Discussion
My experience with the S85 V10 started in 2013 with an E60 M5 which I ran for 3 years without any major issues. Loved the car and took it to the Ring, European trips, Highlands, vmax/quarter mile runs, PH Sunday Services and a few trackdays. Had it tuned and delimited by DMS and managed 178mph at the vmax event (185mph on the speedo) and 8:50 at the Ring as a first timer so I'd like to think I explored the full capabilities of the car!
Would have loved to keep the E60 but a baby came along and needed an estate car to fit the buggy and all the other crap. Didn't make sense to keep it as a secondary car so I sold it. Wasn't ever really into SUVs but thought I'd give it a shot and bought a Cayenne GTS, allegedy the "sportiest" of the SUVs. It sounded good and handled ok for such a heavy car but got bored pretty quickly. Having just spent £1400 on a service and fixing some leaks, it was also due tyres and brakes all round so sold it before any more big bills came along!
At this time my mind went back to the fond memories I had of the V10 and started to look for E61 M5s. However finding one proved difficult, I was after a non black or grey car under 60k miles so I could stick a cheap(ish) BMW warranty on it. Not a lot of choice especially as there were only 200-250 of them in the country! So I bought a stop gap car, an E91 335i which had 2 new turbos so I could run it for a few months worry free. It was actually quite nice to have a narrower car and SE spec for the London roads but at no point was it ever exciting (I've concluded that turbos and fully auto boxes are not for me!)
Finally after 6 months of searching my ideal car came up: Silverstone on full Silverstone leather, 42k miles and full main dealer service history. I was the first to call and view but the seller had loads of interest and knew he was in a strong position so I paid a bit more than I would have liked but couldn't pass up the opportunity! The drive back from Manchester was an emotional one as I experienced that amazing engine once more and this time I knew it would be a keeper!
Stuck a BMW warranty on it, despite my previous one being very reliable a new car is still an unknown quantity so wanted some peace of mind. Couple of months later, the rear hatch closing mechanism started playing up so took it to a dealer for it to be fixed at a cost of.... over £3000!!! Good thing it was the warranty picking up the bill.
One thing which did play on my mind a little was the fact that it wasn't quite as quick as I remembered, but I put that down to the extra weight of a Touring vs Saloon and the fact that my previous one was mapped. So I started researching tuning options again, and it turned out that Jim Colley (expert on all things S85) had developed his own map with rave reviews. Sure enough I wasn't disappointed, the mid range torque was improved and the SMG shifts simply transformed. The quickest gear change option was never really quick enough around town but Jim's map has righted that. OK it's still not as quick as DCT/PDK etc. but I think it would completely change the opinions of the SMG detractors. The only other small mods I've done are changing the front grilles and rear number plate lights to freshen it up a little. Still undecided if I should go for an aftermarket exhaust as it is a family car after all and don't want it to be too obnoxious.
So there we have it! The quiet and refined family car which turns into a beast when you want it to. I wouldn't want the latest RS6/E63 or even Panamera Sport Turismo if you offered me a straight trade, the V10 and SMG combo just has so much character.
One of the defining memories in my 6 months of ownership so far has to be the Easter weekend where it's driving a family of 5 people around the Cotswolds one day and the next morning it's at the Pistonheads Sunday Service lapping Silverstone
Would have loved to keep the E60 but a baby came along and needed an estate car to fit the buggy and all the other crap. Didn't make sense to keep it as a secondary car so I sold it. Wasn't ever really into SUVs but thought I'd give it a shot and bought a Cayenne GTS, allegedy the "sportiest" of the SUVs. It sounded good and handled ok for such a heavy car but got bored pretty quickly. Having just spent £1400 on a service and fixing some leaks, it was also due tyres and brakes all round so sold it before any more big bills came along!
At this time my mind went back to the fond memories I had of the V10 and started to look for E61 M5s. However finding one proved difficult, I was after a non black or grey car under 60k miles so I could stick a cheap(ish) BMW warranty on it. Not a lot of choice especially as there were only 200-250 of them in the country! So I bought a stop gap car, an E91 335i which had 2 new turbos so I could run it for a few months worry free. It was actually quite nice to have a narrower car and SE spec for the London roads but at no point was it ever exciting (I've concluded that turbos and fully auto boxes are not for me!)
