Advice Needed on buying a new M5

[max996tt]

Hi there all just sold my 996tt and thinking of getting a m5 e60. What i would like to know is:

1) common problems and buying tips...

2) difference between smg1 and smg2 gearbox??

3) fuel consumption.... and cost to full tank it...?

4) are they good cars? as im also getting a gallardo so i need an everyday car and im looking to spend 35000 on m5 so alot of haggling will be done!!!


5) and are they faster than the new rs4's???


Thanks everyone and would take all advice into consideration.

[Sheriff JWPepper]

I probably get flamed for this but if you are going to get a Gallardo then wouldn't some sort of cruiser make more sense than an M5.

[max996tt]

well gallardo is goona be my weekend car and cruiser is just not my kinda car ... im only 26yrs not married so cruiser would be ideal for future. really like the m5 had a new 997 turbo for one month but really diddnt like it as i had a carrera 2 and 4s whilst waiting for my new turbo and when got into it rhe whole set up was the same interior etc.....

[Vixpy1]

max996tt said:

Hi there all just sold my 996tt and thinking of getting a m5 e60. What i would like to know is:

1) common problems and buying tips...

2) difference between smg1 and smg2 gearbox??

3) fuel consumption.... and cost to full tank it...?

4) are they good cars? as im also getting a gallardo so i need an everyday car and im looking to spend 35000 on m5 so alot of haggling will be done!!!


5) and are they faster than the new rs4's???


Thanks everyone and would take all advice into consideration.

1) The gearbox's are known to break

2) The M5 only has the SMG 3

3) Terrible, and not alot.. the tank is not that big

4) Awesome, JohnR's car is for sale in the classifieds at around mid 30's and its lovely

5) Yes.

[Baddie]

You'll need deep pockets to run those two, Gallardo especially. I've a mate in the City who went back to V8 Astons v quickly cos he just didn't like how much the Gallardo was costing (clutches etc).

The E60 M5 isn't anywhere near that bad (it's wholly not partly German) but by all accounts it is not entirely trouble free, and is probably more expensive to run than previous M5's - certainly on fuel. It's only a 70 litre tank so will cost £70-80 to fill, but will need filling every 200-250 miles, and this is one reason why I probably would not buy one even if I could afford it. Gearboxes seem to be an issue as well, and brakes may cost £1000 over 25k miles - but then again this may not seem that bad after your Porsche (which I know nothing about in terms of expenses).

I don't want to p*** on your fire though, because if the costs don't bother you that's a nice choice of V10 mayhem in your garage...

[max996tt]

gearbox's a problem really?
so how much is it to fully de limit an m5?

and is bmw warranty anygood

[max996tt]

ps.

porsche cost me around 12000 over 2yrs many many many problems.....

[belleair302]

I think the Alpina B5 or B5s would be a better car, faster, more torque and a better sorted gearbox. More expensive to buy but a way more classy car and better sorted suspension and a top end of over 175 mph.

[Zod]

THe Alpina is not faster and it is an autobox cruiser. I tested both back-to-back and the Alpina did nothing for me. If you are Der and have an M6 as well, then an Alpina makes sense for the contrast (although I'd get a B7, not a B5). The Alpina felt big and comparatively unresponsive. The M5 immediately after shrank around me.

There is nothing wrong with the SMG 3 gearbox. There have been a few (very few) failures, but the vast majority are trouble-free.

It is a fantastic car. Test drive one and test the Alpina alongside it. That way you can make up your own mind as I did.

[Zod]

belleair302 said:

I think the Alpina B5 or B5s would be a better car, faster, more torque and a better sorted gearbox. More expensive to buy but a way more classy car and better sorted suspension and a top end of over 175 mph.

much, much cheaper to buy - secondhand (appalling depreciation).

If you really care about top end, get an M5 delimited and head for the double ton.

[Thorny]

I very nearly bought an M5 (albeit a touring) but the complexity and range of it put me off and I have heard of quite a few things that go worng.

I went for the RS4 instead which I love and i just think estates look so much cooler! I also like the size of the RS4 - quite a bit smaller than M5.

[max996tt]

whai an 06 plate m5 45000 miles ful bmwsh a years warranty left, with individual leather hot cold seat etc.... black in colour worth

[belleair302]

This will give you an idea....may not be exactly what you want...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/469965.htm

[john_r]

max996tt said:

Hi there all just sold my 996tt and thinking of getting a m5 e60. What i would like to know is:

1) common problems and buying tips...
Gearbox failures are not as common as people shout about - compared to the amount of M5's sold it is very rare for a gearbox to fail. Get a car with a warranty as I've had a few niggles (trim type stuff) that got sorted instantly under warranty. Main dealer service history obviously... BUT more importantly the running in service has to have been done on time, i.e. 1200 miles.

2) difference between smg1 and smg2 gearbox??
Dunno, the M5 has the SMGIII... I love it, but you need to try one as it's a 'Marmite' thing!

3) fuel consumption.... and cost to full tank it...?
Cruising should be good for around 19-20 mpg, but day to day not thinking about it with the odd squirt for fun will see a tank average around 14-16 mpg. TINY fuel tank so you'll be lucky to see 200-250 miles between refills!

4) are they good cars? as im also getting a gallardo so i need an everyday car and im looking to spend 35000 on m5 so alot of haggling will be done!!!
It's a brilliant car and there's not much on the road that an M5 can't catch! 35k will buy you a dog out of warranty or Cat listed. Give it 12 months and you'll be able to pick up a low-miled minter for that money - but still out of warranty.

5) and are they faster than the new rs4's???
It depends how fast they are both going? I had a friend in one who tried to chase me across the Brecon Beacons. I was parked, out the car and sitting on a wall having a ciggy before he caught up!

Here's a perfect example in warranty for a great price, but you'll need to hurry...http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/469965.htm

Edited by john_r on Tuesday 22 April 16:30

[jm doc]

I average 12.5mpg in my E60, running around locally and not particularly pushing it. On a 500 mile round trip on the motorway, with speed at around 95 leptons, fuel consumption is 16.5mpg. In my old E39 M5, same usage would give 17.9 and 23-24 mpg.

Range is the biggest problem, especially if you're off around europe or similar long distance trip, you need to start looking and thinking about tanking after 150-175 miles, every 2 hours or so in other words and it's a bit of a pain!

Don't let that put you off too much though, cos the car is brilliant. I think the alpina is a joke compared to it. (puts tin hat on quickly and signs off)

john

[Zod]

I get 9-10 mpg in town, but I get over 20 on long journeys and have had 300 miles out of a tank on the autoroute.

[Sheriff JWPepper]

Zod said:

I get 9-10 mpg in town, but I get over 20 on long journeys and have had 300 miles out of a tank on the autoroute.

Ouch!

[john_r]

Zod said:

300 miles out of a tank on the autoroute.

Well done - most I ever managed before bottling it was 292! And the range had been showing 2 miles for the previous 10 miles...

[Zod]

john_r said:

Zod said:

300 miles out of a tank on the autoroute.

Well done - most I ever managed before bottling it was 292! And the range had been showing 2 miles for the previous 10 miles...

it was actually 500 km.

[max996tt]

thank everyone for your advice.... as its all needed im still looking around for a nice one john r's bmw is nice what colur interior is it and does it have the hot and cold seats?
also a import 06 plate with bmw is available fully loaded 45000mls whats it worth?

right hand drive from germany 2 owners....