E60 M5, best thing ever, or terrible mistake?...
Discussion
OK I'm new round these parts, but have just bought myself what is a dream car for me; E60 BMW M5, and it's a hairy chested beast, I just haven't decided if I love it or not yet. It's on 96k miles, so I know it's a risk, but at such a tiny fraction of the original price, I figure life's too short not to give it a punt and hope for the best.
Bought from a dealer in Bristol, and with lots of dealership stamps, it's just come back to me, as they over-filled it with oil and the stereo didn't work when I picked it up. Here's hoping that's teething problems and not a sign of what's to come. Especially as I was driving around in the most godawful Chevrolet Matiz courtesy car while they fixed it. Eugh.
The BMW is quite well specced, as I guess most of these are; hud, tv in the front, electric blind in the back, which I am more excited about than I should be.
I've got quite a few things to think about with this car, and I'll probably follow up with a few questions, and I'll consider whether I make any minor changes. All the reliability issues on the forums are enough to keep you up at night worrying, but I'm going to have to give this one some time, and I've only just picked her up. Clearly the engine is an absolute beaut, but I'm going to have to decide on that gearbox, and whether I like it. My previous was a 330i auto, and was so smooth it was a pleasure, but it was time for a change.
Anyway, thanks for reading, be gentle with me, I've already got the fear of a wallet busting bill so I'm not going into this blind. Let's just hope the BMW is as good as I hope, and as good as it looks (in my opinion). Anyone got opinions on stuff you really should do to look after these? (Not going to be doing anything complex myself, but the local specialist seems good from experience).
Finally, a previous contributor TheAngryDog mentioned a fb page. If you're around, could you send me a msg re this? Thanks
Pic attached, and I know it looks a bit low slung, but it's just 'cos it's on a hill, all cars look like that parked in that spot. Personally I think she looks amazing.
Bought from a dealer in Bristol, and with lots of dealership stamps, it's just come back to me, as they over-filled it with oil and the stereo didn't work when I picked it up. Here's hoping that's teething problems and not a sign of what's to come. Especially as I was driving around in the most godawful Chevrolet Matiz courtesy car while they fixed it. Eugh.
The BMW is quite well specced, as I guess most of these are; hud, tv in the front, electric blind in the back, which I am more excited about than I should be.
I've got quite a few things to think about with this car, and I'll probably follow up with a few questions, and I'll consider whether I make any minor changes. All the reliability issues on the forums are enough to keep you up at night worrying, but I'm going to have to give this one some time, and I've only just picked her up. Clearly the engine is an absolute beaut, but I'm going to have to decide on that gearbox, and whether I like it. My previous was a 330i auto, and was so smooth it was a pleasure, but it was time for a change.
Anyway, thanks for reading, be gentle with me, I've already got the fear of a wallet busting bill so I'm not going into this blind. Let's just hope the BMW is as good as I hope, and as good as it looks (in my opinion). Anyone got opinions on stuff you really should do to look after these? (Not going to be doing anything complex myself, but the local specialist seems good from experience).
Finally, a previous contributor TheAngryDog mentioned a fb page. If you're around, could you send me a msg re this? Thanks
Pic attached, and I know it looks a bit low slung, but it's just 'cos it's on a hill, all cars look like that parked in that spot. Personally I think she looks amazing.
Welcome aboard, Silverstone blue? the fastest colour apparently;) Rod bearings, at 96,000 miles is probably what you'll here most about, Angrydog has just had his done I think, no doubt he'll be along shortly. I don't mind the SMG, once gotten used to, it can be as smooth as manual a I think and has the potential to be whole heap faster; 1st to 2nd I'd say is the most noticeably slow and clonky, especially the first change up on a chilly winter morning before everything's warmed through, you do wonder if it will get there before you reach your destination. Get your sunroof opened up in this nice weather as well, more of that V10 goodness makes itself heard in the cabin.
Get used to saying:
"I will be back soon, just popping down to ___"
You will never want to get out of this car, and you may never turn the radio on...
My top tip is that if you are ever near Heathrow terminal 1,2,3, as you approach from the M4, on the left hand side there is a small tunnel, that runs beside the main two lane tunnels, its tiny in fact its just one car wide. Approach the tunnel very very slowly (so that there is no one else in it), then before entering, wind all your windows down and go like hell. I assure you that the aural symphony you will hear will be life changing...
Enjoy, i loved mine, but my lesson learnt was that its a perfect second car, but a nightmare of an only car!!
"I will be back soon, just popping down to ___"
You will never want to get out of this car, and you may never turn the radio on...
My top tip is that if you are ever near Heathrow terminal 1,2,3, as you approach from the M4, on the left hand side there is a small tunnel, that runs beside the main two lane tunnels, its tiny in fact its just one car wide. Approach the tunnel very very slowly (so that there is no one else in it), then before entering, wind all your windows down and go like hell. I assure you that the aural symphony you will hear will be life changing...
Enjoy, i loved mine, but my lesson learnt was that its a perfect second car, but a nightmare of an only car!!
Awesome machine, but then I am biased 
I still cannot email you unfortunately, but the group is this one;
I would definitely look at getting the rod bearings done - if you check back to my thread you will see that they were absolutely done at 76k miles.
Have you run your VIN through the decoder yet?
I still cannot email you unfortunately, but the group is this one;
I would definitely look at getting the rod bearings done - if you check back to my thread you will see that they were absolutely done at 76k miles.
