05C55

Personally I have it narrowed to the new M5 or a 997S. I have always wanted a new Porsche. I think the S is a great car, though I have to admit 90K for a single purpose car has always been a hard nut to crack for me. On the other hand the new M5 has shapen up to be a force to be reckoned with. My gut says Porsche but the head check says I'd have just as much fun and exclusivity with an M5. Can't really go wrong with either, problem is I have place in line for a Porsche, earliest delivery late this year and probably the same story with an M5 if I could get one. Have to make a call soon if I want to get an M5 within the next 12 months.

rguy

05 c55,

Get the porsche, you already have a fast sedan. The porsche will outhandle the M5, and if you add a blower to your C, then the m5 won't be any faster in a straightline (maybe a LSD too). I think you have the size advantage with the C, although I am positive the M5 will be one hell of a handler, I don't think it's hulking size and mass can make up for the positive weight transfer attributes of a smaller car.

The porsche is great, I have driven the 997 carrera extensively and it is no quicker than the C, but it does feel more planted through transitions. The leap off the line is very solid. And I think this is where the porsche makes up for having a N/A six. 0-60 must be identical on perfect shifts though. That is what the butt dyno was telling me anyway. In the porsche you feel that you are in a lighter car, but because of the engine placement, you feel more surefooted.

The carrera s will probably be more exclusive than the M5. You are going to see grandmas driving M5s as well as every other demographic, but you aren't likely to see to many grandmas driving the 997 s. Take advantage of it while your skeleton can still take the turns. There will always be time to get a big sedan, if you don't already have one.

If the new 997 turbo is the cayenne 8 with the volume turned up, then that will likely be the next ride in my garage.

respdoc

I was going to suggest the Chevy Aveo but looks like you have your mind already made up.. :p

05C55

I appreciate your comments. As cool as that would be, Porsche would never outlive the revolt of dropping a V8 in a 911 platform.

clkcadet

Tough choice but if you want a sports car then get just that not a fast sedan....why not save about 10k and go for the regular 997 carrera....its only 30 hp more or less... in my eyes its not worth it for the "S"

ajoe

Kleemanize your c55.. blower and ecu, you'll have the best of both worlds. If you decide on the first year M5 then bring a jar of vaseline with you, because the risk of reliability issues is so great based on my bmw ownership experiences that I suggest you tow a miata behind you as a dingy.

BlackC230Coupe

Get the 997S. I want 1 next also.

boquanzhu

997S much better than the regular 997. It worth the extra money.

05C55

The standard equip on the "S" includes PASM, Xenons, 19"s, +30hp so the "S" is realistically only a few k more than the 997 and wringing 30hp out of a Porsche is not cheap.

cntlaw

Look at 05C55's great list of owned cars, he does not need any advice to choose his next. :p

Just curious.....M5 ? I thought CLS55 is king. 997s ? I thought new 911 Turbo is coming. And, would you give SL55 or SL65 a bit of chance?
Here SL55 has higher status symbol than Porsche especiially too many old Porsche in the streets and they all look the same.

SergC

997S

BlackC230Coupe

larger brakes etc.... A 997S sounds so sick with the fabspped muffler bypass pipes. That aan the cold air kit, is about 35-40 hp gain and i think both together are like under 1k.

vdubpower

r u selling any of the other 3 cars, what do u do for a livng

ardy6931

I think the M5 would be a wonderful car for all around use and some fun on the twists and turns. The M5 has always set the bar for performance sedans in my opinion. However, I think the most recent M5 looks like something out of a Tim Burton movie. I have tried and tried to like the new 5 but its just not in the books.

The new carrera S is actually the same car I am looking at next, only for the price it is a pretty pricey car for just two people and no golf bag. I think the only other possible options would be E55, CLS55. Its a hard choice. Good luck.

cntlaw

If I have to give a score to C55, 997s and M5 based on value for money
C55 is 9, 997s is 6, M5 is 4,
So which car gets score of 10?
It is 2007 's C63
( see photo )

TEAShea

I have a written contract putting me first on my dealer's list for an M5 at MSRP. However, I have decided that I am going to decline and let them sell it to someone else. The M5 has received great reviews but I already have a 545i and I want something more different. In addition, the M5 does not have much torque and is a little heavy. I am thinking of an SLK55 or perhaps I will wait for the a car with the new 5.5 liter Mercedes engine.

TEAShea

cntlaw

you are the first one here talk the right thing.
honestly who give a damn about boat-like saloons (E55,C55,M5,S55,S65)
SLK55/SL55 are the sexy things to go for

naadp

I have become a Ford stock holder through a death in the family, which means now it's time for me to return to the blue oval where quality is job none. I'm considering a boat like XJR -- if I can find one where the hood lines up properly.

Maybe the 5% below invoice purchase price will make it a little easier of a decision...

rguy

King Ranch F150, Shelby GT500, GT, Range Rover, XKR, XJR, DB9, Vanquish........I think you'll be alright, but am unsure why you need to only buy fords now.

naadp

I just think it's hypocritical to say, "I own stock in a company, but I'll only buy their competitors products."

Compared with an E-class or an S-class, the XJ8's are awful on fit and finish.

05C55

I know that the funds I have shares in have positions in auto manufacturers but that certainly wouldn't dictate to me what I will or will not buy.

I agree w/TEASHEA in that the M5 is more of what I have now and I think I'm looking for something different.

viper

Do yourself a favour. Drive a new Z06. It will outrun anything you listed for a lot less money.

05C55

I had a C5 Vette, and though there is no doubt the ZO6 will be faster, they still have a lot of work to do in the finished product department to regain my interest. Mad props though cause the C6 is a lot better and for the money, you're right, you can't touch them.

KompressorKev

right now i'd say 997S, but the 997Turbo will probably be out next january, 2006 so it might make 997S value drop. and you can be sure that the 997 Turbo will squash the 997S in performance. of course i have a bias, but the E60 M5 is super ugly. the performance is wonderful, incredible straight-line speed and great reflexes and super n/a technology, but...it's sooo ugly. of your choices, i would recommend an Sl55, a 996 GT3, or 996 Turbo. the 996 GT3 i am confident will still beat the E60 M5 handily (on the track if not the straight), but it may be a bit hardcore. the 996 Turbo offers more civility, and modability is great. a used one can be had for the same price as new M5 or 997S. the sl55 is automatic, but it sure looks good and is powerful too. a different feeling than the M5 or 997S though. but between just the 997S and M5, 997S hands down. porsche is a pure car. the m5 is still a saloon whose base model is driven by old people. the engine technology really doesn't belong in a car such as the 5-series. the 997S however is throughout a driver's car, moreso than M5 i would say.

have you considered Kleemann Supercharged C55? that would be very interesting and cost-efficient alternative

05C55

Thanks Kev, I drove a 996C4S before buying the C55, the 997 is a pretty substantial improvement on that platform, the "S" is close to the GT3 in performance and is a much more streetable car. I can get into a new "S" for about 86K optioned to my tastes, the GT3 is 100K without any options and a 997TT is gonna be 115K before options as will be the SL55. I would llike to think I can hang on to it for 5-6 years and I think Porsche age exceptionally well and properly optioned and cared for have reasonable reslae value even after 4-5 years.