BMW E39 M5
Jaguar S-Type R
BMW 01+ 740 IL
Lexus 98+ LS400
Mercedes Benz 03+ E55
Mercedes Benz 01+ S500/S55
Jaguar 01+ XJR
The E39 M5 is the obvious choice, IMO. I really can't think of a better all around car for the money, especially since you can find a very nice example for $25-30k.
Let me know, I'd love to come test drive those with you lol. I've never driven any of the Rs, but the XJ Vanden Plas was a freakin oasis on wheels though!Originally Posted by UpSideDownDesi
The only thing about the M5, is that its not the cruiser it sounds like you want.
I'm sorry for saying this, but unless you get on it, its kinda slow
Wait I take that back, you're talking about the E39 right? That is plenty fast compared to its competitors. Never driven one so I cant say.
Yea, i'll hit ya up...only if you take the Z06 outOriginally Posted by Atlblkz06
, i pay gas lol.
S-Type R is def a cruiser, peak tq at 3500rpm then it's a flat as ruler curve till redline...stomp on it, and that thing takes off like it's ass is on fire. I am really looking forward to test drive it. I can only imagine what a ported blower, pully, intake, full exhaust, and software will do to it. I have heard...bumps the HP to around 450whp.
Yea E39 M5, my cousin has a 04 M5 so i am gonna ask him to let me take for a long spin, idk if he'll let me...he's anal about others driving it. Even his own damn cousin lol. If i can find a really nice one with reasonable price tag, it will get picked over the S-Type R. I love the R but M5> S-Type R.
Forget gas, its as cheap as water again. Buy me a new set of rear tiresOriginally Posted by UpSideDownDesi
Tell you what, if you do that I'll let you burn out the old ones lol
I got a M5 for you
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...=&cardist=1943
zoom-zoom-zoom
i wouldn't drive it if it was given it to me for free....well i would after i strip the paint of every panel/wheels, and get is sprayed semi flat back whole car, tint tails and then it will be worth driving.Originally Posted by 2turbo4u
on v8 5 series i will own will be a M
I fond me a M tho, talking to the owner if he'll negotiable a bit since i can get a e55 and have few grand left for the price of this, but this M5 has been kept up very well (best example so far) so worth the $ the same time. It prbly wont' come with the wheels. I hope my suby or rx7 moves soon.
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wheels/springs, clear bra, Full BMW add-on options, 2 tone interior, 65k miles. He said i have the option to opt out for the rims to bring the price down by a good bit bit.Originally Posted by Atlblkz06
I just got a offer to trade my STI for a 02 carbon black e46M3 couple, 6spd, black interior, not high mileage and clean car. Hmmmmm
M5>M3Originally Posted by UpSideDownDesi
Epic Foxbody Thread Crew Member #10Originally Posted by Alan®
For a cruiser, I'd be tempted to take the M5. Although with the right mods M3s can also be mad fun.
Give me a call when you go test driving cars, I'll probably join you![]()
M5 lot more practical than M5, and def a nice cruise. Put a full exhaust on that M5 and it will def put a M3 to shame. M5 def has the greater aw factor to it.Originally Posted by Atlblkz06
well if i decided to buy, i'll be going out of state for these cars, you are more than welcome to come if you'd like. Down?
yea that was gonna be my next point.Originally Posted by UpSideDownDesi
Epic Foxbody Thread Crew Member #10Originally Posted by Alan®
Epic Foxbody Thread Crew Member #10Originally Posted by Alan®
Here is my 2 cents:
You can get a current gen 7 series Bimmer 02/03 for mid twenties.
The E39 M5 is losing its panache because of their availability and current affordability but nice cars, nevertheless.
Your Benz choices are great and will hold their value.
Jag S Type R: Incredibly classy car and a sleeper for sure.
Nice amenities and comfort and the speed is there if you need it.
I currently own a 4.2 V8 S Type and I love it. My only complaint is that, at least the standard S Type's, are plagued with small problems that can get kind of bothersome, to say the least however, Im currently looking to upgrade to an S Type R as well.
