The Best ///M/Barge/General Rant/Look at this/O/T(Vol XIX)
Discussion
Thanks lads!
Went up today to test it, waiting to collect next week so only had the briefest go. Felt instantly comfortable with the controls and it’s such a fantastic bit of design, interesting car.
It’s a standardish 118hp, it’s on some aftermarket suspension with the s2 modification. It’s not mint but that adds to a charm, it’s an honest, usable car.
Plan is to spend time getting to know it and slowly improve it. Do a few track days, I haven’t many of those since I got into Kart racing. Missed it!
Went up today to test it, waiting to collect next week so only had the briefest go. Felt instantly comfortable with the controls and it’s such a fantastic bit of design, interesting car.
It’s a standardish 118hp, it’s on some aftermarket suspension with the s2 modification. It’s not mint but that adds to a charm, it’s an honest, usable car.
Plan is to spend time getting to know it and slowly improve it. Do a few track days, I haven’t many of those since I got into Kart racing. Missed it!
jeremyc said:
Phil Dicky said:
ferrisbueller said:
Ted on Chris Harris' Collecting Cars podcast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gss0wkG0x40
Gets me all misty-eyed thinking about the forum etc. Missing some of the old posters in particular.
Was an interesting podcast..having been here years I remember the Dovic times well..took me in. Though as I remember it, was it Fish who outed him ? Gets me all misty-eyed thinking about the forum etc. Missing some of the old posters in particular.
I quite like this, set of minilites would suit it down to the ground
www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1114175
www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1114175
Here's a thought I've had for a while and I wonder who else thinks along the same lines. It's regarding not missing the boat on opportunities, this particular one being owning a car with a V10 before it's too late...
The sad fact is, short of a windfall, the only affordable, i.e. ~£15k or less, remaining options for such a thing is an M5 or M6 (I'm aware of a few Audi efforts but there's nowhere near the same driver appeal).
Obviously potentially extremely expensive to run but I can't help thinking it might be best to sample such a thing while a few still have comprehensive warranties, otherwise your options are older cars with no warranties or the euros ticket finally coming good.
The sad fact is, short of a windfall, the only affordable, i.e. ~£15k or less, remaining options for such a thing is an M5 or M6 (I'm aware of a few Audi efforts but there's nowhere near the same driver appeal).
Obviously potentially extremely expensive to run but I can't help thinking it might be best to sample such a thing while a few still have comprehensive warranties, otherwise your options are older cars with no warranties or the euros ticket finally coming good.
Honestly, I think the constant fear of an M5 blowing up when you so much as look at it is not the case, so much fear on here when it’s mentioned. Yes the clutch release bearing will need doing, and there are always going to be worries, as the engine is complex, vanos, shells etc.
It has a penchant for oil and drinks petrol, down a hill in a strong breeze will still not get you above 19mpg, ever.
Like anything, it needs to have been used and serviced, and bought on condition, they are in that price bracket that are bought by people who will not give it the love it needs, so buy now before all the good ones fall in to the pit of no return.
I think the M5 and the M6 have aged rather well, and the engine is a masterpiece, never fails to fizz. I would caveat all the above with having a BMW warranty....
It’s also very useful at this time of year, but you need good rope.
It has a penchant for oil and drinks petrol, down a hill in a strong breeze will still not get you above 19mpg, ever.
Like anything, it needs to have been used and serviced, and bought on condition, they are in that price bracket that are bought by people who will not give it the love it needs, so buy now before all the good ones fall in to the pit of no return.
I think the M5 and the M6 have aged rather well, and the engine is a masterpiece, never fails to fizz. I would caveat all the above with having a BMW warranty....
It’s also very useful at this time of year, but you need good rope.
What's the script with the BMW extended warranties? Only up to 100k miles? I know they can be transferred in some circumstances but don't know the ins and outs.
