# CTSV vs e46 M3 vs E39 M5 vs B6 V8 S4
**URL:** https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ctsv-vs-e46-m3-vs-e39-m5-vs-b6-v8-s4/234276
**Category:** NYSpeed Automotive
**Created:** [December 17, 2013, 7:46am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ctsv-vs-e46-m3-vs-e39-m5-vs-b6-v8-s4/234276 "2013-12-17T07:46:57Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 4
### Author:  [@LZ1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LZ1)
#### Post date: [December 18, 2013, 3:27am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ctsv-vs-e46-m3-vs-e39-m5-vs-b6-v8-s4/234276/61 "2013-12-18T03:27:04Z")
> [@e60oholic](#):
>
> 535 with the sports pack and tuned would kill the g37.
He said his budget was 20k…let me know about how reliable a 20k 535i would be :tup:
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### Author:  [@EvoMR](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/EvoMR)
#### Post date: [December 18, 2013, 4:14am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ctsv-vs-e46-m3-vs-e39-m5-vs-b6-v8-s4/234276/62 "2013-12-18T04:14:25Z")
> [@2TurboZ](#):
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> I know its tough to explain but when I have two cars that do too many things the same…for example my TT Mustang and a Z06 Vette, I wouldnt have the mixed use I am trying to achieve.
>
> However, a Corvette with 4 doors, heated seats, and a comfortable ride…sounds good to me for days where I dont want the screamin demon open Dumps and when I am bored with driving an automatic SUV
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> As do I, but It seems so dated in certain aspects and admittedly, I have not had the best luck with German Cars…Porsche, BMWs, and and Audi
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> And as far as actually taking it to work, I dont think I would very often, I have a few clients that are car people, so thats always fun, but on the whole it would transfer the FX into a work only vehicle and the CTS V or whatever it may be will be my after hours/weekend “daily”
If you are going for a certain image, then you may be best off just sticking with a domestic. If you aren’t overly concerned, I think the M5 is by far the best car overall.
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### Author:  [@Kramer](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Kramer)
#### Post date: [December 18, 2013, 5:54am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ctsv-vs-e46-m3-vs-e39-m5-vs-b6-v8-s4/234276/63 "2013-12-18T05:54:23Z")
> [@LZ](#):
>
> He said his budget was 20k…let me know about how reliable a 20k 535i would be :tup:
[http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-5-Series-535xi-BMW-535xi-White-on-Black-6-Speed-Manual-2008-RARE-Dinan-Sport-Package-/321275421137?forcerrptr=true&hash=item4acd81e1d1&item=321275421137&pt=US\_Cars\_Trucks#ht\_835wt\_1124](http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-5-Series-535xi-BMW-535xi-White-on-Black-6-Speed-Manual-2008-RARE-Dinan-Sport-Package-/321275421137?forcerrptr=true&hash=item4acd81e1d1&item=321275421137&pt=US_Cars_Trucks#ht_835wt_1124)
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### Author:  [@LZ1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LZ1)
#### Post date: [December 18, 2013, 6:03am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ctsv-vs-e46-m3-vs-e39-m5-vs-b6-v8-s4/234276/64 "2013-12-18T06:03:30Z")
> [@thunderbunnycrisis](#):
>
> [http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-5-Series-535xi-BMW-535xi-White-on-Black-6-Speed-Manual-2008-RARE-Dinan-Sport-Package-/321275421137?forcerrptr=true&hash=item4acd81e1d1&item=321275421137&pt=US\_Cars\_Trucks#ht\_835wt\_1124](http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-5-Series-535xi-BMW-535xi-White-on-Black-6-Speed-Manual-2008-RARE-Dinan-Sport-Package-/321275421137?forcerrptr=true&hash=item4acd81e1d1&item=321275421137&pt=US_Cars_Trucks#ht_835wt_1124)
So you post one for more than 20k with no warranty lol
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### Author:  [@Kramer](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Kramer)
#### Post date: [December 18, 2013, 6:11am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ctsv-vs-e46-m3-vs-e39-m5-vs-b6-v8-s4/234276/65 "2013-12-18T06:11:22Z")
Thats the buy it now price so im sure you could get pretty close to 20k. And as for a warranty i wouldnt be too worried the miles are still pretty low. Let be honest this guy sells his cars pretty often i dont think he would rack up too many miles before reliability became an issue. Just get a good PPI done
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### Author:  [@Justin](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Justin)
#### Post date: [December 18, 2013, 6:16am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ctsv-vs-e46-m3-vs-e39-m5-vs-b6-v8-s4/234276/66 "2013-12-18T06:16:52Z")
I love my Audi cars. But of the options you have given I would still go with the CTS-V. Although if you were willing to step outside of what you have listed I do think the 535xi 6-Speed would be the most fun and practical combination.
