BMW E60 M5

[cosworth330]

Update: Since I've been driving my wife's brand new Golf GTI DSG I've found the M5 hard work to drive when just popping to the shops etc it feels like a dinosaur compared with the Golf. So I've been on the BMWUSEDCARS site everyday looking at F10 M5's and F80 M3's for the last few weeks, I think the F80 M3"s are out of my budget at the moment though. The sensible thing would be to hang onto the E60 for another 6 months or so. Went into BMW today as my spare key fob has stopped unlocking the car and thankfully they are going to renew it under the Mondial warranty. Also ordered 4 Michelin pilot super sports as my Contis took too much punishment on track and my fault but they overheated on the front ( pressures ).
Just trying to get a bit of love back for the car as it feels after nearly 3 years it's time to move on to a newer M.

Edited by cosworth330 on Monday 13th June 18:15

[cosworth330]

Just got back from France where I covered 1500 miles in a week in the M5 without any issues. Averaged 21.2 mpg overall with 4 people and luggage. Had the oil changed by BMW when I got back Going to hang onto the E60 M5 for a bit longer I think.

[cosworth330]

MattOz said:

Hi Simon,

Always nice to read your updates. It's a lovely car, and glad you've been enjoying it. Those longer Euro trips are where it excels, not popping to the shops!

Matt

Thanks, I think it's one of the better examples. She's on 64,000 now. It's been reliable but the warranty has deffo paid for itself with the few things that have been replaced under warranty.

[cosworth330]

S3_Graham said:

It's certainly the last of an era M car wise. You can do no harm keeping it as prices seem to be holding up well, if not rising for decent cars.

I think I will definately change it for an F10 or F80 , yet to drive either though. I don't think the price of mine will go up as it's got 64,000 miles on it now but the depreciation since I bought it nearly 3 years ago isn't a lot really and I will probably let it go with the M5 SMG number plate when the time comes, that's got to be one of the best plates for an E60 M5.

[cosworth330]

epom said:

Lovely, I meet one of these most mornings. Its got an aftermarket exhaust and even at low revs it sounds smashing

They do sound epic with an exhaust mod, I had mine modded for 6 months and then put it back to standard as it was a bit much for normal use and cold start was bloody loud! If I could get hold of some standard E60 M5 back boxes locally at a fair price I would do a quarter wrap on each of the 4 pipes as that would probably be about right.

[cosworth330]

Had the oil service done a few weeks ago and the dealer reported a diff leak and noisy Vanos. Took it back in yesterday and got the call today that the warranty have approved new diff seals and all 4 Vanos solenoids to be replaced. After the solenoids have been replaced they will then test to see if that cures the noise or if any further parts need changing. Bill is over £3K so far. Looking forward to getting it back and then I am getting Royal steering wheels to refurb the steering wheel with their suede rim, saw one on another E60 M5 and it looked really good.

[cosworth330]

Andy, I know what your saying re the main dealer testing the Vanos. I'm not sure how but I have read that the Vanos solenoids can cause the Vanos to operate at lower than normal oil pressure if one or more is faulty. But like you say the most common cause is the pump or the Vanos oil feed line. TBH I'm quite pleased they are replacing all 4 and we will see if it needs any more bits after that. It wasn't even that noisy TBH and idle was perfect but BMW reported it needed doing so as long as the warranty is paying I'm happy!

[cosworth330]

rayyan171 said:

Your car is a needle in a haystack of turbocharged sports cars. Keep on to it, and savour the naturally aspirated engine this car has, as it probably won't happen again with BMW.

Thanks, so true.

[cosworth330]

joscal said:

I would for sure test drive before you change, I'm currently in an F10 M5 having had 2 E60's and I miss the engine badly! I don't miss the gearbox in traffic and the new car is more accomplished and far quicker but it definitely isn't as much as an event.

Horses for courses really and it may be rose tinted glasses but I can't help thinking the E60 will become a classic, who knows?

I'm sure I will like the F10 when I get to drive one. I went from the E39 M5 to the E60 M5 and much prefer the E60 which will suprise a lot of people, the E60 is much more exciting to drive than the E39 ever was.

Having a new kitchen fitted next month including knocking the wall down between kitchen and dinning room so won't have the money to change my M5 for a while anyway.

I don't do many miles in my M5 either, my wife has a new Mk7 Golf gti we use for buzzing about in and neither of us need a car to get to work.

[cosworth330]

Picked my car today, fitted 4 Vanos solenoids and diff seals. I would say the Vanos sounds quieter,sounds sweeter now.