FYI....
I'm almost positive that I popped a head gasket today on my moms xjr today...
WOT from a stop till about 90 getting on 400. Now I get white smoke on startup and under acceleration, plus it drinks coolant.
Its an 06... just turned 57k miles.
Sunny,
An E39 M5 is an amazing car but do not cut corners on purchasing one. With simple sensors and mafs that go bad you can be down as much as 30-40hp and not even know it. Alot of them are still fast but not running to their full potential because they have not been serviced properly. A proper M5 can easily run low 13's and trap upwards of 108 MPH. Also, don't believe EPA figures as most guys seem to be getting from 24-26mpg on the highway around 75-85mph.
Have money if you want to make it run. Supersprint headers and full exhaust can cost anywhere from 2k-4k used (for the full system) but can get you as much as 40hp. Intake, pullies, throttle bodies and proper software can get you around 390-420whp. If you take care of it, they will be very very good to you. I have a close friend with a M5 track car (now retired with over 135,00 on it and probably close to 30k in track mileage since 2002) that still runs like it's new. With stoptech brakes, Dinan 3.45 LSD, intake/exhaust and SSR comps on RA1's he was turning 1:40-1:41 laps easily on Road Atlanta and 150+ on the back straight. The car is quite fast for what it is.
E55's and S55 are much faster cars in straight line. With bolt on's you will really have a sleeper. Check on MB boards as with Kleeman kits those things are running 11's with tires. You really need to drive Benz's though. They just simply arn't very rewarding outside of being beautiful luxury cars and wicked straight line cars. In terms of steering feel, pedal feel (the dreaded torque converter etc.) they are dead feeling. I also have a buddy who use to track his S55 Kleeman on Road Atlanta but after 2 or 3 laps it would heat soak terribly and he would have to back off....It was not a track car,nor was it very exciting to ride in but it was cool to see it run 155 on the back straights and hang on with Vette's for a lap.
The jags are great but even more "soft" then the benz's if you ask me. There is nothing really special about them to me other than their beauty and the nice blower on the 4.2 that can be turned up some. You can mod them but its expensive and they just really are not very exciting cars at all. If your going for class and something different, this would be a good choice.
I really am not fond of the LS400's. The motors are fantastic but the only thing there good for is cruising around and having the badass VIP potential. I'd highly recommend a newer 02-03 LS430 sport as their prices are way down and they are MUCH quicker and so much nicer then the 400's.
740i spors (00-01) are one of the best BMW's made if you ask me. There is no question that i'd take one over an LS400. They actually handle very nice for there size. I've actually autocrossed one for an entire day and had no trouble throwing it around and keeping up with less experienced drivers in much smaller cars. Also, it has that 4.4L V8 which is mod friendly and one of the best sounding motors on the planet. The later "sports" came with 3.15 open diffs as oppose to the older 2.81's. They are significatly faster (14.4-14.6's vs 14.7-15.0's) in the quarter mile. I've seen peolpe with simple exhaust (you'll drop 100lbs, chip, intake mods, removal of spare) run high 13's in those tanks
Last edited by OnURleft; 12-19-2008 at 05:17 PM.
^^good info, thanks. I am not looking for a M5 that i can pick up for cheap since it's beat to hell or might need work. I know it's gonna haunt me. If i am picking up a such car i will make sure it's in good condition and it's taken care off. I know mods for the M5's are pretty penny. On headers/exhaust i am gonna experiment first and gonna try a custom exhaust (making up mind which muffler i want to go with...Miltek sounds pretty good). Don't know how wide dinan headers are(?), but if i can i am going to have some fabricated with 2.25" diameter (bigger if possible, gonna loose bit mid power, but gain hell of a lot top end). Then the basic bolt ons. M5 will be a over all car, for straights and turn.
With the MB's I'll be looking for....only straight line and luxury. e55 can be killers if done right with mods. Same for the S-Type R, gonna upgrade the pully, port the blower, exhaust, bolt ons. It has the same blower as Land Rover Sport so there are few mods out for it. Looks like SVC has a nice package for it, which includes software and removes the speed governorlol.
LS400 (98-00), i simply love that shape. That car by no means will be for speed, just crusing. Gonna give it a very mean roar tho. Same applies for the 740.
All are very nice choices. You do realize outside of the Lexus, they will require A LOT of maintenance. Thousands of dollars. Even an older LExus will need to be in good shape.Originally Posted by UpSideDownDesi
The E39 M5 for example is a beast, it also has VANOS failure and carbon deposits. Some require a new engine![]()
Please do tons of research! Too many people buy a used luxury vehicle b/c the price is cheap and don't have the money or patience to keep it in tip top running order. Let alone money to mod it!
Vossen CV3 20x9 & 20x10.5
I've put my share of miles on a Lexus 430.
They're spacious, quiet, comfortable, powerful and supremely boring. Its good for 50 year olds who know nothing about cars and enjoy stupid gadgetry.
I just badmouthed a good 50% of my extended family lol.
E55 w/o a doubt - i have had 0 issues w/ my Benz and my e46 i had lots of issues, i will never buy another BMW but i would love another Benz
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I can only comment on the cars themselves...not really ownership of them.
Now personally...I'd go with the Jaguar XJR just because I love them. The only holdback would be the fact that it's automatic only but I know Jaguar's clientele wouldn't want to be bothered by a third pedal anyway. I like how they look, I think they have a very warm and coddling interior, and you don't see them as much as you might any other car on that list. Maintenance is a huge issue with those cars though, plus that "Leaper" hood ornament is pretty easy to nick.
The best of the lot has to be the M5 though. If you want brute-force power, then get a Merc, but I think the BMW blends the best qualities of every car on that list.
I think the Lexus would be too boring, and do you really want to proliferate certain stereotypes any further?
What do you want though? If you just want plain old luxury, go with the S Class or the 7 series...the 7 leans a little more towards the driver's car side and the S Class more towards the luxury end of big cars. Again though, I really feel the M5 would be an excellent blend of all the high-points of the cars you've listed. Sure you may not get the gadgets of the Lexus or the old-world luxury of the Jaguar...but it's got loads of power, it's agile in the curves, and it looks mean as hell.
Good luck man.![]()
yea i am on most of the related forums and doing my fair bit of research on my top choices. I know these car will require got bit for money when time comes around for maintenance, i am ready for that. Since i'll only be doing bolt on's not highly modding these cars, that saved up mod money can go toward up keep.Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
i won't be getting ls430, if do go with a lexus it will be LS400, and i'll make sure it's entertainingOriginally Posted by Atlblkz06
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No doubt, that's the Bully of the group...i might wait on it a bit, some of the ones look too good of deal for the price. Makes me goOriginally Posted by admin
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i just got a close up of a black XJR and Black S-Type R today....man are those cara piece of art or what. Since they share same drivetrain, my choice will be S-Type R. I'll make sure if i get one, first thing i do on my side is make sure everything is in top condition. Just like i did with the FD. Don't worry about the Leaper, i'll be taking that off before someone else does, car does look cleaner without it.Originally Posted by VooDooXII
Out of the mid choices 740 is above Merc s500/55, and LS400. I am a absolute fan of that car.
M5 is the top choice so far, and i will be in prowl of one, like you said....that car hands down wins in most of the categories. Gadgets are nice, but don't really care about much. I'll be playing less with them more with my right feet and hands when driving the car.
e39 540i 6-speed, M5 coil-overs, Movit Porsche brake conversion, universal STS remote turbo setup, done.
don't let the price fool you - prices on these cars have all dropped significantly... one other car i would highly recommend would be 03 RS6 very rare release here in the states but 450hp bi turbo and w/ minor upgrades like software it would be the devastatorOriginally Posted by UpSideDownDesi
. motor is good for an easy 600hp
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