F90 M5 Competition

[T5GRF]

Thanks - looks like the exhaust valve actuator might be on the fritz then…
On the plus side it’s under AUC warranty, on the minus side my local main dealer has now been absorbed into the S_TNER empire. They recently quoted me a rather unbelievable 8 week wait to get my car in for something minor….

[rassi]

It will be a question of whether yours has the OPF or not. Think it came in October 2018 and all Competition models have it. Mine didn’t and it sounded fantastic - still worth getting the valve checked as it should make a significant difference

[T5GRF]

Rossi thanks that’s helpful.

[seawise]

I appreciate i am in the minority but i enjoy the fact that the latest M5 is much quieter, for me it's role is a luxurious but subtle GT with a wicked turn of speed. I don't want pops and bangs and exhaust blare, just to go about my business effortlessly but with some element of driving satisfaction/feedback. For example last weekend i left a French ski resort with lots of snow and 10 and a half hours later my 3 large teenage sons and i plus all our ski gear were back home with no complaints or fuss (700 miles with two refreshment breaks plus Eurotunnel crossing). That is where the current M5 really excels i think.

[T5GRF]

seawise said:

I appreciate i am in the minority but i enjoy the fact that the latest M5 is much quieter, for me it's role is a luxurious but subtle GT with a wicked turn of speed. I don't want pops and bangs and exhaust blare, just to go about my business effortlessly but with some element of driving satisfaction/feedback. For example last weekend i left a French ski resort with lots of snow and 10 and a half hours later my 3 large teenage sons and i plus all our ski gear were back home with no complaints or fuss (700 miles with two refreshment breaks plus Eurotunnel crossing). That is where the current M5 really excels i think.

I agree with you but isn’t the point of having a switchable exhaust valve is that you can have the noise when it’s wanted and comparative refinement when you don’t?

[JMBMWM5]

seawise said:

I appreciate i am in the minority but i enjoy the fact that the latest M5 is much quieter, for me it's role is a luxurious but subtle GT with a wicked turn of speed. I don't want pops and bangs and exhaust blare, just to go about my business effortlessly but with some element of driving satisfaction/feedback. For example last weekend i left a French ski resort with lots of snow and 10 and a half hours later my 3 large teenage sons and i plus all our ski gear were back home with no complaints or fuss (700 miles with two refreshment breaks plus Eurotunnel crossing). That is where the current M5 really excels i think.

I'm with you, stealth is great, flys under the Radar.

[seawise]

T5GRF said:

I agree with you but isn’t the point of having a switchable exhaust valve is that you can have the noise when it’s wanted and comparative refinement when you don’t?

Absolutely, yes. I would say that on my car i can hardly notice any extra noise with the exhaust button pressed.

[T5GRF]

seawise said:

Absolutely, yes. I would say that on my car i can hardly notice any extra noise with the exhaust button pressed.

I’m experiencing the same, hence my original post. Perhaps my exhaust valve doesn’t have an issue. It does seem a bit strange for BMW to go to the trouble of fitting a switchable exhaust if it doesn’t actually make any difference to the noise.

[garystoybox]

seawise said:

I appreciate i am in the minority but i enjoy the fact that the latest M5 is much quieter, for me it's role is a luxurious but subtle GT with a wicked turn of speed. I don't want pops and bangs and exhaust blare, just to go about my business effortlessly but with some element of driving satisfaction/feedback. For example last weekend i left a French ski resort with lots of snow and 10 and a half hours later my 3 large teenage sons and i plus all our ski gear were back home with no complaints or fuss (700 miles with two refreshment breaks plus Eurotunnel crossing). That is where the current M5 really excels i think.

Are you in a hurry to get the summer wheels back on or still enjoying the softer ride of the winters? Anyway hope they’ve been a worthwhile purchase and sounds like you’re getting the most out of what the M5 excels at!

[seawise]

garystoybox said:

Are you in a hurry to get the summer wheels back on or still enjoying the softer ride of the winters? Anyway hope they’ve been a worthwhile purchase and sounds like you’re getting the most out of what the M5 excels at!

I have swapped back to the summers yes, but even before the tyre pressure gauge reset i was lamenting the firmer ride ! Oh well, they were bloody brilliant in the alps by the way, no need for chains, straight up a snowy pass into the resort during a white-out whilst others were getting stuck. Thanks again Gary.

Edited by seawise on Thursday 13th April 00:35

[Max Maxasson]

T5GRF said:

I’m experiencing the same, hence my original post. Perhaps my exhaust valve doesn’t have an issue. It does seem a bit strange for BMW to go to the trouble of fitting a switchable exhaust if it doesn’t actually make any difference to the noise.

