The Practical Family Barge - E61 M5
Discussion
Well my faithful 320d has gone the journey, the obvious replacement was this!
I went to have a look at it and basically just fell in love with it.
It's an estate, it looks dull, it has a tow bar, ideal!
Key optional extras from the list for me are :
Adaptive Xenons - Turn when you do
Factory detachable tow bar
Panoramic roof
Heads up display - Projects Rev counter, speed and gear onto the windscreen
Power tailgate
It's got iPod integration, TV, heated electric seats with added back things, and all kinds of other crap I'll eventually find.
For something weighing almost 2 tons it's ungodly, it's got 384ft-lb of torque peak, and over 70% is available from 1200rpm.
The box automagically rev matches on the down change and when you put your foot down, literally everyone turn their head, for something that idles like a derv, when it's on the move it's amazing.
I went to have a look at it and basically just fell in love with it.
It's an estate, it looks dull, it has a tow bar, ideal!
Key optional extras from the list for me are :
Adaptive Xenons - Turn when you do
Factory detachable tow bar
Panoramic roof
Heads up display - Projects Rev counter, speed and gear onto the windscreen
Power tailgate
It's got iPod integration, TV, heated electric seats with added back things, and all kinds of other crap I'll eventually find.
For something weighing almost 2 tons it's ungodly, it's got 384ft-lb of torque peak, and over 70% is available from 1200rpm.
The box automagically rev matches on the down change and when you put your foot down, literally everyone turn their head, for something that idles like a derv, when it's on the move it's amazing.
Edited by MuZiZZle on Sunday 20th April 10:41
ecain63 said:
With it having a tow bar make sure you keep an eye on the clutch performance. Last thing you need is to be stuck during a long tow. Otherwise, enjoy. I still miss my E61.
Thanks, any tips for me?The tow itself hasn't got a single mark on it, it's either new or hasn't been used! knowing my luck it's new!
I doubt I'll ever tow my track car anywhere to be honest, it took 2 years to get the cage in!
ecain63 said:
Have you read the sticky buyers guide i wrote on the M Power forum? Nearly all the info you'll ever need is in there. The most important thing is to only ever drive it in paddle mode and gear selection S5. Before you pull away at the lights you should also dab the brake to let the box know youre about to go so it doesnt clunk into gear. Its a very involved driving experience the M5, but its bloody brilliant once youve got the hang of it.
ooh!Thanks for the tips, I've noticed it clunk, and to be honest driving it in D is almost impossible, it's very random
ecain63 said:
In case you can't find it:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=...
That's a good read! I managed 27mpg from Leeds to Newcastle, I doubt that will ever happen again now though.http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=...
Well I've had this thing about a fortnight, and I'm utterly smitten.
I've filled it up 3 times and the average consumption is basically horrific as expected.
For me the most surprising thing about this car is when it's off M mode.
With the EDC on comfort, and no jazzy buttons pressed, it's like driving a large cloud, the steering is very very light, and due to the torque it's an effortless drive.
Coming from a 320d MSport, which was changed to real rubber over runflats, this is leagues ahead in driveability and comfort at coummuting speeds.
I've filled it up 3 times and the average consumption is basically horrific as expected.
For me the most surprising thing about this car is when it's off M mode.
With the EDC on comfort, and no jazzy buttons pressed, it's like driving a large cloud, the steering is very very light, and due to the torque it's an effortless drive.
Coming from a 320d MSport, which was changed to real rubber over runflats, this is leagues ahead in driveability and comfort at coummuting speeds.
According to the stats, the car puts out 380 lb-ft of torque peak, it's supposed to put out 73% of that from 1200rpm? so 284 lb-ft
So as a cruiser it's more than happy to do 40 in some stupidly high gear, for 40 i'd be in 5th or maybe 4th.
On the school run which is a long high street I'd be lucky to get into 5th, on the A1 mixing witht commuters I'm at 60 in 7th, the way the traffic is when I commute to work I'd never get a gap big enough to really go silly, and since the brakes are lurpak I have to factor in 10 seconds of the loud pedal = 4 years of braking.
It does rev faster the high up the rev band you get though, akin to VTEC but actually making the car go quickly.
I plan to run this car for a while, so I'm trying not to kick it's head in all the time, it's a really nice place to be, it makes an amazing burble, I need to try and keep it in my life, not a hedge, or the BMW workshop.
So as a cruiser it's more than happy to do 40 in some stupidly high gear, for 40 i'd be in 5th or maybe 4th.