[cosworth330]

Got this from Jim Colley at Fast attack motorsports,


Downloaded my stock DME file and emailed to Jim, just waiting for the updated file so I can upload.

[cosworth330]

Also had Jack at Royal steering wheels refurb my steering wheel in alcantara. Thought it would compliment my alcantara roof lining. Very pleased with it, it's a slightly thicker rim than factory which actually feels better.





Next thing to do over winter is get my wheels refurbished as I managed to curb one a few months ago and the others are just starting to bubble up around the centre BMW badge. Although I am undecided whether to change to a set of the option style 167 alloys as I think they make the E60 M5 look more modern but that is quite a cost and they don't come up that often at sensible money plus I would need to get the correct E60 M5 ones as the M6 have a different off set on the rears.

What do people think n the style 167 wheels,look better or not?

Edited by cosworth330 on Wednesday 2nd November 13:12

[cosworth330]

I just sent Jack an email of what I wanted and it was ready within about 2 weeks and I drove upto him and he swapped over the steering wheels in about 20 mins and away I went. He does an exchange service on most steering wheels at no extra cost.
Thanks for the input about the 167's. They will probably be easier to clean as well.

[cosworth330]

Hi Mike, another M5 owner I meet up sometimes loaded his FAMS tune a couple of weeks ago and said he can't believe the difference, just so much more responsive and can deffo feel it has an extra 30hp or so. He is very pleased. PM sent.

[cosworth330]

evsky said:

Love the car mate, I do believe you have done some work in my house a couple of months back, since you spotted my BMW memorabilia and asked my partner what I had etc. I've seen you out and about occasionally in east Kent.

Let me know if you ever do intend on selling it, I've had the E39 M5 and loved it. The V10 seems absolutely epic.

Yes I remember. Sorry I couldn't do anything as you had been sold the wrong product a fixed 1meg connection if I remember.
I sold my previous E39 M5 without advertising it and the guy kept it for 3 years and sold it for more than he bought it for from me and we still keep in touch, he's down in Folkestone. Won't be selling just yet as I've just had a new kitchen delivered this week and going to take the wall down between kitchen and dining room, under floor heating etc so no money to change to an F10 M5 yet. I'm hoping to change it in summer 2017. The car is faultless, I'm very fussy when it comes to cars.
Last time I drove past your place your E46 M3 was looking very dirty lol!

Simon.

[cosworth330]

I think your tel exch may only have upto 8Meg and fibre to the cab but you are on a direct feed from the exch as you are so close to it but that means fibre isn't available to you yet. You should get at least 7 meg , if not their is something wrong. I've never heard of anyone using V fast where you are as the speeds are normally ok. Do a speed test it should be about 7 meg. But don't forget you were sold the wrong product a fixed 1 or half meg circuit in error so did you phone up your service provider and sort that out?

When I used to see your M3 parked up I did think it's a wonder it hadn't been stolen as it's so quiet along there and no street lights. I was always looking for a local place to store my track car when I had one but never found anywhere close and secure. The R33 was always the best looking Skyline tbh, what colour is it? You don't see many on the roads these days.

[cosworth330]

Shaoxter said:

Nice steering wheel, now you just need to get the handbrake, gear shifter etc. also retrimmed in alcantara to match

Regarding the alloys, I prefer the stock 166M ones but that's just me.

Hadn't thought of the h/brake cover and shifter boot, would look good.

Have you had to change your thrust arms yet, ones with the donut bush. I'm thinking mine must be quite worn at 64K, another job to do over winter.

[cosworth330]

Fitted new front upper control arms this weekend. I think it was still on the originals at 65k miles.
Old ones


New




Hopefully will tighten the front up a little bit.

Getting 4 wheel alignment done at IA Motorsport at the end of the month. Never had it checked all the time I've owned the car so thought it would be a good idea especially after fitting new arms.

It's running spot on, just looking forward to the better weather.

[cosworth330]

Have now bought a F80 M3 so after nearly 4 years with the M5 it is now up for sale. Going to really miss it as although the M3 feels great and is much newer I still feel the M5 is a one off special car with that V10. Just wish I could have kept both cars. Someone is going to get one of the best E60 M5's left on the road.

[cosworth330]

Update on My old M5, the guy I sold it to has just traded it in after owning it for about 15 months. I know him very well and he certainly looked after it just like I did. He fitted some 167M alloys only a couple of months ago which really suit it. Its for sale now at SJ specialist cars in Wigan and just come upon the PH adverts today. Whoever buys this will get one of the best examples their is left on the road, it really is that good and drives spot on.