new to the fold
Discussion
after a seven year break i am back to M5 ownership - chopped out of my e39 M5 back in 2004 when i had a new e60 on order but when it was launched i got cold feet and didn't take up my option. since then i have had a number of interesting cars, most recently been through several RS 6 Avants, but can't justify having over 60k tied up in a daily driver any more.
so i noticed what value used M5's are now, took a spin in one and was quite impressed. needless to say i found an honest car and have bitten the bullet. first impressions are very favourable, and i think that it's a car that the more i drive it the more satisfaction it will bring. it takes a little learning i suspect, but the biggest surprise to me is SMG. it's main reason why i baulked at a new one back in 2005, but actually i have to say i really like it. as long as u set the gearbox one notch back from the fastest setting and lift a little as u change up it seems very smooth to me. even the D setting isn't totally awful, perfectly adequate for town driving. and that V10 - wowwee, so melodic and free spinning. makes a much better noise than the V10 in the RS6. like an ur-quattro between 3-5,5k and then wails upto the revline. it's also nice to have a car with a playful chassis again, come the rain i would imagine that i'll be spending a fair amount of time looking out of the side windows. this car is brimming with charisma, it doesn't seem to matter that the satnav is rubbish and the interior a bit low rent (in comparision to an Audi) - ok it won't work when it snows, but i have a Defender for then.
anyway, damn the costs, get a decent warranty and set aside a fund for fuel, tyres and the odd clutch. these cars offer immense VFM. here is a pic...
so i noticed what value used M5's are now, took a spin in one and was quite impressed. needless to say i found an honest car and have bitten the bullet. first impressions are very favourable, and i think that it's a car that the more i drive it the more satisfaction it will bring. it takes a little learning i suspect, but the biggest surprise to me is SMG. it's main reason why i baulked at a new one back in 2005, but actually i have to say i really like it. as long as u set the gearbox one notch back from the fastest setting and lift a little as u change up it seems very smooth to me. even the D setting isn't totally awful, perfectly adequate for town driving. and that V10 - wowwee, so melodic and free spinning. makes a much better noise than the V10 in the RS6. like an ur-quattro between 3-5,5k and then wails upto the revline. it's also nice to have a car with a playful chassis again, come the rain i would imagine that i'll be spending a fair amount of time looking out of the side windows. this car is brimming with charisma, it doesn't seem to matter that the satnav is rubbish and the interior a bit low rent (in comparision to an Audi) - ok it won't work when it snows, but i have a Defender for then.
anyway, damn the costs, get a decent warranty and set aside a fund for fuel, tyres and the odd clutch. these cars offer immense VFM. here is a pic...
Hi mate. Did you come over from rs246? I think I recognise the name.
Good to see you are getting on well with the //M after the torque monsters you had previous. As an ex-RS6 man myself I know its a big move, but I think you'll find its a good move. Other than the fuel and clutch costs I really do think the E60/E61 M5 is a bargain in comparison. No DRC issues (couldn't belive the C6 still got DRC after the C5 fiasco), good strong gearbox and no leaking intercooler worries. Yes the fuel will cost you twice as much, but its worth it.
Some tips:
Never use auto mode if you value your clutch
Make sure your warranty is a BMW one. No other will do.
Drive in S3 or higher.
Don't use launch control more than once or twice. BMW may void your warranty if you ever need a gearbox / clutch job that's not associated with normal wear
Get a Shell card and if you havnt already done so, a VPower card
Invest in some oil from Opie
Buy your parts (discs and pads) from bmminiparts.co.uk (much cheaper)
ENJOY it!
Eddie
Good to see you are getting on well with the //M after the torque monsters you had previous. As an ex-RS6 man myself I know its a big move, but I think you'll find its a good move. Other than the fuel and clutch costs I really do think the E60/E61 M5 is a bargain in comparison. No DRC issues (couldn't belive the C6 still got DRC after the C5 fiasco), good strong gearbox and no leaking intercooler worries. Yes the fuel will cost you twice as much, but its worth it.
Some tips:
Never use auto mode if you value your clutch
Make sure your warranty is a BMW one. No other will do.
Drive in S3 or higher.
Don't use launch control more than once or twice. BMW may void your warranty if you ever need a gearbox / clutch job that's not associated with normal wear
Get a Shell card and if you havnt already done so, a VPower card
Invest in some oil from Opie
Buy your parts (discs and pads) from bmminiparts.co.uk (much cheaper)
ENJOY it!
Eddie
yes, i did post once or twice on rs246 - tnks for the tips. went for a blast on the way home tonight, no wonder it has heads up display, you need it ! seems to carry speed more easily than the rs6, don't seem to spend so much time on the brakes in this car. a lot more fun if not as ridiculously fast. great soundtrack, love it.
Its a car that'll defo catch you out (get used to the power before you try it without the traction control). Its not quite as quick to 60 as the RS6 but its much quicker above 60, brutally so. Ive not met a car yet to beat it above 60. Obviously the Ferrari crowd would give us a whipping but the rest are often left with dirt in the face.
Eddie
Eddie
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff