BMW M5 f10 on track

[Edward-25gc3]

I have recently bought an F10 m5 and having discovered that it is far too fast for the road to be enjoyed to the full (unless your comfortable with the risk of going over 100mph and not getting caught, which i'm not), I am going to Thruxton next month for a track day

I have never been on a track day before, let alone in an M5 and wondered what peoples experiences have been of this car on track? Any tips or advice regarding how I can expect the car to behave?

Many thanks

[mrfunex]

I’d imagine, like most super saloons, they’re a lot of fun for a few laps. Brutally fast, pretty good handling, and capable brakes to a point. The track is ideal to explore the higher speed performance of a car that, you’ve noted, can’t really be exploited on the road. The weight will make itself known (2 tons?) and the tyres may liquify after 4/5 laps.

I’ve got a Lexus GSF - I’ve tracked it at Silverstone, Goodwood and Bedford and it was great! Go and enjoy.

[AmosMoses]

It’s a big heavy car and will munch tyres and brakes. Take it steady, leave the systems on and build up your confidence.

[jackcactii]

Buy more aggressive brake pads and high-temp brake fluid before attempting a lap.

Cannot stress this enough.

BMW used to run F10 M5s on the Nordschleife as Ring Taxis so they can hold up to some track usage.

[MikeM6]

Interesting thread as I am planning on tracking my M6 sometime. My wife bought be some vouchers to use so I will do it, but I can't shake the feeling that it will be torture for the car! I'm hoping that fuel prices drop a tad before I go too

[Edward-25gc3]

Any recommendations on brake pads and high temp fluid to use?

My intention with the car is not to try and drive round the track as fast as possible, but instead to give the it a chance to stretch its legs with some wide open throttle and get it through the rev range for at least 2nd, 3rd and 4th gear on the straights/safe areas but then get as much speed off as possible as early as possible for corners so i'm not pushing the brakes and tyres too hard........ if this makes sense?

I dont know how well this would go down with other track users though, with me going steady through corners etc and holding them up?

I have owned other fast cars before (evos, XFR, mustang etc) but never been on a track with them as i dont like to thrash my cars, i treat them with mechanical sympathy and look after them....... but the M5 is just frustrating me not being able to fully enjoy it, i'm yet to be able to give it full throttle, am constantly aware of bad road surfaces due to its traction issues, cameras, other drivers not looking before pulling out etc so I find myself always holding back or if i do try and give it some, being extremely nervous and not enjoying it.

At least on track I wont have to worry about the above things and am really excited about it, but at the same time i want to look after the car.

My car does a lot of short 3 mile here and there journeys and I can tell it isn't happy (it gets a bit jerky at times especially at low speeds) and it only seems happy when going fast, so i think getting the engine temp up and revving it out for a day should do the engine some good and really clear it out.

[mrfunex]

For your experience and what you hope to get out of the day, standard everything will be fine. Take lots of breaks to let the car (and you) keep cool.

Don’t go spending hundreds and hundreds of pounds on updated brake pads, fluids and whatever else before you’ve done a few days and decided if you want to do more.

It’s an M5, I’d hope it’d be reasonably capable out of the box.

[mmm-five]

jackcactii said:

Buy more aggressive brake pads and high-temp brake fluid before attempting a lap.

Cannot stress this enough.

BMW used to run F10 M5s on the Nordschleife as Ring Taxis so they can hold up to some track usage.

They don't hold up...they were maintained at a much higher frequency than any other M5 in the world.

Apocryphally, and on the e60 M5 (don't recall BMW officially running later M5 models as Ring Taxis) it was tyres every 10 laps, brake pads (which were not OE, but Pagid RS29) changed weekly, suspension every 5000km.

Mine only needed new suspension once a year...but that was a lighter e34 M5...and was only me driving it

But if you understand and accept the cost of keeping on top of the maintenance, then it is huge fun, and I used to do about 10 track days a year, and 2-3 ring trips...along with 20k road miles. I tended to do 15-20 minute sessions, with a similar amount of time in the pits...but 1st and last laps were warm-up/cool-down laps.

I'd also strongly recommend getting some instruction...as you'll be able to go faster without stressing the car as much, due to understanding how to handle it properly and not 'over driving' it.

Edited by mmm-five on Monday 27th June 18:58

[take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey]

Edward-25gc3 said:

Any recommendations on brake pads and high temp fluid to use?

My intention with the car is not to try and drive round the track as fast as possible, but instead to give the it a chance to stretch its legs with some wide open throttle and get it through the rev range for at least 2nd, 3rd and 4th gear on the straights/safe areas but then get as much speed off as possible as early as possible for corners so i'm not pushing the brakes and tyres too hard........ if this makes sense?

I dont know how well this would go down with other track users though, with me going steady through corners etc and holding them up?

I have owned other fast cars before (evos, XFR, mustang etc) but never been on a track with them as i dont like to thrash my cars, i treat them with mechanical sympathy and look after them....... but the M5 is just frustrating me not being able to fully enjoy it, i'm yet to be able to give it full throttle, am constantly aware of bad road surfaces due to its traction issues, cameras, other drivers not looking before pulling out etc so I find myself always holding back or if i do try and give it some, being extremely nervous and not enjoying it.

At least on track I wont have to worry about the above things and am really excited about it, but at the same time i want to look after the car.

My car does a lot of short 3 mile here and there journeys and I can tell it isn't happy (it gets a bit jerky at times especially at low speeds) and it only seems happy when going fast, so i think getting the engine temp up and revving it out for a day should do the engine some good and really clear it out.

Motul 660 or castrol react srf.

[Edward-25gc3]

mrfunex said:

For your experience and what you hope to get out of the day, standard everything will be fine. Take lots of breaks to let the car (and you) keep cool.

Don’t go spending hundreds and hundreds of pounds on updated brake pads, fluids and whatever else before you’ve done a few days and decided if you want to do more.

It’s an M5, I’d hope it’d be reasonably capable out of the box.

Thats what I was thinking, morning session do 2 or 3 laps then come in and relax the car for 30 mins then go and do a couple more before lunch. repeat again in the afternoon.

I'm more looking forward to seeing the other cars there, meeting the other owners, giving my car a run out in a safe environment and taking in the experience than maximising my track time.

It has an approved used warranty being a 2016 and I took it in for a health check and diff oil change at my local sytner last week. Surprisingly they said going on the track wont affect my warranty at all and were actually encouraging me to do so, stating that M cars are sports cars designed as much around track capability as they are road capability. This was from one of their lead engineers who I got speaking to and also the service manager.

[Edward-25gc3]

mmm-five said:

They don't hold up...they were maintained at a much higher frequency than any other M5 in the world.

Apocryphally, and on the e60 M5 (don't recall BMW officially running later M5 models as Ring Taxis) it was tyres every 10 laps, brake pads (which were not OE, but Pagid RS29) changed weekly, suspension every 5000km.

Mine only needed new suspension once a year...but that was a lighter e34 M5...and was only me driving it

But if you understand and accept the cost of keeping on top of the maintenance, then it is huge fun, and I used to do about 10 track days a year, and 2-3 ring trips...along with 20k road miles. I tended to do 15-20 minute sessions, with a similar amount of time in the pits...but 1st and last laps were warm-up/cool-down laps.

I'd also strongly recommend getting some instruction...as you'll be able to go faster without stressing the car as much, due to understanding how to handle it properly and not 'over driving' it.

Edited by mmm-five on Monday 27th June 18:58

I have booked 20 minutes tuition . Have you ever been to Thruxton? If so any advice or tips please as I am told its the fastest track in the country?

[nw942]

As above, try and book an instructor early in the day to help you learn the circuit and take some of the initial mental load away.

Keep an eye on tyre pressures and be prepared to let a little out after the first few sessions. Then pump the tyre back up to normal pressure before leaving.

Not sure what you are planning with insurance, but hopefully someone can suggest a good single day insurance provider.

[jm doc]

I remember a few years ago following an S class AMG Mercedes around Croft when I was in my Caterham. Every time I got close to it all you could smell was cooking brakes. To be fair it was quick down the straights but turned like a supertanker.

