E60 M5 - praise indeed
Discussion
I am in the market to buy one of these V10's - M5 or M6.
I think the engine will be revered in years to come. I enjoy the new turbos a lot but there's one thing missing from them - modulation. It's not a word that is used enough and it's something I love about the great V10. I don't charge about every day behind the wheel, and I suspect many of us don't, but I enjoy smoothly modulating the engine rate while cruising at legal speeds, and that's not something I feel even the modern turbos can quite achieve. Certainly they are better than the classic turbos but the granularity of modulation is just not there. The V10 is tremendous in this fashion.
However, the one thing that I suspect will hurt their (M5, M6) long term status is the gearbox. Don't get me wrong, I like the SMG more than most but it pales beside a good dual clutch set up (hello Audi S-tronic) and the new M5/M6 sound like they will have a 6sp manual option too - compared to these options, SMG is really stuck in the middle, no man's land.
I think the engine will be revered in years to come. I enjoy the new turbos a lot but there's one thing missing from them - modulation. It's not a word that is used enough and it's something I love about the great V10. I don't charge about every day behind the wheel, and I suspect many of us don't, but I enjoy smoothly modulating the engine rate while cruising at legal speeds, and that's not something I feel even the modern turbos can quite achieve. Certainly they are better than the classic turbos but the granularity of modulation is just not there. The V10 is tremendous in this fashion.
However, the one thing that I suspect will hurt their (M5, M6) long term status is the gearbox. Don't get me wrong, I like the SMG more than most but it pales beside a good dual clutch set up (hello Audi S-tronic) and the new M5/M6 sound like they will have a 6sp manual option too - compared to these options, SMG is really stuck in the middle, no man's land.
I'll stand up for the SMGIII up to a point, great box when you're really on it like sonic, BUT auto mode is utterly useless unless you're on a motorway and I've made faster getaways in a Z4M.
The Audi S-Tronic as stated above is LEAGUES ahead. But there again it has an Audi attached to it......... The DCT in the new F10 M5 will be the benchmark for fast saloons. Audi et al are very worried, look at the raft of vehicle releases in the run up to the proper launch of the M5. Unfortunately that doesn't make me want to buy one and I'll be keeping my M6 cabrio for the forseeable and perhaps looking at the option of a supercharger.
The Audi S-Tronic as stated above is LEAGUES ahead. But there again it has an Audi attached to it......... The DCT in the new F10 M5 will be the benchmark for fast saloons. Audi et al are very worried, look at the raft of vehicle releases in the run up to the proper launch of the M5. Unfortunately that doesn't make me want to buy one and I'll be keeping my M6 cabrio for the forseeable and perhaps looking at the option of a supercharger.
jontysafe said:
I'll stand up for the SMGIII up to a point, great box when you're really on it like sonic, BUT auto mode is utterly useless unless you're on a motorway and I've made faster getaways in a Z4M.
The Audi S-Tronic as stated above is LEAGUES ahead. But there again it has an Audi attached to it......... The DCT in the new F10 M5 will be the benchmark for fast saloons. Audi et al are very worried, look at the raft of vehicle releases in the run up to the proper launch of the M5. Unfortunately that doesn't make me want to buy one and I'll be keeping my M6 cabrio for the forseeable and perhaps looking at the option of a supercharger.
I'm looking at a M6 cab, test driving one next week - they're very rare in Ireland, only one for sale in the whole country! Is there much scuttle shake? My g/f had a Cooper S cab and it almost put me off cabs for life it shook and rattled so much! The Audi S-Tronic as stated above is LEAGUES ahead. But there again it has an Audi attached to it......... The DCT in the new F10 M5 will be the benchmark for fast saloons. Audi et al are very worried, look at the raft of vehicle releases in the run up to the proper launch of the M5. Unfortunately that doesn't make me want to buy one and I'll be keeping my M6 cabrio for the forseeable and perhaps looking at the option of a supercharger.
Recently took an RS5 around the Nurburgring and the S-tronic is stunningly good, expect //M to match it with the new M5.
I've experienced no scuttle shake at all, the cabrio is very well engineered indeed. BMW added a LOT of cross bracing and chassis strengthening. Unfortunately this adds over 200kgs in weight but also gives you a lower COG then the coupe. There really is nothing to beat it this side of 90-100K for V10 howl with the roof down. Get full leather (not extended) as this lifts the cabin aura and avoid the carbon dash, get piano black if possible. Also don't go for black leather, a lighter tone sets the car off beautifully. You may have to widen your search area somewhat!! Happy hunting and let me know how you get on.
jontysafe said:
I'll stand up for the SMGIII up to a point, great box when you're really on it like sonic, BUT auto mode is utterly useless unless you're on a motorway and I've made faster getaways in a Z4M.
The Audi S-Tronic as stated above is LEAGUES ahead. But there again it has an Audi attached to it......... The DCT in the new F10 M5 will be the benchmark for fast saloons. Audi et al are very worried, look at the raft of vehicle releases in the run up to the proper launch of the M5. Unfortunately that doesn't make me want to buy one and I'll be keeping my M6 cabrio for the forseeable and perhaps looking at the option of a supercharger.
I'm on my second M5 and thought the same until I read a post on the M5Board recently. They suggested D2 and I'm now driving in it most of the time. I would suggest others try it, it's perfect for town driving.edited to add (almost perfect!)The Audi S-Tronic as stated above is LEAGUES ahead. But there again it has an Audi attached to it......... The DCT in the new F10 M5 will be the benchmark for fast saloons. Audi et al are very worried, look at the raft of vehicle releases in the run up to the proper launch of the M5. Unfortunately that doesn't make me want to buy one and I'll be keeping my M6 cabrio for the forseeable and perhaps looking at the option of a supercharger.
Edited by joscal on Wednesday 13th April 11:35
jontysafe said:
I've experienced no scuttle shake at all, the cabrio is very well engineered indeed. BMW added a LOT of cross bracing and chassis strengthening. Unfortunately this adds over 200kgs in weight but also gives you a lower COG then the coupe. There really is nothing to beat it this side of 90-100K for V10 howl with the roof down. Get full leather (not extended) as this lifts the cabin aura and avoid the carbon dash, get piano black if possible. Also don't go for black leather, a lighter tone sets the car off beautifully. You may have to widen your search area somewhat!! Happy hunting and let me know how you get on.
Sounds promising; this one's silver with black leather - I think it's extended not full. Looking forward to seeing how I get on with it. Thanks for the advice.
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