M5 May Have Been A Mistake For Me Update

[Phantomias33]

Or at least they go into with open eyes. Even if you love the car, it's nice to see some counter-points or differing opinions.

[CAFleming]

I wouldn't even consider an M5 before having a Porsche in the garage. The Carrera S (or a GT3) will be much more fun in spirited driving and on the track. If you need four doors some days, then add a cheaper sedan to drive on those days and when the weather is inhospitable.

And, if you can afford it, AND you already have a sports car in the garage, then you can consider an M5. To try to make the M5 your sports car AND your track car AND your four door transportation is too much.

[HNS3]

[LongIslandSnake]

Who are you kidding the S65 or Bentley doesnt have the performance and comfort of the M5? Why do I find it hard to believe that you are cross shopping cars that are 2x the amount of the M5 and you are not satisfied with it. Would LOVE to hear your complaint of the S65...odds are you probably never even sat in one. You're saying the S Class isn't as comfortable as the M5? Peformance wise an S65 will blow away an M5 (at least straight) and the Bentley GT is a great performer for what it is. What about the E63?

Sorry this notion that there is NOTHING out there that can compare to the M5 is silly, also don't think you truly are cross shopping the cars you mention, because there is no way you would be dissapointed with that lot.

[CMB]

Cheese!

[WMB]

I disagree about the 850.
I have been driving BMW's since 1986 325I four door and then I bought an 88 535IS. The real thing was the 88 M5 and that 535IS.
The 850 was a joke and still is.
I fact it set the stage for all the electronic BS we have to deal with now in BMW's.

I have a new M5 that I picked up in Munich and it has been nothing but exciting to drive.
I am starting to beleive that most of these people here do not own an M5 or they all bought lemons or something.

Respectfully!

[760Lifan]

If you really believe everybody needs three cars to be satisfied, you might have picked the wrong one to start with...

We have three cars as well and we're doing great without a Porsche (760Li, M5, X5 4.8is) but we share those cars with all 3 drivers we have in our household.

Sure, the Porsche might be more fun to drive, but I don't like driving in a tin-can, especially not in hot climate...going shopping at the Home-Depot won't be much fun in a Carrera S or GT3 either...

To get a fair comparison between two cars, you can't simply point out "well, I have a second or third car that does a better job on that..". That's not how a comparison works. You compare one car to the other and not one car's abilities and numbers to one of your three cars. You can't drive them all together, right?

All I want to point out that the M5 is a great mix of everything, power, comfort, space and quality. Tell me what car and manufacturer can offer that without breaking the M5 price-level (keep free maintenance in mind)..??

[760Lifan]

....on my M5.
I drive it in Auto almost 100% and it gives you the impression somebody is sitting next to you and does the shifting.

I think the problem with SMG-shifting is that many people think "Oh, it can shift automatically SO IT'S AN AUTOMATIC.."

Folks, I knew exactly what to expect when I placed the order and I knew right from the beginning that this car is a MANUAL that can shift automatically. I mean, who would complain in a manual that shifting is not as smooth as on an automatic tranny??

BTW, I love those little shakes when the car is upshifting - that reminds me of the fact that I'm driving an M5 and not my 760Li. It would be sad if an M would shift like a 7-series or the boring AMGs...

Smooth driving and shifting simply isn't #1 priority on an M-labeled BMW...

[760Lifan]

I drive it in Auto all the time and I couldn't be happier with it. Prefering Auto doesn't mean you're too stupid to tell the difference between Automatic and a manual with an automatic shifting-option. I BEG TO DIFFER!

But IF people expected this car to drive like an Automatic, they have to live with it and should investigate what they are buying in the first place before complaining later on...

[760Lifan]

If you have driven the M5 for at least 3000 miles, you can't judge it. It's that easy. I also doubt that everybody who's making a comment on that car actually owns one...

[dcc]

SMG was not that great in the M3 either...Actually, the M5 sales may pick up after the 6 speed manual starts production.

BMW is going to a version of the DSG that VW is using (B.W. makes it for them), when?...I don't know...but its coming.

[M6OpusX]

'06 750Li, Black Sapphire Metallic
'06 M5, Black Sapphire Metallic, Sepang Bronze Extended Leather, SMG, Heads-up Display, Premium Sound
'05 Silver Gray Metallic 645ci, Hamman Aerodinamic Mods, M6 Wheels, Brembo Grand Turismo brakes
'01 325i
'06 X5 4.4i Titanium Silver Metallic

[pimbeche]

do you know how to drive a manual first?

[8 Sumthg]

ely?

[Neil Strosnider]

I just turned 20,000 miles on my 2006 M5. I wish I would have never driven that car. I have tried every combination of electronics with no satisfaction. This SMG is the worst transmission I have ever owned without a doubt. I refer to my car now as Lurch. I have 500 horses, and i am scared to pull out in traffic. My wife hates to ride in it, and I don't blame her. I owned a 2001 M5, best car I ever owned. I still have the 2003 M3 I replaced the 5 with, and that car is a masterpiece. It is so nice to drive the M3 after a few days in the 06 5. I wouldn't buy a new M5 for half the price, because the SMG is an awful piece of engineering. I have owned manual transmissions all of my life, I am 56, and I have never been more frustrated with a gear box. My 1996 Z3 5 speed is more fun to drive.

[Lee1224]

Finally gonna take that big step and sell my 2007 550i with SMG...can't live with that transmission anymore. Really love that car except for tranny. Have on order for June production a 2008 550 sport. I know its not a M5, but the smg tranny in the 550 is even worse.

[Beemer Man]

I have a 2006 M5 SMG and agree with everything said by JAL. This is my nineth BMW and second M5 and I am truly disappointed with SMG. I have driven my car for 16 months and can't get use to SMG. My wife refuses to drive the car alone. I put it in S6 mode only when I drive it which is only once or twice a week now. Overall, I enjoy my John Cooper Works Mini better. Europeon Car Magazince recently stated that the 2008 M5 SMG transmission has received a software update that allows for "40% quicker shifts". I expected BMW would respond given the complaints I've heard thus far. I hope this update is intended to compensate for the annoying hesitation often caused in automatic and occasionally in manual modes. I intend to contact BMW service and see if this update truly exists and can be applied to my car. If anyone has heard anything more about the update, please let me know. The shifts are the only thing that bother me, otherwise, I absolutely love this car. However, if BMW doesn't resolve it within the next year, I intend to part with the car.

[Greg Weld]

Try lifiting on the accelerator a little on the up-shifts... you'll find it's much smoother -- Yes I actually own an '08 M5.... yeah it takes a little getting the hang of it -- but it's still about as much fun as you can get. I also own an '06 650i Droptop... lovely car - for the wife.... not sporting enough for me.

I also LOVE the Merino leather and up-graded seats in the 5 --- over the the 'sport' 6 seats - the 6 seats have 78 positions - and need 79... not so in the 5 -- wonderfully comfortable!!

[endri sallata]

i have a 2005 m5 whith 23000 km i have changed my clutch but after i did 500 km i hear thumb in the rear end.when i shift from 1to2 and 3to2,i think the second gear has problem or any sensor thing.please writte me.

[bmw550sport]

I'll tell you. A BMW 550 sport. It is the exact same car from a comfort, space and quality stand point. No, wait, it is MORE comfortable without the herky-jerk transmission and boy racer shocks and high strung engine.

Spend any amount of time in each and your head and butt will tell you the 550 is a better drive, even if your EGO tells you that you should buy the M5 to impress everybody with how much money you throw around.

And speaking of money, that 25 to 30k you save when you drive home in the 550 will buy you a very nice brand new 4 door Jeep to bum around in on weekends and drive when the weather gets ugly.

My 550 is plenty fast, especially with two children in the back seat.