The return of my E60 M5 - Wallet drained - now Supercharged!
Discussion
As if often the case with cars that are laid up for a while I do have an issue to deal with. At 70mph there is a vibration through the steering which feels like the wheels are out of balance. I had the front wheels balanced yesterday (not sure why they didn't do the rears but hey ho) and it is still there. I suspect that the tyres may have a flat spot. Hopefully it is just the fronts as the rears have hardly covered any miles. I will need to investigate though. The bushes up front are poly bushes so I know that it isn't them.
I have some further plans for the car in the long run;
I have a set of Eibach lowering springs so I will be fitting them. I also have some 12mm spacers so will fit them as well.
I have some LED interior lights that I bought just before the engine broke so they will get fitted.
I am going to get the exterior tidied up.
I would then like to see if I can find either a set of rear folding seats (it is straight forward to convert fixed seats to rear as the hardware is interchangeable) or a full red interior, with folding seats.
Android screen.
LCI rear lights (I sold my previous set to put towards the bill).
But mostly, just drive and enjoy it. I'm planning to do around 100 miles tonight of running in and then another 60 tomorrow night then it is off to my local indy for an oil and filter change.
I have some further plans for the car in the long run;
I have a set of Eibach lowering springs so I will be fitting them. I also have some 12mm spacers so will fit them as well.
I have some LED interior lights that I bought just before the engine broke so they will get fitted.
I am going to get the exterior tidied up.
I would then like to see if I can find either a set of rear folding seats (it is straight forward to convert fixed seats to rear as the hardware is interchangeable) or a full red interior, with folding seats.
Android screen.
LCI rear lights (I sold my previous set to put towards the bill).
But mostly, just drive and enjoy it. I'm planning to do around 100 miles tonight of running in and then another 60 tomorrow night then it is off to my local indy for an oil and filter change.
So pleased to see you got the old girl back on the road; I've wondered a few times how you were getting on
Don't bother with a V8 - I had a 2015 M6 and hated the thing. They sound dreadful and you spend most of the time sat there with the traction control cutting in. I sold it at a big loss and replaced it with a C7 Corvette. I'm now much happier although I lost a sum that would make YOU feel much happier!
Good luck
Don't bother with a V8 - I had a 2015 M6 and hated the thing. They sound dreadful and you spend most of the time sat there with the traction control cutting in. I sold it at a big loss and replaced it with a C7 Corvette. I'm now much happier although I lost a sum that would make YOU feel much happier!
Good luck
Been following this car since the first thread, glad that the car only got a glimpse of heaven, before arising again. Preventative maintenance is one thing, but a shoddy mechanic is what makes any car situation 10x as bad, had experiences like this on a C1 which should have no issues.
Going to guess that the good mechanic begins with M and ends with K
Well done to this all however, good that it finally was sorted. I would consider the newer CIC iDrive system before going all android, even the NBT can be retrofitted. Other than that, I wish you all the best with the M5 in the future. I know that you were tempted to cut your losses and sell, but that shouldn't be done with things like these. We also bought a high performance Audi which immediately went wrong on the day. We could have paid nothing to fix, but would have needed to transport it 100 miles away, so cut our losses and did it at the local dealer who did subsidise the repair in the end. Touchwood there has been nothing but routine maintenance (and a door repair
) for it since. Can't say the same about the X5 (which was fine at purchase time), but that is a different story 
.
When it has broken in, get a good video of it!
Going to guess that the good mechanic begins with M and ends with K
Well done to this all however, good that it finally was sorted. I would consider the newer CIC iDrive system before going all android, even the NBT can be retrofitted. Other than that, I wish you all the best with the M5 in the future. I know that you were tempted to cut your losses and sell, but that shouldn't be done with things like these. We also bought a high performance Audi which immediately went wrong on the day. We could have paid nothing to fix, but would have needed to transport it 100 miles away, so cut our losses and did it at the local dealer who did subsidise the repair in the end. Touchwood there has been nothing but routine maintenance (and a door repair
) for it since. Can't say the same about the X5 (which was fine at purchase time), but that is a different story .When it has broken in, get a good video of it!
As a former E60 M5 owner I know that the costs of running and maintaining one of these cars are quite eye watering. Kudos to you for sticking by this and getting it back up and running.
I still cannot get over how this car sounded, I did a muffler delete on mine and lost the intake noise but the exhaust note was beautiful. I would love to buy another and come to think of it, it may be an alternative to a C7 RS6.
I've been lucky to own a few nice car's over the years yet the E60 M5 was the best car I had owned until I had a C7 RS6 for a few weeks which took the crown.
I still cannot get over how this car sounded, I did a muffler delete on mine and lost the intake noise but the exhaust note was beautiful. I would love to buy another and come to think of it, it may be an alternative to a C7 RS6.
I've been lucky to own a few nice car's over the years yet the E60 M5 was the best car I had owned until I had a C7 RS6 for a few weeks which took the crown.
