F10 M5 - Handling Issues
Discussion
Not a regular poster but thought I would share my recent experience of acquiring an M5 in case it can be of assistance to anyone else.
So I bought a used M5 through the "Approved Used" BMW network at the end of November. Used it through December and have to be honest, the more I used it the more disappointed I became with it due to some rather unpleasant handling traits I began to discover. It simply would not put its power down in a straight line without kicking sideways at the merest sniff of a boot-full, even on dry roads. It was tram-lining on white lines, squirming at the back end, steering wheel twitching needing constant inputs. Just not very nice to drive at all and certainly didn't inspire any confidence to press on. It was so bad I found myself not even trusting it on a simple overtake! I was genuinely disappointed that I'd bought the wrong car and I initially simply blamed it on myself being a ham fisted oaf that needed to get used to the car rather than any defect with the car itself. However the more I drove it, the more I became convinced something wasn't quite right with it. Surely they can't all be like this I thought....
Dropped it into my local mechanic yesterday to check the alignment and tracking and it turns out it was all over the place. £50 and he has straightened everything up and it has totally transformed the car. It now drives like the car I always expected it to be. It puts its power down cleanly without nervousness and twitching, it simply hunkers down and goes. The best £50 I've ever spent.
Whilst this may sound like minor quibbling, I am pretty miffed that this was signed off by the dealership in question as having been prepared to the allegedly high standards of "Approved Used" BMW. Maybe the alignment issues wouldn't have manifested themselves in such a pronounced way on a less powerful car but on this thing, it made a massive difference. In my opinion somewhat irresponsible of them to hand it over to me in that condition and they will be receiving a strongly worded letter asking them for their thoughts on the matter. My only worry is if they didn't check that, what else did they miss on their supposedly comprehensive checks.
You live and learn!
So I bought a used M5 through the "Approved Used" BMW network at the end of November. Used it through December and have to be honest, the more I used it the more disappointed I became with it due to some rather unpleasant handling traits I began to discover. It simply would not put its power down in a straight line without kicking sideways at the merest sniff of a boot-full, even on dry roads. It was tram-lining on white lines, squirming at the back end, steering wheel twitching needing constant inputs. Just not very nice to drive at all and certainly didn't inspire any confidence to press on. It was so bad I found myself not even trusting it on a simple overtake! I was genuinely disappointed that I'd bought the wrong car and I initially simply blamed it on myself being a ham fisted oaf that needed to get used to the car rather than any defect with the car itself. However the more I drove it, the more I became convinced something wasn't quite right with it. Surely they can't all be like this I thought....
Dropped it into my local mechanic yesterday to check the alignment and tracking and it turns out it was all over the place. £50 and he has straightened everything up and it has totally transformed the car. It now drives like the car I always expected it to be. It puts its power down cleanly without nervousness and twitching, it simply hunkers down and goes. The best £50 I've ever spent.
Whilst this may sound like minor quibbling, I am pretty miffed that this was signed off by the dealership in question as having been prepared to the allegedly high standards of "Approved Used" BMW. Maybe the alignment issues wouldn't have manifested themselves in such a pronounced way on a less powerful car but on this thing, it made a massive difference. In my opinion somewhat irresponsible of them to hand it over to me in that condition and they will be receiving a strongly worded letter asking them for their thoughts on the matter. My only worry is if they didn't check that, what else did they miss on their supposedly comprehensive checks.
You live and learn!
I'd have taken it to them and had them rectify it.
Or taken it to another BMW garage, get KDS done, then go to supplying dealer and give them hell.
AUC is still just another garage doing another check. It's done to a cost. It's done for their interests too, not really yours.
If you want something 100% these days DIY is the best, or a trusted 3rd party with YOUR interests at heart.
Or taken it to another BMW garage, get KDS done, then go to supplying dealer and give them hell.
AUC is still just another garage doing another check. It's done to a cost. It's done for their interests too, not really yours.
If you want something 100% these days DIY is the best, or a trusted 3rd party with YOUR interests at heart.
Totally agree about DIY being the best way. I have mondial warranty on my f10 and whilst it's paid for itself - just about - the hassle of having to get the local dealer to fix something and then take it back because they didn't fix it properly or caused another problem.. not worth it.
coates848 said:
I am pretty miffed that this was signed off by the dealership in question as having been prepared to the allegedly high standards of "Approved Used" BMW.
Sadly, from experience, it seems most BMW dealers these days limit their 'Approved Used BMW' preparation to a quick kick of the tyres and a swirl finish wash, and maybe a vacuum out if you're really lucky...... 
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