Finally after 6 months of searching my ideal car came up: Silverstone on full Silverstone leather, 42k miles and full main dealer service history. I was the first to call and view but the seller had loads of interest and knew he was in a strong position so I paid a bit more than I would have liked but couldn't pass up the opportunity! The drive back from Manchester was an emotional one as I experienced that amazing engine once more and this time I knew it would be a keeper!
Stuck a BMW warranty on it, despite my previous one being very reliable a new car is still an unknown quantity so wanted some peace of mind. Couple of months later, the rear hatch closing mechanism started playing up so took it to a dealer for it to be fixed at a cost of.... over £3000!!! Good thing it was the warranty picking up the bill.
One thing which did play on my mind a little was the fact that it wasn't quite as quick as I remembered, but I put that down to the extra weight of a Touring vs Saloon and the fact that my previous one was mapped. So I started researching tuning options again, and it turned out that Jim Colley (expert on all things S85) had developed his own map with rave reviews. Sure enough I wasn't disappointed, the mid range torque was improved and the SMG shifts simply transformed. The quickest gear change option was never really quick enough around town but Jim's map has righted that. OK it's still not as quick as DCT/PDK etc. but I think it would completely change the opinions of the SMG detractors. The only other small mods I've done are changing the front grilles and rear number plate lights to freshen it up a little. Still undecided if I should go for an aftermarket exhaust as it is a family car after all and don't want it to be too obnoxious.
So there we have it! The quiet and refined family car which turns into a beast when you want it to. I wouldn't want the latest RS6/E63 or even Panamera Sport Turismo if you offered me a straight trade, the V10 and SMG combo just has so much character.
One of the defining memories in my 6 months of ownership so far has to be the Easter weekend where it's driving a family of 5 people around the Cotswolds one day and the next morning it's at the Pistonheads Sunday Service lapping Silverstone
Congratulations - obviously you feel it’s nice to be back.
It is such a special engine, and I often feel a touring will be the ‘one to have’ in the future due to the rarity.
Interested in your SMG opinions, knowing both before and after, as i have an M6, and while it’s ok, if the levels of transformation you talk about are true, then I’m booking it in... (no pressure!
)
It is such a special engine, and I often feel a touring will be the ‘one to have’ in the future due to the rarity.
Interested in your SMG opinions, knowing both before and after, as i have an M6, and while it’s ok, if the levels of transformation you talk about are true, then I’m booking it in... (no pressure!
)Prinny said:
Interested in your SMG opinions, knowing both before and after, as i have an M6, and while it’s ok, if the levels of transformation you talk about are true, then I’m booking it in... (no pressure! )
Do it! The $799 is worth it for the SMG programming alone. Horsepower gains from remaps can be placebo or just a more aggresive throttle mapping but this brings a tangible benefit. Only thing I was slightly annoyed about is that the customs value for the cheapo tablet you get sent to upload the map was stated as $799 so I had to pay £150 extra to the gubberment...)http://fastattackmotorsports.com/index.php?route=p...
Regarding how to upload the map, you download the stock DME onto the tablet, send it to Jim and he'll email you a revised one. You can then switch between the two at any time by connecting the tablet and pressing a couple of buttons.
The spec is as follows, bear in mind a lot of the stuff is standard.
The only things I really wanted were a full leather interior and active seats, although I do quite like the soft close doors now!
Colour SILVERSTONE II METALLIC (A29)
Upholstery VOLLLEDER MERINO/SILVERSTONE II (X3A9)
L812A National version England / Ireland
S261A Side airbags for rear passengers
S302A Alarm system
S316A automatic trunk lid mechanism
S323A Soft-Close-Automatic doors
S386A Roof railing
S402A Electric panoramic roof
S423A Floor mats, velours
S428A Warning triangle and first aid kit
S430A Interior/outside mirror with auto dip
S431A Interior mirror with automatic-dip
S441A Smoker package
S442A Cup holder
S459A Seat adjuster, electric, with memory
S464A Ski bag
S470A Isofix-System
S493A Storage compartment package
S494A Seat heating driver/passenger
S4MAA M multifunction seat
S4MFA Active backrest width adjustment
S502A Headlight cleaning system
S508A Park Distance Control (PDC)
S522A Xenon Light
S524A Adaptive Headlights
S534A Automatic air conditioning
S540A Cruise control
S563A Light package
S5ACA High-beam assistant
S609A Navigation system Professional
S610A Head-up display
S612A BMW Assist
S620A Voice control
S633A Preparation, mobile phone, Business
S654A DAB tuner
S672A CD changer for 6 CDs
S677A HiFi System Professional DSP
S698A Area-Code 2 for DVD
S6FLA USB/Audio interface
S710A M leather steering wheel
S737A Interior mouldings, Alu Shadow, brushed
S760A High gloss shadow line
S775A Headlining anthracite
S850A Dummy-SALAPA
S853A Language version English
S863A Retailer Directory Europe
S877A Delete cross-pattern operation
S880A On-board vehicle literature English
S8S2A Coding alarm signal
S8SAA Navigation access request,country-spec.