Have you run your VIN through the decoder yet?
I ran my E60 M5 for 4 years including 2 trackdays, it was great. The new owner has had it a year with no major issues so far. BTW that SMG comes into its own when on track, slams the gears home. I had the FAMS tune on mine, made for smoother gear changes and more low down torque plus mapped out that annoying cold start and delimited top end.
cosworth330 said:
I ran my E60 M5 for 4 years including 2 trackdays, it was great. The new owner has had it a year with no major issues so far. BTW that SMG comes into its own when on track, slams the gears home. I had the FAMS tune on mine, made for smoother gear changes and more low down torque plus mapped out that annoying cold start and delimited top end.
I have a FAMS tune to go on mine once I get the car back. Hoping for good results. Was the power / torque noticeable?Running an E60 M5 seems to be like marriage - you absolutely want and hope it to be amazing and convince yourself the good will outweigh the bad but if you were being honest with yourself you know it’s gonna end in big bills and lots of tears - unless you’re one of the rare lucky ones where it doesn’t go wrong.
Edited by Pommy on Wednesday 20th June 23:49
Roughly in order....
Yep, silverstone blue, although I do find that weird, 'cos it seems more silver than blue. Even the v5 says blue!
Rod Bearings, righto, when it gets serviced I'm asking about that. Later in the year most likely. I at least have engine and gearbox warranty from dealer that far. Any idea of cost?
Tunnels; excellent idea. Must find an excuse for the tunnel under Temple Meads station. Used to do it on motorbike with modded exhaust, most fabulous fun.
Found the FB site, thank you.
....googling FAMS tune.
'Like Marraige'!? Interesting. I'll see how both pan out. In all honesty I'm probably more optimistic about my marriage then the car, but then the former could be ended by the bills for the latter, so an interesting dynamic between the two.
Next job to work out how to access spotify in the car. There's a weird setup for an iphone in there at the moment, so either see if I can find an old iphone formerly belonging to the wife, or see if I can change the setup. Got android set up in last car (e46) and it was ace, but not so sure in this one, seems a lot more complex so might hunt for aux in or something first.
Yep, silverstone blue, although I do find that weird, 'cos it seems more silver than blue. Even the v5 says blue!
Rod Bearings, righto, when it gets serviced I'm asking about that. Later in the year most likely. I at least have engine and gearbox warranty from dealer that far. Any idea of cost?
Tunnels; excellent idea. Must find an excuse for the tunnel under Temple Meads station. Used to do it on motorbike with modded exhaust, most fabulous fun.
Found the FB site, thank you.
....googling FAMS tune.
'Like Marraige'!? Interesting. I'll see how both pan out. In all honesty I'm probably more optimistic about my marriage then the car, but then the former could be ended by the bills for the latter, so an interesting dynamic between the two.
Next job to work out how to access spotify in the car. There's a weird setup for an iphone in there at the moment, so either see if I can find an old iphone formerly belonging to the wife, or see if I can change the setup. Got android set up in last car (e46) and it was ace, but not so sure in this one, seems a lot more complex so might hunt for aux in or something first.
DPS 78 said:
Yep, silverstone blue, although I do find that weird, 'cos it seems more silver than blue. Even the v5 says blue!
My old Carbon Black M5 said Blue on the V5 though it looked black. Was just a very dark blue.DPS 78 said:
Rod Bearings, righto, when it gets serviced I'm asking about that. Later in the year most likely. I at least have engine and gearbox warranty from dealer that far. Any idea of cost?
Around £1500. If your warranty isn't from a BMW dealer then it probably isn't worth the paper it is printed on I am afraid.DPS 78 said:
Tunnels; excellent idea. Must find an excuse for the tunnel under Temple Meads station. Used to do it on motorbike with modded exhaust, most fabulous fun.
DPS 78 said:
Found the FB site, thank you.
You're welcome - I will keep an eye out for a post from you.DPS 78 said:
....googling FAMS tune.
It isn't cheap, but if you sign up to the M5Board you can get a 10% off discount code.DPS 78 said:
'Like Marraige'!? Interesting. I'll see how both pan out. In all honesty I'm probably more optimistic about my marriage then the car, but then the former could be ended by the bills for the latter, so an interesting dynamic between the two.
I feel the same DPS 78 said:
Next job to work out how to access spotify in the car. There's a weird setup for an iphone in there at the moment, so either see if I can find an old iphone formerly belonging to the wife, or see if I can change the setup. Got android set up in last car (e46) and it was ace, but not so sure in this one, seems a lot more complex so might hunt for aux in or something first.
Good luck! I think you'd need to retrofit the NBT unit from an F10 to get it to work. I have an iPod module that sits in place of the CD Changer which allows me to play music from that. _dobbo_ said:
There's a tunnel under Temple Meads station?!
Unless it's changed, if you're going down Temple Gate, with the station on your left, the next left down Cattle Market Road goes under the station. Admittedly it's been a while since I've been down there, but used to be so much fun with a loud exhaust. Plus nobody really lives round there, so I don't feel guilty. DPS 78 said:
Unless it's changed, if you're going down Temple Gate, with the station on your left, the next left down Cattle Market Road goes under the station. Admittedly it's been a while since I've been down there, but used to be so much fun with a loud exhaust. Plus nobody really lives round there, so I don't feel guilty.
Aye. Looks like it's still there. 
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