M5 over engineered?

[likesachange]

Having done loads of searching it seems that the M5 is a pretty reliable motor! Typical German lump that may well be over engineered.
I've had mine a few months and 2500 miles in, and keep looking at remaps by evolve and DMS, and have messaged litchfield with no response...
But with a map there's always a worry that it's too much strain.

Has there been any documented failures due to tweaking, I'd only ever go for a map with no bolt ons.

As I've only done 2500 miles id want at least 5000 on it before considering one (I think )

Am I being a bit naive to think that even with a map it's still very reliable? As it is a relatively new engine and probably only been mapped in last 2-3 years

[S800VXR]

I understand your concerns and to an extent they are justified but TBH if you drive these cars at 110% all the time I'm sure you would start to break things even in stock mode. A mapped car by a reputable firm such as Evolve or DMS should be fine as the increase in performance is not very useable for more than the odd blast here in the UK nanny state so your not really stressing things to much more.
Take a trip to DMS and ask for a ride in Robs M5.... fking awsome is all I can say and this should convince you. Allegedly it's totally reversible and untraceable if you did ever get into a sticky issue with warrentee although I am no IT bod so let's not get people started on that.
My M6 was "serviced" by them and I've just fitted the Akrapovic evo exhaust and it's just silly fast once on the move. Think 1000cc bike fast after the NSL is history.

[likesachange]

S800VXR said:

I understand your concerns and to an extent they are justified but TBH if you drive these cars at 110% all the time I'm sure you would start to break things even in stock mode. A mapped car by a reputable firm such as Evolve or DMS should be fine as the increase in performance is not very useable for more than the odd blast here in the UK nanny state so your not really stressing things to much more.
Take a trip to DMS and ask for a ride in Robs M5.... fking awsome is all I can say and this should convince you. Allegedly it's totally reversible and untraceable if you did ever get into a sticky issue with warrentee although I am no IT bod so let's not get people started on that.
My M6 was "serviced" by them and I've just fitted the Akrapovic evo exhaust and it's just silly fast once on the move. Think 1000cc bike fast after the NSL is history.

Thanks for the reply.
Though not helping the voices from my sensible head at all...
As you rightly say the car is not used balls out that often. Always warmed up thoroughly and fed with v-power.
Being up in Carlisle DMS is not that accessible for a test drive unfortunately and would mean a 2 night stay down there too..
Evolve is the cheaper closer option but not quite matching the power figures of the DMS I don't think but a little cheaper, plus I believe DMS have a warranty of some sort, not sure what that covers..

And 1000cc bike fast?! Surely not

[JMBMWM5]

I find in the UK the M5 and M6 are "fast enough" as where can you open it up if not on a track?.
IF you track it fine , but if not having the wheels spinning in higher gears does nothing IMO.
These cars are more powerful than UK roads allow.

[TheEnd]

They'll take tuning, no problems.

It's only on turbos where you've got a chance of going too far and breaking something

[bryn_p]

TheEnd said:

They'll take tuning, no problems.

It's only on turbos where you've got a chance of going too far and breaking something

It does have 2 of those...

[ds666]

I've had mine for 4 weeks now . Before getting it I was intent on a remap . However ,as has been said, I imagine all you'd get is more wheel spin until silly speeds . Mind you haven't had mine out in the dry yet so maybe with next weeks heatwave coming and some temperature in the tyres , i may rethink ...

There don't seem to be any horror stories from what I've read - think the torque has to be kept sensible for the gearbox.

[pjv997]

I always thought my M5 lacked a bit of power

[likesachange]

M5 is a quick car and quick enough for most, but then so is a 330i
Some people will also think anything over 70mph is dangerous.
Coming from an ariel atom the m5 doesn't feel that quick and exciting, as expected (and it never will)
But even atom owners are now getting an extra 50bhp from upgrades as the measly 550bhp/ ton isn't enough.
So really if a map will spice things up a little then I'm keen. Have a trip to Le Mans and south of France this summer which will include convoying with many super cars and would be nice to embarrass a bit of exotica out of the tolls.

Traction is only a problem if you drive with a lead foot, or on off type accelerator movements. Ease the throttle on and you can eradicate it.

[ds666]

Traction is only a problem if you drive with a lead foot, or on off type accelerator movements. Ease the throttle on and you can eradicate it.
[/quote]

Quite - but what's the point of more power if you can't use it all in "normal" driving situations ?

[jayemm89]

ds666 said:

Quite - but what's the point of more power if you can't use it all in "normal" driving situations ?

How else would 13-year-old boys or men down the pub decide how cars are better than one another?

[likesachange]

In decent dry conditions (only real conditions I like to push on in) how bad is your traction? Mine seems pretty good tbh? It's only 2nd that might need nursed a little so power can be raised to take advantage.
I'd imagine a mapped car will accelerate in 3rd like a standard one will in second...??
Anyway we are straying off topic a little.

Sounds like no one so far knows of a major engine/gearbox failure ??

[ds666]

How else would 13-year-old boys or men down the pub decide how cars are better than one another?
[/quote]
Fair point, I'll get mine mapped.

[W8PMC]

likesachange said:

Having done loads of searching it seems that the M5 is a pretty reliable motor! Typical German lump that may well be over engineered.
I've had mine a few months and 2500 miles in, and keep looking at remaps by evolve and DMS, and have messaged litchfield with no response...
But with a map there's always a worry that it's too much strain.

Has there been any documented failures due to tweaking, I'd only ever go for a map with no bolt ons.

As I've only done 2500 miles id want at least 5000 on it before considering one (I think )

Am I being a bit naive to think that even with a map it's still very reliable? As it is a relatively new engine and probably only been mapped in last 2-3 years

Rock solid on road & track. Give Rob or Tony @ DMS a call

[W8PMC]

likesachange said:

Thanks for the reply.
Though not helping the voices from my sensible head at all...
As you rightly say the car is not used balls out that often. Always warmed up thoroughly and fed with v-power.
Being up in Carlisle DMS is not that accessible for a test drive unfortunately and would mean a 2 night stay down there too..
Evolve is the cheaper closer option but not quite matching the power figures of the DMS I don't think but a little cheaper, plus I believe DMS have a warranty of some sort, not sure what that covers..

And 1000cc bike fast?! Surely not

I'm less than 100 miles from you if you fancy a drive out? DMS will come to you but you'd not be getting a Custom Tune as they need their Rolling Road to fine tune the tune & that's worth the travel.

If sub 3 secs to 60 & 6.2 secs to 100 with a 10.5 secs 1/4 mile is super bike fast then yes they are super bike fast.

[likesachange]

W8PMC said:

I'm less than 100 miles from you if you fancy a drive out? DMS will come to you but you'd not be getting a Custom Tune as they need their Rolling Road to fine tune the tune & that's worth the travel.

If sub 3 secs to 60 & 6.2 secs to 100 with a 10.5 secs 1/4 mile is super bike fast then yes they are super bike fast.

Shame you and evolve haven't went head to head at one of the vmax events... The vidoeos of theirs against the 458 speciale is impressive....

Yes Paul would love a ride I yours to see what the differences are.. Or next time your going for a run in the lakes let me know

[W8PMC]

likesachange said:

Shame you and evolve haven't went head to head at one of the vmax events... The vidoeos of theirs against the 458 speciale is impressive....

Yes Paul would love a ride I yours to see what the differences are.. Or next time your going for a run in the lakes let me know

It should happen in the Spring. Just waiting for Craig to announce the dates of the 1st few VMAX's

I'd hazard a guess the Evolve development car will be a touch quicker as is running with a few mechanical upgrades, although the power/torque are still evenly matched. They also run it with cup tyres but I can't get cups in the 19" sizes. Should be very close though.

Mine's on Winters for now so she's not playing hard. Hopefully a couple of SCD Lakes events should crop up soon. I'm near J27 M6 if you're ever down this way?

[TheEnd]

bryn_p said:

TheEnd said:

They'll take tuning, no problems.

It's only on turbos where you've got a chance of going too far and breaking something

It does have 2 of those...

Ah, I was thinking E60!

[bennyboysvuk]

W8PMC said:

If sub 3 secs to 60 & 6.2 secs to 100 with a 10.5 secs 1/4 mile is super bike fast then yes they are super bike fast.

That is seriously impressive (how does it find the traction?) and I'm splitting hairs now, but the latest 1000s are playing out their own power war too and doing 0-100 in the mid 5s and in-gear are keeping ahead of 1200 bhp Veyron Vitesse. It's a totally different world though, of course.

[Shaoxter]

W8PMC said:

If sub 3 secs to 60 & 6.2 secs to 100 with a 10.5 secs 1/4 mile is super bike fast then yes they are super bike fast.

Have you measured those numbers...?