In the market for a new car. E63 or F10 M5?
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E63
In the market for a new car. E63 or F10 M5?
I am coming out of an E60 M5 which I loved!! My DD Audi Q7 isnt keeping me happy but I have to have it to ski in the winter and tow the boat in the summer. I am looking at getting back into a sports sedan and have narrowed it down to a 2012-13 E63 or F10 M5. I like to tinker with my cars so I will eventually add the typical mods (exhaust, tune, wheels etc....) I know that this is a Benz forum so most members will be bias but Id like to hear peoples honest opinion on which car is better and why. Thanks for your help. Here is a pic of my last M5.
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From: Venice Florida
2018 S560
You can't beat the E63's AMG's for a great combo of power, economy and just plain fun to drive car. Why not just test drive both cars and go from there. I think this 5.5 TT 2012 and up motor is one of the greatest motors ever made myself. I have gobs of torque and can still get 22 to 23 mpg on the highway and there is all kinds of mod potential too, just a good tune alone will bring you below mid 11's in the quarter mile which is amazing, as it you'd be low 12's. The road feel and the features of the car are great too, also very comfortable and smooth.
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18'Porsche GT3, 16' Ram 3500 mega diesel,30' Model A Ratrod, 17' E43
Just my opinion but I think the only 2 areas where the F10 trumps the E63 is with the DCT and the electronics(Nav, command gadgets, etc.).
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2019 E63 S
In the area of engine there is no contest at all. The F10 M5's 4.4 L V8 engine cannot compete with the E63's mighty hand built 5.5 L V8 M157 engine. There is no replacement for displacement. If you put all bolt on Dinan power mods (tune, intake and exhaust) into the F10 M5 you will be at 675 Bhp and less than 700 lbs-ft or torque--for a cost of $8322 plus plenty of labor charges. By contrast, with just a simple tune into only from AMS ($3000) or Renntech ($3500), the E63 with the M157 engine will produce a staggering 700 (AMS) or 701 Bhp (Renntech) and 830 (AMS) or 839 (Renntech) lbs-ft of torque.
Also, the E63 has a much better engine sound. It just roars and sounds like a muscle car. The M5 pumps in sound through the stereo to simulate sound.
The E63 is also superior in road feel. It feels lighter and much more alive than M5 with much better steering feel. The M5 is hampered by a luxury car chassis that it shares with the 7 Series and Rolls Royce Ghost. It feels heavy and numb.
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Yes
Most of us here compared these cars before buying. The M5 was great, but felt bigger, the fake exhaust sound was distracting, some of the comfort features (dynamic seats) were downright lame in comparison to the E, and it didn't feel as powerful/didn't give you the same thrust as the E. Awesome car, I actually prefer the exterior and the DCT was great (although jerky at low speeds), but all around the E was the more fun and comfortable car.
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From: Seattle Washington
2014 E63 S AMG
Like LFC09, I believe the E39 M5 is a classic! I had a 2003 E39 M5 that I thought I would have forever. I considered the F10 M5 as a replacement, but, the all wheel drive, torque and hp of the E63s won out. The MCT transmission in S or S+ mode shifts plenty fast! Bring on the snow and rain.
Best of luck with your decision.
Best of luck with your decision.
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E63
You can't beat the E63's AMG's for a great combo of power, economy and just plain fun to drive car. Why not just test drive both cars and go from there. I think this 5.5 TT 2012 and up motor is one of the greatest motors ever made myself. I have gobs of torque and can still get 22 to 23 mpg on the highway and there is all kinds of mod potential too, just a good tune alone will bring you below mid 11's in the quarter mile which is amazing, as it you'd be low 12's. The road feel and the features of the car are great too, also very comfortable and smooth.
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E63
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E63
Thanks, yes the DCT is pretty nice, a major improvement over the SMG in my E60. Gadgets are nice but honestly not a major selling point. Our Audi's have tons of them and I barely use them.
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E63
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E63
For the F10 M5 I would add flatter cornering, paint and stereo.
In the area of engine there is no contest at all. The F10 M5's 4.4 L V8 engine cannot compete with the E63's mighty hand built 5.5 L V8 M157 engine. There is no replacement for displacement. If you put all bolt on Dinan power mods (tune, intake and exhaust) into the F10 M5 you will be at 675 Bhp and less than 700 lbs-ft or torque--for a cost of $8322 plus plenty of labor charges. By contrast, with just a simple tune into only from AMS ($3000) or Renntech ($3500), the E63 with the M157 engine will produce a staggering 700 (AMS) or 701 Bhp (Renntech) and 830 (AMS) or 839 (Renntech) lbs-ft of torque.
Also, the E63 has a much better engine sound. It just roars and sounds like a muscle car. The M5 pumps in sound through the stereo to simulate sound.
