RE: BMW M5/M6 (E60/E63): PH Buying Guide
Discussion
I used mine as a daily driver for several years. The only major issues I had were a clutch bearing failure, necessitating a new clutch and flywheel (dealer tried to argue it was wear and tear, even while within original warranty - dealer was dealt with harshly) and failure of the iDrive system. No engine issues. The most annoying minor issue was the failure of a steering angle sensor that made the car decide it could not be driven.
coanda said:
Schermerhorn said:
Had an M6 coupe for 18 months. Loved it and hated it in equal measure. Not really keen to experience it ever again.
Would you mind expanding on this? I have the M6 on my 'to do' list. Is it really that bad that it couldn't be an occasional V10 fix?Throttle actuators replaced
Steering pump total failure - with my 5 year old daughter in the car
Cooling fan / thermostat issue that led to overheating and randomly turning off the car
VANOS pump and value issue
These are just the things I can remember off the top of my head
All of which were rectified under warranty but it totally kills the ownership experience. The guy I sold it to has had issues too but they've been fixed under warranty also but they have included fuel pump failure.
Epic cars when working but if you get one without a warranty, seriously I wish you good luck.
Plate spinner said:
An ex-boss had a saloon version from new.
He liked a lot of the time, but it left him stranded twice with various electrical problems that effectively put the car into full on sulk mode.
He was a well off guy but even he got annoyed with the mpg, in particular the range. Complained he was foverever filling it up. The minute the warranty ran out he chopped it in, took a bath on the depreciation but said that whilst he was pleased he'd owned it he'd not do it again or recommend it to others.
So not the most flattering review really. Can't say I'm that drawn to them. My interest in the M5 peaked at the e39 and I'd rather throw money into a good one of them than an e60.
the fuel economy was insane on these, I used to go to London and back from Manchester and it required several fill ups and a couple of hundred pounds of fuelHe liked a lot of the time, but it left him stranded twice with various electrical problems that effectively put the car into full on sulk mode.
He was a well off guy but even he got annoyed with the mpg, in particular the range. Complained he was foverever filling it up. The minute the warranty ran out he chopped it in, took a bath on the depreciation but said that whilst he was pleased he'd owned it he'd not do it again or recommend it to others.
So not the most flattering review really. Can't say I'm that drawn to them. My interest in the M5 peaked at the e39 and I'd rather throw money into a good one of them than an e60.
WCZ said:
Plate spinner said:
An ex-boss had a saloon version from new.
He liked a lot of the time, but it left him stranded twice with various electrical problems that effectively put the car into full on sulk mode.
He was a well off guy but even he got annoyed with the mpg, in particular the range. Complained he was foverever filling it up. The minute the warranty ran out he chopped it in, took a bath on the depreciation but said that whilst he was pleased he'd owned it he'd not do it again or recommend it to others.
So not the most flattering review really. Can't say I'm that drawn to them. My interest in the M5 peaked at the e39 and I'd rather throw money into a good one of them than an e60.
the fuel economy was insane on these, I used to go to London and back from Manchester and it required several fill ups and a couple of hundred pounds of fuelHe liked a lot of the time, but it left him stranded twice with various electrical problems that effectively put the car into full on sulk mode.
He was a well off guy but even he got annoyed with the mpg, in particular the range. Complained he was foverever filling it up. The minute the warranty ran out he chopped it in, took a bath on the depreciation but said that whilst he was pleased he'd owned it he'd not do it again or recommend it to others.
So not the most flattering review really. Can't say I'm that drawn to them. My interest in the M5 peaked at the e39 and I'd rather throw money into a good one of them than an e60.
When I took it to Germany and drover on the Autobahn, heading to the Alps, the fuel consumption was hilariously bad - driving fast on the derestricted sections, I swear you could see the needle dropping. The way that car could accelerate above 100mph was remarkable for a big saloon, particularly a decade ago.
MrTouring said:
I drove one before choosing the e61 and although it felt very much like driving the motoring equivalent of a volcanic eruption (a great thing!), it was very heavy in the twisties.
The Bm is a laser guided missile to the Audis MOAB effect!
Add in that there are only 148 or so RHD e61s on the road.....................................
HiyaThe Bm is a laser guided missile to the Audis MOAB effect!
Add in that there are only 148 or so RHD e61s on the road.....................................
Yep, completely agree based on my experience of the C6 RS6, although ownership as a used car may mean the lack of numbers of E61s is more of a factor as a used purchase than it was when they were newer, simply because you can't find many for sale? I imagine most E61 owners are like yourself and won't be intending to sell on unless their circumstances change.
The V10 RS6 and to a similar degree the M5 are both comically poor on fuel in anything other than the most saintly driving - it's pushed me towards the later V8 C7 RS6 as my preferred bus of choice, given it seems to have decent reliability and a much less juicy need for unleaded at a steady cruise. I'm not bothered about what it uses when I'm pressing on, as that's about 1% of my driving. Living with the 16mpg lifetime average of my last car was getting slightly dull.....
muhnkee2 said:
I am proud to say my first laps around the Nurburgring were in my brown bomber a 2005 M5 (only two weeks after purchasing it) - i describe the adventure as being the fastest slow car on the track, or the slowest fast car on the track. Having never owned or driven a fast car prior to hitting the 'ring (my previous car was an Avantime) it was a terrifying and thrilling experience, on the straights i was murderously fast, but i hit the corners like my grandma would have done and was lapped by every other car on the circuit at every corner.