If you were ever to take a jump without a warranty something like this might fit the bill-
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
If you were ever to take a jump without a warranty something like this might fit the bill-
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Edited by Patrick Bateman on Wednesday 27th November 21:08
I will dig out the paperwork, but yes, only up to 100k, main dealer servicing and BMW parts etc. Think it’s 1400 a year, doesn’t include bodywork and consumables etc and is transferable but no breaks allowed, so has to be continuously renewed from when it was taken out. May have all changed now. M tax is significant and it is always the unexpected and non performance related costs which it looks after as well (1500 for a headlight unit etc)
That looks tidy for 108k, has had the right work done but I would want to know when it was done and see all the paperwork as well as most of that is sadly a consumable on the E60!
That is a crazy amount of car for the money, which makes me a little apprehensive.
That looks tidy for 108k, has had the right work done but I would want to know when it was done and see all the paperwork as well as most of that is sadly a consumable on the E60!
That is a crazy amount of car for the money, which makes me a little apprehensive.
To be fair it seems in line with the values, they're a BMW specialist so wouldn't be surprised if it was a former car of one of their customer's. They're selling an M3 that's also had the bearings done.
I did almost 40k miles in an e39 M5 so I'm all too familiar with inflated parts costs.
I'm not actually looking at buying one any time soon, I've got a year left on a Volvo lease for one- but the lingering thought is there and it's all about timing. Bought the e39 at exactly the right time (2013) and have read plenty of posts since about others missing the boat for them, would hate to think that of likely the only chance of a shot at a V10 without ridiculous risk.
I did almost 40k miles in an e39 M5 so I'm all too familiar with inflated parts costs.
I'm not actually looking at buying one any time soon, I've got a year left on a Volvo lease for one- but the lingering thought is there and it's all about timing. Bought the e39 at exactly the right time (2013) and have read plenty of posts since about others missing the boat for them, would hate to think that of likely the only chance of a shot at a V10 without ridiculous risk.
Patrick Bateman said:
.... Bought the e39 at exactly the right time (2013) and have read plenty of posts since about others missing the boat for them...
I was going to ask about this, then took a look at 'M5' PH classifieds. The E39 has overtaken the E60 in asking prices?!I'm not saying it's wrong, it's just one of those times where one might think it'll never happen, until it does... (Years ago there was discussion on PH of whether 996 Porsches would ever go below £20k
)ETA - I've also thought about the need for a V10 while there's the chance. For me, I'd rather sidestep the brilliant BMW V10 and settle for an Audi S6 with better noise (and a sports car). Easier given that I don't commute by car but in any case my other half hates estates and I sure ain't touching a V10 diesel Q7.
So I'll have to wait for the Euromillions and a Carrera GT.
Edited by braddo on Wednesday 27th November 22:53
One of these would do nicely for ticking the V10 box I think: https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
That’s a lovely looking E61 above btw Matty
That’s a lovely looking E61 above btw Matty
I ran an E61 M5 for a year. It was a 1 owner car with FBMWSH. I bought it with the BMW warranty.
During the year, it had 6.5 grand of warranty work including a throttle actuator, traction control unit, new discs (which warped in under 6 months), tailgate wiring loom (which split where the boot opens) plusher bits etc. The killer is that every single thing needs coding so there's very little you can DIY.
I liked the SMG box but thought the engine was wrong for the car as you needed to rev the tits off it to make it go. Most of the driving it did was sub 4k rpm and then it was fairly ordinary (in terms of noise and performance) and laughable in terms of economy. The B10 V8 I had before was a far better proposition and I suspect the AMG alternative would also have been better. If you want the high revving V10 then there's not much else around that will carry the kids, however my view is that the V10 would be better in a lightweight sports car than big, heavy GT.
But the thing which really killed it for me was the stupid fuel tank which meant the range was pointless for a grand tourer. Took it on holiday with the family once and literally had to fill up every 2-3 days. It was just annoying.
Still, when you have the space and latitude to open it up, it does make you grin, and there's not many family cars that can do that.
