F90 M5 Competition

[Palmball]

That service sounds truly shocking, although I do think this lack of giving a sh!t is getting far more common.

Guys, for those wanting 2019 v2 maps you don't need a BMW dealer. Just go into your online account for BMW Connected Drive > Remote Cockpit > Map Update - it's in there.

Install the 'BMW Download Manager', sign in on that using your Connect Drive account credentials and it'll download a few files to your computer. Put files onto a USB, insert in the car and it'll update the maps automatically from the USB.

[Wills2]

Burwood said:

In my experience if you try to be a gent/reasonable you get walked.

Maybe things are different in the north but after 5 M cars in a row and a 7 series my local dealer is fabulous nothing is too much trouble I explain what I want and the reasons and they always deliver.

I had the same issue with an M5 but they reflashed the car and have done the same recently with my 7. On a wider point around these F90 M5's with old maps the reason is they were made some time ago and are not as new as people would think, BMW made 1500 units for the UK and up take was low in 2018 leaving them with 1000 units unsold hence the deals on offer, just be aware of that and ask for an istep level update.

The same thing happened back in 2014/5 with the F10 M5.

Edited by Wills2 on Thursday 18th April 23:06

[Palmball]

HSimon said:

Hi Mate,
Great write up about the M5. Ive had mine about 2 months now, and its in for its running in service in two weeks, so im pretty stoked to have that done, and feel the full force, as ive stuck religiously to the running in period. It was either this car, or an R8 V10 Plus, which i also spy in your garage.
Im smitten with the M5, and feel for the size of car that it is, it is a real rocket ship, with quality and class aplenty. Agree with most of your points, and somedays i wish it was DCT, and other days im quite happy with what i have. It is definitely a nano second slower than a proper twinclutch, but made up for, by being ever so slightly smother. Are you from the North West ?, asking because of your number plate ?.
Only just seen this post, so quite late to the party, regards, Simon.

You mean 'spied' in my garage. R8 now replaced with this....



In all honesty, I don't think the R8 really has much of straight line performance advantage over the M5, not unless its was fully extended to 7k+ and kept there and we all know you can't drive like that on the road. As such the M5 was faster more of the time. The McLaren is maybe a bit quicker, but I suspect you'd need some serious speed to see anything tangible. Also, aside from feeling like you're sat on the first floor of a building compared to the them (especially the McLaren), the M5 doesn't feel out-of-place dynamically either. Surprisingly though, both bonafide sports cars ride far more compliantly than the BMW, no doubt thanks to the significantly lower weight. Overall though, this only highlights that the M5 is a tremendous all rounder.

And for those of you thinking the world has ended being on 2018 v4 maps....spare me a bit of sympathy. Despite the Macca being a 2018 car, it seems to have a map from c.2014 and McLaren offer no updates at all. None!

No, I'm East Midlands not from the North West but my M5 did originate from, I think, Lancashire. Its first owner didn't keep it long; I bought the M5 second hand with just 1k on the clock, and £25k less than new (although that was back in December, it seems you can buy new ones with at least this discount these days).

[Fulmentaljack3t]

Chamon_Lee said:

I have to say I agree its a fob off. It doesnt make sense that something is PDId somewhere else then transported to them to some extent. Even if they done part of the process or most of it somewhere else at the very least the sticker to remove transport blocks should have still been on the car.

I said to the Aftersales Manager that surely the blocks must still be in when the cars arrive on transporters and see pulled a face, shrugged his shoulders, shook his head and said no. His general demeanour really cheesed me off so I told how unimpressed I was with the service from the service desk and gave him a quick lesson in cusotmer service. He listened and tried to smile politely but I could tell he was annoyed and just wanted me to shut up and go away

The service is not great my first clue should have been when I picked up the car and the Finance Manager comes out to ask some questions and try and sell me a range of insurance products. I say i'm going to buy GAP online and she tells me I shouldn't because most of the ones online are "dodgy businesses run out of offices above kebab shops....and do I really trust them to pay out should the worst happen". I just thought wow nice bit of pressure selling!