It was an amazing experience - both the 'ring and owning an M5 as our only car. The maintenance costs didnt kill the love for me, the 200miles per tank of gas did!
I then made the mistake of going from the m5 to a 535d msport, that was a stupid thing to do - i should have bought a really sensible car, instead of a pusedo sports car - the 535d always felt like a complete let down, where if i had bought that after my Avantime, then i think i would have totally loved it.
I used to own this M5, was a great car, originally bought new by Edgar Davids - Dutch footballer when he was at Tottenham. Had a bit of trouble with the vanos and it was repaired on warranty - about £3.5k worth of work. Tank of fuel only took me 250miles, that was a bit of a killer but the sound of that V10 was awesome!It was an amazing experience - both the 'ring and owning an M5 as our only car. The maintenance costs didnt kill the love for me, the 200miles per tank of gas did!
I then made the mistake of going from the m5 to a 535d msport, that was a stupid thing to do - i should have bought a really sensible car, instead of a pusedo sports car - the 535d always felt like a complete let down, where if i had bought that after my Avantime, then i think i would have totally loved it.
Adrian E said:
MrTouring said:
I drove one before choosing the e61 and although it felt very much like driving the motoring equivalent of a volcanic eruption (a great thing!), it was very heavy in the twisties.
The Bm is a laser guided missile to the Audis MOAB effect!
Add in that there are only 148 or so RHD e61s on the road.....................................
HiyaThe Bm is a laser guided missile to the Audis MOAB effect!
Add in that there are only 148 or so RHD e61s on the road.....................................
Yep, completely agree based on my experience of the C6 RS6, although ownership as a used car may mean the lack of numbers of E61s is more of a factor as a used purchase than it was when they were newer, simply because you can't find many for sale? I imagine most E61 owners are like yourself and won't be intending to sell on unless their circumstances change.
The V10 RS6 and to a similar degree the M5 are both comically poor on fuel in anything other than the most saintly driving - it's pushed me towards the later V8 C7 RS6 as my preferred bus of choice, given it seems to have decent reliability and a much less juicy need for unleaded at a steady cruise. I'm not bothered about what it uses when I'm pressing on, as that's about 1% of my driving. Living with the 16mpg lifetime average of my last car was getting slightly dull.....
Mikeeb said:
shotta287 said:
Did BMW themself claim the unrestricted top speed is 200mph+?
I've heard that not even the outgoing F10 can top 200..
I don't believe so, but it has been done in M6's with GPS data to prove many times. I'm not sure if the M5 gets there as it's not so slippery.I've heard that not even the outgoing F10 can top 200..
Also Matt Farah of The Smoking Tire and Drive has claimed to have seen verified >200mph in stock (bar the de-limiter) e60 M5s. I consider him to be pretty reliable.
If the f10/e60 discrepancy exists then I wonder if it has to do with gearing and the higher rev limit of the v10 allowing 'longer legs', but with less of a concern for emissions/efficiency. Not technical, just guessing...
New E61 M5 owner here, picked it up at the end of February. I must admit buying one is definitely a considered purchase and getting one solely as a means of practical transport, well you'd be nuts frankly; However if your on Pistonheads chances are you are a bit of a car enthusiast, therefore in buying one you're after something more than getting from A-B, in effect it's part transport, part hobby/pastime/interest and like most hobbies you are going to pay for the privilege. People wouldn't bat an eye at someone who pays thousands in golf club memberships for example or going on regular, expensive holidays. I don't do either of the latter, instead money gets spent on Mondial warranties and super unleaded(just in case you hadn't noted, economy really is f
king dire, I don't what it does with the petrol). That's my take on running costs anyway, rightly or wrongly. One thing I do hope will work in its favour is depreciation, or lack thereof: I'm not expecting Porsche RS levels of appreciation but the Tourings do seem to have bottomed out. Saying that in 10 years we might all be in electric cars and M5s and the like may be as sought after as CRT TVs were with the advent of flatscreens . RE. the top speed and the mythical 200mph, I noticed in the handbook something called the M drivers package, which I believe is the limiter removed and the top speed given is only 190mph
Never mind, I'll still tell people it can do 200 
king dire, I don't what it does with the petrol). That's my take on running costs anyway, rightly or wrongly. One thing I do hope will work in its favour is depreciation, or lack thereof: I'm not expecting Porsche RS levels of appreciation but the Tourings do seem to have bottomed out. Saying that in 10 years we might all be in electric cars and M5s and the like may be as sought after as CRT TVs were with the advent of flatscreens . RE. the top speed and the mythical 200mph, I noticed in the handbook something called the M drivers package, which I believe is the limiter removed and the top speed given is only 190mph Never mind, I'll still tell people it can do 200 
I've owned one of these for about 2 years now , sure there is lot of negetives to owning one . But there is no car like this for sale today or indeed ever really .
