M5 SMG Transmission

[TW]Fox · 23 Mar 2011 at 20:32

Just buy a 545i or something, it'll feel like a rocket coming from a 325Ci but cost half as much to run.

M5's are just relentlssly expensive - they are best left for people who are firmly in the higher rate tax bracket, not us mere mortals

Dandle · 23 Mar 2011 at 20:33

[TW]Fox;18736119 said:
I would personally class the replacement of a plastic centre console with a leather trimmed one across the range (Provided you had leather) as being a tad more than just 'some of the edges have been tidied up'.

The top of the centre console has always been leather http://www.5series.net/information/options/interior/.

EDIT: I take that back maybe it wasn't always leather. The plastics have never changed though.

NVP · 23 Mar 2011 at 20:40

Gibbo said:
The best method to get the best from them is when your hooning it to make sure you flat change and at or very close to the limiter, so don't lift.

But when your cruising or around town just lift ever so slightly on up-changes or don't alter your foot position on the accelerator, basically as you get used to the car and the traits of the gearbox you will just drive it a lot smoother anyway.

Cheers for the advice Gibbo, I know all cars take some getting used to and you have to adjust your driving style, this one just felt too extreme in it's unpredictability and jerkiness. I'll take note for tomorrows drive.

[TW]Fox;18736145 said:
Just buy a 545i or something, it'll feel like a rocket coming from a 325Ci but cost half as much to run.

A 545 would still be a nice car and I wouldn't snub it at all, but I would like the experience of owning an M5. I don't think you'd have to be a millionaire to own one, and I think I'd cope perfectly well with it's running costs. And taking into consideration my age, freedom, and financial state at the moment I think it is the perfect time in my life to enjoy one.

Warnings are heeded though, and you never know it could prove too much and I sell it on anyway, but then again it might not and I'd have a lovely M5 all to myself

[TW]Fox · 23 Mar 2011 at 20:43

'the experience of owning an M5' - its a car. A very nice car but the 'experience of owning an M5' is hardly massively different to the 'experience of owning' a 545i or something.

You'd probably enjoy the 545i more because it wouldnt end up dominating your cashflow. You told us this morning that you'd not really looked into costs, so I'm not sure how you can be so confident really.

Still - its up to you really. It's the typical M car story though - you've said yourself if it prooves to much you'll sell it on, this is exactly what happens to cars like this as they age - people buy them who can't afford to keep them and quickly move them on, its why there are so many 10 owner examples.

Fr0dders · 23 Mar 2011 at 20:57

at the end of the day NVP, you only live once.

As long as you go into M5 ownership expecting you could have to fork out £2500 for a clutch if it goes and paying over a £1000 a year for warranty then you've not gone in blind.

It may not most sensible of decisions, but you've got a point, the V10 E60 M5 is probably going to have had the pinnacle of BMW N/A engines in it. Owning one would be an experience.

Do it.

NVP · 23 Mar 2011 at 20:57

[TW]Fox;18736279 said:
'the experience of owning an M5' - its a car. A very nice car but the 'experience of owning an M5' is hardly massively different to the 'experience of owning' a 545i or something...

Not really, I'm sure you yourself gawp over an M5 or M3 as they cruise past, but if a 545 or 335 went past it wouldn't be as big a deal. Same thing owning one, yeah ok a 545 is a quick car, but it's just not an M5. If you know what I mean.

Cost wise, I hadn't looked into the M5 costs only because I assumed they were on par with the other cars I'd previous looked at. MPG will be low... expected, tyres/breaks/pads & insurance/tax will be expensive... expected, mechanical faults will be expensive... warranty.

I don't see the costs of owning one as something to stress about, I see them as a necessity for the pleasure of owning one.

MrLOL said:
at the end of the day NVP, you only live once.
...
Do it.

Cheers MrLOL. Out of all the cars I've been looking at over the last few months this is one that has not put any negativity in my mind regarding the decision, both my heart and head have been saying "Do it, find the perfect one and enjoy it!"

[TW]Fox · 23 Mar 2011 at 21:07

NVP said:
Not really, I'm sure you yourself gawp over an M5 or M3 as they cruise past, but if a 545 or 335 went past it wouldn't be as big a deal.

Ah, so its all about the bling?

If you can do it, good luck to you. Just don't be yet another of these who thinks 'It'll be fine!' and is forced to sell it a few months later.

NVP · 23 Mar 2011 at 21:14

...or the fact that the M5 is a supercar with amazing abilities and the 545 is just a very fast saloon.

Don't take what I said out of context, I was referring to your comment of how the experience of owning one is similar to owning a 545 when it is obviously not at all.