S8SMA Car ident. number visible from outside
S8SPA Control unit COP
S999A Job order management "HEA"
Car looks great! I have an e61 as well and agree that no new wagon temps me in any way compared to the S85 in an estate package!
This is mine:
I’ve lowered it using h&r 35mm at the front and I can highly recommend the Haywood & Scott back boxes that I just had fitted as well! Fantastic sound but retains the same character. Tips are usefully meatier at 89mm as well.
Been looking into mapping recently (perhaps in conjunction with the eventuri intake) so this is really interesting!
Where are you based? Be interesting to feel the difference? But you’re obviously very pleased with it!
Are there any down sides that you’ve noticed it is it all positive?
This is mine:
I’ve lowered it using h&r 35mm at the front and I can highly recommend the Haywood & Scott back boxes that I just had fitted as well! Fantastic sound but retains the same character. Tips are usefully meatier at 89mm as well.
Been looking into mapping recently (perhaps in conjunction with the eventuri intake) so this is really interesting!
Where are you based? Be interesting to feel the difference? But you’re obviously very pleased with it!
Are there any down sides that you’ve noticed it is it all positive?
MrTouring said:
Been looking into mapping recently (perhaps in conjunction with the eventuri intake) so this is really interesting!
Where are you based? Be interesting to feel the difference? But you’re obviously very pleased with it!
Are there any down sides that you’ve noticed it is it all positive?
Very nice, and good plate too Where are you based? Be interesting to feel the difference? But you’re obviously very pleased with it!
Are there any down sides that you’ve noticed it is it all positive?
I'm in SE London, give me a shout if you ever pass by as I'd be interested to hear that H&S exhaust! Sounds like what I'm looking for, same character/note but a bit louder. Been considering the Eventuri intake too, especially as they've just come out with new filters which apparently free up some more horses.
The quicker gear changes really need to be experienced to be appreciated, having driven these cars for years, the difference was immediately obvious. No downsides, I'd be disappointed if there were any! It takes a minute to revert back to stock if you wanted to (for warranty claims etc).
Cheers! - I kept my eye out for that plate since I got the car two years ago.
Great to hear no downsides and would love for the smg to be smoother! I’ll seriously consider it.
Is it easy to do all the downloading/uploading? If it’s just a case of plugging in and following instructions I can handle that!
In Reading but planning on attending a few Sunday services this year so may see you at one.
Great to hear no downsides and would love for the smg to be smoother! I’ll seriously consider it.
Is it easy to do all the downloading/uploading? If it’s just a case of plugging in and following instructions I can handle that!
In Reading but planning on attending a few Sunday services this year so may see you at one.
The instructions are on the FAMS website, posted the link earlier. There's nothing technical about it, as long as you're able to plug a lead into the OBD port and connect to a USB cable to the computer 
The initial DME read takes a couple of hours and you have to leave the key in the ignition so either lock it with the second key or keep an eye on it!
The initial DME read takes a couple of hours and you have to leave the key in the ignition so either lock it with the second key or keep an eye on it! 
wolfracesonic said:
Have you any qualms the re-map could possibly void the warranty?
Well you can easily revert it back to stock before taking it to a dealer for any warranty work Bernie Sanders said:
Great car, but I don´t really like silverstone, the colour not the track, much prefer interlagos.
Interlagos was my first choice too with Silverstone second, but can't be too picky! Also nice to have a change I guess... Amazing cars - well done OP. 
Last year I was going over to my mother's, and there is a railway bridge just before I get there where I drop the windows and floor my Z4 Coupe - but on that day I was following an E60 M5, so I dropped the windows and listened to that instead!
It sounded so fantastic I followed it a few more miles (in the wrong direction) but then it pulled into a filling station.
I don't think we'll ever see another V10 Touring, so it's great that yours will be getting spoilt rotten!
Last year I was going over to my mother's, and there is a railway bridge just before I get there where I drop the windows and floor my Z4 Coupe - but on that day I was following an E60 M5, so I dropped the windows and listened to that instead!
It sounded so fantastic I followed it a few more miles (in the wrong direction) but then it pulled into a filling station.
I don't think we'll ever see another V10 Touring, so it's great that yours will be getting spoilt rotten!
Ok time for an update.
I went for the H&S backboxes and after 500 miles, I have mixed feelings. They do retain the tone and character of the stock exhaust (which I love) but doesn’t sound that much louder from the inside. Definitely louder from the outside though (at tickover anyway, not heard a drive by). However they are a bit bassy and under a bit of load in higher gears and low revs, it does have a bassy drone. They do look fabulous though!
I noticed the steering wheel was wobbling under braking at high speeds, and it turned out the previous installer didn’t mount the NSF brake disc correctly to the hub which warped the disc and damaged the hub. Had to get a new hub and put on a fresh set of discs and pads all round. I can definitely recommend Harry Fairbairn Giffnock if you want cheap BMW parts, the discs/pads were just over £900 and hub was £250. Had a trip to the Nurburgring booked for the weekend just gone so had an oil change done too.
The drive into Germany was really smooth, ate up the miles late at night and shaved something like 45 mins off the eta even with an obligatory fuel stop. The FAMS tune for the SMG really shone through – driving in 7th gear, need to overtake someone, quick double pull of the downshift paddle and instantly into the power band. However something happened on the morning I was driving to the Ring, and if you’re a fan of mint E61 M5s then look away now.
I was driving along pretty sedately on a two lane city road at 8am with no traffic to be seen. I slowly overtake a Golf GTI when he suddenly and inexpicably swerved into the side of me as I was alongside. Normally I do try and drive defensively and look out for morons on the road not paying attention etc. but this was completely out of the blue, he didn't indicate or even slowly veer into my lane, it was a proper swerve. I would have been convinced this was some crash for cash scam or jealous lunatic if it wasn’t for the fact that he had 2 kids in the car. I’m still trying to process how someone in a left hand drive vehicle would not have seen a car to the left of them, I guess the only explanation is that he was distracted by his kids/phone.
The damage looks to be driver door, front wing, front bumper, side skirt, wing mirror and suspension as the wheel is a bit bent. I now have the fun of going through the Admiral claims department… I’m really hoping it won’t be a write off given the effort I went through of finding this example.
I went for the H&S backboxes and after 500 miles, I have mixed feelings. They do retain the tone and character of the stock exhaust (which I love) but doesn’t sound that much louder from the inside. Definitely louder from the outside though (at tickover anyway, not heard a drive by). However they are a bit bassy and under a bit of load in higher gears and low revs, it does have a bassy drone. They do look fabulous though!
I noticed the steering wheel was wobbling under braking at high speeds, and it turned out the previous installer didn’t mount the NSF brake disc correctly to the hub which warped the disc and damaged the hub. Had to get a new hub and put on a fresh set of discs and pads all round. I can definitely recommend Harry Fairbairn Giffnock if you want cheap BMW parts, the discs/pads were just over £900 and hub was £250. Had a trip to the Nurburgring booked for the weekend just gone so had an oil change done too.
The drive into Germany was really smooth, ate up the miles late at night and shaved something like 45 mins off the eta even with an obligatory fuel stop. The FAMS tune for the SMG really shone through – driving in 7th gear, need to overtake someone, quick double pull of the downshift paddle and instantly into the power band. However something happened on the morning I was driving to the Ring, and if you’re a fan of mint E61 M5s then look away now.
I was driving along pretty sedately on a two lane city road at 8am with no traffic to be seen. I slowly overtake a Golf GTI when he suddenly and inexpicably swerved into the side of me as I was alongside. Normally I do try and drive defensively and look out for morons on the road not paying attention etc. but this was completely out of the blue, he didn't indicate or even slowly veer into my lane, it was a proper swerve. I would have been convinced this was some crash for cash scam or jealous lunatic if it wasn’t for the fact that he had 2 kids in the car. I’m still trying to process how someone in a left hand drive vehicle would not have seen a car to the left of them, I guess the only explanation is that he was distracted by his kids/phone.
The damage looks to be driver door, front wing, front bumper, side skirt, wing mirror and suspension as the wheel is a bit bent. I now have the fun of going through the Admiral claims department… I’m really hoping it won’t be a write off given the effort I went through of finding this example.
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