Picking up my E61 M5. What next?
Discussion
Ive done a bit of research now and am more than happy that my soon to be M5 ownership is going to be way less (potential) hastle than my previous C5 RS6 ownership. Gearboxes are stronger, suspension more reliable and engines less highly strung.
However i am also aware that the gearbox ecu can throw fault codes requiring it to be rebooted. Is there anything more sinsiter to it than that? Clutches are an obvious wear and tear item but are they a problem?
Also, whats your routine for refilling the engine oil? Ive heard they are a bit thirsty. Should i get the oil sorted / changeds by BMW before i drive the 500 mile trip home?
I should be picking up my Tourer next weekend and cant wait. Massively different from the Audi, i am keen to get a good grip of it.
Eddie
However i am also aware that the gearbox ecu can throw fault codes requiring it to be rebooted. Is there anything more sinsiter to it than that? Clutches are an obvious wear and tear item but are they a problem?
Also, whats your routine for refilling the engine oil? Ive heard they are a bit thirsty. Should i get the oil sorted / changeds by BMW before i drive the 500 mile trip home?
I should be picking up my Tourer next weekend and cant wait. Massively different from the Audi, i am keen to get a good grip of it.
Eddie
Congrats on the purchase! They do look 
in touring form
Can't help too much with your queries I'm afraid but pics please....
I have been pondering the same as you recently as to whether the E60 M5 is really as fragile as some report. Touch wood this is not the case for your new motor but I guess as others have said in other thread, this can be covered to an extent with the monthly warranty product.
Will look out for you on the roads - if you are ever over Wimborne direction on a sunday morning, would love to jump in for a quick blast up the A31!
in touring formCan't help too much with your queries I'm afraid but pics please....
I have been pondering the same as you recently as to whether the E60 M5 is really as fragile as some report. Touch wood this is not the case for your new motor but I guess as others have said in other thread, this can be covered to an extent with the monthly warranty product.
Will look out for you on the roads - if you are ever over Wimborne direction on a sunday morning, would love to jump in for a quick blast up the A31!
From what I have read - and experienced - albeit with an E39 M5 - M cars are stupididly overpriced with regard to repairs. Having come from an RS6 Im sure you are used to 1K bills, 4 or 5 times a year.
The SMG 3 gearbox is so complictaed, my BMW specialist wont touch them.
A guy on M5 board called Ashok went through 3 gearboxes on the E60 - all under warranty. Makes great reading.
Get the comprehensive warranty with Mondial - I think its £80 PM ?
The SMG 3 gearbox is so complictaed, my BMW specialist wont touch them.
A guy on M5 board called Ashok went through 3 gearboxes on the E60 - all under warranty. Makes great reading.
Get the comprehensive warranty with Mondial - I think its £80 PM ?
Congrats. You're getting the car I should have bought (M6 & two kids doesn't really work!). Enjoy it & don't worry about scare stories too much, just get warranty asap & expect to use it at least once a year. Monthly payment is £87.00 with no excess. Don't use auto mode EVER. Interested in comparison to RS6, as thinking about one for the 'stable' (won't get rid of M6).
From my experience so far:
RS6 gearbox is much easier to use but have a history of failure if not pampered. Nice and smooth though with good feedback in paddle mode.
Don't get one with standard drc suspension. Its crap. Coilovers cure all.
Mileage is no issue, history is king. Best to buy a pampered, well used one than a garage queen.
Miles more torque low down than the M5, but M5 makes up with sound and feel.
M5 feels more alive, newer and better equipped to deal with its performance. Obviously a newer car.
They are a different beast. RS6 is a real plough and feels unstoppsable. M5 feels more poised and alive in your hand.
RS6 has marginally better mpg. V8 sounds lovely and menacing, but M5 is just something else. You can't really compare the 2 cars, its just new tech vs older tech.
Mine isn't quite sold yet, so if you wanna chat.........
Eddie
RS6 gearbox is much easier to use but have a history of failure if not pampered. Nice and smooth though with good feedback in paddle mode.
Don't get one with standard drc suspension. Its crap. Coilovers cure all.
Mileage is no issue, history is king. Best to buy a pampered, well used one than a garage queen.
Miles more torque low down than the M5, but M5 makes up with sound and feel.
M5 feels more alive, newer and better equipped to deal with its performance. Obviously a newer car.
They are a different beast. RS6 is a real plough and feels unstoppsable. M5 feels more poised and alive in your hand.
RS6 has marginally better mpg. V8 sounds lovely and menacing, but M5 is just something else. You can't really compare the 2 cars, its just new tech vs older tech.
Mine isn't quite sold yet, so if you wanna chat.........
Eddie
I'll post the spec up later as i dont want to jinx the sale of the RS6. Today is the day though. Im like an expectant dad at the moment. Last night i only got 3 hours sleep, i was awake doing some serious driving in the M5 and worrying about the RS6 sale. I hate buying new cars, like being a kid trying to sleep late on xmas eve. I'll suffer tomorrow.
Eddie,
You've made a great choice, trust me on that. With the BMW warranty, what's to worry about?
So much crap is spoken about SMG problems......it is a very reliable system with a very low failure rate.....FACT.
Treat the car with a modicum of mechanical sympathy, respect it and you will have nothing to worry about.
The RWD thing is real fun......you will be wary at first, again because of a lot of nonsense that is spoken.....eg it's a nightmare in the wet bla bla bla......in fact, there is a massive amount of grip available, to the extent that's it's really hard to reach the limit on public roads.
All you need is a little commonsense.....gentle application of the power exiting roundabouts/corners in the wet, no problems at all.
To really see what I mean, try it on track, preferably in the wet.....you'll be amazed at the grip levels and just how easy the car is to control....balanced, smooth and predictable. Best to do this with DSC on, so that you can learn, from when it intervenes, what the limits are and what provokes the car.
It really is a stunning car you're buying.....live your dreams Eddie!
Jazzer
You've made a great choice, trust me on that. With the BMW warranty, what's to worry about?
So much crap is spoken about SMG problems......it is a very reliable system with a very low failure rate.....FACT.
Treat the car with a modicum of mechanical sympathy, respect it and you will have nothing to worry about.
The RWD thing is real fun......you will be wary at first, again because of a lot of nonsense that is spoken.....eg it's a nightmare in the wet bla bla bla......in fact, there is a massive amount of grip available, to the extent that's it's really hard to reach the limit on public roads.
All you need is a little commonsense.....gentle application of the power exiting roundabouts/corners in the wet, no problems at all.
To really see what I mean, try it on track, preferably in the wet.....you'll be amazed at the grip levels and just how easy the car is to control....balanced, smooth and predictable. Best to do this with DSC on, so that you can learn, from when it intervenes, what the limits are and what provokes the car.
It really is a stunning car you're buying.....live your dreams Eddie!
Jazzer
Jazzer said:
Eddie,
You've made a great choice, trust me on that. With the BMW warranty, what's to worry about?
So much crap is spoken about SMG problems......it is a very reliable system with a very low failure rate.....FACT.
Treat the car with a modicum of mechanical sympathy, respect it and you will have nothing to worry about.
The RWD thing is real fun......you will be wary at first, again because of a lot of nonsense that is spoken.....eg it's a nightmare in the wet bla bla bla......in fact, there is a massive amount of grip available, to the extent that's it's really hard to reach the limit on public roads.
All you need is a little commonsense.....gentle application of the power exiting roundabouts/corners in the wet, no problems at all.
To really see what I mean, try it on track, preferably in the wet.....you'll be amazed at the grip levels and just how easy the car is to control....balanced, smooth and predictable. Best to do this with DSC on, so that you can learn, from when it intervenes, what the limits are and what provokes the car.
It really is a stunning car you're buying.....live your dreams Eddie!
Jazzer
Thanks Jazzer. Best bit of advice ive had so far. Really excited now. The RS6 is gone and im homeward bound.You've made a great choice, trust me on that. With the BMW warranty, what's to worry about?
So much crap is spoken about SMG problems......it is a very reliable system with a very low failure rate.....FACT.
Treat the car with a modicum of mechanical sympathy, respect it and you will have nothing to worry about.
The RWD thing is real fun......you will be wary at first, again because of a lot of nonsense that is spoken.....eg it's a nightmare in the wet bla bla bla......in fact, there is a massive amount of grip available, to the extent that's it's really hard to reach the limit on public roads.
All you need is a little commonsense.....gentle application of the power exiting roundabouts/corners in the wet, no problems at all.
To really see what I mean, try it on track, preferably in the wet.....you'll be amazed at the grip levels and just how easy the car is to control....balanced, smooth and predictable. Best to do this with DSC on, so that you can learn, from when it intervenes, what the limits are and what provokes the car.
It really is a stunning car you're buying.....live your dreams Eddie!
Jazzer
ecain63 said:
I'll post the spec up later as i dont want to jinx the sale of the RS6.
ecain63 said:
Thanks Jazzer. Best bit of advice ive had so far. Really excited now. The RS6 is gone and im homeward bound.
oh no! 
ecain63 said:
Looks like the delay might be extended as the buyer of my RS6 has pulled out due to lack of funds. Back on the market again. Hey ho!
Edited by spareparts on Thursday 14th October 19:07
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