Mark in Hermosa

[quote]Originally posted by Rick:
I'm not as big of a fan of my M5 and will probably be getting rid of it this year.
Best of luck to you.[/QB]<hr></blockquote>

Rick:

Just curious, why don't you like the M5? I have been considering turning in my 01 540 (and perhaps the 993) and getting the M5. It seems like the best of both worlds to me, but I may be wrong. A second opinion would be appreciated from someone who has both.

STLPCA

[quote]Originally posted by stever:
<strong>I just sell cable TV service for a living.</strong><hr></blockquote>

All your problems will be solved next Tuesday between 9am - 1pm, so just wait at home ... or maybe it'll be Thursday ... or maybe ...

Couldn't resist

Steve 96C4S

Thanks for the interesting posts so far... I definitely can't get my wife the Cayenne as it's too ugly and expensive and she loves her XK8 (no flames, please! - her Jag is wonderful... for her - she's sort of a babe still at 42 y.o. and likes the attention she gets with the top down, sapphire blue with the chrome wheels).

I don't like the looks of the Audi S4, it just
looks so pedestrian to me.

I'd try to talk her into letting me get the C4S now instead of waiting 3-5 more years but the answer is a firm NO, we can't afford it! She always thinks we have no money... Huh? We have alot in the bank but she thinks we need it all for our retirement and if I ever loose my job and can't find one for a while... the old "fear of financial security thing". So that's what I'm working with here.

When I mentioned that I drive in gridlock traffic, I'm only referring to the Rockville Md and Washington DC area. It's bad, but not that bad that I can't drive my 911 and still have fun (aka "a total blast"). Plus, when I take it out on the beltway or the country, I'm in driving heaven. Also, I love just looking at it in the garage and after I park it. It makes me tingle a little bit inside!

I DID drive a 99 or 99 CL500 one day 2 years ago to see if I'd like that car. It was white with grey leather and was around $50k. It was sweet, but HUGE, just monstrous, at least it seemed that way in white, and it felt like only an executive should drive a car like this. Hell, it even had carpet on the bottom of the dash! It seemed to be the ultimate "fat cat" business owner's car. I just sell cable TV service for a living. Didn't seem to fit my image. I still lust after them, but the seats seemed really hard. Maybe it takes a while to get used to MB seats. Guess I should drive one again. Could this possible be a great substitute for the 911 AND the 740i... hmmmm.

Lost in thought - any other possibilities?
steve <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

Anir

[quote]Originally posted by Dan 96C2 St.Louis:
<strong>

All your problems will be solved next Tuesday between 9am - 1pm, so just wait at home ... or maybe it'll be Thursday ... or maybe ...

Couldn't resist </strong><hr></blockquote>

<img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" /> <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" /> <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" />

(I caught similar flack after the dermatologist episode on Seinfeld!)

Steve,

I just put a deposit down today on the 2005 M5. Something about a V-10 with 500+ hp made me a bit weak in the knees, and pocketbook. There are even talking about a special alloy front end to sharpen handling, as well as practical upgrades like a bigger rear seat and larger trunk.

Apparently, I'm first in line at my dealer (how many other fanatics put deposits down 2-3 years in advance!?).

I'll let you know if I found the "perfect 993/740" blend in a couple of years.

Porsche911NYC

You can always sleep in a Porsche, but you can't drive a house.

Ray Calvo

Audi S4? Can chip it to get close to accel. of 993 or BMW, has a rear seat, has a 6-speed w/ 3 pedals on the floor or a dopey wimp stick which you can still shift yourself. Plenty of performance mods avail. for it.

Higher level? Audi S6 with the V8?

Jeff 993TT

[quote]Originally posted by Anir:
<strong>
(I caught similar flack after the dermatologist episode on Seinfeld!)
</strong><hr></blockquote>

I just saw the "pimple popper MD" episode.. What a great episode. Too bad Seinfeld is off the air now..

Jeff

scott watkins

Steve... take a look at the new Audi RS6. The only problem might be the possible list of around $80k.

Anir... you will never find the car that makes you happy

DJF1

I drove an RS2 in 1996 in Germany very briefly ( only a few kph) and it knocked my shocks off. I would venture to say that it was almost downright scary! Did not have the chance to take it to the Autobahn and with my friend watching on the right seat I did not want to spoil our frienship!
I must say that this car which has Porsche blood in it's vains is my dream of a family car. I have not driven an RS4 but I can imagine it is going to be an exilarating experience! Maybe the RS6 that is finally coming to our shores (?) will be the perfect compromise???
Maybe that is the car that Porsche should have built instead of the chilli pepper...