There was good info from someone about the "istep" so i'll push them on that and if they don't update the maps i'll follow the advice above about how to download it and install myself.

[Fulmentaljack3t]

Stratstone have an offer online of £21,640 dealer contribution, if they are offering that online then they'll likely give a bit more if pushed.
I only got £20k and a load of hassle

https://www.stratstone.com/new-cars/bmw/m5-4dr-dct...

[HSimon]

Palmball said:

You mean 'spied' in my garage. R8 now replaced with this....



In all honesty, I don't think the R8 really has much of straight line performance advantage over the M5, not unless its was fully extended to 7k+ and kept there and we all know you can't drive like that on the road. As such the M5 was faster more of the time. The McLaren is maybe a bit quicker, but I suspect you'd need some serious speed to see anything tangible. Also, aside from feeling like you're sat on the first floor of a building compared to the them (especially the McLaren), the M5 doesn't feel out-of-place dynamically either. Surprisingly though, both bonafide sports cars ride far more compliantly than the BMW, no doubt thanks to the significantly lower weight. Overall though, this only highlights that the M5 is a tremendous all rounder.

And for those of you thinking the world has ended being on 2018 v4 maps....spare me a bit of sympathy. Despite the Macca being a 2018 car, it seems to have a map from c.2014 and McLaren offer no updates at all. None!

No, I'm East Midlands not from the North West but my M5 did originate from, I think, Lancashire. Its first owner didn't keep it long; I bought the M5 second hand with just 1k on the clock, and £25k less than new (although that was back in December, it seems you can buy new ones with at least this discount these days).

Hi Mate,
Thanks for the reply. Again I agree with your comments. I think the M5 is a car a lot of folks don’t give enough credit to, for a standard car. I feel the car is very strong compared to even the very top cars. I tried a Mac 570 a couple of years ago, and it didn’t light my fire enough to buy one, and I’m not being derogatory to you here, it’s just what I felt at the time, and how much money it was etc. I was happier to drive my M4 at the time, with its fruity exhaust, it just made me happy.
My biggest crux with the M5, is the noise it makes, it’s so very nearly there, but is being robbed by these damn OPF filters, but I hope to get it somewhat better soon. The damping is very firm on all but the smoothest roads, even in comfort, but that translates to a front end that shouldn’t belong to a car this size. And the handling is bewildering at times too, it just seems to absorb whatever I throw at it, although I haven’t absolutely shown it the way yet. I very nearly bought a new R8 V 10 Plus, instead of the M5, and so far I’m still very happy with my choice, which says a lot for the M5 I think, because most folks have looked at me in dismay, when they hear of my decision. It all depends what you want from the car obviously, and how you want to use it. You have a fabulous stable there, and please keep the reports coming on the beasts. It was the number plate that caused me to ask of your location, as it is from my area.

Edited by HSimon on Friday 19th April 16:10

Edited by HSimon on Friday 19th April 16:11

[Burwood]

Palmball said:

HSimon said:

Hi Mate,
Great write up about the M5. Ive had mine about 2 months now, and its in for its running in service in two weeks, so im pretty stoked to have that done, and feel the full force, as ive stuck religiously to the running in period. It was either this car, or an R8 V10 Plus, which i also spy in your garage.
Im smitten with the M5, and feel for the size of car that it is, it is a real rocket ship, with quality and class aplenty. Agree with most of your points, and somedays i wish it was DCT, and other days im quite happy with what i have. It is definitely a nano second slower than a proper twinclutch, but made up for, by being ever so slightly smother. Are you from the North West ?, asking because of your number plate ?.
Only just seen this post, so quite late to the party, regards, Simon.

You mean 'spied' in my garage. R8 now replaced with this....



In all honesty, I don't think the R8 really has much of straight line performance advantage over the M5, not unless its was fully extended to 7k+ and kept there and we all know you can't drive like that on the road. As such the M5 was faster more of the time. The McLaren is maybe a bit quicker, but I suspect you'd need some serious speed to see anything tangible. Also, aside from feeling like you're sat on the first floor of a building compared to the them (especially the McLaren), the M5 doesn't feel out-of-place dynamically either. Surprisingly though, both bonafide sports cars ride far more compliantly than the BMW, no doubt thanks to the significantly lower weight. Overall though, this only highlights that the M5 is a tremendous all rounder.

