steve_bris

Hi,

I am moving out of an M3 and into a 4 door car. The C32 seems like a good platform, I would add an Evosport stage 1 kit and dual exhaust to start with.

The prices for both are similar here in Aus ..... If anyone has experience with both cars, how would you compare them? (I would be looking to do minor mods to the M5 as well if I choose that)

Does the C32 have the same brakes as the C55.... and does it want to understeer less due to less mass at the front?

Body roll/handling is a priority I guess......the suspension in the M3 is great, so I would be looking for good handling in the 4 door maybe with some minor mods, but no to stiff that the wife would complain

R107SL

I am not the one to say this considering that I dont have a C32 but the M5 is in a different league. The C32 is nice but the M5 is an awesome car.

yeuchau

C32 is same class as M3
if you want to upgrade, then go for M5
besides C class rear space is not any bigger than 3 series.

so go for M5

MercedesFTW

M5- Manual is available, 400 hp in a very good engine (somehow it always gets eclipsed by the M3 I-6). Bigger.

Older body style though. You might like that, but IMO I think the old 5's look way too old.

C32 still has the looks (again, personal preference). The engine might be cheaper to squeeze more power out of it. I dunno...clear choice would seem like the M5, but I would go with the C32.

Have you had an AMG before?

steve_bris

Thanks for the advice...... I guess one of the advantages for me is that the C32 is smaller than the M5. My wife wants a 4 door, but I am worried the M5, although awesome, will just be to big.

Nope, I haven't had an AMG before, always been an M man ...... but a nicely modded C32 looks very tempting.

The plan is to sell the M3, just have the 4 door, and then this will end up the wifes/family car when I get another 2 door/toy, hopefully an M3 CSL mid next year.

emax

I briefly considering purchasing a 2001 M5, but I ended up going with a 2002 C32. Pricewise the C32 was more affordable and it had much less miles on it (only 25K miles). I agree with the guy above, the styling of the 2002 M5 is a bit dated, it definalty is however still a very nice looking automobile. If they where the same price same mileage I woud test drive them both then choose.

transferred

I'm really sorry. I know, I should know better at middle age.

ON topic- if you want an auto get the C32, if you'll miss stick, then the M5. M5 is a classic and still looks great but C32 is nice too, and compact yet spacious at the same time. Clean M5s can be hard to find. That motor puts a lot of strain on the clutch

m3_eater

I seriously considered a 2001 M5 before settling on the C32. The awful interior of the M5, combined with the ease to mod the MB to ~435HP sealed the deal. I sorely miss the manual transmission of my prior cars (most recently BMWs, btw) though.

jgsx

The old M5 is way too dated to consider.

All of my previous performance cars had manual transmissions. The C32's auto was a nice change

yeuchau

i actually think e39 m5 still looks very good

AMGfan

M5...I actually prefer the older body style. If you like your car to handle and are used to an M3, then stay M power.

topdaytrader

Definitely M5!!!

AMG_55

m5. (period)

Fifth Ring

Interesting debate. For interior space, the C32 is going to have better access to its rear seat than an M3, but it's not a heck of a lot roomier.

For power, and mod-ability, the C32 wins. Don't go with dual exhaust unless you just like the look. The AMG system is pretty optimized. Why add another 40 lbs of metal?

Handling - This is where AMG is more of a street car than a track/driver's car. I think the size of the M5 will disappear once you've driven it for a day or two. It's not really that large.

Styling - M5 turns head with or without mods. C32 looks like every other C-class. It's fun being stealthy, but I wish it was a little more visible.

Community - Keep in mind that EVERY BMW is a driver's vehicle, and there is a huge community of vendors, service providers and enthusiasts. If that's important to you, the AMG community may disappoint. Benz does not have the same customer base, and even AMG caters to a more "mature" crowd. So, when you're changing your spark plugs and can't figure out how to remove a heat shield, you're much less likely to find help online. I came from an Audi, and by comparison, there are far fewer vendors, tuners (online and local) and independent technicians.

JLP

I would have to say the M5 as well, its a step up dynamically from the C32.

cntlaw

I will only buy a M5 if it is a E60.

tee_tz

I don't know which M5's you people are talking about but like a 2003 M5 is VERY GOOD LOOKING!!! It has an AMAZING interior. The navigation screen is much bigger than the C32, the braking is better, the acceleration is better, the handling is better (in fact, it's better than an M3 at handling -- so no, just cause it's big it won't feel big at all); it's more prestigious, it's got more space interior wise and trunk space, it's not even compared to the C-Class, and it comes in stick shift -- (and if you are a driving enthusiast, it matters) .... oh -- wait, this is easier --

Get the M5.




Tee_Tz.

jgsx

Don't get me wrong, the E39 M5 is a hell of a car, but take a look at these pics, it just looks so old -- way older than it actually is. The C32 still looks fresh, especially once you put in clear headlights and a new grille

Lagunatic

I moved from an 03 M3 SMG to the C32 and am not regretting the decision one bit. However, a more accurate class comparison would be between the M5 and an MB E-series.

For me, I needed a 4-door car with a 'real' automatic, thus the C32. The M5 only comes in a manual so keep that in mind. The C32 is in the same class as the BMW 3-series but doesn't really have a competitor since there are no 4-door M3s with an automatic.

Whatever you do, go out and drive a C32 for yourself. Coming from an M3, I was VERY impressed with the C32s power and handling.

For the record, my wife loves driving the C32 as well and she HATED (with a passion) the M3.

tee_tz

You can try and make you car look 'newer' and 'newer' but it doesn't matter, after time it'll look old. Quite frankly, next year the C-Class will look old when the introduce the W204's. The BMW 5-Series was timeless, the M5 set standards that others have tried to match for many years... It'll go down as one of the greatest performance cars in history!




Why waste your time doing a conversion, this one was built with 4-exhaust pipes.


Tee_Tz.

gkstar

This is very subjective. To me, a stock C32 looks at least a generation newer on the outside than the M5 above. And these 4 exhausts could look much better, easy to fix I guess...

mthomas141

My buddy has a 2000 M5 and the inteior isnt that great and the NAV well it looks pretty bad. I think it looks pretty dated myself, but thats personal opinion. I know this wasnt on your list, but if your looking to do some modding have you looked into a B5 S4? With a little bit of money you can get those things to haul ***!

Eurosport

the beast
M5
then
Eisenmann race
=
concert to your ears

they are not even close to even compare not same class
e39 M5 will always be a classic

Fifth Ring

FWIW, my wife loves my C32 as well. It's really easy to drive. She HATED my A6 (aftermarket suspension).

gkstar

Not sure if wife liking the car is always an advantage, we are "diplomatically" fighting with mine about whose turn it is to drive the car... (I am the bottom one here)