On the school run which is a long high street I'd be lucky to get into 5th, on the A1 mixing witht commuters I'm at 60 in 7th, the way the traffic is when I commute to work I'd never get a gap big enough to really go silly, and since the brakes are lurpak I have to factor in 10 seconds of the loud pedal = 4 years of braking.
It does rev faster the high up the rev band you get though, akin to VTEC but actually making the car go quickly.
I plan to run this car for a while, so I'm trying not to kick it's head in all the time, it's a really nice place to be, it makes an amazing burble, I need to try and keep it in my life, not a hedge, or the BMW workshop.
Edited by MuZiZZle on Friday 2nd May 11:18
Well, almost 2 months of ownership and the first problem has struck, both of my fobs just randomly stopped working.
Now I can use the key in the fob to lock it by hand but when unlocking it the alarm goes off, which when you leave for work at 6am can realy annoy your neighbors.
It's going in to Lloyds of ewcastle this friday for a diagnostic, I suspect it to be the comfort access module that lives in the spoiler getting wet, but I'll get them to crawl all over the car once it's in their mitts.
This is a known issue I'm told, and they modify the spoiler with some internal foam blocks to keep the lids on things?
Other than that it's been spot on, it's due the big 60k service in a few hundred miles too, so I'll be happy knowing it's got delicious fresh fluids in it and they've drained all of the sheared teeth and metal shavings from the gearbox and diff. It's due new plugs and filters and god knows what else.
Now I can use the key in the fob to lock it by hand but when unlocking it the alarm goes off, which when you leave for work at 6am can realy annoy your neighbors.
It's going in to Lloyds of ewcastle this friday for a diagnostic, I suspect it to be the comfort access module that lives in the spoiler getting wet, but I'll get them to crawl all over the car once it's in their mitts.
This is a known issue I'm told, and they modify the spoiler with some internal foam blocks to keep the lids on things?
Other than that it's been spot on, it's due the big 60k service in a few hundred miles too, so I'll be happy knowing it's got delicious fresh fluids in it and they've drained all of the sheared teeth and metal shavings from the gearbox and diff. It's due new plugs and filters and god knows what else.
ecain63 said:
Have you tried rebooting the keys in the lock?
Lock car with key in lock.
With the key in the lock press and hold 'open' button on fob. Turn key to open with button still held.
Press and hold button again and turn to lock.
If it's just a comfort computer issue this may solve your problem. If it's moisture related then it may not.
Worth a try though.
I've tried allsorts, but it tends to stop working after rain, and since I have a warranty it may aswell go in, cheers for the idea though!Lock car with key in lock.
With the key in the lock press and hold 'open' button on fob. Turn key to open with button still held.
Press and hold button again and turn to lock.
If it's just a comfort computer issue this may solve your problem. If it's moisture related then it may not.
Worth a try though.
I thought I'd stick a few photos on too, not much is going on other than using it really, getting the new rear tyres on, and washing it lots, it could do with a few chips sorted out, and the wheels could do with a refurb, until then I've stripped the wax off, glazed it with Poorboys Black Hole, and waxed it with Dodojuice Purple Haze.
It's been used as a sort of high speed van.
I've also stuck some seats in for the nippers.
Edited by MuZiZZle on Sunday 15th June 08:14
eldavo said:
Have you still got the Saxo track car too?
Dean at DW Motorworks in Gateshead is an ex-M technician and knows his way around an E60 M5 like you wouldn't believe - he'll be a damn site cheaper than Lloyd's too!
David - with the 944 Turbo on Great Park
Ah hello!Dean at DW Motorworks in Gateshead is an ex-M technician and knows his way around an E60 M5 like you wouldn't believe - he'll be a damn site cheaper than Lloyd's too!
David - with the 944 Turbo on Great Park
Yes I have, I mean the M5 is okay, but it's no VTS!
Sadly Dean isn't VAT registered so I can't use him and maintain the Mondial warranty, I managed to haggle out a reasonable price with Lloyds so it's getting serviced when it goes in for it's little diagnostic stop, I say reasonable.......
They said it can take 2 hours to 2 days to run diagnostics on it, and they have to do that before doing the module if that's at fault, it's also getting the + paddle swapped as the light has gone out on it, the load cover looked at as it's hitty miss and if I remember the non assisted tailgate damper as it appears to have split the outer plastic casing.
I wonder what my loaner car will be, I'll have it for 4 days......
They said it can take 2 hours to 2 days to run diagnostics on it, and they have to do that before doing the module if that's at fault, it's also getting the + paddle swapped as the light has gone out on it, the load cover looked at as it's hitty miss and if I remember the non assisted tailgate damper as it appears to have split the outer plastic casing.