The E63 is also superior in road feel. It feels lighter and much more alive than M5 with much better steering feel. The M5 is hampered by a luxury car chassis that it shares with the 7 Series and Rolls Royce Ghost. It feels heavy and numb.
In the area of engine there is no contest at all. The F10 M5's 4.4 L V8 engine cannot compete with the E63's mighty hand built 5.5 L V8 M157 engine. There is no replacement for displacement. If you put all bolt on Dinan power mods (tune, intake and exhaust) into the F10 M5 you will be at 675 Bhp and less than 700 lbs-ft or torque--for a cost of $8322 plus plenty of labor charges. By contrast, with just a simple tune into only from AMS ($3000) or Renntech ($3500), the E63 with the M157 engine will produce a staggering 700 (AMS) or 701 Bhp (Renntech) and 830 (AMS) or 839 (Renntech) lbs-ft of torque.
Also, the E63 has a much better engine sound. It just roars and sounds like a muscle car. The M5 pumps in sound through the stereo to simulate sound.
The E63 is also superior in road feel. It feels lighter and much more alive than M5 with much better steering feel. The M5 is hampered by a luxury car chassis that it shares with the 7 Series and Rolls Royce Ghost. It feels heavy and numb.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
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E63
Most of us here compared these cars before buying. The M5 was great, but felt bigger, the fake exhaust sound was distracting, some of the comfort features (dynamic seats) were downright lame in comparison to the E, and it didn't feel as powerful/didn't give you the same thrust as the E. Awesome car, I actually prefer the exterior and the DCT was great (although jerky at low speeds), but all around the E was the more fun and comfortable car.
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E63
Like LFC09, I believe the E39 M5 is a classic! I had a 2003 E39 M5 that I thought I would have forever. I considered the F10 M5 as a replacement, but, the all wheel drive, torque and hp of the E63s won out. The MCT transmission in S or S+ mode shifts plenty fast! Bring on the snow and rain.
Best of luck with your decision.
Best of luck with your decision.
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2019 E63 S
AWD came to the E63 in the 2014 model year. There are some low miles examples of the 2014 E63 on auto trader that show nice depreciation from new.
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From: Seattle, WA
99 ML430, 01 CLK55, 07 R63, 15 E63 Wagon
Thanks for the input. I would love to drive both and have been looking at all the local dealers to find one to drive. The amazing thing is up in the Seattle area there are simply not a lot of cars of this type to drive, seems like every car is pre-ordered and the used market is very small.
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E63S, RRS SVR
I find it interesting that BMW M just hired the former head of Audi quattro performance.
If you do go the M5 route make sure you do European Delivery if you can.
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'19 G63 Ed 1,'18 M5, '16 G63,'12 458 , '11 E63, Brabus SL55-K8, '10 S63, '94 E500 "Wolf", '91 560SEC
It was a tough decision for me coming from a CLS63. I am pretty happy with the M5 mine doesn't have the competition package. I also like the big heavy feel the car has, I believe it is built on the 7 platform. The is car very very comfortable perfect for a highway cruiser/daily driver. The front seats are awesome. Interior quality (Extended leather) and overall build quality seems alot nicer than the Benz. Bang & Olufsen is great along with Nav, gadgets, etc. Other nice features are soft close doors, Heads up display is very useful and DCT is just great.
I'll admit once the Pilot Supersports get below 50% the car does get swirly.
Some things I do miss are the exhaust note, bottom end power and Distronic. I think the M5 overall as a complete package is the better car. Everybody's opinion is different, I really have no complaints about the car. For the dollar ratio I think it is a great. Also, the lease deals blow Benz out the water. Good luck it was a hard decision for me.
I'll admit once the Pilot Supersports get below 50% the car does get swirly.
Some things I do miss are the exhaust note, bottom end power and Distronic. I think the M5 overall as a complete package is the better car. Everybody's opinion is different, I really have no complaints about the car. For the dollar ratio I think it is a great. Also, the lease deals blow Benz out the water. Good luck it was a hard decision for me.
Last edited by abhatti55; Sep 25, 2014 at 05:26 PM.
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From: New York, NY
2019 E63 S
It was a tough decision for me coming from a CLS63. I am pretty happy with the M5 mine doesn't have the competition package. I also like the big heavy feel the car has, I believe it is built on the 7 platform. The is car very very comfortable perfect for a highway cruiser/daily driver. The front seats are awesome. Interior quality (Extended leather) and overall build quality seems alot nicer than the Benz. Bang & Olufsen is great along with Nav, gadgets, etc. Other nice features are soft close doors, Heads up display is very useful and DCT is just great.
I'll admit once the Pilot Supersports get below 50% the car does get swirly.
Some things I do miss are the exhaust note, bottom end power and Distronic. I think the M5 overall as a complete package is the better car. Everybody's opinion is different, I really have no complaints about the car. For the dollar ratio I think it is a great. Also, the lease deals blow Benz out the water. Good luck it was a hard decision for me.
I'll admit once the Pilot Supersports get below 50% the car does get swirly.
Some things I do miss are the exhaust note, bottom end power and Distronic. I think the M5 overall as a complete package is the better car. Everybody's opinion is different, I really have no complaints about the car. For the dollar ratio I think it is a great. Also, the lease deals blow Benz out the water. Good luck it was a hard decision for me.
For me, the E63's engine power, engine/exhaust noise and its all wheel drive winter traction and 0-100 acceleration advantage carried the day over the M5's better transmission, stereo, electronics, paint colors, flatter cornering, lease (but not purchase) price and, for me, looks. The E63 S just toasts the M5, even in C form, through the quarter mile and especially 0 to 60 although the M5 will reel it in at super speeds I never drive due to the greater high speed efficiency of rear wheel drive. You simply cannot tune an F10 M5 and get power and especially torque remotely approaching that produced by the E63's M157 engine. And I love power above all else. But I would never fault someone for getting the M5. It is a great car.
Last edited by sdg1871; Sep 25, 2014 at 06:00 PM.
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E63
Thanks for the offer. Ill let you know if I need any recommendations. Ive got connections at Barrier, have purchased 3 cars from them, and Bellevue BMW but Im sure its nice to have other dealers to look at as well. My issue is trying to locate the used cars to test drive. Driving the new AWD E63 is probably a bad idea because itll ruin the idea of driving a used 12-13 which are within my budget.
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From: New York, NY
2019 E63 S
Thanks for the offer. Ill let you know if I need any recommendations. Ive got connections at Barrier, have purchased 3 cars from them, and Bellevue BMW but Im sure its nice to have other dealers to look at as well. My issue is trying to locate the used cars to test drive. Driving the new AWD E63 is probably a bad idea because itll ruin the idea of driving a used 12-13 which are within my budget.
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From: Seattle, WA
99 ML430, 01 CLK55, 07 R63, 15 E63 Wagon
Thanks for the offer. Ill let you know if I need any recommendations. Ive got connections at Barrier, have purchased 3 cars from them, and Bellevue BMW but Im sure its nice to have other dealers to look at as well. My issue is trying to locate the used cars to test drive. Driving the new AWD E63 is probably a bad idea because itll ruin the idea of driving a used 12-13 which are within my budget.
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From: Austin, TX
14 GL550; 14 E63s
i researched both, drove both quite a bit and ended up with the F10 M5. But I was coming from a C63 so I wanted a bit of a change. I wanted something bigger for the kids and more luxury so the M5 fit the bill perfectly. The pre facelift E63 seemed a little dated to me especially the interior controls and COMAND. I always dismissed the iDrive before, but it truly is a step above the COMAND.
Pros: DCT, HUD (it's really, really cool and very useful), electronics/idrive, feels more luxurious, tad cheaper especially if leasing, more used ones out there. Free maintenance. Lighting package is awesome. Soft close doors. Rear sunshades on the rear passenger doors (great if you have kids). Seat massagers. For the kids, I have a usb drive full of movies that plays through the idrive. Rear climate controls (4 zone climate control)
Cons: it's big. E63 feels smaller. My GL feels smaller! Exhaust note is subdued. Yes, they pipe in exhaust noise, but it's easy to code out. Not enough traction. DSC goes off a lot, but it does pretty well at recovering. Did I mention it's big? No distronic. Limited tuning options, but this thing doesn't need more power. It needs AWD. Feels a little numb and detached. You look down and you don't realize you are doing 100. Very, very easy to drive fast even when you don't want to.
For me, I wanted something different and the M5 fit the bill. The fact it was cheaper didn't hurt either. But the allure of AWD would make me re-consider the 2014 E63S. hard to go wrong with either.
Pros: DCT, HUD (it's really, really cool and very useful), electronics/idrive, feels more luxurious, tad cheaper especially if leasing, more used ones out there. Free maintenance. Lighting package is awesome. Soft close doors. Rear sunshades on the rear passenger doors (great if you have kids). Seat massagers. For the kids, I have a usb drive full of movies that plays through the idrive. Rear climate controls (4 zone climate control)
Cons: it's big. E63 feels smaller. My GL feels smaller! Exhaust note is subdued. Yes, they pipe in exhaust noise, but it's easy to code out. Not enough traction. DSC goes off a lot, but it does pretty well at recovering. Did I mention it's big? No distronic. Limited tuning options, but this thing doesn't need more power. It needs AWD. Feels a little numb and detached. You look down and you don't realize you are doing 100. Very, very easy to drive fast even when you don't want to.
For me, I wanted something different and the M5 fit the bill. The fact it was cheaper didn't hurt either. But the allure of AWD would make me re-consider the 2014 E63S. hard to go wrong with either.
