw I also have 20 inch wheels and they feel fine.

The car feels heavy around bends when you're off the gas i.e not actively pushing it through the corner. Apply some positive throttle in the bend and that heaviness is replaced by an 'up on its toes' feeling.
If you feel you are coming into corners fast enough, take off a little entry speed so you can drive the car through the corner and that heaviness is magically gone.
My only complaint is that the car takes up a lot of space on the road so when they're twisting and very narrow it requires a lot or precision.

[lemetier]

Originally Posted by SteveC

The car feels heavy around bends when you're off the gas i.e not actively pushing it through the corner. Apply some positive throttle in the bend and that heaviness is replaced by an 'up on its toes' feeling.
If you feel you are coming into corners fast enough, take off a little entry speed so you can drive the car through the corner and that heaviness is magically gone.
My only complaint is that the car takes up a lot of space on the road so when they're twisting and very narrow it requires a lot or precision.

Don't get me wrong, I love my M5, it's the car I want to drive and do use the most now. But it's a car with multiple personality disorder, and all the combinations of steering, transmission, and throttle settings are like putting it on Adderall and Klonopin at the same time. It's very isolated which takes away a lot of the sensations to indicate what it's really doing. It can be disciplined and tame one minute and a terrifying monster the next. It's the most demanding BMW I've ever driven. Drive an M5 and M6GC back to back, and they feel like completely different cars.

[RPiM5]

I DD'd my straightpiped M5 in Washington DC for nearly 3 years straight. If that's not a test of a true DD for the M5 then I don't know what is. Lol! Also in case you didn't know DC has some of the absolute worst roads in the entire nation.