Looking at E60 M5

[ecain63]

Currently running a mapped Audi C5 RS6 avant, I'm looking at maybe moving across to a new shape M5 (probably a Tourer) as a change of scenery. The RS has been very good to me to be honest and other than the obligatory suspension conversion, the usual RS-esque niggles have avoided me thanks to clinical service and upkeep.
My only concern is that the M5 isn't going to give me the same thrill in return and I don't want to risk losing my current baby to a poor alternative. I know the M5 has 500+bhp on tap (button pressed), but Is the lower torque figure going to leave me feeling wanting more? My RS is pulling a comparable 508bhp but torque is hitting 540lb/ft, quite a bit more than the M5.
Asside from the power concerns, are there any issues with the current M5? The RS has its own risks like any supercar, but I don't want to invest in anything that's gonna increase the odds of failure.
Thirdly (I think), what is the interior trim like? Is it comparable to the RS marque? I can't stand saggy leather and won't tolerate rattling fittings.

I know that sounds like a demanding first post, but if I'm going to move from a car I love dearly then I want it to be a worthwhile event. If you can offer any info or advice then I'd be most appreciative.

Eddie

[belleair302]

www.M5board.com and use the search facility.

[Zod]

Don't worry about wehether it will thrill. You will have to drive it differently to get the point of it, but it's not at all unnatural. The engine revs amazingly freely and once it hits about 4.5k it comes on cam in a spectacular manner and the car just takes off. You use the gearbox to keep it in the power band. It is an exciting car to drive quickly - conventional wisdom is that it is rather more exciting than either RS6.

[M5 Mark]

Yeah M5board.com is the ultimate site for this info. It's funny I actually looked at going from the M5 to the new RS6 because the extra power at 576 I think it was. But it just didn;t do it for me, the torque was amazing but it didn;t have the same thrill for me. OK my M5 is slightly modded, but nothing much at all really and I was happy to be able pull away from a new RS6 just last week, so performance is not an issue, the M5 IS quicker than the RS6.

You WILL miss the torque to start with, the M5 works at high RPM and that in itself takes a bit of getting used, but it make for great fun and a wondefull sound! The finish inside imo is better in the M5 also. Once used to the iDrive it's an amazing car with some incredible gadgets that I would miss hugely if I went to another car. It's the small things inside that make the difference, active seats, heads up display etc.

When test driving one, make sure the M button is set to FULL M mode not some safe for test drives mode, and make sure you drive it as it's meant to be driven. A gentle test drive after the torque of the RS6 will leave you feeling underwhelmed.

Next thing is for about £1500 you get the car to around 530bhp with some very basic mods. Add supersprint headers and exhaust you can expect 580bhp. I will find out in 2 weeks!

[ecain63]

In all fairness, a standard C6 RS6 is no quicker than a standard C5 RS6 due to the extra couple of hundred kilos burdening the newer model. That said, a quick remap and filter change will get 700bho from the new engine and a 0-60 of 3.6s. But you are looking at £50k+ which is above M5 territory. My main interest is reliability, risk (gearbox etc) and quality. Any word on trim?

[Jazzer]

Hi there!

The M5 is a real driver's car that demands your attention.....handles beautifully too.

I've driven old and new RS6s, and while they're great cars with loads of torque, they're just not in the M5 league dynamically or engine wise....very bland to drive in comparison....understeer city!

M-cars are for a certain type, Audis appeal to others.....each to their own.

I dare you to get the M5 and learn how to drive it.....you'd never regret it.

Jazzer

[M5 Mark]

ecain63 said:

In all fairness, a standard C6 RS6 is no quicker than a standard C5 RS6 due to the extra couple of hundred kilos burdening the newer model. That said, a quick remap and filter change will get 700bho from the new engine and a 0-60 of 3.6s. But you are looking at £50k+ which is above M5 territory. My main interest is reliability, risk (gearbox etc) and quality. Any word on trim?

Well if it helps, mine is on 90,000 miles and I've no serious problems at all. No gearbox, clutch or smg problems. All I've had done and all under extended warranty is;
Fuel pump
Oil cooler
2 banks of actuators
PDC module
To be fair I wouldn;t dream of owning mine without the extended warranty which is simply amazing, no age limit and no mileage limit, it's frankly too good to be true, but they pay out everytime!

[Neil.D]

M5 Mark said:

ecain63 said:

In all fairness, a standard C6 RS6 is no quicker than a standard C5 RS6 due to the extra couple of hundred kilos burdening the newer model. That said, a quick remap and filter change will get 700bho from the new engine and a 0-60 of 3.6s. But you are looking at £50k+ which is above M5 territory. My main interest is reliability, risk (gearbox etc) and quality. Any word on trim?

Well if it helps, mine is on 90,000 miles and I've no serious problems at all. No gearbox, clutch or smg problems.

Im surprised yet warmed by that news. Perousing M5board daily can sometimes be a pessamistic experience.

[DennisCooper]

Hi there

I'm envious of course like many others in that, you are able to go for an M5! wish I could as well !!

However, for a very nice price of £790 inc VAT, CA Automotive & A-L Tuning will offer a 54-60 bhp stage 2 re-map for the E60 M5 which is a performance upgrade that cannot be sniffed at!

Give them a call to find out more, as at that price, I think there'll be quite a few owners knocking on their doors

As you are considering one of these cars, I just thought you may be interested in the above as a nice 'add on' for it which also could expedite the posting you'll make in the future titled 'Bought the E60 M5'

Cheers, Dennis!

[M5 Mark]

DennisCooper said:

Hi there

I'm envious of course like many others in that, you are able to go for an M5! wish I could as well !!

However, for a very nice price of £790 inc VAT, CA Automotive & A-L Tuning will offer a 54-60 bhp stage 2 re-map for the E60 M5 which is a performance upgrade that cannot be sniffed at!

Give them a call to find out more, as at that price, I think there'll be quite a few owners knocking on their doors

As you are considering one of these cars, I just thought you may be interested in the above as a nice 'add on' for it which also could expedite the posting you'll make in the future titled 'Bought the E60 M5'

Cheers, Dennis!

AL wouldn't be my first choice......Those figures have also yet to be proven.

[rich1231]

What are extended warranty costs?

[Zod]

approx £800 per year, depending on excess level.

[manand38]

Pay about 600 notes for mine. Again, the amount you pay varies on the online options that you select.

Point to note, the optional breakdown service is operated by Modial and from personal experience, their service is very poor.

[rich1231]

manand38 said:

Pay about 600 notes for mine. Again, the amount you pay varies on the online options that you select.

Point to note, the optional breakdown service is operated by Modial and from personal experience, their service is very poor.

I have AA in anycase across all cars so thats not a problem.

Anything to watch out for on the cars?

[MFunf]

In my very painfull experience, its very difficult to get a courtesty car if your car is not recovered by Mondial.

Also, M5Mark the BMW website shows the warranty got very expensive over 60k miles. If you don't mind me asking, are you paying over 2k? if not, how?

[groucho]

manand38 said:

Pay about 600 notes for mine. Again, the amount you pay varies on the online options that you select.

Point to note, the optional breakdown service is operated by Modial and from personal experience, their service is very poor.

That's something to think about come renewal time.

[M5 Mark]

MFunf said:

In my very painfull experience, its very difficult to get a courtesty car if your car is not recovered by Mondial.

Also, M5Mark the BMW website shows the warranty got very expensive over 60k miles. If you don't mind me asking, are you paying over 2k? if not, how?

Nope, I've been through this in GREAT detail with BMW/Mondoal. DON'T take out the annual policy, that gets expensive and restrictive with age. Take out the monthly policy, if you take it out beofre the car is 5 years old it's £87 a month, for ever! Sounds too good to be true but I've checked several times with dealer and with Mondial themselves. £87 a month, NO age limit, NO mileage limit. The excess is £100 but I had another claim this week, once again no problem at all, they've paid everytime and never once questioned a single item or asked for inspection. You can;t take the policy out if the car has more than 80k on it though I believe.

[rich1231]

I looked at a few over the weekend. Tempted by 2 of them. Anything to look our for? Common issues etc?

[foz01]

I have had both, Audi is the lazier wafter, as good as the v8 is it ain't a patch on thr V10 IMHO, where the Audi just steamrolls the road the M5 flows, chassis and handling is in another league, expect significantly worse mpg but the M5 is a better car in practically every criteria, other than coping with last years snow

[Zod]

foz01 said:

I have had both, Audi is the lazier wafter, as good as the v8 is it ain't a patch on thr V10 IMHO, where the Audi just steamrolls the road the M5 flows, chassis and handling is in another league, expect significantly worse mpg but the M5 is a better car in practically every criteria, other than coping with last years snow

Winter tyres.

The buyer of mine will be a beneficiary.