Shaoxter said:
Glad to hear it's back from the dead! Hopefully you can start enjoying your ownership now of these awesome machines 
Cheers! How is your E61 going?Straff99 said:
So pleased to see you got the old girl back on the road; I've wondered a few times how you were getting on
Cheers! It has been a long process and I never thought I would get it on the road tbh!Straff99 said:
Don't bother with a V8 - I had a 2015 M6 and hated the thing. They sound dreadful and you spend most of the time sat there with the traction control cutting in. I sold it at a big loss and replaced it with a C7 Corvette. I'm now much happier although I lost a sum that would make YOU feel much happier!
Good luck
That is a concern about the F10 so I will have to see how I get on - I have never been in one or driven one so it is possible that I may not like it.Good luck
I never feel happy about people losing money tbh. Circumstances are circumstances. Cheers!
rayyan171 said:
Been following this car since the first thread, glad that the car only got a glimpse of heaven, before arising again. Preventative maintenance is one thing, but a shoddy mechanic is what makes any car situation 10x as bad, had experiences like this on a C1 which should have no issues.
Yeah it is annoying and disappointing. You entrust your car with someone and you do not expect to be fleeced. rayyan171 said:
Going to guess that the good mechanic begins with M and ends with K
Yes that would be correct!rayyan171 said:
Well done to this all however, good that it finally was sorted. I would consider the newer CIC iDrive system before going all android, even the NBT can be retrofitted. Other than that, I wish you all the best with the M5 in the future.
Cheers. I would look at CIC or NBT but the costs are prohibitive. The Anvin Android unit is under £400 and I can use Android Auto for Waze etc, and it also retains the standard CCC functionality.rayyan171 said:
I know that you were tempted to cut your losses and sell, but that shouldn't be done with things like these. We also bought a high performance Audi which immediately went wrong on the day. We could have paid nothing to fix, but would have needed to transport it 100 miles away, so cut our losses and did it at the local dealer who did subsidise the repair in the end. Touchwood there has been nothing but routine maintenance (and a door repair ) for it since. Can't say the same about the X5 (which was fine at purchase time), but that is a different story .
I cannot afford to sell unless a really good offer comes my way, which is unlikely. I got a comedy offer of a p/x with an E46 M3 convertible with SMG and a bit of money my way. The second word is OFF ) for it since. Can't say the same about the X5 (which was fine at purchase time), but that is a different story .
rayyan171 said:
When it has broken in, get a good video of it!
I'll see what I can do!EmilA said:
As a former E60 M5 owner I know that the costs of running and maintaining one of these cars are quite eye watering. Kudos to you for sticking by this and getting it back up and running.
I still cannot get over how this car sounded, I did a muffler delete on mine and lost the intake noise but the exhaust note was beautiful. I would love to buy another and come to think of it, it may be an alternative to a C7 RS6.
I've been lucky to own a few nice car's over the years yet the E60 M5 was the best car I had owned until I had a C7 RS6 for a few weeks which took the crown.
TBH it hadn't cost me that much in the grand scheme of things until this episode. but it is what it is. The sound is addictive, especially with the K&N's and the stainless cat back exhaust that is on it.I still cannot get over how this car sounded, I did a muffler delete on mine and lost the intake noise but the exhaust note was beautiful. I would love to buy another and come to think of it, it may be an alternative to a C7 RS6.
I've been lucky to own a few nice car's over the years yet the E60 M5 was the best car I had owned until I had a C7 RS6 for a few weeks which took the crown.
I am not a fan of modern VAG's, the fake pops and bangs and farts on gear change do nothing for me, and I would hate to own a car that did either
I took it out last night and put some more miles on it, and I am taking it out tonight to put more miles on it. Running in is expensive
Service and MOT tomorrow so hoping she passes.That offer of the M3 is truly comedic, no surprise that was your response!
I think with BMW's in general, they demand a lot but reward a lot, irrespective of which one you have. I find it pleasing that, with the age and mileage of ours, it is still a very well sorted car with no warning lights. It could still be driving today if we did little to no maintenance, but that would mean that it was leaking, had seized callipers and would sag on the rear, and unfortunately many people can't afford to maintain upkeep.
I remember seeing a M5 for sale at the dealership where we got our Audi from. It was actually in the showroom, and not on the forecourt, meaning that they were trying to advertise it as their showpiece example. Close examination revealed a bargain price of £13k, under 100K miles but 9 owners... this is the sad truth sometimes with these cars. I truly applaud OP for keeping his, there certainly won't be many example in a similar condition to his today on UK roads.
I think with BMW's in general, they demand a lot but reward a lot, irrespective of which one you have. I find it pleasing that, with the age and mileage of ours, it is still a very well sorted car with no warning lights. It could still be driving today if we did little to no maintenance, but that would mean that it was leaking, had seized callipers and would sag on the rear, and unfortunately many people can't afford to maintain upkeep.
I remember seeing a M5 for sale at the dealership where we got our Audi from. It was actually in the showroom, and not on the forecourt, meaning that they were trying to advertise it as their showpiece example. Close examination revealed a bargain price of £13k, under 100K miles but 9 owners... this is the sad truth sometimes with these cars. I truly applaud OP for keeping his, there certainly won't be many example in a similar condition to his today on UK roads.
