New Car Decision: M5 or M6 or R8

[ARKONE]

Long story short, I can afford to get a new car.

However, I am torn. I currently drive a 2011 550i that is hitting nearly 50k miles and out of warranty so Iam getting rid of it.

I was planning on doing a 550Xi ED since my initial budget called for a moderately equipped 550Xi, and I wanted to tour Europe since I just got back from Barca a couple weeks ago and I loved it there.


Anyways, my budget has been upped and I can swing for my first M car.

I went to the dealer and test drove a M4. It was way too cramped, almost felt like my old E90. They have a 2013 M5 that has around 26,000 miles for $67k.

http://www.markelbmw.com/used/BMW/20...973602abcd.htm

Beautiful freaking car and it's equipped how I want it. I'd probably want them CPO it, but other than that, it's amazing.

However, I also found a 2014 M6 w/ 12k that is also fully loaded for $85k.

I am torn between them. I love the side view of the M6, but I hate the rear...

Then there's the R8. It's a 2011 R8 w/ 25k miles for $80k.

I am just torn between these cars and I need to pick one. I know some folks on here have a M5 and R8 and have owned M6s before. Any input as to which would be the best option?

[soooma]

M6 all the way
R8 wasn't cramped -?

[///M5ForWin]

Full disclosure: I'm biased. Go for the M5. Since you are accustomed to having four doors, I'm sure you will be happiest with the M5. I've never driven a M6, but from what I've read, unless you plan to track the car, where the M6 would have a slight advantage due to being a little lighter, there isn't that much difference in performance between the two.

The R8 is a beautiful car and does stand out visually more than either M; however, if this is your only car, the R8 has 0 practicality in my opinion.

[alvinabed]

Depends on what suits ur need. M5, M6, and R8 are different in term of category
If u need a car that take more than 2 people, then m5 or m6 is a better choice. That used M5 depreciate so much!! is it under KBB value?

[eleven11]

All different. Kids? Passengers? Daily driver?

Looking at your previous year and mileage on other vehicles, have you ever considered leasing? New car every 3 years.

[HXS]

How did you find a 2011 R8 with 25K miles for $80K!?!?? That's a bargain pretty much.
Like most members here stated, it all depends on what you're looking for. Roominess, practicality, weekender, maintenance, etc.

If you're not gonna choose the R8 let me know where you seen that deal!

[M6-Coupe]

Originally Posted by tfa372

...I am torn between them. I love the side view of the M6, but I hate the rear...

Wow... This is the first time I see someone says this about rear of M6! The main reason I switched to 6er (F13) was the rear view!

[Pazzo009]

Two completely different cars. 5 passenger luxury car and 2 passenger cramped exotic. I don't get how this a hard choice. Its not like you're saying M5 or RS6

[RPiM5]

Originally Posted by HXS

How did you find a 2011 R8 with 25K miles for $80K!?!?? That's a bargain pretty much.
Like most members here stated, it all depends on what you're looking for. Roominess, practicality, weekender, maintenance, etc.

If you're not gonna choose the R8 let me know where you seen that deal!

You are right. That is a HUGE bargain on a 2011 R8.

My only recommendation to the OP is to test drive each one and see which one calls to you more.

[ARKONE]

Originally Posted by soooma

M6 all the way
R8 wasn't cramped -?

Honestly, they are both cramped, but I've spent more time with an R8 since my buddy has one. Big difference between the R8 and M6, is that the M6 also has a backseat, but the R8 is a smaller car overall.

I am sure I can make do in either car. It's a matter of which is practical. I live in Omaha, NE so with the R8, I would need to get something to drive in the winter, especially on days with salt/snow on the road. Probably a used X5 or something.

[ARKONE]

Originally Posted by bmwdrummer

I bought a 2014 550 xdrive and traded it 3 months later for a used 2014 M5. First M car and best decision I ever made!

The M5 drove amazingly. I have a JB4 S1 on my 550, but it's nowhere near what the M5 has to offer. The M6 too is a smooth driving car. My 550 doesnt have the active suspension or whatever BMW calls it, but the M suspension is insanely comfy.

[ARKONE]

Originally Posted by ///M5ForWin

Full disclosure: I'm biased. Go for the M5. Since you are accustomed to having four doors, I'm sure you will be happiest with the M5. I've never driven a M6, but from what I've read, unless you plan to track the car, where the M6 would have a slight advantage due to being a little lighter, there isn't that much difference in performance between the two.

The R8 is a beautiful car and does stand out visually more than either M; however, if this is your only car, the R8 has 0 practicality in my opinion.