During the year, it had 6.5 grand of warranty work including a throttle actuator, traction control unit, new discs (which warped in under 6 months), tailgate wiring loom (which split where the boot opens) plusher bits etc. The killer is that every single thing needs coding so there's very little you can DIY.
I liked the SMG box but thought the engine was wrong for the car as you needed to rev the tits off it to make it go. Most of the driving it did was sub 4k rpm and then it was fairly ordinary (in terms of noise and performance) and laughable in terms of economy. The B10 V8 I had before was a far better proposition and I suspect the AMG alternative would also have been better. If you want the high revving V10 then there's not much else around that will carry the kids, however my view is that the V10 would be better in a lightweight sports car than big, heavy GT.
But the thing which really killed it for me was the stupid fuel tank which meant the range was pointless for a grand tourer. Took it on holiday with the family once and literally had to fill up every 2-3 days. It was just annoying.
Still, when you have the space and latitude to open it up, it does make you grin, and there's not many family cars that can do that.
Cactussed said:
I ran an E61 M5 for a year. It was a 1 owner car with FBMWSH. I bought it with the BMW warranty.
During the year, it had 6.5 grand of warranty work including a throttle actuator, traction control unit, new discs (which warped in under 6 months), tailgate wiring loom (which split where the boot opens) plusher bits etc. The killer is that every single thing needs coding so there's very little you can DIY.
I liked the SMG box but thought the engine was wrong for the car as you needed to rev the tits off it to make it go. Most of the driving it did was sub 4k rpm and then it was fairly ordinary (in terms of noise and performance) and laughable in terms of economy. The B10 V8 I had before was a far better proposition and I suspect the AMG alternative would also have been better. If you want the high revving V10 then there's not much else around that will carry the kids, however my view is that the V10 would be better in a lightweight sports car than big, heavy GT.
But the thing which really killed it for me was the stupid fuel tank which meant the range was pointless for a grand tourer. Took it on holiday with the family once and literally had to fill up every 2-3 days. It was just annoying.
Still, when you have the space and latitude to open it up, it does make you grin, and there's not many family cars that can do that.
I had the chance of buying both bonkers E61 cars, the V10 M5 and the supercharged B5; as well as the fear of monster bills should engine damage to either (as well as the M5's red cog of death), I've highlighted in your post my chief problem with newer BMW's - the coding.During the year, it had 6.5 grand of warranty work including a throttle actuator, traction control unit, new discs (which warped in under 6 months), tailgate wiring loom (which split where the boot opens) plusher bits etc. The killer is that every single thing needs coding so there's very little you can DIY.
I liked the SMG box but thought the engine was wrong for the car as you needed to rev the tits off it to make it go. Most of the driving it did was sub 4k rpm and then it was fairly ordinary (in terms of noise and performance) and laughable in terms of economy. The B10 V8 I had before was a far better proposition and I suspect the AMG alternative would also have been better. If you want the high revving V10 then there's not much else around that will carry the kids, however my view is that the V10 would be better in a lightweight sports car than big, heavy GT.
But the thing which really killed it for me was the stupid fuel tank which meant the range was pointless for a grand tourer. Took it on holiday with the family once and literally had to fill up every 2-3 days. It was just annoying.
Still, when you have the space and latitude to open it up, it does make you grin, and there's not many family cars that can do that.
I do a lot of diy on all my cars unless it is beyond me (tracking, gearbox flushes, major engine work etc) and the issue of coding is a saga I can't be bothered to deal with.
Coding a battery seems the most pointless task ever - a simple software question of whether a new battery has been fiitted and its rating, when the car is reconnected to its battery is all that should have been needed, even with so-called intelligent charging systems - cars ran perfectly well without intelligent systems for around 100 years, so why deliberately have a software necessity for brake pads, battery, bulbs, modules and so on - just idiotic building in of ewrly redundancy and shortening of automobile life.
Despite some ups and downs my B10 V8 Touring has proved to be everything to me that it was to its first owner, 'the best point to point super estate I ever owned' ... and that was after he replaced it with a B5 Touring.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff