Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » Cheap M5 Alternative 1 2

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  March 5, 2010 5:50 p.m. upwardlymobilehome None

  First time poster after lurking for a while. Great board and magazine! Never found something so geared (my humor is a little corny) toward the limited budget enthusiast. Rode in a friends '09 M5 yesterday. Nice but, very EXPEN$IVE obviously, and I don't like that much luxury stuff. Any ideas for for a sporty, fast 4 or 5 door, under about 10K? Newer or probably considering my budget, older....?

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  March 5, 2010 6:04 p.m. 93celicaGT2 SuperDork

  4 door E36 M3!

  1992 Celica GT (FSP), 1993 Ford Escort GT (HS), 1990 Mazda MX6 GT Turbo (13.27@118mph)

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  March 5, 2010 6:16 p.m. oldtin Reader

  88 m5 (I'm on an e28 kick for now - I'll get over it as soon as I get one).

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  March 5, 2010 6:20 p.m. jrw1621 Dork

  BMW 540.
  V8 with manual trans.
  

  Or as stated above a BMW M3 in 4 door format.

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  March 5, 2010 6:21 p.m. mw Reader

  97-00 540i /6speed.

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  March 5, 2010 6:24 p.m. DrBoost Dork

  May I suggest a1989 Dodge Dynasty.....towed behind your buddies M5.

  You know you are deep in boost territory when you get tire pressures and boost pressures confused

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  March 5, 2010 6:25 p.m. JFX001 Dork

  I'd try to find the parts for an LSx Catera conversion.

  Easy like Sunday Morning.

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  March 5, 2010 6:48 p.m. z31maniac Dork

  93celicaGT2 wrote: 4 door E36 M3!

  That's what I'd go for.

  I'll pass on maintenance for the M60/M62

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  March 5, 2010 6:50 p.m. Marty! HalfDork

  Bmw 3-series, Mercedes C class, Audi A6, Caddy CTS, Bugeye WRX?........

  Minivans - Pleasing Soccer Moms since 1984....

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  March 5, 2010 7:00 p.m. pres589 Reader

  I keep walking past a not great but usable condition e28 (I don't know which motor, the rear badges are gone) but I wonder if a 535i e28 with a turbo of proper sizing and such with a Megasquirt and generally updated ignition and fuel systems and such wouldn't be a wonderful way to move about. I don't see such a thing munching up nearly new M5's but it shouldn't be too bad.

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  March 5, 2010 7:11 p.m. ignorant SuperDork

  mw wrote: 97-00 540i /6speed.

  Do it.

  Ask Dilysidave He had one.

  When you have to shoot, shoot, don't talk.

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  March 5, 2010 7:14 p.m. amg_rx7 Reader

  LS1 powered E36 or E39

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  March 5, 2010 7:40 p.m. dean1484 Dork

  540I sport is what you are looking for.

  Respectfully, Dean

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  March 5, 2010 7:42 p.m. Spinout007 HalfDork

  JFX001 wrote: I'd try to find the parts for an LSx Catera conversion.

  I want more info on this one, I like the body, the motors were crap though.

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  March 5, 2010 7:46 p.m. pres589 Reader

  I thought the GRM Chatty Borg already classified the Catera as "way more trouble than it's worth" with all sorts of weirdo expensive things just waiting to happen.

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  March 5, 2010 8:10 p.m. GregTivo HalfDork

  In reply to upwardlymobilehome:

  2000 Audi S4 2.7tt

  Expensive to own, but a pretty sweet ride for alot less than an M5 of the same year.

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  March 5, 2010 8:23 p.m. ansonivan Reader

  e36 M3/4/5 probably makes the most sense, you'll have to wait a while to find one since they're significantly less common than the coupes. No where close to the same refinement or power of the e60 m5 but it's about the best you can expect in that price range.

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  March 5, 2010 11:52 p.m. forzav12 New Reader

  Volvo S60R's are getting there. A Cop Hemi Charger would be the ticket. But, a true GRM ride would be a Dodge Spirit R/T.;)

  Some Ferraris,Musclecars and other junk.

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  March 6, 2010 1:30 a.m. BoxheadTim HalfDork

  E36 four door Alpina B8? Don't know if those ever made it to the US, though.

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  March 6, 2010 4:47 a.m. Appleseed Dork

  JFX001 wrote: I'd try to find the parts for an LSx Catera conversion.

  Do you have any idea how long that's been rolling around in my head?

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  March 6, 2010 6:31 a.m. Adrian_Thompson HalfDork

  XJR? Can be had for pennies on the $$ compared to other luxo car's Think of it as a $20k for $10k and keep $5k in hand for repaires. There was a guy on Corner Carvers who picked one up for $10k and was fixing the little things a lot cheaper than you might think. Similar age/miles Lexus were selling to Sheeple for over twice as much.

  Friends don't let friends drive Toyota's. Toyota - For when you want to show the world it's won and you've given up. Scion Tc...For when a minivan is just too sportyIF YOU CAN'T F

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  March 6, 2010 6:50 a.m. BoxheadTim HalfDork

  And from what I hear, the straight 6 XJR is pretty robust compared to the later, more powerful V8.

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  March 6, 2010 8:04 a.m. DILYSI Dave SuperDork

  ignorant wrote:

  mw wrote: 97-00 540i /6speed.

  Do it.

  Ask Dilysidave He had one.

  Indeed. Loved that car. It would cruise effortlessly down the Atlanta Autobahn, eating up miles with quiet authority and getting a respectable 22 mpg combined, then if the nerve struck me, Camaro embarrassing hoonage was as close as a push of the ESC button.

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  March 6, 2010 8:08 a.m. 02Pilot Reader

  Just watch the BMW V8s for timing chain noise. More and more instances of worn chain guide rails cropping up, and failure will lunch the motor very expensively.

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  March 6, 2010 8:44 a.m. M2Pilot Reader

  Gotta go with the suggestion of e36 M3/4/5. I like mine so enough so that I don't really feel the need to ever buy another car. (not that I won't). It's probably one of the last series of BMWs that you can maintain yourself also.

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