Daft question maybe - E60 M5 handbrake
Discussion
I've always fancied an E60 M5, and next Year will be in a position to buy myself one - an itch that just needs to be scratched I suppose.
I've been doing loads of reading on running costs, things to look out for, tips, etc etc, but have what may be a bit of a daft question:
Does the SMG gearbox default to Neutral when the car is switched off, or does it stay in gear? The reason I ask is that due to my work, the car will often be left parked for quite some time, and on my current (and previous) cars, I have always just left it in gear with the handbrake off as I've experienced some trouble with the rear pads being a little too reluctant to loosen their grip on the discs, and looking at the prices of M5 discs and pads, don't fancy creating additional issues if I can avoid them.
Unfortunately the "parking place" isn't quite level, and I don't fancy anything as basic as a brick in front of a tyre - can just imagine someone removing it and having the car roll into the neighbour's fence!
Hope someone can offer a bit of information.
Thanks.
I've been doing loads of reading on running costs, things to look out for, tips, etc etc, but have what may be a bit of a daft question:
Does the SMG gearbox default to Neutral when the car is switched off, or does it stay in gear? The reason I ask is that due to my work, the car will often be left parked for quite some time, and on my current (and previous) cars, I have always just left it in gear with the handbrake off as I've experienced some trouble with the rear pads being a little too reluctant to loosen their grip on the discs, and looking at the prices of M5 discs and pads, don't fancy creating additional issues if I can avoid them.
Unfortunately the "parking place" isn't quite level, and I don't fancy anything as basic as a brick in front of a tyre - can just imagine someone removing it and having the car roll into the neighbour's fence!
Hope someone can offer a bit of information.
Thanks.
martynrich67 said:
Does the SMG gearbox default to Neutral when the car is switched off, or does it stay in gear?
The gear lever has a position for N, and a position for D/S.The car complains if you switch it off without leaving it in D/S, and will show the alert mentioned above on the screen to remind you to put it back into D/S (you can leave it in R if you wish too.)
If you open the door wtih the engine running and the gear lever in D/S, it will automatically switch to N (although the lever will be on D/S still, so you'll need to "reset" it when you close the door by moving back to N and then D/S.)
M5 handbrake doesnt use the rear caliper pads, just so you know. There are shoes that press on the inside of the rear disc bells that act as the handbrake. Pain in the ass to adjust but can be done with a screw driver but dont cause so much issue with sticking pads after being sat for a while.
Ah that's great information - thanks guys.
After weighing up all of the negatives against the fact that I have REALLY fancied an E60 M5 for quite some time, I think I'll be getting myself one next Year.
I've considered a Nisan GTR (love them), but the purchase price is more than I can really justify (looking at £35K or so for a MY2008), and it looks like the running costs of one of them may even make an M5 owner wince. The other option I have been seriously considering is to get a nice E46 M3 CS (and maybe supercharge it) .......... the only issue I have when comparing it to the M5 is that...... well...... it's "only" an M3. Nice cars, as quick as anyone really needs, cheaper to run, still a very good car, but just doesn't have that "something" that the M5 has in bucketloads.
Anyway....... that V10 engine note alone has to be worth owning one for a while
After weighing up all of the negatives against the fact that I have REALLY fancied an E60 M5 for quite some time, I think I'll be getting myself one next Year.
I've considered a Nisan GTR (love them), but the purchase price is more than I can really justify (looking at £35K or so for a MY2008), and it looks like the running costs of one of them may even make an M5 owner wince. The other option I have been seriously considering is to get a nice E46 M3 CS (and maybe supercharge it) .......... the only issue I have when comparing it to the M5 is that...... well...... it's "only" an M3. Nice cars, as quick as anyone really needs, cheaper to run, still a very good car, but just doesn't have that "something" that the M5 has in bucketloads.
Anyway....... that V10 engine note alone has to be worth owning one for a while
crazy about cars said:
Well I was looking at a very low mileage 2008 E60 M5 but decided against it after what I read about the gearbox - and this is coming from a GTR owner!
Amazing car anyway and good luck with your hunt!
If you really are crazy about cars, don't dismiss it after reading opinions, try it for yourself. It really isn't at all bad.Amazing car anyway and good luck with your hunt!
Zod said:
crazy about cars said:
Well I was looking at a very low mileage 2008 E60 M5 but decided against it after what I read about the gearbox - and this is coming from a GTR owner!
Amazing car anyway and good luck with your hunt!
If you really are crazy about cars, don't dismiss it after reading opinions, try it for yourself. It really isn't at all bad.Amazing car anyway and good luck with your hunt!
Sorry , I didn't want to cause any offence. I've driven one but to be fair it's a high miler and I suspect the maintenance wasn't up to standards...
It's a nice capable car but the single clutch gearbox is (in my opinion) the Achilles heel. The standard brakes are not that reassuring but that is easily sorted with aftermarket options. I'm on a lookout for a sub 40,000 miles example preferably with AUC but it seems they are getting rare now.
The new M5 seems to be keeping prices well too ....
It's a nice capable car but the single clutch gearbox is (in my opinion) the Achilles heel. The standard brakes are not that reassuring but that is easily sorted with aftermarket options. I'm on a lookout for a sub 40,000 miles example preferably with AUC but it seems they are getting rare now.
The new M5 seems to be keeping prices well too ....
crazy about cars said:
Sorry , I didn't want to cause any offence. I've driven one but to be fair it's a high miler and I suspect the maintenance wasn't up to standards...
It's a nice capable car but the single clutch gearbox is (in my opinion) the Achilles heel. The standard brakes are not that reassuring but that is easily sorted with aftermarket options. I'm on a lookout for a sub 40,000 miles example preferably with AUC but it seems they are getting rare now.
The new M5 seems to be keeping prices well too ....
Where are you based?It's a nice capable car but the single clutch gearbox is (in my opinion) the Achilles heel. The standard brakes are not that reassuring but that is easily sorted with aftermarket options. I'm on a lookout for a sub 40,000 miles example preferably with AUC but it seems they are getting rare now.
The new M5 seems to be keeping prices well too ....
As a likely future GTR owner (another itch I need to scratch) I can take you out in my '08, sub 40k mile M5- we can carry out a mini road test between the cars
StuH said:
Where are you based?
As a likely future GTR owner (another itch I need to scratch) I can take you out in my '08, sub 40k mile M5- we can carry out a mini road test between the cars
Northants mate. I nanny my car during winter time tho and dont drive far but if I still have the car come spring we could sort something out As a likely future GTR owner (another itch I need to scratch) I can take you out in my '08, sub 40k mile M5- we can carry out a mini road test between the cars
crazy about cars said:
Northants mate. I nanny my car during winter time tho and dont drive far but if I still have the car come spring we could sort something out
You're not doing much for the GT-R owners rep on here! We've already established that most GT-R owners short shift from 3rd to 6th and now you're saying that the ultimate all-weather 4wd supercars now don't go out in the winter 
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