Steve 96C4S

Hmmmm - RS4, RS6? Sounds like mighty pricey fare for those Audi's. I sort of like the look of the A6 with the 8 cylinder, but sort of isn't going to pry me from my 740i and 911!

Anir, you're a wild dude! You go, man. I'd be afraid to be the first guy on the block to own a new M5 after seeing the many 2000 M5's that were 6 months old that had their metallic interior stuff peeling off, looking REALLY bad. What was BMW thinking taking out that gorgeous wood trim and putting in that metal crap that flakes off and peels?! Plus, with the disastrous problems with the new M3 engine, I'd be afraid of a NEW BMW V10 engine in it's first year model period.

Went to the BMW dealer today to look at a last year model 2001 E38 740i sport to see if that might fit the bill to replace both my old cars, but they had just sold the last used 740i sport that day. The saleman tried hard to convince me that the 540i 6-speed would be the perfect car to buy if I sold the 911 and 740i. I told him I really want an automatic if it were to be just a sedan, as I drive alot in heavy traffic. He then said the 540i automatic drives "rings around my 7 series!". Ughhhh. I just don't like the way they look, especially after owning a 740i for 5 years.

They said they'd only give me $10,500 for my 95 740i with 104k mi even though it's mint with the 2001 wheels. Yikes. Talk about reverse sticker shock.

The search continues...
Steve

Anir

[quote]Originally posted by scott watkins:
<strong>Anir... you will never find the car that makes you happy </strong><hr></blockquote>

Scott, but I already have - the 993TT.

-------------------------------

Posted by Stever: "Anir, you're a wild dude! You go, man. I'd be afraid to be the first guy on the block to own a new M5 after seeing the many 2000 M5's that were 6 months old that had their metallic interior stuff peeling off, looking REALLY bad. What was BMW thinking taking out that gorgeous wood trim and putting in that metal crap that flakes off and peels?! Plus, with the disastrous problems with the new M3 engine, I'd be afraid of a NEW BMW V10 engine in it's first year model period."

Good point about being first to the game, but BMW is a fine company and I do not believe they'll make the same mistake again (after the M3). With respect to the poor aluminum-look trim quality on the 2000 M5's, I believe this was symptomatic of many German cars of this vintage.

Look at the cheap interior plastics on the early 996's and Boxster, and the awful plastic and velour of the 2000 MB S500. Hopefully, the German manufacturers have learned a lesson about this cost-savings exercise. Plus, how difficult would it be to replace interior fakey-doo aluminum trim anyway? To my knowledge, that is the only real vice found in the current-production M5. The full-leather interior is otherwise beautiful and the engines have been great.

Interestingly, I have never seen a signficant problem with a new, clean-sheet BMW production engine. The E46 M3 engine is a direct descendant of the previous generation engine that was pushed to its absolute limit (and apparently a bit beyond). I'd put money on the new V-10 engine being fine...I guess I just did.

Rick

Mark,
My reasons are pretty simple; I have two needs for a car that has lead me to have two cars whereas I also hoped that I could do it with one car -
1) I need a car that has ample room to put family/clients in and drive in comfort. My 2000 740iL does this very well and for what I need from this car, it does it very well. It's not a sports car but is actually fairly fun to drive considering it's a virtual land yacht.
2) I need a car that is great fun to drive (the word need is completely valid here) and after a number of different sports cars, my opinion is that the 993 is perfect. So much so that I'm about to buy my second one (my cab just isn't "trackable").
The M5 is a fine car so don't get me wrong. The problem with the M5 for me is that it does neither of the two things I need really well - the rear seat room is inadequate for adults and the handling is just OK (compared to a 993). I've also been rather disappointed in the quality - some of which you've seen commented above. I've also had other issues such as Nav system issues, phone causing the battery to drain to zero, water leaks around the driver's door and a very rough idle that the dealer has yet to figure out.
On top of that, I've got a neighbor who wants the car a lot more than I do (even knowing the above info) so it's likely going to be in someone else's garage before long.
Don't trade the wife...any wife who will at least have a conversation about cars like this deserves another chance. Just be careful - my 993 cost me a grand piano!!

CalvinC4S

Try sitting in the back of a 996, they have more head room then the 993.

911MSN

How about Audi S8? it does not look so nice (i like it buit...) it's a nice car.

SteveL1

This is my current compromise. '98 528 with a chip and a bunch of other stuff. No it does not replace a Porsche, but if you have to drive a lot each day, it's a whole lot more comfortable. Bought 2 years and 45k miles ago for $33 as you see it. Can probably get one now for well under $30k. But then again, I'm now looking to add a 993 to the stable and will have best of both worlds.