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### Author:  [@LZ1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LZ1)
#### Post date: [December 18, 2013, 6:22am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ctsv-vs-e46-m3-vs-e39-m5-vs-b6-v8-s4/234276/67 "2013-12-18T06:22:28Z")
> [@thunderbunnycrisis](#):
>
> Thats the buy it now price so im sure you could get pretty close to 20k. And as for a warranty i wouldnt be too worried the miles are still pretty low. Let be honest this guy sells his cars pretty often i dont think he would rack up too many miles before reliability became an issue. Just get a good PPI done
Did you not read my looking for a DD thread a whole bunch of people on here listed endless issues with theirs…
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### Author:  [@Onyx\_Z32](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Onyx_Z32)
#### Post date: [December 18, 2013, 6:33am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ctsv-vs-e46-m3-vs-e39-m5-vs-b6-v8-s4/234276/68 "2013-12-18T06:33:19Z")
Kyle, read this: [http://plays-with-cars.kinja.com/one-year-with-a-carmax-warranty-and-an-unreliable-used-1485113319/@travis](http://plays-with-cars.kinja.com/one-year-with-a-carmax-warranty-and-an-unreliable-used-1485113319/@travis)
Get an M5 or something silly / high maintenance.
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### Author:  [@02NismoSpecV](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/02NismoSpecV)
#### Post date: [December 18, 2013, 6:54am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ctsv-vs-e46-m3-vs-e39-m5-vs-b6-v8-s4/234276/69 "2013-12-18T06:54:06Z")
you know my vote lol. ill even do the custom Naab lowering kit on it. it’ll look siqqqq
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### Author:  [@BigRon](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/BigRon)
#### Post date: [December 18, 2013, 7:08am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ctsv-vs-e46-m3-vs-e39-m5-vs-b6-v8-s4/234276/70 "2013-12-18T07:08:01Z")
At least you wouldn’t have to buy any mods, granted I don’t like the tan interior.
[http://www.ctsvowners.com/forum/showthread.php/13577-For-sale-2004-Cadillac-CTS-V-800-rwhp!-LS7](http://www.ctsvowners.com/forum/showthread.php/13577-For-sale-2004-Cadillac-CTS-V-800-rwhp!-LS7)
This one even has a sun room
> **[FS in NC: 2005 CTSV - Cadillac Classifieds - Cadillac Cars, Trucks and Parts For...](http://www.cadillacforums.com/cadillac-classifieds/cadillac-cts-vs-for-sale/p15625-fs-in-nc-3a-2005-ctsv.html)**
>
> Live community for enthusiasts and owners of Cadillac luxury automobiles.
or unmodded and low miles
> **[2005 CTS-V / 39,700 miles / GM Warranty / Perfect - Cadillac Classifieds -...](http://www.cadillacforums.com/cadillac-classifieds/cadillac-cts-vs-for-sale/p15490-2005-cts-v2f-39-2c700-miles2f-gm-warranty2f-perfect.html)**
>
> Live community for enthusiasts and owners of Cadillac luxury automobiles.
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### Author:  [@93dx\_hatch](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/93dx_hatch)
#### Post date: [December 18, 2013, 7:44am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ctsv-vs-e46-m3-vs-e39-m5-vs-b6-v8-s4/234276/71 "2013-12-18T07:44:18Z")
You missed the local CTS v on craigslist for $13,000 with 53k on it
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### Author:  [@Norb\_O](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Norb_O)
#### Post date: [December 18, 2013, 8:46am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ctsv-vs-e46-m3-vs-e39-m5-vs-b6-v8-s4/234276/72 "2013-12-18T08:46:19Z")
I agree with your CTS-V choice. Short of the diff issues, I think it’s a perfect all arounder for you. You can also rebuild the motor with a butter knife while blindfolded should you have problems.
They are really great looking cars IMO, despite being nearly 10 years old now. I’m partial to the silver ones.
