Hi all,

I have a 2002 M5 with about 60k miles on it. Now that the car is getting a bit long in the tooth, I was thinking of selling it while I can still get a decent price and using the proceeds to buy a newer 5-series. I'm considering buying a manual 2006-2008 550i, which has nearly the same power. If I bought a 550i with relatively low miles, I'd probably have to go about $15k out of pocket to do the swap.

My question is: Do you think it's a good idea to do this swap now while the M5 still has some decent value left, or should I wait based on the theory that my M5 will devalue at a slower rate than the 550i?

My other question is: For those of you who own/owned a 550i, what do you think of it?

Many thanks!

 

If it was my situation I would be putting that 15 grand into service for the M5 later on and just keep that. The 550i, although a great car, just doesn't have the same feel as the M5, especially the E39. And I think being an M car, and one of the more desirable M cars at that, it will probably devalue much slower than the 550i with similar miles.

Good luck with the decision!

 

Consider a 535i instead, and yes I would do the trade.
You will love all the new interior and electronics.

 

I miss my E39. Stick with the non-bangle-ized style IMO. Good luck.

 

Keep the E39

 

Keep the E39........60K is not a lot and if you have been keeping up maintenance then you shouldnt have issues. 550 although good still has its issues and it is not an ///M.

 

keep the legendary E39 M5

 

E39 M5 for me! Keep the 15k

 

Thanks all. I think I will keep the M5. It is a great car. I'm just trying to do the "smart" thing here. I suppose the biggest depreciation hit has already occurred, and the 550i's will just keep getting cheaper.

 

...or sell the e39 and put the extra 15k towards an e60 M5

 

i'm biased as i still have my e39 m5, but i don't see the trade to a 550i, especially before 2008 when they at least cleaned up the exterior with the sport package. also, as others have said 60k miles is nothing for the e39...lots of people have really high miles on them now without massive problems. mine has 76k miles and i still am on the original clutch and even brakes!! i skipped the e60 as i did not like the idea of a gas sucking v10, and am glad to see bmw moving 'backward' to a turbo v8 in the f10 model. the e60 has been something of a dog in the marketplace, at least as far as bmw 'm' cars are concerned.

 

I had a chance to buy my fathers E39 M5 with 40,000 miles and I kick myself every time I think about it. But it did go to a good friend and got him out of a miata....yea hell of an upgrade...I was so proud.

 

I had a 550i sport pkg etc. Nice car, reasonably fast and comfortable. Not an E39 M5 though. If you have a few extra dollars laying around, buy it some new wheels and maybe a new exhaust. Call it a 60k mile refresh. Good luck.

 

E39 all the way. One of the best looking sedans that BMW ever built

 

Im debating dumping my C300 4matic for a 550i and needless to say I was not all that impressed by the performance of the 550 at all. But it does have more agressive looks and will put a few grand back in the bank in my case.