F90 M5 Competition

[garystoybox]

Can totally understand that feeling and I thought exactly the same. That said, having driven one (and now owned one) it was clear to me that for 95% of what people use cars for (just getting from point a to point b round the doors) they suddenly made ice cars feel immediately redundant. The instant torque and silence makes tootling around a relaxing experience. Hard to imagine me never not owning one, but will always have a V8/V12 alongside. During lockdown I’ve actually put triple the mileage on my I3s than I have on my M5, just a fun car to use round the doors.

[Max Maxasson]

garystoybox said:

Can totally understand that feeling and I thought exactly the same. That said, having driven one (and now owned one) it was clear to me that for 95% of what people use cars for (just getting from point a to point b round the doors) they suddenly made ice cars feel immediately redundant. The instant torque and silence makes tootling around a relaxing experience. Hard to imagine me never not owning one, but will always have a V8/V12 alongside. During lockdown I’ve actually put triple the mileage on my I3s than I have on my M5, just a fun car to use round the doors.

I have to say I found the Tesla 75D I drove to be way more fun that I expected...super fast quiet and comfortable.
I could live with one if I had too.

[Phil.]

Having sold my 2019 M5 Comp last September privately I bought as a ‘replacement’ a nearly new M135i mainly for my wife to use. I’m just not getting on with it, the 4 pot engine, seats and comparable lack of room inside. It’s fun and fairly fast but I’m missing my M5.

After much drooling over the new M5’s on AT I am near to closing a deal on the spec shown below for delivery 1st March. I am taking the 2.9% APR deal, which with the M135i as PX is working out at around £650pm over 36 months. More detail when the deal is finalised.

Brands Hatch Grey Metallic Paint
Silverstone with black Merino leather interior
Black 20" M light alloy Style 706M wheels
Comfort Plus Pack
Visibility Pack
Technology Plus Pack

[mondie]

Thats a great spec Phil, that is one of my preferred specs expect I would go for the other wheel option in silver. The other combo that I think would be stunning is Tanzanite Blue with smoke interior.

Thanks for the comments on the ZF vs DCT, it is good to read that owners are satisfied with the ZF. I drove both of our previous M5's on the paddles and found this added to the fun and I could not imagine buying an M5 and driving it as an auto. I agree with Max and would pay more for a DCT but manufacturers claim to be going away from DCT's because of the power these cars make, I don't know if that's true or if it's down to cost & reliability.

[Terminator X]

^^ the paddles on the M5 are too small imho and plastic too which is strange on such an expensive car. I changed mine for carbon ones which altered the whole driving experience for the better.

TX.

[HoHoHo]

Terminator X said:

^^ the paddles on the M5 are too small imho and plastic too which is strange on such an expensive car. I changed mine for carbon ones which altered the whole driving experience for the better.

TX.

Totally agree.

The F10 M5 paddles were also much better

[mondie]

Terminator X said:

^^ the paddles on the M5 are too small imho and plastic too which is strange on such an expensive car. I changed mine for carbon ones which altered the whole driving experience for the better.

TX.

Thats crap, how much and were they an easy change?

[Terminator X]

mondie said:

Terminator X said:

^^ the paddles on the M5 are too small imho and plastic too which is strange on such an expensive car. I changed mine for carbon ones which altered the whole driving experience for the better.

TX.

Thats crap, how much and were they an easy change?

The ones I got were quality items so not cheap (£300 ish) however they are like a piece of art and as I say totally changed the feel of the car when using them. Easy to do although I just got the guys I bought them from to fit for me.



TX.

[Max Maxasson]

Aftermarket paddles are a fairly easy self fit...there are youtube vids available.
I'd like to change mine but the aftermarket ones all seem too long.
The paddles off an M4 are a better size but don't fit (well they do but require a lot of fettling),

[mondie]

Thanks for the info Terminator, this is something I will have to factor into an M5 purchase. It's disappointing BMW chose to cut costs on such an important aspect of how the car feels.

[theboss]

garystoybox said:

Max Maxasson said:

Firstly I would have paid extra to have a DCT in my F90...it is a more engaging box than the ZF.
Yet the ZF box is pretty good...in the most aggressive setting its quick and fairly firm.
I drive using the paddle shift all the time and find it pretty entertaining...its not that far off the DCT and I suppose more in character with the car.
Took mine out in the snow the other day and that was fun on summer tyres. Accelerating was ok...slowing down not so much!!