And for those of you thinking the world has ended being on 2018 v4 maps....spare me a bit of sympathy. Despite the Macca being a 2018 car, it seems to have a map from c.2014 and McLaren offer no updates at all. None!

No, I'm East Midlands not from the North West but my M5 did originate from, I think, Lancashire. Its first owner didn't keep it long; I bought the M5 second hand with just 1k on the clock, and £25k less than new (although that was back in December, it seems you can buy new ones with at least this discount these days).

Stunning paint on both. Do you detail them yourself?

[HoHoHo]

Burwood said:

Palmball said:

HSimon said:

Hi Mate,
Great write up about the M5. Ive had mine about 2 months now, and its in for its running in service in two weeks, so im pretty stoked to have that done, and feel the full force, as ive stuck religiously to the running in period. It was either this car, or an R8 V10 Plus, which i also spy in your garage.
Im smitten with the M5, and feel for the size of car that it is, it is a real rocket ship, with quality and class aplenty. Agree with most of your points, and somedays i wish it was DCT, and other days im quite happy with what i have. It is definitely a nano second slower than a proper twinclutch, but made up for, by being ever so slightly smother. Are you from the North West ?, asking because of your number plate ?.
Only just seen this post, so quite late to the party, regards, Simon.

You mean 'spied' in my garage. R8 now replaced with this....



In all honesty, I don't think the R8 really has much of straight line performance advantage over the M5, not unless its was fully extended to 7k+ and kept there and we all know you can't drive like that on the road. As such the M5 was faster more of the time. The McLaren is maybe a bit quicker, but I suspect you'd need some serious speed to see anything tangible. Also, aside from feeling like you're sat on the first floor of a building compared to the them (especially the McLaren), the M5 doesn't feel out-of-place dynamically either. Surprisingly though, both bonafide sports cars ride far more compliantly than the BMW, no doubt thanks to the significantly lower weight. Overall though, this only highlights that the M5 is a tremendous all rounder.

And for those of you thinking the world has ended being on 2018 v4 maps....spare me a bit of sympathy. Despite the Macca being a 2018 car, it seems to have a map from c.2014 and McLaren offer no updates at all. None!

No, I'm East Midlands not from the North West but my M5 did originate from, I think, Lancashire. Its first owner didn't keep it long; I bought the M5 second hand with just 1k on the clock, and £25k less than new (although that was back in December, it seems you can buy new ones with at least this discount these days).

Stunning paint on both. Do you detail them yourself?

They are both very, very shiny and look !

[Phil.]

With the great deals on offer now I’m considering both the Competition and the standard M5. I haven’t driven them yet but have owned several high performance cars (GTR, 911 Turbo, F-Type V8).

I’m concerned about reports on here and elsewhere about the ride quality of the Competition. I’ve noticed for daily use that people tend to use the Competition with most of the settings in comfort and often in sport for the standard M5.

How does the Competition ride compared to say a GTR (mechanical and purposeful) versus an F-Type (comfortable and sporty)?

I’m after the best handling version of the M5 that occasionally I can drive across Europe or Scotland in GT mode without my wife feeling jolted around.

[HoHoHo]

Phil. said:

With the great deals on offer now I’m considering both the Competition and the standard M5. I haven’t driven them yet but have owned several high performance cars (GTR, 911 Turbo, F-Type V8).

I’m concerned about reports on here and elsewhere about the ride quality of the Competition. I’ve noticed for daily use that people tend to use the Competition with most of the settings in comfort and often in sport for the standard M5.

How does the Competition ride compared to say a GTR (mechanical and purposeful) versus an F-Type (comfortable and sporty)?

I’m after the best handling version of the M5 that occasionally I can drive across Europe or Scotland in GT mode without my wife feeling jolted around.