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### Author:  [@02NismoSpecV](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/02NismoSpecV)
#### Post date: [December 18, 2013, 9:27am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ctsv-vs-e46-m3-vs-e39-m5-vs-b6-v8-s4/234276/73 "2013-12-18T09:27:59Z")
just because i like rubbing it in haha
[](http://s4.photobucket.com/user/naaby2687/media/CTS-V/IMAG3675_zpsa4cf351e.jpg.html)
[](http://s4.photobucket.com/user/naaby2687/media/CTS-V/IMAG3673_zps2e8a0859.jpg.html)
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### Author:  [@steve2k1116](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/steve2k1116)
#### Post date: [December 18, 2013, 10:16am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ctsv-vs-e46-m3-vs-e39-m5-vs-b6-v8-s4/234276/74 "2013-12-18T10:16:25Z")
> [@theblue](#):
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> I remember the first time I opened the door of a first gen CTS-V… I looked inside and it was instant:
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LOL. This is perfect and alone is enough of a reason why I wouldn’t get one
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### Author:  [@Shifty](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Shifty)
#### Post date: [December 18, 2013, 10:56am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ctsv-vs-e46-m3-vs-e39-m5-vs-b6-v8-s4/234276/75 "2013-12-18T10:56:10Z")
> [@2TurboZ](#):
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> I am trying to get the most car for the money with the least amount of headaches.
Headaches…this can happen to any car. A well maintained car (any car) will get you a longer life span. Don’t let people tell you the maintenance on a e39 m5 would be a crazy and the repair cost is on the high end. I have maintained BMW’s for the the past 10yrs without breaking the bank. If you do you research you’ll find the part(s) you need for a good price. If you do your own work…you already cut the bill by 2/3rd’s. I’m sure the V1 would net you the most horse power then the M5 (if you go crazy with the after market scene.) But that is not in your list of criteria. At a glance the V1 looks like my grandma’s base model CTS 3.6L. The m5 has its own look.
You should take a pole on who has actually owned the cars on your list and ask them real life problems. Not what someone has heard or read on-line.
I would prefer this look over the V1
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### Author:  [@sasquatch](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/sasquatch)
#### Post date: [December 18, 2013, 10:56am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ctsv-vs-e46-m3-vs-e39-m5-vs-b6-v8-s4/234276/76 "2013-12-18T10:56:16Z")
> [@theblue](#):
>
> I remember the first time I opened the door of a first gen CTS-V… I looked inside and it was instant:
>
> 
I’ve never been in a cts-v. But have been in regular cts of that era, and feel this is very accurate haha
My vote is M5 all the way.
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### Author:  [@cougarspeed](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/cougarspeed)
#### Post date: [December 18, 2013, 11:01am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ctsv-vs-e46-m3-vs-e39-m5-vs-b6-v8-s4/234276/77 "2013-12-18T11:01:43Z")
I loved my E39. Never had issues and when I replaced parts I was never bummed on the price.
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### Author:  [@Scott](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Scott)
#### Post date: [December 18, 2013, 11:18am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ctsv-vs-e46-m3-vs-e39-m5-vs-b6-v8-s4/234276/78 "2013-12-18T11:18:40Z")
My e39 m5 was a pretty cool vehicle. Gas mileage was decent, sounded nice, and probably was in the 110 mph range in the 1/4.
Hardly a straight line beast but it could do a lot of other things well.
Of those choices, e39 m5 is the best bet.
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### Author:  [@BigRon](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/BigRon)
#### Post date: [December 18, 2013, 2:29pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ctsv-vs-e46-m3-vs-e39-m5-vs-b6-v8-s4/234276/79 "2013-12-18T14:29:57Z")
> [@Norb O](#):
>
> They are really great looking cars IMO, despite being nearly 10 years old now. I’m partial to the silver ones.
All 4 aren’t bad, I probably wouldn’t go red.
This color is rather rare and looks good in person.
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> [@Shifty](#):
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> At a glance the V1 looks like my grandma’s base model CTS 3.6L. The m5 has its own look.
Agreed that the M5 is a great looking car, but comparing a stock V1 to a highly modified M5 picture is kind of one sided. That appears to be lowered, wheels, hood, headlights, lip, and modified lower bumper. I might be missing some other items.
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### Author:  [@Wahoo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Wahoo)
#### Post date: [December 18, 2013, 3:15pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ctsv-vs-e46-m3-vs-e39-m5-vs-b6-v8-s4/234276/80 "2013-12-18T15:15:09Z")
Yeah I was gonna say, that M5 is no where near stock appearing.
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