Never meet your hero’s and all that . . .

[Joe5y]

I’ve had a some great cars over the years (some less so), but I’m not going to turn this into a car history thread.

I’ve currently got a stunning 2012 C350 (Petrol - rare little thing!) Coupe but whilst I love it I’ve always wanted one particular car - a BMW M5 e60. I’m in a position to buy one so the hunt began, found a dealer locally, comes with 12 months warranty, perfect colour combination, FSH etc etc etc. Spent the best part of yesterday checking history, speaking to previous owners, going through the paperwork and talking money. This left one thing, the test drive . . .

That test drive; such a disappointment! In normal D (auto mode) it felt so lethargic and dimwitted sort of expected. Press the magic M button (everything turned up etc) it just didn’t feel as quick as expected, the gear change was not an enjoyable experience, the throttle was not at all responsive and sadly this car had brake judder.

In short, I walked away feeling deflated and disappointed. Don’t meet your hero’s! 10years I’ve wanted this car.

I fear I’ve dampened the experiance somewhat coming from a car with a lot more tech and a lot newer (albeit still 6 years old now!)

Any suggests for a 4/5 door saloon / estate (with IsoFix), budget of £18,000.

[snake_oil]

Might be a bad egg you never know. Try another.

[TheAngryDog]

snake_oil said:

Might be a bad egg you never know. Try another.

This. If it had juddering brakes then it may not have been well looked after.

Also, while D mode exists, the SMG box really isn't designed to be used in it so I would avoid using that at all costs.

[Monkeylegend]

I had the same issue when I was looking for my Griffith several years ago. The first three I drove were very disappointing, performance was nothing like I expected, one had the front seat lifted so his wife could drive so the driving position was awful.

I persevered and in the end found a nice car but the performance although better was never what I had hoped for, and the tramlining was unnerving. I sold it two years later.

The moral of the story is that sometimes cars don't live up to all the hype.

I wouldn't give up yet though, at least try a few more.

[cerb4.5lee]

I've learned to keep my expectations very low now and that way you don't get disappointed. I'd always wanted a M3 and when I finally got one(E92 M3), it just left me completely flat and it made me question why I'd wanted one for so long.

[cerb4.5lee]

Monkeylegend said:

The moral of the story is that sometimes cars don't live up to all the hype.

[LimaDelta]

Not a hero per se, but I drove a friends E92 M3 when they were new and felt distinctly underwhelmed. One gets the impression that much of the everyday-performance car hype is like the 'Emperor's new clothes'. Nobody wants to be the person to say that they actually aren't that great. Too compromised to be a daily, but not special enough to be truly special. Worst of both worlds rather than best of both worlds. All IMHO of course.

[CSLchappie]

TheAngryDog said:

This. If it had juddering brakes then it may not have been well looked after.

Also, while D mode exists, the SMG box really isn't designed to be used in it so I would avoid using that at all costs.

Ditto, avoid D like the plaque, set it to S5 and use nothing else, I had 8 years of pretty much drive-train free driving when I owned mine. If you're gunning it keep your foot down on upshifts, if just mooching around at normal speeds then a touch of throttle lift-off helps in gears 2 >3>4, when manoeuvring at slow speeds always come to a full stop, then change into R. Throttle response is razor sharp in a good un, best I've ever experienced.

I'd keep looking, if you can find a well cared for car they are bloody amazing.

[Monkeylegend]

cerb4.5lee said:

Monkeylegend said:

The moral of the story is that sometimes cars don't live up to all the hype.

I always regret not going for the Cerbera, I think that would have more than met my expectations in hindsight.

[cerb4.5lee]

Monkeylegend said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Monkeylegend said:

The moral of the story is that sometimes cars don't live up to all the hype.

I always regret not going for the Cerbera, I think that would have more than met my expectations in hindsight.

I was certainly smitten with mine, I've always liked the Griff too although I've not driven one. I think the shape of the Griff is lovely.

[Monkeylegend]

cerb4.5lee said:

Monkeylegend said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Monkeylegend said:

The moral of the story is that sometimes cars don't live up to all the hype.

I always regret not going for the Cerbera, I think that would have more than met my expectations in hindsight.

I was certainly smitten with mine, I've always liked the Griff too although I've not driven one. I think the shape of the Griff is lovely.

I think mine was certainly proof that TVR were somewhat optimistic with their output figures. It certainly didn't feel like a 320bhp car although there is no denying the Rover V8 sounds good on full pelt.

I bought mine 10 years ago and the shape then to me was Today I am not so sure, to my mind it looks quite bland now. I do still like the interior though, prefer it to the new Griff.