I find the ZF a much better all rounder and suits the character of the car better than the dct. 99% as good when flat out and better everywhere else (I.e. 99% of the time mooching in traffic). Re earlier comments, I find the steering much improved on the CP over the standard M5 (and earlier F10), much better turn in. The seats are also phenomenal. I’ll miss the V8 when it’s gone and think my next daily will likely be fully electric; not convinced on V6 hybrid......

To clarify my earlier comment, I agree the F90 turns in much better than the F10. I was talking specifically about the relative inertness of fully electric steering. The f10’s hydraulic PAS system provides more feedback and sense of connection to the road. It’s immediately noticeable if you ever get back in an F10. Seems most F90 owners quickly forget about them!

[ben5575]

mondie said:

Thanks for the info Terminator, this is something I will have to factor into an M5 purchase. It's disappointing BMW chose to cut costs on such an important aspect of how the car feels.

Just avoid the clip on ones as you lose the click on the shift/they feel like the £10 paddles they are.

I have the aluminium paddles from AutoTecknic on my M2C and they're very nice. They do dry carbon versions as well as you can see: https://autotecknic.com/collections/f90-m5

They may look long but they don't catch your hands at all and you can shift with your bottom two fingers when the steering wheel is turned.

[mondie]

I like the look of those, BMW should at least offer something similar as an option for drivers who consider the paddles important. Did you fit them yourself Ben? If so, any special skill or tools needed or just a bit of patience?

I was watching a review of the 2021 LCI last night and was disappointed at how lame it sounded, strangled by OPF's I assume. Do they open up with a few miles or has anyone modified the exhaust without causing ECLs or going too far to risk their drivetrain warranty?

Edited by mondie on Monday 1st February 13:19

[JMBMWM5]

mondie said:

I like the look of those, BMW should at least offer something similar as an option for drivers who consider the paddles important. Did you fit them yourself Ben? If so, any special skill or tools needed or just a bit of patience?

I was watching a review of the 2021 LCI last night and was disappointed at how lame it sounded, strangled by OPF's I assume. Do they open up with a few miles or has anyone modified the exhaust without causing ECLs or going too far to risk their drivetrain warranty?

Edited by mondie on Monday 1st February 13:19

Watch EVOLVE fit them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmVTcEfxwXs&t=...

[mondie]

^^ Excellent thank you.

[Phil.]

Change of plan. Decided against a PCP deal on a new one and took a look at nearly new M5 Comps.

Found a cracker I hope. New LCI model, 70 plate, 5 months old, 1500 miles. Even has the Michelin tyres.

High spec, so originally priced at £113,000 reduced to just under £74,000 plus a decent PX valuation. Picking it up in the next few days.

[JMBMWM5]

Phil. said:

Change of plan. Decided against a PCP deal on a new one and took a look at nearly new M5 Comps.

Found a cracker I hope. New LCI model, 70 plate, 5 months old, 1500 miles. Even has the Michelin tyres.

High spec, so originally priced at £113,000 reduced to just under £74,000 plus a decent PX valuation. Picking it up in the next few days.

Looks like a Bargain that Phil, enjoy.

[mondie]

Great buy Phil, the depreciation on these is mega but you have taken a lot of the pain out upfront with that. What colour is the interior out of interest?

[Phil.]

mondie said:

Great buy Phil, the depreciation on these is mega but you have taken a lot of the pain out upfront with that. What colour is the interior out of interest?

It’s Marina Bay Blue with a black interior.

Broadly I discovered you can get c.£20k off list price for a stock brand new M5 Comp, which there are lots about at the moment (check the BMW stock list). Then you face another £15k-£20k depreciation in the first year. The PCP deals were offering a GMV of about £40k after 3 years. All ball park figures. Hence, why I decided to take a look at nearly new.

Nothing surprising for a £100k car and in line with my prior experience of buying new Range Rovers too often

Edited by Phil. on Wednesday 3rd February 11:42

[Terminator X]

Red calipers look weird, will take a while for the blue ones to fade from memory I guess!

TX.