Winter wallet buster - E60 M5
Discussion
Well I’ve only gone and done it: after a year of really enjoying a very early build E90 330i, I made the plunge and bought myself a 78k mile Interlagos Blue M5.
Originally owned by a Doctor (!), the last owner had it for a number of years and had the rod bearings, clutch and a load of other things done by Monsieur Vanos so I’ve at least got a fighting chance of not killing me straight away!
It’s not without issue, there’s a bit of vibration coming and going at speed that feels a bit like prop centre bearing, and some of the external trim is what I’d call ‘down at heel’ - rubber trims around screens a bit scrappy. All easily fixed.
I haven’t even started on that engine. Wow, just wow. Mind blown, such an event. Totally not like the way it’s described about being ‘all up top’. It’s got torque low down, it just builds and builds - like all good naturally aspirated engines do. The SMG is quite brutal in ‘5’ too!
I get such a buzz from the car… let’s see if it breaks me.
To the pics:
I don’t like the black wheels, they’re scabby anyway, going back to silver:
The negative - drivers light is full of moisture and flagging AHL faults - so I need to dry it out or replace:
Let the fun (sub double figure mpg) begin..!
Originally owned by a Doctor (!), the last owner had it for a number of years and had the rod bearings, clutch and a load of other things done by Monsieur Vanos so I’ve at least got a fighting chance of not killing me straight away!
It’s not without issue, there’s a bit of vibration coming and going at speed that feels a bit like prop centre bearing, and some of the external trim is what I’d call ‘down at heel’ - rubber trims around screens a bit scrappy. All easily fixed.
I haven’t even started on that engine. Wow, just wow. Mind blown, such an event. Totally not like the way it’s described about being ‘all up top’. It’s got torque low down, it just builds and builds - like all good naturally aspirated engines do. The SMG is quite brutal in ‘5’ too!
I get such a buzz from the car… let’s see if it breaks me.
To the pics:
I don’t like the black wheels, they’re scabby anyway, going back to silver:
The negative - drivers light is full of moisture and flagging AHL faults - so I need to dry it out or replace:
Let the fun (sub double figure mpg) begin..!
They are fantastic cars, but definitely a Brave Pill!
My daily has been a 2005 330i for nearly 6 years now, but I'd never consider replacing it with an M5. Probably because I've got a Z4M for the M tax experience.
Those black wheels look terrible so I'm glad they are going to be silver. I wish your wallet well.
My daily has been a 2005 330i for nearly 6 years now, but I'd never consider replacing it with an M5. Probably because I've got a Z4M for the M tax experience.
Those black wheels look terrible so I'm glad they are going to be silver. I wish your wallet well.
I will dearly miss the accessible punch of the 330, this is a whole lot more ‘serious’. But if life isn’t for living, what is it for: it’s a car, it has an engine, gearbox and a load of electronics. All of which can be fixed (largely by me) when it breaks.
The previous owner was religious about oil and filter changes and it’s reflected in the fact it sounds as sweet as a nut cold, warm, or hot. Like anything remotely exotic, you can’t neglect the maintenance at all.
The previous owner was religious about oil and filter changes and it’s reflected in the fact it sounds as sweet as a nut cold, warm, or hot. Like anything remotely exotic, you can’t neglect the maintenance at all.
Thanks, there’s a fair amount of that in the decision, I feel the chances to enjoy a V10 powered saloon aren’t going to increase over time, so it has to be done!
Interior wise, some pics the seller took:
It has the quite rare chestnut madeira walnut trim (4ME) which I wasn’t sure about when I first saw the photos but in the flesh it’s less orange and looks nice and a bit less mid noughties brushed alloy.
The front seats are the fully adjustable (with adjustable shoulder as well as bolsters) and are very comfortable. The active bolsters are a quirky touch, too. Merino leather is much softer and more supple than the Dakota in my E90.
Interior wise, some pics the seller took:
It has the quite rare chestnut madeira walnut trim (4ME) which I wasn’t sure about when I first saw the photos but in the flesh it’s less orange and looks nice and a bit less mid noughties brushed alloy.
The front seats are the fully adjustable (with adjustable shoulder as well as bolsters) and are very comfortable. The active bolsters are a quirky touch, too. Merino leather is much softer and more supple than the Dakota in my E90.
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