IMHO: The G8 looked "dated" when they were new. The Caddy's looks have aged well. Everybody and their brother has a BMW, and it's going to be more of a pain to maintain than the V. There was literally never a part that I needed that wasn't in stock. I enjoyed that car more than my V2, and it's still running strong with over 200k miles now. Wish I would have kept it.
I loved my e60 545i/6 and my e39 540i/6
I'd say a V, if a g8 gxp is out of the question. Aren't the gxps the only ones with manuals? How hard is it to convert a gt to man trans?
I'd offer you my supercharged s-typeR but I'm not done dropping the stick in.
m4ff3w said:https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/lp/search-BMW-5-Series-manual-sc2_d1628#listing=278402386
I feel like an outlier in that I actually like Bangle's design of that 5 series generation. That is a lot of car for the money. Aren't those supposed to be maintenance nightmares though? Or does the V8 make it better in that regard to the turbo sixes?
In reply to Matt B (Forum Supporter) :
I think the V8s and turbo sixes are pretty much a horse a piece in that regard. They both suck to maintain, but when everything is kept up, I think the V8s are less likely to suffer random catastrophic failure.
Worth noting that the M6x V8s only really got bad when VANOS was introduced, so if you can find a pre-VANOS example (all E34, '96-97 E39) they are much less problematic and easier to service when things do go wrong.
I didn't have an issue with my 540i or 545i, both treated me well.
i'm down with poopie on this. Gen1 CTSV checks all boxes defined by OP.
Mint GTO are going for 15-17k here. I think a great deal.
https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/d/menifee-2005-pontiac-gto-mint-cond/7166305433.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/d/los-angeles-2005-pontiac-gto/7170635419.html
In reply to pointofdeparture :
Thanks for the input. We're still struggling with the VANOS on our Lemons E36, but we're idiots who take shortcuts so...
m4ff3w said:I didn't have an issue with my 540i or 545i, both treated me well.
How many years through what mileage did you own these? Inquiring minds and all that.
Matt B (Forum Supporter) said:m4ff3w said:I didn't have an issue with my 540i or 545i, both treated me well.
How many years through what mileage did you own these? Inquiring minds and all that.
I had both cars for about 2 years (the 540i got clipped by an 18 wheeler trailer in a parking lot and I pretty much stopped driving cars when I got my first motorcycle, so I sold the 545i)
The '98 540i had just shy of 200k when I got it. I sold it with ~240k on it.
My '05 545i I sold with ~100k, bought at ~70k
Another vote for the Gen1 CTS-V
For $12k you can get a e39 M5 with high miles
Another option is a B6/B7 Audi S4. The Internet will tell you that the timing chain tensioners on these blow up if you look at them cross-eyed, and while there is a real wear issue there it's not as bad as people make it out to be. Look for one where that's already been taken care of, or a car that's priced low enough to make it worthwhile and do it up front. I owned one for 7 years (an Avant/wagon), it was a great car. Definitely a more "sporting" motor compared to the 540i -- that BMW motor is kinda fat and lazy, it's tuned for low end and is mostly done by 6000 or so. The Audi one is less displacement (4.2 vs 4.4), but 60 more hp, and it's much more interested in revving to 7000. The Audi motor has the same kind of character as an E39 M5, just a bit smaller.
1G CTS-V is probably still the right choice though.
I know you say it must be a manual trans, but, what if there was a vehicle available in both rwd and awd format that was powered by a 420hp V8 and a 7 speed auto trans with flappy paddles? Interested?
Plenty of back seat in this sedan but specs of:
0-60 = 4.9 sec
1/4 mile = 13.7 sec @ 107 mph
Top speed = 157 mph and that's because of a governor.
Quickly sourced sample in your price range = 2011 w/ 127k asking $11.5k
That puts performance near some of these beasts which are older and may still be out of our price range.
2006 BMW M5
500-hp, 383 lb-ft. DOHC 5.0L V-10, 7-speed auto-clutch manual
0-60 mph in 4.4 sec.
1/4-mile in 12.7 sec. @ 114.6 mph
2007 Audi S6
435-hp, 398 lb-ft. DOHC 5.2L V-10, six-speed automatic
0-60 mph in 5.1 sec.
1/4-mile in 13.6 sec @ 104.4 mph
2007 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG
507-hp, 465 lb-ft. DOHC 6.2L V-8
0-60 mph in 4.3 sec.
1/4-mile in 12.7 sec @ 113.0 mph
2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
451-hp, 443 lb-ft. DOHC 6.2L V-8, 7-speed automatic
0-60 mph in 4.1 sec.
1/4-mile in 12.5 sec. @ 113.5 mph
2008 BMW M3
414-hp, 295 lb-ft. DOHC 4.0L V-8, 6-speed manual
0-60 mph in 4.3 sec.
1/4-mile in 12.7 sec @ 111.3 mph
2008 Lexus IS F
416-hp, 371 lb-ft. DOHC 5.0L V-8
0-60 mph in 4.3 sec.
1/4-mile in 12.7 sec. @ 113.4 mph
m4ff3w said:I didn't have an issue with my 540i or 545i, both treated me well.
Any thoughts on tonight's megamillions numbers? Typically valve stem seals, oil leaks, and coolant issues on the 545 drive their resale into the dumpster.
codrus (Forum Supporter) said:Another option is a B6/B7 Audi S4. The Internet will tell you that the timing chain tensioners on these blow up if you look at them cross-eyed, and while there is a real wear issue there it's not as bad as people make it out to be. Look for one where that's already been taken care of, or a car that's priced low enough to make it worthwhile and do it up front. I owned one for 7 years (an Avant/wagon), it was a great car. Definitely a more "sporting" motor compared to the 540i -- that BMW motor is kinda fat and lazy, it's tuned for low end and is mostly done by 6000 or so. The Audi one is less displacement (4.2 vs 4.4), but 60 more hp, and it's much more interested in revving to 7000. The Audi motor has the same kind of character as an E39 M5, just a bit smaller.