Apart from closing the exhaust valves, the switch also mutes the "piped exhaust sounds into the cabin" system.
In my "full noise" sports exhaust std M5 with the exhaust switch off, its eerily quiet in the cabin.
Not a fan of noisy exhausts myself...they start to get on my nerves after a while, but I guess its nice to have the option.

[BlueJ]

On start up this morning I received a "Service in 1,700 miles" notice - it's for front brake pads.

The car is on 27,800 miles - does this mileage on front pads sound about right?

Is it best to change the front discs at the same time or is that only in the other direction (i.e. new pads when changing the discs?).

[rassi]

BlueJ said:

On start up this morning I received a "Service in 1,700 miles" notice - it's for front brake pads.

The car is on 27,800 miles - does this mileage on front pads sound about right?

Is it best to change the front discs at the same time or is that only in the other direction (i.e. new pads when changing the discs?).

Normally it is 2x pads, and then discs + pads, so unless your discs are knackered or warped just change the front pads

[BlueJ]

Thanks Rassi.

[jm doc]

BlueJ said:

Thanks Rassi.

Main dealer might pressure you a bit to get new discs, in my experience they often will say they need changing but when you challenge them they will often say that they're getting a bit worn and it's best to change then soon but you don't have to.

[BlueJ]

Thanks jm. Discs look good so I plan to decline any recommendation to change.

[Max Maxasson]

BE AWARE.

There is a bit of a shortage of certain Michelin tyre sizes.
Including the * rated tyres for the M5 (275/35/20 102Y and 285/35/20 104Y)
Apparently a shortage of Carbon black, which is largely exported by Ukraine and Russia, is causing significant problems for Michelin.
I spent three days solid ringing every decent tyre dealer last week before I eventually found some (at a pretty expensive price) at a BMW dealer.

Even the main tyre dealers owned by Michelin (including ATS and Blackcircles) have no stock as they traditionally just have any Michelin tyres they want dropped off next day.....and Michelin have no stock to supply them.

Speaking to Michelin...they do not have a plan date for any more production of M5 tyre sizes and basically say tough.
According to one large tyre dealer I spoke to, Michelin are concentrating production on the bigger sellers in their tyre range and low volume sizes (as for the M5) are being put on the back burner.

So if you think you might need a new set of tyres for your M5 in the next month or so...now may be the time to start looking...I would also strongly advise to have any supplier confirm they can physically get the tyres before paying for them

[JMBMWM5]

Max Maxasson said:

BE AWARE.

There is a bit of a shortage of certain Michelin tyre sizes.
Including the * rated tyres for the M5 (275/35/20 102Y and 285/35/20 104Y)
Apparently a shortage of Carbon black, which is largely exported by Ukraine and Russia, is causing significant problems for Michelin.
I spent three days solid ringing every decent tyre dealer last week before I eventually found some (at a pretty expensive price) at a BMW dealer.

Even the main tyre dealers owned by Michelin (including ATS and Blackcircles) have no stock as they traditionally just have any Michelin tyres they want dropped off next day.....and Michelin have no stock to supply them.

Speaking to Michelin...they do not have a plan date for any more production of M5 tyre sizes and basically say tough.
According to one large tyre dealer I spoke to, Michelin are concentrating production on the bigger sellers in their tyre range and low volume sizes (as for the M5) are being put on the back burner.

So if you think you might need a new set of tyres for your M5 in the next month or so...now may be the time to start looking...I would also strongly advise to have any supplier confirm they can physically get the tyres before paying for them

I waited 5 months for mine, I had them fitted this March time, luckily my Pirelli PZ4's were almost new and I still have them now, good job as I may need them.

[seawise]

re tyre shortage :

Jumped in my car last night and 'bong' warning loss of pressure front offside tyre - completely flat, usual builders screw nicely located inside tread pattern, so of course 'unrepairable'.

quick search on Blackcircles showed availability for front 275/35 R20 Michelin pilot sport 4S, couple of days notice delivery, but i didn't order because they don't supply my local trusted tyre fitter and i wanted to see if they could source a replacement, which they can (another £35 admittedly) delivery within today - so i assume Michelin have made another batch - £325 though.....

costly business, other peoples carelessness

[JMBMWM5]

seawise said:

re tyre shortage :

Jumped in my car last night and 'bong' warning loss of pressure front offside tyre - completely flat, usual builders screw nicely located inside tread pattern, so of course 'unrepairable'.

quick search on Blackcircles showed availability for front 275/35 R20 Michelin pilot sport 4S, couple of days notice delivery, but i didn't order because they don't supply my local trusted tyre fitter and i wanted to see if they could source a replacement, which they can (another £35 admittedly) delivery within today - so i assume Michelin have made another batch - £325 though.....

costly business, other peoples carelessness

You were very lucky great news.