I've driven a few laps at the 'Ring in several M5's, the E39 cooked it's brakes after two laps but E60 and F10 were much better.

Don't forget never to put the handbrake on after you come off the track into the pits.

[JEA1K]

Edward-25gc3 said:

Any recommendations on brake pads and high temp fluid to use?

My intention with the car is not to try and drive round the track as fast as possible, but instead to give the it a chance to stretch its legs with some wide open throttle and get it through the rev range for at least 2nd, 3rd and 4th gear on the straights/safe areas but then get as much speed off as possible as early as possible for corners so i'm not pushing the brakes and tyres too hard........ if this makes sense?

I dont know how well this would go down with other track users though, with me going steady through corners etc and holding them up?

I have owned other fast cars before (evos, XFR, mustang etc) but never been on a track with them as i dont like to thrash my cars, i treat them with mechanical sympathy and look after them....... but the M5 is just frustrating me not being able to fully enjoy it, i'm yet to be able to give it full throttle, am constantly aware of bad road surfaces due to its traction issues, cameras, other drivers not looking before pulling out etc so I find myself always holding back or if i do try and give it some, being extremely nervous and not enjoying it.

At least on track I wont have to worry about the above things and am really excited about it, but at the same time i want to look after the car.

My car does a lot of short 3 mile here and there journeys and I can tell it isn't happy (it gets a bit jerky at times especially at low speeds) and it only seems happy when going fast, so i think getting the engine temp up and revving it out for a day should do the engine some good and really clear it out.

Although a different car, I have just tracked my E92 M3 at Cadwell on Ferrodo DS Uno pads. Probably 4/5 laps per outing, 5 or 6 times, zero fade all day. Also had fluid (Castrol SRF) and Good ridge hoses sorted at the same time.

Only other thing I would look at would be the alignment.

[hertfordshire1]

Had a few trips in my F10 (when I owned it) across to the Nurburgring...

Car is actually very capable for its size, but did struggle with brakes and destroyed the front tyres if really pushing to the limits...

You will certainly have a great appreciation of what it can do - and i'll dressed up as a luxury saloon..

I later took a M760li over there - that was hilarious too!

Cheers
Steve

[tjlazer]

Edward-25gc3 said:

I have recently bought an F10 m5 and having discovered that it is far too fast for the road to be enjoyed to the full (unless your comfortable with the risk of going over 100mph and not getting caught, which i'm not), I am going to Thruxton next month for a track day

I have never been on a track day before, let alone in an M5 and wondered what peoples experiences have been of this car on track? Any tips or advice regarding how I can expect the car to behave?

Many thanks

This is the basic problem with this car, it’s pretty inert until we’ll beyond legal speeds. I sold mine and got an e92 m3, I cannot emphasise how much more fun that was in all senses, especially with the exhaust mod and suspension tidied up.

[vanman1936]

A standard saloon will cook standard brakes / tyres….great fun, but will probably cost you £2,000 for the day (pick any number).

[GCCP]

it will be fine (i have an f10 M5) and a track car M3 and have been to Thruxton. For what you want to do though...

1) Thruxton is very fast, especially the "straight" at the end of the lap - you will doing big speeds if you gun it in the M5 and have to brake hard
2) Thruxton is hard on tyres, and brakes
3) Add 1 + 2 together to expect some wear (make sure you are not on the mins already)
5) you will use TONS of fuel
4) you may annoy people if you are slow in the corners and then gun it on the straights - just make sure to let people past - Caterham's will be all over you in the slower corners...

[mrfunex]

vanman1936 said:

A standard saloon will cook standard brakes / tyres….great fun, but will probably cost you £2,000 for the day (pick any number).

Not my experience, maybe you’re a lot faster than me!

[Jamescrs]

As a regular on track days I would say keep to the right as much as possible.

Be sure to use your mirrors a lot and for the sake of everyone if you are alow on corners which is fine, especially as you haven't done a track day before, dont ve that person who guns it on a straight passing everyone and then holding everyone up on the bends. If you are having cars dat behind you on bends let them pass you in the straight before you go flooring it.

If you are courteous on track to others you will be fine and have a great time.