1G CTS-V is probably still the right choice though.
Intriguing to say the least. Avants are the sex. Honestly, in my time owning 3 V8 e39s (one an m5), never really "got it". Yes they have a manual, and they have a decently sporty ride, but the steering/braking feel are just blah and they gave me nightmare of brake juddering I am still recovering from.
John Welsh (Moderate Supporter) said:I know you say it must be a manual trans, but, what if there was a vehicle available in both rwd and awd format that was powered by a 420hp V8 and a 7 speed auto trans with flappy paddles? Interested?
Plenty of back seat in this sedan but specs of:
0-60 = 4.9 sec
1/4 mile = 13.7 sec @ 107 mph
Top speed = 157 mph and that's because of a governor.
Quickly sourced sample in your price range = 2011 w/ 127k asking $11.5k
That puts performance near some of these beasts which are older and may still be out of our price range.
2006 BMW M5
500-hp, 383 lb-ft. DOHC 5.0L V-10, 7-speed auto-clutch manual
0-60 mph in 4.4 sec.
1/4-mile in 12.7 sec. @ 114.6 mph2007 Audi S6
435-hp, 398 lb-ft. DOHC 5.2L V-10, six-speed automatic
0-60 mph in 5.1 sec.
1/4-mile in 13.6 sec @ 104.4 mph2007 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG
507-hp, 465 lb-ft. DOHC 6.2L V-8
0-60 mph in 4.3 sec.
1/4-mile in 12.7 sec @ 113.0 mph
2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
451-hp, 443 lb-ft. DOHC 6.2L V-8, 7-speed automatic
0-60 mph in 4.1 sec.
1/4-mile in 12.5 sec. @ 113.5 mph2008 BMW M3
414-hp, 295 lb-ft. DOHC 4.0L V-8, 6-speed manual
0-60 mph in 4.3 sec.
1/4-mile in 12.7 sec @ 111.3 mph2008 Lexus IS F
416-hp, 371 lb-ft. DOHC 5.0L V-8
0-60 mph in 4.3 sec.
1/4-mile in 12.7 sec. @ 113.4 mph
I've been thinking of one of those and pretty sure a 370z LSD would drop in giving it even better performance.
codrus (Forum Supporter) said:Another option is a B6/B7 Audi S4. The Internet will tell you that the timing chain tensioners on these blow up if you look at them cross-eyed, and while there is a real wear issue there it's not as bad as people make it out to be. Look for one where that's already been taken care of, or a car that's priced low enough to make it worthwhile and do it up front. I owned one for 7 years (an Avant/wagon), it was a great car. Definitely a more "sporting" motor compared to the 540i -- that BMW motor is kinda fat and lazy, it's tuned for low end and is mostly done by 6000 or so. The Audi one is less displacement (4.2 vs 4.4), but 60 more hp, and it's much more interested in revving to 7000. The Audi motor has the same kind of character as an E39 M5, just a bit smaller.
1G CTS-V is probably still the right choice though.
I've been looking for a b7 s4 avant manual for awhile. They either have terrible color interior or are autotragic. Those are great looking cars.
Olemiss540 said:m4ff3w said:I didn't have an issue with my 540i or 545i, both treated me well.
Any thoughts on tonight's megamillions numbers? Typically valve stem seals, oil leaks, and coolant issues on the 545 drive their resale into the dumpster.
Lucky, just not quite THAT lucky
My pops had a 2000 E39 540i with the 6-speed for many years. It’s the car that swore him off BMWs. The V8 was torque-y and it was a great autobahn burner, but maintaining it was a chore. I remember something about a water-cooled alternator going out, rear main seal leaking, and some belt breaking. The details are foggy. Never had an issue with the VANOS though. I think he bought it for 23k in like 2005 and sold it for 8k in 2015. Somewhere around 80- 120k I’ve that time.
I remember the shift knob popping off in my hand on several occasions and that the PS couldn’t keep up during fast corners. Very annoying. The steering is also a bit slow and it’s not rack and pinion like a 3-series.
It could keep up with a lot of sports cars on the road, but it wasn’t kind of a pain to own, which is my experience with most BMWs. At least the three I’ve owned.
I haven’t driven a Gen 1 CTS-V, but I sat in one and couldn’t believe how bad the interior was, if that matters. I could get over it, it was just sort of shocking.
I have had the chance to drive an IS F in anger, and I totally loved it. It is an AT, but it’s a good one, and it RIPS in the high RPMs, and is no slouch down low either. I honestly didn’t notice the lack of LSD, but you might want one for track. If you. Can find one in your price range, it’s a fantastic car.
Appleseed said:In reply to slowbird :
No manual.
Wow, they really dropped the ball on that car then.
So, going against most of my criteria I recently remembered a customer with a showroom condition ~93 C1500 extended cab she wanted to sell.
Is a full-size truck with all the handling stuff and eventually some big power and maybe a manual going to cut it?
pointofdeparture said:In reply to Olemiss540 :
I would argue they lost the plot with the transition to the N5x-series turbo engines. There are just too many horror stories out there as bad or worse than the M6x-series V8s, including a few board members here who've documented some pretty terrible experiences.
captdownshift (Forum Supporter) said:This thread needs more jaguar suggested within it.
They haven't sold anything with three pedals and four real seats in a long, long time.
I posted a similar request for opinions on the Lincoln LS V6 manual and somebody suggested the Jaguar S-type which was available with a manual according to Wikipedia...
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