I didn’t drive a competition, I understand it’s probably a better car but on a day-to-day basis and reflecting on the fact I’m unlikely to track my car the standard M5 is possibly all you could ever need.

My Mrs now has a new Macan and that’s a great little car even in its 2.0L form (although it does need driving if you want some fun!). She pretty much constantly remarks how hard the suspension is in my car and is convinced it’s nowhere near as comfortable as my old F10 M5......

So I’m pleased I didn’t get the CP!

I’m also not sure on our roads in the SE where we constantly seem to be dodging large potholes a CP would be a good decision.

[Phil.]

HoHoHo said:

I didn’t drive a competition, I understand it’s probably a better car but on a day-to-day basis and reflecting on the fact I’m unlikely to track my car the standard M5 is possibly all you could ever need.

My Mrs now has a new Macan and that’s a great little car even in its 2.0L form (although it does need driving if you want some fun!). She pretty much constantly remarks how hard the suspension is in my car and is convinced it’s nowhere near as comfortable as my old F10 M5......

So I’m pleased I didn’t get the CP!

I’m also not sure on our roads in the SE where we constantly seem to be dodging large potholes a CP would be a good decision.

That’s my thought process too which is why I am asking before taking the plunge. I won’t be tracking the M5 but am interested in how different the ride is between the two on the road.

[HoHoHo]

Phil. said:

That’s my thought process too which is why I am asking before taking the plunge. I won’t be tracking the M5 but am interested in how different the ride is between the two on the road.

I’m told comfort in the CP is the same as sport in the standard car

[HSimon]

Phil. said:

With the great deals on offer now I’m considering both the Competition and the standard M5. I haven’t driven them yet but have owned several high performance cars (GTR, 911 Turbo, F-Type V8).

I’m concerned about reports on here and elsewhere about the ride quality of the Competition. I’ve noticed for daily use that people tend to use the Competition with most of the settings in comfort and often in sport for the standard M5.

How does the Competition ride compared to say a GTR (mechanical and purposeful) versus an F-Type (comfortable and sporty)?

I’m after the best handling version of the M5 that occasionally I can drive across Europe or Scotland in GT mode without my wife feeling jolted around.

Hi Phil,
Quite a lot of talk on this subject on other forums. I have had my Competition for a couple of months now, and can tell you, this is a very subjective matter, and one that seems a little out of proportion to me. Between the standard car, and the competition, you would be hard pushed to tell the difference in ride quality, on a smooth flowing road. Where you will feel the difference, is on a poorly surfaced, broken topped surfaced, where they have used the nasty surface dressing rubbish. It can feel firm, and because of the very nature of the suspension components of the Comp, can transmit some NVH through the cabin for a split second. But, my wife thinks it’s the comfiest car she has been in, and she loves it, and we have had most cars, 911 Turbo, GT-R, F10 M5, etc etc. The only way, and I mean the only way, to see if this car is for you, is to try them both, but take the Competition off the main roads, and try on some country lanes.
The positive trade off, for this set up, is a front end grip, that a car of this size has no right to, and a handling prowess, that matches the front end bite, it’s very, very impressive. This is BMWs GT-R, but with quality and luxury, oh, and it’s a bit quicker too as standard. Give it a try.

PS, funny you should mention Scotland, because I’m typing this now, sat outside our B+B, in Ballater, Royal Deeside, before heading over the old military road, and over Lecht Ski Center, for a good old blast in the Cairngorms. Only thing is, we’ve come in the X5, and the M5, is sat at home with 1k miles awaiting its 1st service.

Edited by HSimon on Saturday 20th April 09:22

[Palmball]

In my opinion, if ride quality is a priority then I would be looking at a regular M5 over a Competition.

Now don’t get me wrong, it’s not uncomfortable because the sheer quality of the damping means the body is kept so tightly in check, you get less of the vertical ‘bouncing’ than you might expect of such a heavy, conventionally sprung car. For instance, hit a speed bump and you’ll feel the hardness all right, but you’ll also feel no secondary movement. There are definite advantages to the set up.

