I am looking for a daily driver that can do it all. I don't necessarily need 4-doors (e90 vs e92), but the versatility is a plus. I primarily want the best all around high performance sedan. Handling is a very important aspect as well. However, I don't plan to ever track the car, but like to have fun on the street.

I will probably put about 20,000 miles a year, so comfort and luxury touches are important to a point.

I have driven the M5 quite a bit and like it a lot. In fact, I think it is one of the greatest super sedans made. However, I have read nothing but rave reviews about the new M3, so I am seriously considering one instead.

Which one do you guys think is the best all arounder?

Thanks

 

Read this

http://blogs.motortrend.com/6545156/...car/index.html

 

i would say the M3. i'm a huge fan of the E92 M3 and love just about everything about it. the ride quality with the EDC is superb, especially for the handling the car is capable of. the engine sounds phenomenal when you open it up and sings well past 8k.

the only 5-Series i've driven was a 528, so i can't say anything for the M5 other than based on size. personally, i like smaller cars (plenty of reasons why, just comes down to personal preferrence). but based on my love of the M3, and the fact that it's smaller, i'd take it over the M5 in a heartbeat.

 

I'd have to agree with telum01 in that it's personal pref., but I'd have to disagree with him on the car.

For all the reasons he likes the M3, I dislike it. Not to say I don't like the M3, but I'm 6'5" with my first child on the way and I want all the room I can get, so for me, bigger is better!

 

How old are you? Do you have a family? Are you prepared for 20K miles/year at 10 MPG and only a 16 gallon tank?

I have an 08 M5 that I love to drive as my daily driver. However, my commute is only 8 miles each way. I recently went to the M school and got a lot of seat time in the new DCT M3s and that is also a great car. So much more fun to drive then the M5.

I ask about age and family because at 40 years old, I can't see myself driving an M3 all the time. I also have 2 kids, so the extra room helps. If I didn't have kids and was a little younger, then I would be very happy in the 3.

 

I am in my 40's but my kids are rarely (10%) in my car. We use the wife's car when transporting the family.

The car will be used primarily to commute, but I want to have fun getting there. I drive a minimum of 50 miles a day sometimes more. I have to say I don't like the relatively weak torque output of the M5 when you are not winding the crap out of it. I previously had an E55 and loved the torque, which was accessible all the time. However, the handling was terrible.

Is the M3 a lot much more fun to drive? I know it weighs a lot less than the M5 which obviously helps handling. How much better handling is the M3 over the M5?

On the other side, is the M5 that much more comfortable to drive daily if there are no concerns about passengers? Which car has less trade offs?

Thanks

 

If you've previously had an e55, I would say go with the e90 M3. It's very comfortable, very quick, and handling is far superior. It can be a nice luxurious ride when you want it to be, and a bat out of hell when you're in the mood. Definitely get some seat time in both of them for comparison, but I would recommend the M3 in your situation for a great time!

 

Stock for stock, m5 is definitely faster.

But the DCT on the new M3's is oh-so-smooth.

 

I love my M5 as well but i recently got an opportunity to drive an M3 and i can say it does outhandle the M5 and it's similarly quick. Both great choices but the choice is yours to make. the gas mileage on the m5 is horrendous too.

 

I test dove an M3 coupe (DCT) and M5 today back to back and liked the M3 more, I think. The M3 feels a lot more like a sports car than the M5, but the M5 was more substantial and luxurious, but ponderous in comparison.

I also thought the M3 looks more aggressive and leaner. I just thought the sheet metal on the 3 looked a lot less bulky. The M3's transmission was much smoother than the M5's SMG just putting around.

I only got to spend about 15 minutes in each car, so these are merely first impressions. I wonder which one is the better commuter? What does an M3 average in MPG? According to the M5's computer, it was getting 10.9 MPG

I plan to drive a 4-door M3 (manual) this weekend.

More thoughts?

 

I'm in the same situation with you, but I just wanna buy an M car and try some new.
just test drove M3s(both dct and manual), M5 and M6 over the weekend. I had 100% the same feeling as you had, but I love the SMG better since it's brutal, it felt faster (maybe not true).
The only manual that I'd test drove was 2door M3. I've driving manual p-cars about 2 years, but I couldn't able to shift gears properly in the M3.
As handling, I think M3 coupe is the best amount others.
But when everything combine together, for me, I'll pick up either M5 or M6. I don't like the interior in M3, it looks cheap.
Good luck with your car shopping.

 

I retract my vote for the M3. If you don't plan to track the car, then get the e60.

 

I'm telling you, the biggest factor you should be concerned with the M5 is the range. If you have a heavy foot, you will be at the pump every other day. I average 150 miles a tank and the most I have ever seen is 180 miles/tank.

 

I voted for the M3 because its more practical for everyday driving and fuel economy will not nearly be as bad. Unless you need to be giving a lot of people rides, I don't see the need for the bigger car. *shrug*

 

My 2 cents:

M5 is big and heavy but powerful and fast. Cant beat comfort, but I personally dont like the body style that's why I went for an E63 M6.

M3 is really fun car to drive. Small and lightweight and fun car to toss around. But you will miss the powerful torque of an M5 engine.

At the end of the day, as most folks have said - it becomes a personal preferrence. Do whatever makes you happy. They are both great cars for daily driver.