The dealer mentioned the M6 is like 50 lbs lighter, but I rarely track my car, maybe twice in the past 3 years. The M6 seemed a bit lower and more aggressive, but even I am bit biased towards the M5. I haven't owned a coupe since my first car (2011 Mustang GT500) and I don't know. Usually it's just me and one other person in the car so I can be fine but I want the option in case me and friends want to go out. The R8 is a head turner, absolutely. On the test drive I think half a dozen or people whipped out phones to take pictures. If I get the R8, I would definitely need to pick up a winter/snow/salt on the road car. I am not one to have a show queen. The R8 would my DD unless the roads are too bad or there is an excess amount of salt. Even now with my 550, I don't take it out if there is salt or a lot of snow on the ground. Nebraska weather sucks.

[ARKONE]

Originally Posted by alvinabed

Depends on what suits ur need. M5, M6, and R8 are different in term of category
If u need a car that take more than 2 people, then m5 or m6 is a better choice. That used M5 depreciate so much!! is it under KBB value?

I have no idea why that M5 is so cheap. I get that it's a pre-LCI, but it's like $7k under MSRP, plus it's my local dealer so I can probably get it CPOed and walk out at $67,500.

[gmd2003]

Originally Posted by tfa372

I have no idea why that M5 is so cheap. I get that it's a pre-LCI, but it's like $7k under MSRP, plus it's my local dealer so I can probably get it CPOed and walk out at $67,500.

My M6 with M performance exhaust and a full tank nicely optioned weights in at 4195 lbs so it's more than 50 lbs difference . But the M6 feels more sporty by a sig margin and is a good bit faster as well . My CP M6 did 8.1 sec 60-130 stock . That being said some really smoking deals to be had on lightly used 5's right now .

[shellbmb]

Which R8 is it? I'm assuming not the V10.

Husker Auto in Lincoln has a 2014 M5 with only 1400 miles on it for 86k. They are pretty easy to deal with.

[dan99]

Wow, small world. Im also from Omaha and saw that same m5 on the lot not too long ago. But yeah for sheer driving pleasure, id go with the r8, but for a sleeper, then id go with the m5

[znammzM6]

I had the same dilemma about six month ago, I own a 2013 M5 then. I wanted a sportier car with better supported seats etc. because the M5 is such a wonderful fast cruiser.

I test drove the 2010 R8 with 4K miles on it, a brand new 2014 Mercedes E63 AMG, 2012 911 Turbo and the 2014 M6. I decided on the M6 because it give me the best of both world, 85 percent comfort and amenities of the M5 and E63, and 85 percent sport of the 911 and R8. What turn me off from those pure sport cars is that it lack the comfort creature that the M series offer.

IMO, if all you care about is how other look at you and pure sport experiences then 911 and R8 fit the bill, if you want a blended sport and comfort, then the M5 and M6 fit the bill.

[Bahn360Photo]

R8 is sick car in and out, no where near the power and drive connection as M's but its a looker for sure

m5 is very good deal

[ARKONE]

I've made up my mind. I am going for the M5! Not sure what color, but at this point, I am leaning towards a fully-loaded 2013. My local dealer has one in black on black which is dirty as hell.

However, some nearby have it in alpine white. All my BMWs have been dark colors (E90 was Jet black, F10 currently is dark graphite metallic). There is also Monte Carlo Blue or Sakhir Orange.... Decisions must be made.....

[HXS]

Nice!

Now please PM me where you found the R8 deal

[RPiM5]

Originally Posted by tfa372

I've made up my mind. I am going for the M5! Not sure what color, but at this point, I am leaning towards a fully-loaded 2013. My local dealer has one in black on black which is dirty as hell.

However, some nearby have it in alpine white. All my BMWs have been dark colors (E90 was Jet black, F10 currently is dark graphite metallic). There is also Monte Carlo Blue or Sakhir Orange.... Decisions must be made.....

Awesome. I say if you can swing it financially, try to go for a used 2014 F10 M5. There are just so many updates to the LCI's that it is worth the extra if buying an F10 M5 for the first time. The 2013 market for M5's is always going to be good because BMW flooded the market with them for that year model. I would get a used 2014 M5 just for the adjustable side bolsters alone.

[ARKONE]

Originally Posted by RPiM5

Awesome. I say if you can swing it financially, try to go for a used 2014 F10 M5. There are just so many updates to the LCI's that it is worth the extra if buying an F10 M5 for the first time. The 2013 market for M5's is always going to be good because BMW flooded the market with them for that year model. I would get a used 2014 M5 just for the adjustable side bolsters alone.

Haha, I wish. I can get a fully loaded 2013 for around $63, $67 if I want a CPOed till 100k. A base 2014 is around $70k.

I might pushthe buy date into 2015 so that prices fall some more on the 2014, but not sure how much they will fall. I kind of want lane deperature, top and side view cameras and so on, so unless I can get that in a 2014 for around $70k-$72k, I think I'll have to go with a 2013. You going to CPO your car or not?