EDIT: Although the badges would have more "pulling power" than the engine itself

[TW]Fox;18736470 said:
If you can do it, good luck to you. Just don't be yet another of these who thinks 'It'll be fine!' and is forced to sell it a few months later.

Cheers, I hope I won't. I mean it's not like I don't have the money to maintain it, so unless something goes terribly wrong with the car I hope to keep it for a long time.

NVP · 24 Mar 2011 at 19:23

So the one I saw today... wow what a difference! I'm not sure what was up with the one at the dealership because it was a completely different car. Still jerky in some changes but no where near as bad as the BMW Used Approved one which is quite a shock. I guess even dogs will pass their inspections. This one was much better in both Auto and Manual, much smoother

The car itself was pretty damn nice, every option including the Comfort Access (Keyless entry and ignition etc.), Automatic Soft Close doors, high beam assist, electric sun-blinds, front & rear heated seats, front ventilated seats, TV, DAB and loads more. Apparently it was £75k plus brand new. Wasn't a facelift though but was an 07 plate. Very nice

Only major concern with it was the windscreen was cracked, but other than that and a couple of stone chips it was in excellent condition in and out. He's going to sort the windscreen anyway, although I may just use that to knock the price down even further and claim it on my insurance

Good deal too for the mileage, age and spec. So all I need to do now is get the car inspected and if it's pukka I'll snap it up

I'm not sure how to get it inspected though, AA won't quote (I think because of the engine), BMW will for £250 but they want the car the whole day :eek:

and I don't think the owner will go for that, RAC are still to get back to me... so I'm not sure who to try next :confused:

Any suggestions?

[TW]Fox · 24 Mar 2011 at 19:25

Is it really a good deal? I wouldnt entertain a pre LCI, personally.

NVP · 24 Mar 2011 at 19:27

Really good deal

What's wrong with a pre LCI?

[TW]Fox · 24 Mar 2011 at 19:29

Horrible interior, no LED lights, etc etc.

Its bad enough paying £15k for a pre LCI diesel let alone big money for a pre LCI M5.

Just buy the proper one.

How much is this one up for?

NVP · 24 Mar 2011 at 19:33

Interior was very nice, leather top dash and console, buttons & plastics felt great. Velvet lined door pockets

No LEDs? It's got the eyebrows at the front can't remember if they're LED or not though.

This one was on his site at 28 but he's put it lower on AT and I've knocked him down a fair bit too.

[TW]Fox · 24 Mar 2011 at 19:36

They are not LED, I just told you that

To be honest mate if you can, as you say, well afford the huge costs of these cars then why mess around trying to save a few quid buying pre facelift cars from companies called 'Extreme Salvage'. A few grand more gets you a newer, facelift car from a BMW main dealer including your first years warranty with no need for an inspection.

OllyM · 24 Mar 2011 at 19:37

A reposession? It's obviously been very well looked after then!

NVP · 24 Mar 2011 at 19:39

I thought it might be too good to be true but after seeing it the condition was superb. I still want to get it checked over mechanically first.

[TW]Fox · 24 Mar 2011 at 19:40

OllyM said:
A reposession? It's obviously been very well looked after then!

What was I saying earlier about what happens to these cars when people think they can run them

Don't buy a finance repo M5! Seriously, do this properly - you say you can afford to.

[TW]Fox · 24 Mar 2011 at 19:41

NVP said:
I thought it might be too good to be true but after seeing it the condition was superb. I still want to get it checked over mechanically first.

There is nothing 'too good to be true' about that advert it's a prefacelift M5 thats been a finance reposession being flogged by a salvage firm!

Why are your alarm bells not ringing?

Don't buy an M5 owned by somebody who so badly couldnt afford to run it properly he ended up getting it reposessed!

NVP · 24 Mar 2011 at 19:41

[TW]Fox;18744357 said:
They are not LED, I just told you that

To be honest mate if you can, as you say, well afford the huge costs of these cars then why mess around trying to save a few quid buying pre facelift cars from companies called 'Extreme Salvage'. A few grand more gets you a newer, facelift car from a BMW main dealer including your first years warranty with no need for an inspection.

I'm after a nice deal with a very good spec, ones with this spec and age are more than a few grand more. If it's a dog then of course I wouldn't buy it, but if it's in good nick then why would I miss a chance on a bargain?

[TW]Fox · 24 Mar 2011 at 19:42

NVP said:
why would I miss a chance on a bargain?

Because with the sort of car an M5 is, and the potential for explosive costs, you don't want a bargain - you want a cossetted minter.

If you want a 'bargain', buy something else.