You can have your 200MPH, and now in a wagon

[L8 Apex]

The M5 wagon looks and sounds like a riot, but for me it's got at least 4 things going against it:
1) It's not coming to the U.S.
2) It has iDrive
3) The E63 AMG wagon is available here, AFAIK
4) You could buy a Magnum SRT-8 or build something old school cool like a Country Squire or Vista Cruiser g-machine for considerably less than what either of the Germans would cost

But that's just one car guy's opinion...

 

[McLaren]

Hmmm I didn't think the SRT-8 was $40k...I thought I had an extra ~$8k to work with.

And I wouldn't care if the SL55 AMG had high miles...it is still an SL55 AMG. 👍

Well, it's technically $38,000, but that's without all the the shipping and taxing. And true, a SL55 is a SL55 AMG.

The M5 wagon looks and sounds like a riot, but for me it's got at least 4 things going against it:
1) It's not coming to the U.S.
2) It has iDrive
3) The E63 AMG wagon is available here, AFAIK
4) You could buy a Magnum SRT-8 or build something old school cool like a Country Squire or Vista Cruiser g-machine for considerably less than what either of the Germans would cost

But that's just one car guy's opinion...

I don't think #1 is a problem considering the last M5 Touring was pretty much almost a decade ago, maybe more, a time where Wagons were not the sport machines they can be today. Thus, the M5 Touring may be available here. Hell, the top 5 Series Tourings are, why not a M5 Touring?

#2, I don't think that makes a big difference. If you don't like it, don't use it. But I hate when people criticize it without reading its manual. It is notthe difficult machine every magazine tries to make it.

#3, like the M5 Touring, I'll bet it is as long as you order one. It's the same with the 911 Targas here. For some reason, 911 Targas are not of huge value here, so to get one, or see one, someone has to buy one. I'll be willing to bet that happens to the E63 and M5 Wagons.

True about #4, but then again, when you compare German quality to Dodges, it's a bit different despite Dodge using Mercedes-Benz parts.

 

[harrytuttle]

3) The E63 AMG wagon is available here, AFAIK

It sure is.

👍

 

[SlipZtrEm]

I'm... conflicted. The wagon looks great (especially on the M6's rims), but I think I'd rather hold out for an Audi RS6 wagon (if that is indeed going the turbo route). My reasoning? The V10's an amazing engine, without a doubt, but when I see a wagon I assume it has load-hauling ability, something a (comparatively) high-strung engine isn't too keen on. The M5 sedan or the M6? I'd love either one. But this engine is mismatched with the vehicle, just like an RS4 Avant (too peaky).

I'm glad they gave us the option, though 👍

 

[Wolfe]

#2, I don't think that makes a big difference. If you don't like it, don't use it. But I hate when people criticize it without reading its manual. It is notthe difficult machine every magazine tries to make it.

When I used iDrive on the rental car that my dad and I got in Germany, there was only one thing that I wasn't able to quickly figure out by myself, and that was how to get the damned navigation woman to shut up. Considering the fact that I'd probably rarely use navigation if I owned a car with iDrive, that wouldn't be much of a problem.

 

[Appie]

That thing looks hot, but what can you expect from BMW

 

[Leonidae]

When I used iDrive on the rental car that my dad and I got in Germany, there was only one thing that I wasn't able to quickly figure out by myself, and that was how to get the damned navigation woman to shut up. Considering the fact that I'd probably rarely use navigation if I owned a car with iDrive, that wouldn't be much of a problem.

what, they didn't give you a big red hammer that had "SatNav OFF!" written on it?

 

[Milliethemutt]

but I think I'd rather hold out for an Audi RS6 wagon

I agree. I wouldn't want to drive something as big and fast as the M5 that would oversteer whenever you wanted. I'd end up doing something bad. The RS6 would be an excellent fast practical car but slighty less insane. The M5 is still really cool though.

 

[Seven]

, but what can you expect from BMW

All sorts of eye-aching crap.

Don't get me wrong here, the E34 M5 wagon is a beauty and I think the E60 M5 wagon, as it's follower will do the job more than enough, Still, BMW has put out some bad cars recently.

For instance, how about the X3? blurghy. And the 1-series are like a turd in a basket except mabye for the 130i with the M-package.

 

[Seven]

Never tell "what can you expect from BMW" wihout a serious ensurement. Period.

.. Because loads of what comes out of their factory are hesitable

 

[Leonidae]

haven't you seen the pics of the soon-to-be-released 3-door 1-series? it actually looks way better than the 5-door one.. and then, there are rumours that 335i's twinturbo six will find it's way under 1-series bonnet..

 

[Wolfe]

BMW has put out some bad cars recently.

For instance, how about the X3? blurghy. And the 1-series are like a turd in a basket except mabye for the 130i with the M-package.

No big loss on either account. The 1-series and X3 are rather worthless anyway...although the 1-series would have been acceptable if it were available for a realistic price.

...ensurement...

...hesitable...

...huh?

haven't you seen the pics of the soon-to-be-released 3-door 1-series? it actually looks way better than the 5-door one.

I've never seen a 5-door hatchback that I've found attractive.