I wonder what my loaner car will be, I'll have it for 4 days......
Hungrymc said:
I think people are over reacting a bit, the torque comments aren't slating the car. It's a high reving high output engine. They always feel like they have to be worked fairly hard to make the most of them (but that's really worth doing as it's glorious). It's not that it lacks torque, it's just the nature of the power delivery draws you into using it at higher revs and if you ask a lot of it at lower revs, you're kind of 'waiting' for that wonderful top end.
Don't stress over it, no need to defend it, it's a glorious engine and a brilliant car.
The top of the rev band is akin to VTec (but it actually does something), it's strange, it sort of lunges forward a few thousand before the limiter, it's similar to my cammed Saxo VTS, well, I say similarDon't stress over it, no need to defend it, it's a glorious engine and a brilliant car.
Well then, I got my car back last week after the dealers had it in for a service and diagnostic plus some warranty bits.
The service seemed reasonable for it being the big 60,000 mile one, originally I was quoted around £1660 for it, I then called them back and mentioned the maindealerdiscount site to them, a spot of negotiation, supplying my own oil via opie, and it came in at £770, with a few little bits and bobs.
Scope
Software update
Engine oil
Plugs
Diff Oil
SMG Oil
Induction filters
Cabin Filters
The faults it went in for, Comfort access not working, turned out to be the wiring in the boot hinge, this was classed as wear and tear, so not covered by the warranty, they did the work without asking me, and since I've been shafted for half of the money by the garage I bought the car off as it should have been okay'd by them prior to thew work going ahead, BMW didn't even notify me that the work was out of warranty and just did it. I'm not really that fussed, I'm not trying to be cheap with this car, I just don't like paying over the odds.
The Paddle wasn't done, the boot strut wasn't done, they said they'd looked at the load cover?
I rang them at noon about picking the car up, they said they'd call straight back, about 4:30 they rang back (not a big deal for most but I had to sleep due to shift work), I went to collect the car and it took them an hour to do the invoice for payment as I sat twiddling my thumbs.
All of this aside, I have the car back, and it's even better now as I don't set the alarm of at 5:55am!
The service seemed reasonable for it being the big 60,000 mile one, originally I was quoted around £1660 for it, I then called them back and mentioned the maindealerdiscount site to them, a spot of negotiation, supplying my own oil via opie, and it came in at £770, with a few little bits and bobs.
Scope
Software update
Engine oil
Plugs
Diff Oil
SMG Oil
Induction filters
Cabin Filters
The faults it went in for, Comfort access not working, turned out to be the wiring in the boot hinge, this was classed as wear and tear, so not covered by the warranty, they did the work without asking me, and since I've been shafted for half of the money by the garage I bought the car off as it should have been okay'd by them prior to thew work going ahead, BMW didn't even notify me that the work was out of warranty and just did it. I'm not really that fussed, I'm not trying to be cheap with this car, I just don't like paying over the odds.
The Paddle wasn't done, the boot strut wasn't done, they said they'd looked at the load cover?
I rang them at noon about picking the car up, they said they'd call straight back, about 4:30 they rang back (not a big deal for most but I had to sleep due to shift work), I went to collect the car and it took them an hour to do the invoice for payment as I sat twiddling my thumbs.
All of this aside, I have the car back, and it's even better now as I don't set the alarm of at 5:55am!
ecain63 said:
Boot wiring is a warranty item. I had it done when mine went. I'd query it!
I might do actually, the guy at BMW said that when the car hits 60k a lot of things are now classed as wear and tear, this being one of them, so they're not covered. I then asked, so the price of the warranty jumps up at 60k, but it coveres less, he brushed over it and moved on.The fix cost less than the excess so it's not really worth chasing for the money, but I might ring for clarification.
- edit, I've just emailed "Mondial" aka Allianz, for some information on this.
Edited by MuZiZZle on Sunday 13th July 07:54
In for a brake fluid service today, I decided to take it to Cooper Sunderland, at £140 they were £60 more than Newcastle but I've had enough of them, so I took it south of the water. They were utterly superb, the entire experience was what it should be, taking into account I was only there for something small, it was a pleasure, I bet not many people can say that after a visit to a BMW dealership.
Now bill time, a quoted £140 on the phone came to..........£80, they discounted it for me, pointed out it could possibly do with wipers next time I'm in and said it may need tyres in about 6k and he would match the price I got.
A very happy customer!
Now bill time, a quoted £140 on the phone came to..........£80, they discounted it for me, pointed out it could possibly do with wipers next time I'm in and said it may need tyres in about 6k and he would match the price I got.
A very happy customer!
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff