E34 M5 or E46 ZHP?

[E30 Wagen]

Looking to sell a couple e30s and get one nice "modern" car. E34 M5s and E46 ZHPs are both very nice cars that I love, and are in my budget. I'm leaning toward the ZHP because there will be less maintenance, be more reliable, avoids harsh depreciation, and I just like it. E34 M5s, though, are just beasts, which might actually appreciate in value; I just worry about sinking money into replacing/repairing consumables and other things that wear out, which might be too costly for me, and parts are harder to get. I would be financing both, which I'm not too comfortable with, but the monthly payment is quite low. If you think it's a stupid idea to finance either of these cars then lay it on me.

[kronus]

e34 540i/6 is faster than M5

ZHPs are nice.

S38's expensive to do right. It's worth it if you love the motor, but it's not cheap.

[UlrichFennec]

How about an E46 touring?

[Wh33lhop]

Do NOT finance a 25 year old M5.

[Ray Smoodiver]

e34 540i/6 is faster than M5

Word, and a shitload more fun in the wet too :o

[KIRIEIW]

I remember when I bought my first e46, actually BMW for that matter. I was looking for ZHP's but they where all a little out of my budget ($13-14k), I ended up with a 2000 328i that I payed $9000 for with 56k miles. This was back in 2009. Now here's where it gets interesting, I sold my 2000 328i with coilovers, new tires, ect for only $6500 in 2012 (89k ODO).. And ZHP prices where still in the same price range, if not just slightly less at around 12k-13k. Long story short, the ZHP held its value a TON better then my old car. Looking how its going, it looks like ZHP's are going to hold there value for quite some time yet. Shit ZHP's are still $9-13.5k in my area and its now 2015.

EDIT: I know you guys are in for a pic so you don't have to use you imagination, and please don't mind the stickers and yellow fogs, I was younger and less wise.

bbs e46 3 by Kevin O'Brien, on Flickr

[bbs_s52]

e34 540i/6 is faster than M5

ZHPs are nice.

S38's expensive to do right. It's worth it if you love the motor, but it's not cheap.

E34 m5s are faster than E34 540i/6 & E39 540i/6..... E60 545i/6 depending on what u have done to it and driver of course...
Ask me how i know?

From a E34 M5 owners view. Its just a beast hands down one of the last "raw" Ms built. Parts are expensive... They do require valve adjustment.. Its not a everyday DD imo

[UlrichFennec]

I remember when I bought my first e46, actually BMW for that matter. I was looking for ZHP's but they where all a little out of my budget ($13-14k), I ended up with a 2000 328i that I payed $9000 for with 56k miles. This was back in 2009. Now here's where it gets interesting, I sold my 2000 328i with coilovers, new tires, ect for only $6500 in 2012 (89k ODO).. And ZHP prices where still in the same price range, if not just slightly less at around 12k-13k. Long story short, the ZHP held its value a TON better then my old car. Looking how its going, it looks like ZHP's are going to hold there value for quite some time yet. Shit ZHP's are still $9-13.5k in my area and its now 2015.

EDIT: I know you guys are in for a pic so you don't have to use you imagination, and please don't mind the stickers and yellow fogs, I was younger and less wise.

bbs e46 3 by Kevin O'Brien, on Flickr

Naw, man, that's a slick E46.

[downforce22]

zhp is an overrated package. All you get is a body kit,a 6 speed, and 10 more horsepower than a standard 330i? woop de doo. Buy an e46 m3 for the 2 grand more and be way happier.

The e34 m5 is the last hand build m car and will appreciate faster. That trend can already be seen.

http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=12

Zhps are practically a dime a dozen, look at this search in SF craigslist of cars for sale right now...

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/search/cta?query=zhp&srchType=T

With that said, the m5 doesn't get great gas mileage, would be expensive on insurance, possibly expensive to maintain depending on the car you find.

If you could only have 1 car as a daily driver, I am not sure I would buy a 24 year old m5, but I would consider the e39 540i/6, e46 m3, or I have heard good things about the e60 545i/6 if you must have 4 doors (though I personally am not a huge fan of the looks). All of these options fall in the $6,000 - $16,000 price range btw.

[nando]

maybe I'm biased but I'd pick a 2006 E90 330i with the sport package before the overpriced E46 ZHP. the E46 is OK but the E90 is pretty much better in every aspect (power, refinement, weight, technology). cost is $10-$15k. About the same as a ZHP, for a faster, newer car.

The E34 M5 is a different beast altogether. I always wanted one but realistically I probably will only ever have 1 toy car, and I already own it..

[zhp43867]

maybe I'm biased but I'd pick a 2006 E90 330i with the sport package before the overpriced E46 ZHP. the E46 is OK but the E90 is pretty much better in every aspect (power, refinement, weight, technology). cost is $10-$15k. About the same as a ZHP, for a faster, newer car.

The E34 M5 is a different beast altogether. I always wanted one but realistically I probably will only ever have 1 toy car, and I already own it..

No it's not. The ZHP is a far more engaging car than the E90.

[Staszek]

I would go with the E34 just for rarity, but the ZHP is a very nice car. Also has a different suspension and exhaust then the regular 330i.

I have driven an owned a lot of E46's and I love them, but its a different car. If you want every day reliability I would say E46 ZHP, great all around car fast enough, handles very well, tight, and pretty cheap to maintain. Not to mention the engine is rock solid and there are tons of parts for them.

Nando I loved my E90 330i I had as well but for some reason it didnt feel as good to me as my E46, maybe because it always had more problems then my E46 did, although the power and comfort was very nice.

Its hard to compare the E34 M5 to that car because they are so different.

[exhaust]

E46s are a more cheaply built car. They just aren't as tight as the E30s or an M5 would be. That being said, they are going to cheaper, more reliable and a better daily than the M5 by a wide margin. I had a 330i sport for a while and it was great daily. Fun and modern enough. If you have that kind of budget, a ZHP isn't a bad choice. Check out a 540i/6 E34 or E39 over the M5 though unless you're looking for a collectors item.

[nando]

No it's not. The ZHP is a far more engaging car than the E90.

how so? maybe a plain E90, 328 without the sport package. the ZCP package on the 330i is no slouch.

[Swendog]

I contemplated the same issue as OP 3 years ago. My DD was an E36 M3. I wanted something a little more comfortable. E46 M3 was a little out of range. I could justify the stretch, $$$ wise for the E39 M5 and drive a few. Amazing rock solid cars. But as a DD, I worried about maintenance on a $16K engine.

I went with a 2004 330i ZHP. No regrets. Great car. Not an M, but more than just a body kit with 10 extra HP. Despite my love for the car, I'm about to post it up for sale...college bills looming (2 kids in school now). Hit me up with a PM if interested. Imola/Anthracite; leather (not alcantara). Tons of work done. Needs nothing.