But it is firm and specifically, it is harsh. The way the suspension is rose jointed rather than rubber bushed to the body just means you feel the surface come through the chassis and seats. I traded in a 911 GTS for the M5 and this harshness is the one thing that I noticed straight away.

I’m actually surprised it doesn’t cause any vibrations or buzzes in the car....it probably would do in something like a 3er. But thankfully the 5er has excellent build quality so even after 6k miles it doesn’t make a noise.

The only real answer to this question is to test drive both as ride comfort is such a subjective area.

Edited by Palmball on Saturday 20th April 09:39

[Palmball]

Burwood said:

Stunning paint on both. Do you detail them yourself?

HoHoHo said:

They are both very, very shiny and look !

Cheers guys, I do normally detail my cars myself but not with these two, I’ve just not had the time.

The M5 was done by Remyroc Detailing who is a Lancashire based chap so hardly convenient for me, based in Loughborough. But he’s so good and so reasonable, I choose to use him rather than anyone more local. He’ll spend a good 10 hours on a car and typically charges £250, including a couple of Gtechniq coatings. The M5 has a combination of Gtechniq Crystal Serum Light and Exo V4, which makes it super shiny and very easy to clean.

The McLaren I’ve literally only had a week so the look you see is straight out of a main dealer. But it has one big advantage, the previous owner had a full PPF on the car and it’s extremely good....the best I’ve seen. The car looks flawless, not even a hint of orange peel that you typically get with PPF. I need to find out who did it for future reference (can’t get previous owner details from V5’s anymore so I’ll have to get the dealer to ask the previous owner for me). I washed it for the first time yesterday and it’s not very ‘slick’ so I’m going to put a coating of Exo on it.

[Terminator X]

Wills2 said:

Burwood said:

In my experience if you try to be a gent/reasonable you get walked.

Maybe things are different in the north but after 5 M cars in a row and a 7 series my local dealer is fabulous nothing is too much trouble I explain what I want and the reasons and they always deliver.

I had the same issue with an M5 but they reflashed the car and have done the same recently with my 7. On a wider point around these F90 M5's with old maps the reason is they were made some time ago and are not as new as people would think, BMW made 1500 units for the UK and up take was low in 2018 leaving them with 1000 units unsold hence the deals on offer, just be aware of that and ask for an istep level update.

The same thing happened back in 2014/5 with the F10 M5.

Edited by Wills2 on Thursday 18th April 23:06

Yep albeit not that "old" tbf as mine was made Sep 18 bought / reg'd Mar 19.

TX.

[Palmball]

I updated my maps (through a USB updated downloaded from Connected Drive - see earlier post, no need for a dealer visit) just before I did my trip to Switzerland at the start of March. The latest maps then were 2018 v4.

I've just updated in the last week, same process, and the latest maps are 2019 v2. If 2019 v1 ever existed, it wasn't for long!

[pvogue]

Evolve Motorsports F90 M5 with Supersprints sound so much better! Check out their YouTube at VMax

[Andy M]

Phil. said:

I’m concerned about reports on here and elsewhere about the ride quality of the Competition. I’ve noticed for daily use that people tend to use the Competition with most of the settings in comfort and often in sport for the standard M5.

How does the Competition ride compared to say a GTR (mechanical and purposeful) versus an F-Type (comfortable and sporty)?

I’m after the best handling version of the M5 that occasionally I can drive across Europe or Scotland in GT mode without my wife feeling jolted around.

The Competition rides very alike a 911 I had a few years ago. 99.9% of the time it's very comfortable, but now and again you'll hit a bump and it's a shock to the system.

If I had young children (less than 3 years old), or I lived inner-city with poor roads (i.e. dock roads in Liverpool), I'd skip the Competition.

I'm loving mine. Highly recommended.

[HoHoHo]

I suppose one question is my standard M5 was £98k and has almost every option I could want.

The CP is £6 or £7k more than the standard. Now even at that cost there’s possibly a budget in mind and I my case I’d rather have what I’ve got than a CP with less toys.

And mine has the M Drivers package so technically is slightly faster than most CP’s