08-21-2013, 07:21 PM | #1 |
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Feedback: 2013 M5 vs. 2013 650xi Coupe
I've had my 2013 M5 for over 10 months now and I love the car. Problem is that I now live the DC area (previously Houston) and it's crowded as hell up here so it's not often you can really open it up unless you take it to a track. The track can be cool, but I'm not really a track guy. Also being from TX, I didn't realize there was such a thing as a "winter wheel package" or maybe I did and blocked it out since it didn't apply to me. So I'm reading some of the threads on this site and you mean I have to change my tires and wheels every 6-7 months...and they cost around $3500 too?!?! First it was coats, hats, long underwear, fat women hiding their chunks under winter clothes and now this...but I digress.
So I checked out this 2013 650xi 2-door coupe w/the M-Sport pkg. Definitely not as fun as my M5, but considering the snow, cold and tire/wheel issues in the NE, this seems like a decent downgrade. The 650 has everything I want on it plus some stuff I don't really care about like that driver's assistance pkg & LED lights. The only thing I don't like about the coupe is that the sunroof doesn't open and only tilts. This 650 has 20 inch wheels (I think 373 wheels) is Carbon Black w/black interior. My M5 is Black Sapphire w/black interior. Also, I live in a condo with no storage, so my 2nd bedroom would have to serve as the storage for stock M5 tires and wheels during the winter if I decide to keep the M5. Here's the kicker, the dealer said I can get in the 650 with no money down, my monthly payments would be around $200 less (financed, not a lease) and they are offering $88k for my M5. The M5 has a little over 8100 miles. I would have to transfer my Bel-Stir system over & get the windows tinted on the 650, but that's it. BTW, no one can sit behind me in either car b/c I'm really tall and I hardly ever use my backseats. What do you think about making the switch? Am I missing anything? |
08-21-2013, 07:47 PM | #3 |
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For the savings per month, I wouldn't do it. Once you drive an M, you can't go back.
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08-21-2013, 07:53 PM | #4 |
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Driving in DC is risk vs reward. Plenty of opportunity to open it up on the GW Pkwy or the toll road and greenway, and other highways on weekends. If you're running LI/Bel Stir Plus you should be okay...it's worked well for me.
I cant see moving down from your M5, and as was mentioned the winters here are relatively tame...only a couple days a year you truly can't drive unless you live north/west of the beltway. |
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08-21-2013, 08:10 PM | #5 |
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Appreciate the feedback so far. I live in NOVA (Tysons) and work in NOVA, so taking the metro isn't really an option. From what I can see on the web, the winters are mild compared to the Midwest and New England, but aren't the stock tires crap when the temp drops below 45 degrees? If so, that means I will have to get new tires & wheels starting in Nov.(?) and switch back around April?
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08-21-2013, 08:10 PM | #6 |
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08-21-2013, 10:29 PM | #7 | |
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Dude, with the winter wheels and tires, driving the M5 in the snow is absolutely no problem. I understand what you saying as for as no storage unit where you live. Can't you get a tiny storage unit out in town then? That's what I would do. I keep my stock exhaust in my storage unit anyways. Anyways, downgrading from an ///M you will feel like you got the raw end of the deal. At least get into a 650xi Gran Coupe if you are going to make the change over. Lol! I would trust what some of these guys are saying. The winters in DC don't get as much snow days that you can't drive on the street because the snow is 2 feet high, versus the rest of the year when it isn't.
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08-21-2013, 11:44 PM | #8 |
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the simplest answer is buy a set of winter tires (that fit your stock rims) and just swap them out twice a year.
The outlay is $1400 or so and you can really enjoy your car year round. Keep in mind that the 650xdrive with summer tires is still much worse than an M5 with winter tires in winter conditions. The cost of the tires is negligible because you cut your use of each set in half and winter tire resale market is quite good. I guarantee if you make this trade you will regret it the first time you pull up to an M5 on the street. There is no comparison. Here is a great choice for the factory 20" wheels: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....5&autoModClar=
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08-22-2013, 12:36 AM | #9 | |
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I used to keep my spare tires in my company's storage room along with the excess office furniture. However I prefer to keep the exhaust somewhere more visible in case one of the associates decides to nab the M5 exhaust for their 3 series. BTW OP - I think you'd be insane to go from an M car to a regular BMW.
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08-22-2013, 12:21 PM | #11 |
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Ask if your dealer will store your winter tires. My dealer stored my X5M tires for $400/year.
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08-22-2013, 12:27 PM | #12 | |
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08-22-2013, 12:45 PM | #13 |
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There are tire shops here in Central CA that will store your off-season wheels/tires, and also perform the swap in fall and spring. I have snow skiing friends who use this service. There's got to be something like that in Northern Virginia.
Last edited by emmfive; 08-22-2013 at 02:20 PM.. |
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08-22-2013, 01:26 PM | #14 | |
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08-22-2013, 01:27 PM | #15 |
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08-22-2013, 01:58 PM | #16 |
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I hasn't been stated explicitly yet - but the fact is, you don't need winter wheels/tires in the DC area. You might get two days a year where you need them, and on those days you just telecommute and/or call in sick.
If you absolutely positively need to be able to get out and drive after we get a freak 12" of snow, and the roads haven't yet been cleared, then maybe you should be looking at an SUV. Chances are you'll be fine without a winter setup. I haven't ever needed/used one, and I've lived in the DC area all my life. |
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08-22-2013, 02:50 PM | #17 | |
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08-22-2013, 03:07 PM | #18 | |
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08-22-2013, 03:17 PM | #19 |
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You just need to get through the January-March period in DC. Honestly, you should be more concerned about how they sand the crap out of the roads here more than you should be about any measurable snow.
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08-22-2013, 03:24 PM | #20 |
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What do you mean by sanding??
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08-22-2013, 03:26 PM | #21 |
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08-22-2013, 06:15 PM | #22 |
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Exactly. And really whenever there's even a whisper of snow in the forecast they sand and salt the roads...it's a mess for your car so I just leave my M5 in the garage.
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