E60 / E61 M5 Buyers Guide

[ecain63]

The increase only affects those who buy an annual policy or are buying a new monthly one. Those who have been on the monthly one before the price increase won't be affected.

Unless its all change at mondial.

[ecain63]

^^

[ecain63]

That is as shady as you like! Proper cowboy fit that! Name and shame!!

[ecain63]

gazchap said:

Won't name and shame (as per PH rules) but they're a motorsport garage in Shrewsbury, who have done some damn good stuff with other marques and vehicles, but I guess they'd just never done this to an M5 before.

Now wondering whether I should just bite the bullet and get an aftermarket exhaust. Other than Hayward and Scott, are there any other reasonably priced aftermarket jobbies for the E61?

Nothing tried and tested is cheaper than the H&S boxes.

[ecain63]

andygtt said:

H&S are cheap for reason.

Why is that then? Not a single bad review from any of us who've visited them with an E60/1

[ecain63]

And for people who only keep the car for a couple of years thats no issue. Mine have been on 2 years (18 months with me and 7 months under new owner) and theres no issues to report thus far.

[ecain63]

You'll regret it if you don't actually like it. Probably best to hang on to your cash until the right car comes along.

Only upside is you could score a good deal and take less of a hit at resale time but youll need to sell low again or even px at bmw when the time comes.

[ecain63]

Very nice. Not buying it though. Lol

AMG power is still keeping me entertained currently.

[ecain63]

M777CUS said:

In a nutshell, the C63 feels like you can abuse it day and night and it'll keep on asking for more. The M5 was also a car you could hammer but it always niggled me that it could be expensively fragile if overcooked. No dramas like that with AMG. Its a muscle car but with some thought behind it. I love it. Especially now im running 520+bhp thanks to a retune.

Just go for as new a car as you can get and make sure you find one with the Performance Pack Plus. LSD is more a nice to have in mu experience so dont be put off by a car without one

[ecain63]

Yeah, it really is night and day vs standard engine. More free revving and it feels quicker.

[ecain63]

They all drive fine until they decide they need ££££ spent on them. Thats the thing with auto adjusting clutches. No warning!! The price should reflect the fact it'll need doing soon.

[ecain63]

Everything in the world is overpriced. Trouble is the only scale to measure by how much is the amount that you finally get discounted off the sticker value. Itll probably be a case of agreeing a 50% of the clutch job value off the price of the car. That way you both accept some responsibility for the fact it's going to need work done soon. Dont buy if there's no budge. Dont be impatient as there are more cars out there.

[ecain63]

^^^^can't you tell by looking?

[ecain63]

unfuegopordentro said:

I would like to thank the original poster here and many other people for such useful information and also encouragement. I had a normal E61 with the 525 set up the last year that had the 6 cylinder diesel engine. This was LHD in Norway and whilst not as much fun as my first BMW, a 1 series 3 door "go-kart" it was the best car I have ever had in my life, comfortable and perfect for a family with 2 small children.

However at this time, when taking my car for a service I saw a second hand E61 M5 in the showroom. Priced at around the equivalent of £150k it was something no normal person could aspire to; Norway is like that, it kills your dreams, drags you down, tries to bring everyone down instead of trying to raise everyone up...

Now we're back in the UK for a couple of years at least and tomorrow I am driving down to exchange my sedate saloon for an E61 M5. I know it will be a challenge, I know it will drain resources. This is my dream, my midlife crisis car and I am lucky to get the chance. Hopefully I can learn how to use her properly and keep her in good condition for someone else in a few years time that also harbours the same dreams. Many people think I am weird for wanting an estate car but I don't really care!

M.

I've spent quite a bit of time in Norway over the years and can understand your frustration with the pricing of goods. £50 for a beer and burger is never fun! At least now you have the opportunity to achieve the dream and experience for yourself the rush of the V10 M5. Go forth and enjoy. I still miss my E61 M5!

Eddie (guy who wrote this guide)

[ecain63]

mintyduck said:

Hi,

I'm looking for some M5 help. I've been looking for a while and have seen this example

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

The cost of the car is great but it's more the running costs and at 71k it won't get mondial cover which is a great shame.

Can anyone offer any worldy advice before I go and take a look?

Thanks
Minty

Avoid! Sounds like a BS 'my mate said' advert!

[ecain63]

Hi folks, glad this thread is still alive and of use.

I've been out of my M5 for a good few years now so apologies if I am of no help. I wish all you good owners a very happy experience. Such a great car!