Sailed through its MOT today 
. I've covered some 525 miles in it now and it is having an oil and filter change today at my local and trusted indy. It's going to be running on Fuchs Titan Pro 10w50.
Cheers, I am hoping to make it a bit better as time goes on.
. I've covered some 525 miles in it now and it is having an oil and filter change today at my local and trusted indy. It's going to be running on Fuchs Titan Pro 10w50.longblackcoat said:
Really pleased that you've (finally) got your car sorted. Not a car for me, I must confess - I had one for a long weekend and just couldn't get on with the gearbox - but those who love them REALLY seem to love them.
Cheers. TBH the box isn't bad once you get used to it. A manual or DCT would be better of course for round town, but when on a blast the SMG is pretty brutal.rayyan171 said:
That offer of the M3 is truly comedic, no surprise that was your response!
I was insulted, and it takes a lot to insult me rayyan171 said:
I think with BMW's in general, they demand a lot but reward a lot, irrespective of which one you have. I find it pleasing that, with the age and mileage of ours, it is still a very well sorted car with no warning lights. It could still be driving today if we did little to no maintenance, but that would mean that it was leaking, had seized callipers and would sag on the rear, and unfortunately many people can't afford to maintain upkeep.
The upkeep is what kills these in the end. You have to buy one with your eyes open and expect some bills. I did, but I didn't expect a 5 figure bill after paying for the preventative work in the first place!rayyan171 said:
I remember seeing a M5 for sale at the dealership where we got our Audi from. It was actually in the showroom, and not on the forecourt, meaning that they were trying to advertise it as their showpiece example. Close examination revealed a bargain price of £13k, under 100K miles but 9 owners... this is the sad truth sometimes with these cars. I truly applaud OP for keeping his, there certainly won't be many example in a similar condition to his today on UK roads.
It's commonplace. I think I am the 4th owner of mine which is good, as it hasn't been passed around. The last 2 owners are obviously known to me and I know it has had some care.Cheers, I am hoping to make it a bit better as time goes on.
Justin S said:
Fantastic to see it back together after such a crap journey . Fingers crossed for a lot of fun times in it now.
Cheers, hopefully it will. Nice long trip out next week as a reward for it.J4CKO said:
Finally a happy ending, impressed how stoic you have been, my toys would be all over the floor along with dummys.
Cheers. Hahaha, outside I looked like a duck on top of the water, underneath the surface I was like the ducks legs when swimming.therusterman said:
Wow, what a rollercoaster that must of been the past few months. It must be frustrating that you went into ownership of this car with your eyes open, and still had major issues!
See your using 50 weight oil, how come your going for this over the 10-60?
Very frustrating, especially as the issues were caused by a 3rd party rather than the car itself.See your using 50 weight oil, how come your going for this over the 10-60?
My engine builder wants me to use it, especially as 10-60 is too thick for this country.
TheAngryDog said:
...My engine builder wants me to use it, especially as 10-60 is too thick for this country.
Ha, I thought this was just an E39 thing! Pages and pages of Americans (usually in Florida and California) insisting your engine will blow up unless 10-60 was used, totally oblivious to the fact that the UK struggles to reach +10 degrees C for half of the year. 5-40 all the way for me in the UK in my E39.Anyway, sorry to derail. Enjoy your car OP and let that V10 sing.
I've got to be honest, this is a truly incredible story in terms of ownership.
I've lusted after an E60 M5 for a very, very long time. Now, after reading that, honestly, I don't think I will.
Very good on you to have kept your foot in though. I hope you have many, many trouble-free miles to come!
I've lusted after an E60 M5 for a very, very long time. Now, after reading that, honestly, I don't think I will.
Very good on you to have kept your foot in though. I hope you have many, many trouble-free miles to come!
Hereward said:
TheAngryDog said:
...My engine builder wants me to use it, especially as 10-60 is too thick for this country.
Ha, I thought this was just an E39 thing! Pages and pages of Americans (usually in Florida and California) insisting your engine will blow up unless 10-60 was used, totally oblivious to the fact that the UK struggles to reach +10 degrees C for half of the year. 5-40 all the way for me in the UK in my E39.Anyway, sorry to derail. Enjoy your car OP and let that V10 sing.
Cheers!
C7 JFW said:
I've got to be honest, this is a truly incredible story in terms of ownership.
I've lusted after an E60 M5 for a very, very long time. Now, after reading that, honestly, I don't think I will.
Very good on you to have kept your foot in though. I hope you have many, many trouble-free miles to come!
I think when looked after they aren't expensive if you understand what the car is. In my case I would be many thousands of pounds better off had I have chosen a better company to work on it.I've lusted after an E60 M5 for a very, very long time. Now, after reading that, honestly, I don't think I will.
Very good on you to have kept your foot in though. I hope you have many, many trouble-free miles to come!
Thanks.
Court_S said:
Glad to hear the MOT went by without issue.
Bet you can’t wait to get the run in miles out of the way.
Cheers! Definitely. 5k rev's just isn't enough! Bet you can’t wait to get the run in miles out of the way.
t FM radio reception!! Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff