M5 test drive!
18 March 2007, 10:27 PM
#31
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I found it too big, too 'floaty' even on hardest suspension. On the autobarhns I was getting single figure MPG. I couldn't park it anywhere without the **** sticking out as it's so bloody big.
The I drive! ARGHGHHGHGHGH crash after crash after crash. Stereo wpuld freeze up, had to take out the fuse countless times. Oil cosumption! Had to carry 2 litres with me at all times.
Pain in the **** was glad to see the back off it, and lets face it u can't miss the back of it.
Replaced it with a 997 Turbo. Its good to be back in Pork.... Enough Said!
The I drive! ARGHGHHGHGHGH crash after crash after crash. Stereo wpuld freeze up, had to take out the fuse countless times. Oil cosumption! Had to carry 2 litres with me at all times.
Pain in the **** was glad to see the back off it, and lets face it u can't miss the back of it.
Replaced it with a 997 Turbo. Its good to be back in Pork.... Enough Said!
Sorry but for a 1.8tonne 4 door large saloon it didn't feel floaty to me at all.
I have read alot about the software glitches you talk of.
You couldn't park it anywhere without the **** sticking out? I'm not quite sure what that means
Fuel consumption is an issue, but I'm suprised that people are suprised by the thirst of a large 4 door saloon with 500+ BHP
I've never driven a 997 Turbo, but the 996tt I drove was very disappointing. Also if you can afford a 997 Turbo both in terms of money and practicality why mess around with a M5? The M5 is for people with half that money who need twice the space.
18 March 2007, 10:30 PM
#32
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18 March 2007, 10:36 PM
#33
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Sorry but for a 1.8tonne 4 door large saloon it didn't feel floaty to me at all.
I have read alot about the software glitches you talk of.
You couldn't park it anywhere without the **** sticking out? I'm not quite sure what that means
Fuel consumption is an issue, but I'm suprised that people are suprised by the thirst of a large 4 door saloon with 500+ BHP
I've never driven a 997 Turbo, but the 996tt I drove was very disappointing. Also if you can afford a 997 Turbo both in terms of money and practicality why mess around with a M5? The M5 is for people with half that money who need twice the space.
I have read alot about the software glitches you talk of.
You couldn't park it anywhere without the **** sticking out? I'm not quite sure what that means
Fuel consumption is an issue, but I'm suprised that people are suprised by the thirst of a large 4 door saloon with 500+ BHP
I've never driven a 997 Turbo, but the 996tt I drove was very disappointing. Also if you can afford a 997 Turbo both in terms of money and practicality why mess around with a M5? The M5 is for people with half that money who need twice the space.
I've had an RS4, another heavy 4 door car, MPG is what I'd expect. M5 is on a whole new world. 17-18 in 400bhp mode at a steady 120kph. I got it down to 6 when pressing on, and with the tiny tank I was filling up every day!
I had to park at a hote in a busy city, I arrived late so spaces were limited. When I parked all you could se was this M5 ar$e hanging out, which screamed KEY ME KEY ME.
Disaggree about the money, just because I can afford the 997 Turbo didn't mean I wanted to spend that much. I was hoping the M5 would be amazing. 997 Turbo is never going to inspire you like a GT3, but I have to have decent ground clearence for multi story car parks, otherwise would of gone GT3.
You probably drove a tiptronic 996
if it didnt inspire then get a 996 GT2, or manual Turbo S.So much torque if you are in traffic just leave it in 1 gear.
Last edited by Nürburg_Ringa; 18 March 2007 at 10:38 PM.
18 March 2007, 11:05 PM
#34
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Well I had it for 3 months, and 15 laps of the ring. You drove it for 1 hour. On some roads it feels floaty
I've had an RS4, another heavy 4 door car, MPG is what I'd expect. M5 is on a whole new world. 17-18 in 400bhp mode at a steady 120kph. I got it down to 6 when pressing on, and with the tiny tank I was filling up every day!
I had to park at a hote in a busy city, I arrived late so spaces were limited. When I parked all you could se was this M5 ar$e hanging out, which screamed KEY ME KEY ME.
Disaggree about the money, just because I can afford the 997 Turbo didn't mean I wanted to spend that much. I was hoping the M5 would be amazing. 997 Turbo is never going to inspire you like a GT3, but I have to have decent ground clearence for multi story car parks, otherwise would of gone GT3.
You probably drove a tiptronic 996 if it didnt inspire then get a 996 GT2, or manual Turbo S.
So much torque if you are in traffic just leave it in 1 gear.
I've had an RS4, another heavy 4 door car, MPG is what I'd expect. M5 is on a whole new world. 17-18 in 400bhp mode at a steady 120kph. I got it down to 6 when pressing on, and with the tiny tank I was filling up every day!
I had to park at a hote in a busy city, I arrived late so spaces were limited. When I parked all you could se was this M5 ar$e hanging out, which screamed KEY ME KEY ME.
Disaggree about the money, just because I can afford the 997 Turbo didn't mean I wanted to spend that much. I was hoping the M5 would be amazing. 997 Turbo is never going to inspire you like a GT3, but I have to have decent ground clearence for multi story car parks, otherwise would of gone GT3.
You probably drove a tiptronic 996
if it didnt inspire then get a 996 GT2, or manual Turbo S.So much torque if you are in traffic just leave it in 1 gear.
Still not sure about this theory re the 5 series **** hanging out shouting things. I would have thought a £100k Porker says 'key me key me' more than a 5 series BMW
I drove the tip and manual. As for getting a GT2 or Turbo S, as I mentioned I need a 4 door large saloon. But why buy a heavy 4 door saloon with a big boot if you only need a 2+2?
Thanks for your input
18 March 2007, 11:12 PM
#35
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You can park the 997 and it can hide away. M5 sticks it's ar$e out. it's just something I found with allot of city parking. 997 is much easier.
I bought the M5 because I was bored with my 996 and fancied finding out what 500bhp was all about. Fact it had 4 seats had nothing to do with it for me, it was the fact is was an M5
You live in the UK, go above 97mph and your banned. Get the 535d, it's fast as you will ever need. Then get a track car for your buzz...
I bought the M5 because I was bored with my 996 and fancied finding out what 500bhp was all about. Fact it had 4 seats had nothing to do with it for me, it was the fact is was an M5
You live in the UK, go above 97mph and your banned. Get the 535d, it's fast as you will ever need. Then get a track car for your buzz...
18 March 2007, 11:22 PM
#37
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For £50k you can have a well spec'd two year old 535d and a choice of 964, 993 or 996. Spend £28k on the 535 and £22k on the porker. Alternatively, spend £22k on a decent track car and a tow bar and trailer for the 535!!
There is massive choice available if you know where to look. Matt
18 March 2007, 11:24 PM
#38
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I found it too big, too 'floaty' even on hardest suspension. On the autobarhns I was getting single figure MPG. I couldn't park it anywhere without the **** sticking out as it's so bloody big.
The I drive! ARGHGHHGHGHGH crash after crash after crash. Stereo wpuld freeze up, had to take out the fuse countless times. Oil cosumption! Had to carry 2 litres with me at all times.
Pain in the **** was glad to see the back off it, and lets face it u can't miss the back of it.
Replaced it with a 997 Turbo. Its good to be back in Pork.... Enough Said!
The I drive! ARGHGHHGHGHGH crash after crash after crash. Stereo wpuld freeze up, had to take out the fuse countless times. Oil cosumption! Had to carry 2 litres with me at all times.
Pain in the **** was glad to see the back off it, and lets face it u can't miss the back of it.
Replaced it with a 997 Turbo. Its good to be back in Pork.... Enough Said!
1. **** sticking out: try parallel parking. Jeez its a 5-series, I'm not really sure what you were expecting, it is after all a medium sized car.
2. Idrive: its a pain, but I've not really heard of it crashing before or the stero freezing. Something different about your car?
3. 2l of oil!!! Ha ha. I've filled 1.5 litres in the past six months. This included two all day trackdays at Bedford and a trip to, around and back from the Nurburgring. And that level of consumption is about what others are getting.
4. Single digit MPG on n Autobahn. Yes that does tend to happen when you floor it on a large engined car. Did you expect much else? If you are saying you get this at high speed cruising then sorry I doubt it very much!
18 March 2007, 11:33 PM
#39
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Apart from when really raggin'it (and since I usually have my kids on board this isn't something I can do any more) the 335d feels just as quick, and the enormous torque means making good progress takes incredibly little effort.
On the track an M5 would no doubt blitz a 335d, but on most UK roads it would almost certainly come down to who valued their driving license less.
Gary.
18 March 2007, 11:35 PM
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Beef.
What do you drive? Gotta be pretty impressive to monster a 535d in the midrange.
Whilst it's true that the 535d is as quick in the real world, I guess it depends on what you class as real world. On any congested road, or at a steady 70 :cough: on the motorway, then yes. Then again, you may as well be in a Micra.
On a deserted Nurburgring, the M5 would disappear.
I've driven an M5 on a number of occasions and it's an awesome bit of kit. For everyday use, it would p1ss me off with excessive thirst and consequently a tiny tank range.
For me, my 535d makes more sense. Plus, I could put a 911, Noble, Caterfield, Atom etc in the garage for weekend blasts all for the same price as the M5.
Matt
What do you drive? Gotta be pretty impressive to monster a 535d in the midrange.
Whilst it's true that the 535d is as quick in the real world, I guess it depends on what you class as real world. On any congested road, or at a steady 70 :cough: on the motorway, then yes. Then again, you may as well be in a Micra.
On a deserted Nurburgring, the M5 would disappear.
I've driven an M5 on a number of occasions and it's an awesome bit of kit. For everyday use, it would p1ss me off with excessive thirst and consequently a tiny tank range.
For me, my 535d makes more sense. Plus, I could put a 911, Noble, Caterfield, Atom etc in the garage for weekend blasts all for the same price as the M5.
Matt
For the other comments, while it's big, it's only an inch or two bigger length/width wise than my Mondeo estate - certainly not OTT! It also seems anything but floaty on our crap roads! The idrive has proven reliable too.
I like the car - I think it's an excellent all-rounder.
18 March 2007, 11:39 PM
#41
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As an ex 996 and RS6 owner who's switched to a 335d M-Sport I can sympathise with these 'real-world' comments.
Apart from when really raggin'it (and since I usually have my kids on board this isn't something I can do any more) the 335d feels just as quick, and the enormous torque means making good progress takes incredibly little effort.
On the track an M5 would no doubt blitz a 335d, but on most UK roads it would almost certainly come down to who valued their driving license less.
Gary.
Apart from when really raggin'it (and since I usually have my kids on board this isn't something I can do any more) the 335d feels just as quick, and the enormous torque means making good progress takes incredibly little effort.
On the track an M5 would no doubt blitz a 335d, but on most UK roads it would almost certainly come down to who valued their driving license less.
Gary.
I'm not saying its rational!
19 March 2007, 02:38 PM
#45
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Had a test drive of an E60 M5 today. Must say wasn't expecting that much, I wasn't that impressed by the M3, ride was too harsh for one thing.
The M5 is a beast.
Engine: Its a peach. It just seems like it will go on forever. Power does not tail off up the rev range it just pulls and pulls. It seems to pull just as well above 100mph as it does below. The F1 style noise is addictive. Feels much much faster than the RS4.
Gearbox. I like the SMG. Sometimes a fraction of a second delay in the upshift (never downshift?) but probably still better than my fluffed gear changes.
Handling. Amazing. For a big ?1.7tonne car its handling is out of this world. It changes direction very well and I felt involved. Steering feel good also.
All in all this is one of the best cars I have ever driven. It was as much fun to drive as a 997S (if not more) but can also seat my family in comfort. What more can you ask for?
The M5 is a beast.
Engine: Its a peach. It just seems like it will go on forever. Power does not tail off up the rev range it just pulls and pulls. It seems to pull just as well above 100mph as it does below. The F1 style noise is addictive. Feels much much faster than the RS4.
Gearbox. I like the SMG. Sometimes a fraction of a second delay in the upshift (never downshift?) but probably still better than my fluffed gear changes.
Handling. Amazing. For a big ?1.7tonne car its handling is out of this world. It changes direction very well and I felt involved. Steering feel good also.
All in all this is one of the best cars I have ever driven. It was as much fun to drive as a 997S (if not more) but can also seat my family in comfort. What more can you ask for?
Will you be getting one Dr Singh?
Ns04
19 March 2007, 04:06 PM
#46
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so tell me E60 M5 owners why are the BMW forums littered with posts about how their M5 spends more time at the dealership than on their drive. Going by the owners forums the car has alot of electronic issues.
19 March 2007, 04:16 PM
#47
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The only systematic issue this car has suffered from is the optical sensor in the steering wheel flags a transmission error when it gets dusty. This part was redesigned and replaced under warranty. Its not even an urgent fix. Quite simple. There are some other sporadic issues individuals have had but that applies to all cars.
No doubt you will find some cut and paste from the State of Alabama Democrat's party M5 owners' club that seems to say otherwise but, as always with you, I won't care as my own first had experience tells me otherwise.
If I have a question on a volvo S40 or a transit I may ask you (although thats pretty doubtful), otherwise I'll continue to ignore your obscure cut and pastes. Go get banned again... you are a complete and utter joke!!!
Last edited by Skittles; 19 March 2007 at 04:20 PM.
19 March 2007, 04:23 PM
#48
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Well, you see unlike you I like to base my statements on personal first-hand experience. I know this is a totally alien concept for you and I don't excpect you to understand.
The only systematic issue this car has suffered from is the optical sensor in the steering wheel flags a transmission error when it gets dusty. This part was redesigned and replaced under warranty. Its not even an urgent fix. Quite simple. There are some other sporadic issues individuals have had but that applies to all cars.
No doubt you will find some cut and paste from the State of Alabama Democrat's party M5 owners' club that seems to say otherwise but, as always with you, I won't care as my own first had experience tells me otherwise.
If I have a question on a volvo S40 or a transit I may ask you (although thats pretty doubtful), otherwise I'll continue to ignore your obscure cut and pastes. Go get banned again... you are a complete and utter joke!!!
The only systematic issue this car has suffered from is the optical sensor in the steering wheel flags a transmission error when it gets dusty. This part was redesigned and replaced under warranty. Its not even an urgent fix. Quite simple. There are some other sporadic issues individuals have had but that applies to all cars.
No doubt you will find some cut and paste from the State of Alabama Democrat's party M5 owners' club that seems to say otherwise but, as always with you, I won't care as my own first had experience tells me otherwise.
If I have a question on a volvo S40 or a transit I may ask you (although thats pretty doubtful), otherwise I'll continue to ignore your obscure cut and pastes. Go get banned again... you are a complete and utter joke!!!
19 March 2007, 04:48 PM
#49
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Human nature dictates that those with complaints will shout the loudest.
This bbs is littered with complaints about subaru reliability. The VW forums are littered with complaints about reliability. The Audi forums will be littered with complaints about reliability (and why is my car so dull to drive?)
etc, etc, etc.
When we had a C2 Gt as a run around it was practically faultless for 20,000 miles. Yet the forums were full of complaints.
It's the same for every marque. You only read about the negatives, never the positives.
19 March 2007, 04:52 PM
#50
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Its simple *******.
Human nature dictates that those with complaints will shout the loudest.
This bbs is littered with complaints about subaru reliability. The VW forums are littered with complaints about reliability. The Audi forums will be littered with complaints about reliability (and why is my car so dull to drive?)
etc, etc, etc.
When we had a C2 Gt as a run around it was practically faultless for 20,000 miles. Yet the forums were full of complaints.
It's the same for every marque. You only read about the negatives, never the positives.
Human nature dictates that those with complaints will shout the loudest.
This bbs is littered with complaints about subaru reliability. The VW forums are littered with complaints about reliability. The Audi forums will be littered with complaints about reliability (and why is my car so dull to drive?)
etc, etc, etc.
When we had a C2 Gt as a run around it was practically faultless for 20,000 miles. Yet the forums were full of complaints.
It's the same for every marque. You only read about the negatives, never the positives.
You obviously havent been on an audi forum, because the sites arent littered with complaints like on the BMW M5 ones. There are no negatives with audi
19 March 2007, 05:11 PM
#51
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Ha ha, you mean like the constantly failing suspension on the RS6? Would you like me to point you in the right direction?
19 March 2007, 05:13 PM
#52
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The thing about the e-class is that there have been SYSTEMATIC problems. Try reading my post.
19 March 2007, 08:54 PM
#54
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Lucky bxxxstard!!
What colour/spec have you got? Any pics?
I'm really hankering for one now but am concerned about depreciation. Maybe if I waited until the end of the year it might be on a slightly flatter part of the depreciation curve?
19 March 2007, 08:58 PM
#55
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Hi, I'll post some pix up. Its Silverstone II with black interior. Extras are the logic 7, flappy seats, IPOD thing and a few other bits and bobs.
I reckon you are right on depreciation. Its currently at the fastest bit of the curve. Mine was a year old and I got £14k off the new price.
I reckon you are right on depreciation. Its currently at the fastest bit of the curve. Mine was a year old and I got £14k off the new price.
19 March 2007, 09:56 PM
#56
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I had a quick blast in mates M5, didn't feel like anything was happening till 130, which is both a compliment and a criticism (this is on A-roads 
). Same with a 997S, except it was twitchy with it (lsd, -20mm). Modern cars are too good.
). Same with a 997S, except it was twitchy with it (lsd, -20mm). Modern cars are too good.
19 March 2007, 09:58 PM
#57
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Silverstone II is probably the best colour,even looks better than black which is my usual fave hue. The one I drove was interlagos blue which I thought didn't do the car justice.
The flappy seats are actually very good, they seem to be effective and very fast at reacting. The RS4 I drove last summer had something similar but nowhere near as good.
Awaiting pics...
The flappy seats are actually very good, they seem to be effective and very fast at reacting. The RS4 I drove last summer had something similar but nowhere near as good.
Awaiting pics...
22 March 2007, 01:18 AM
#58
Silverstone II is probably the best colour,even looks better than black which is my usual fave hue. The one I drove was interlagos blue which I thought didn't do the car justice.
The flappy seats are actually very good, they seem to be effective and very fast at reacting. The RS4 I drove last summer had something similar but nowhere near as good.
Awaiting pics...
The flappy seats are actually very good, they seem to be effective and very fast at reacting. The RS4 I drove last summer had something similar but nowhere near as good.
Awaiting pics...
But do you buy any of the cars that you test drive!!! Everytime I look in the Other Marques section you've test drove a new car!!!!!!
22 March 2007, 09:12 AM
#59
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Deep is Indian...Indians like saving money and hate spending it...hence mucho research required..... a man after my own heart! Having said that Ive actually bought and sold quite a few!