500 bhp n/a v10 .
Full throttle up shifts in s6 .
And that noise .
I honestly don't think I'll ever sell it . No turbo for me .
500 bhp n/a v10 .
Full throttle up shifts in s6 .
And that noise .
I honestly don't think I'll ever sell it . No turbo for me .
I owned a 57 plate saloon with every option for eighteen months from 2013 to 2014.
Was a great car but it went wrong a fair bit, thankfully I had the all singing BMW warranty on it. If memory serves me correctly I claimed just over £7k in repair work during my ownership, £3k of which was a new clutch and flywheel. It took some arguing to get them to do that but when I pointed out that this would be the third in just over 40k miles they wilted.
I bought it for £22k and sold it for £22k. Looking at the prices now and a similar one with the same option list, yep, still £22k.
Was a great car but it went wrong a fair bit, thankfully I had the all singing BMW warranty on it. If memory serves me correctly I claimed just over £7k in repair work during my ownership, £3k of which was a new clutch and flywheel. It took some arguing to get them to do that but when I pointed out that this would be the third in just over 40k miles they wilted.
I bought it for £22k and sold it for £22k. Looking at the prices now and a similar one with the same option list, yep, still £22k.
Mikeeb said:
I think a lot of the bad press/feeling come from owners expectations.
What other mainstream manufacturer has done this? What else was there in 2005 with this kind of performance and 4/5 seats?
An AMG 55 managed 500bhp but needed a bigger engine and a supercharger. The 6.3 only made 480ish to start with.
Jag needed a supercharger to get 420BHP from a 4.2 litre. And in 2009 a supercharger and 5.0 litres to get 550BHP
Audi C5 RS6, twin turbo 4.2 440BP, the C6 5.0 again turbocharged to make 500+BHP and not till 2008 - coking up problems anyone?
Maserati Quattroporte, 4.2 litre and 400BHP in 2005 - final version 4.7 litre and 440BHP in 2009
If the engine and SMG box were fitted to a Lambo or a Ferrari, no-one would be so upset about the repairs/maintenance these need. It's a 507 BHP naturally aspirated V10. So yes it's highly strung and needs to be looked after properly. BMW's error was putting it in a school run car, so it got treated as a 520d and expected to cost the same to run.
Have a think about the other 200 mph cars available with a big V8/10 naturally aspirated 100+ BHP/litre engine and their price point/running costs.
Carerra GT
F50
LFA
Don't get me wrong they're not perfect, but they need to be considered inline with the performance they offered. Not by the body style they were sold in.
Mini rant over!
This 100% What other mainstream manufacturer has done this? What else was there in 2005 with this kind of performance and 4/5 seats?
An AMG 55 managed 500bhp but needed a bigger engine and a supercharger. The 6.3 only made 480ish to start with.
Jag needed a supercharger to get 420BHP from a 4.2 litre. And in 2009 a supercharger and 5.0 litres to get 550BHP
Audi C5 RS6, twin turbo 4.2 440BP, the C6 5.0 again turbocharged to make 500+BHP and not till 2008 - coking up problems anyone?
Maserati Quattroporte, 4.2 litre and 400BHP in 2005 - final version 4.7 litre and 440BHP in 2009
If the engine and SMG box were fitted to a Lambo or a Ferrari, no-one would be so upset about the repairs/maintenance these need. It's a 507 BHP naturally aspirated V10. So yes it's highly strung and needs to be looked after properly. BMW's error was putting it in a school run car, so it got treated as a 520d and expected to cost the same to run.
Have a think about the other 200 mph cars available with a big V8/10 naturally aspirated 100+ BHP/litre engine and their price point/running costs.
Carerra GT
F50
LFA
Don't get me wrong they're not perfect, but they need to be considered inline with the performance they offered. Not by the body style they were sold in.
Mini rant over!
Edited by Mikeeb on Monday 5th June 11:05
I went for a black with red interior M6 as a 3rd car and probably run it 2 or 3 times a month, it's like my Lambo but rwd and wrapped in a coupe body and back seats, no way near as in your face as the lambski... but even rarer in these parts.... with back box's deleted it's always an event for me, my two kids and the missus. Gets thumbs up everywhere when people hear that sound coming out of a beemer, nothing else like it.
It's basically a Lambo with a BMW body, the likes of which we will probably never see again...
Used in this way it's basically peanuts to run...
You just pay to play.
What it is not is an everyday, only car, that's when it will ruin you.
Love mines and it's never missed a beat apart from a SMG control unit which cost £350 and I done the bearing shells as a precaution.
Amazing car for the money, just remember that it is a 507HP na V10 7 geared hud displayed super coupe that's quicker than an early gallardo and sounds just as good if not better and you will know what you are getting yourself into.
A V10 school run car it is not. The M6 does not confuse you on this., especially when cold.
So for me the M6 is perfect in its very imperfect way
It's a V10'd hooligan, with a mad woman's personality with the full M mode on which means all driver aids off, sharp throttle, brutal gear changes. Wailing V10 and a lightly rotating back end. Bliss.
I've had mines a year now...
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