If it's a daily driver get the 2008. Like they said the infrequent odd defects would have showed up by now (HPFP, oil consumtion, carbon buildup, tensioner). They weren't that common. Ask the owner if it burns oil. Mine didn't at all for 5 years, and then a quart very few months. The R56 corners at least as well and the motor is stronger. I loved mine. Ask yourself this: what would I rather have a used 6 year old car or a used 8 year old car?

 

Yea because the previous owner will always tell you if the car burns oil...

 

All first gen cars have electrically powered (not parasitic from the drive belt) hydraulic power steering.


OP - personally I'm biased; but I'd go for the 05. Early 2nd gen's had too many issues and it's a crap shoot with that engine.

 

I was in the same boat as you. It ultimately came down to which car was better maintained.

The r53 I was looking at needed a supercharger rebuild, possibly a new clutch, and new front suspension bushings. It did not have mushroomed strut towers. The owner also admitted he had never changed the serpentine belt or tensioner. Between the clutch and supercharger rebuild I would be out at least $2k in repairs, posibbly $3k.

The r56 I went with had more miles (no xenon's sadly) new valve cover, spark plugs, brakes, tires, timing chain (at 90k) miles and and oil change every 5-7k miles. originial owner. Every option except navigation, sunroof, and xenons ( again these were so important). I think I may need to do some walnut blasting, tranny fluid, and maybe fuel filter change.