Traded the M3 for the M5

Hello everyone,

Took delivery of a Black on Black 2006 M5, what a sweet car. At the dealer now for the 1200 mile service, can't wait to get it back.

Originally Posted by govoip

Hello everyone,

Took delivery of a Black on Black 2006 M5, what a sweet car. At the dealer now for the 1200 mile service, can't wait to get it back.

Congrats!!

Be sure to set your M Drive settings after you leave the service dept and let the beast loose!

niiice man.. gotta post some pics up later

Soon you will experience the true power of the beast!!

Tell us all about it.

Originally Posted by wolverine

Soon you will experience the true power of the beast!!

Hey Wolverine..new here--enjoy the 993 TT and the 512BBi as much as I can, but wanted a daily...life's too short to only enjoy driving on my day off...so, the M5 was a natural choice...saw the Fifth Gear video with Tiff ripping up the track and promptly got online and found one in 20 minutes back east..Blk/Blk all opts....

anyway, looks like you're the man with the plan...any suggestions on setup? don't mind reading the novel or piddling with it, but wouldn't mind saving some time and get to the driving...if you get a chance, maybe shoot me a couple of hints to this amazing piece of automotive artwork. it can't get here fast enough..my wife is having me committed soon..not much time left to enjoy the car...

thanks! Frank

Originally Posted by govoip

Hello everyone,

Took delivery of a Black on Black 2006 M5, what a sweet car. At the dealer now for the 1200 mile service, can't wait to get it back.

1,200 mile service? Is this specific to M5's?

Originally Posted by bmwexecutive

1,200 mile service? Is this specific to M5's?

Yes, it is. They change almost all fluids and check the car. After that, the next scheduled service comes 15,000 miles later (meanwhile, you only have to keep an eye on the oil-level...).

Originally Posted by bmwexecutive
1,200 mile service? Is this specific to M5's?

Maybe all M's get it? My '05 M3 required the same thing, but my 4.8is didn't.

Originally Posted by kimchimofo

Originally Posted by bmwexecutive
1,200 mile service? Is this specific to M5's?

Maybe all M's get it? My '05 M3 required the same thing, but my 4.8is didn't.

M's get a 1200 mile oil change. A good thing too since it most likely burned a quart or two of oil.

Yes...BMW stopped doing the 1200 mile oil change on all vehicles except the Ms a few years ago, when they started including the maintenance plan. For the M cars, they use a different type of oil for the first 1200 miles, do an oil change and check a few others things, and then you're good to go to redline. I burned just over a full quart in the first 1200 miles, and only 0.3L in the 1300 miles since. My SA said anytime I needed it topped off, just stop by, they'll give the car a once-over check and top off the oil for me in about 15 minutes total. I have yet to use that service, but hopefully it will only take 15 minutes considering they're usually super busy around there.

Originally Posted by MFive

Hey Wolverine..new here--enjoy the 993 TT and the 512BBi as much as I can, but wanted a daily...life's too short to only enjoy driving on my day off...so, the M5 was a natural choice...saw the Fifth Gear video with Tiff ripping up the track and promptly got online and found one in 20 minutes back east..Blk/Blk all opts....

anyway, looks like you're the man with the plan...any suggestions on setup? don't mind reading the novel or piddling with it, but wouldn't mind saving some time and get to the driving...if you get a chance, maybe shoot me a couple of hints to this amazing piece of automotive artwork. it can't get here fast enough..my wife is having me committed soon..not much time left to enjoy the car...

thanks! Frank

First a couple words of caution. I would highly recommend taking the break-in instructions seriously. These cars use oil, the tranny is cutting edge, and the engine is just a work of art. I was pretty religious, and I haven't had a lot of the problems, or oil useage others have reported. (I always start the car (it's the default anyways) in P400 S3, and don't hit the 'M' button until the oil has reached operating temp). It's also probably a good idea to 'bed' the brakes, if you know what I mean (A few hard stops at from high speeds after you've put a few hundred miles on). Brakes are completely silent - no squeaks after over 25,000 miles.

Second, it will absolutely kill you to try to keep the car under 5,500 rpm. When the needle starts to approach 6,000 it just leaps forward, and you really have to watch it. Also, you'll certainly downshift too early and overrev a few times. No problem if you upshift quickly and don't pound on the gas.

Third, it will take you 5,000 miles or so to really learn and appreciate the car, so don't get too frustrated, or expect 'immediate gratification'. You won't be able to use the really cool stuff, like S6, for the first 1200 miles, and it will take you about 5,000 miles for SMG to become 'second nature'.

Probably not what you wanted to hear, but anyone who knows the car will tell you the same thing. This is not a car you can just get in and flog from day one. It requires some time to get to know it, and to learn the systems. I also like to mod the car to my liking, and I'd recommend every mod that I have in my sig.

I'd experiment as much as you can, within the limits of the break-in. You'll find that the 'D' mode is worthless, the 'active seat' feature is best for surprising your passengers, but not needed for really hard driving, and that you can really smooth out the SMG shifts by lifting very slightly just after you've hit the shifter. You'll also find it useful for 'smooth' driving to let the car downshift on it's own, and to always snick the lever into first manually whenever you come to a stop. Learn to use the HUD. When you're driving fast, you won't want to take your eyes off the road.

You may have more time than you think. With the therapy the M5 provides, you'll probably be able to delay your admission to the funny farm indefinitely - and they won't be able to catch you anyways.

im thinking of trading in my e46 M3 for the E60 M5 also. tell me what the pros and cons are please! was your e46 SMG? what are your impressions since you owned both. thanks!

Originally Posted by JamesInLV

Yes...BMW stopped doing the 1200 mile oil change on all vehicles except the Ms a few years ago, when they started including the maintenance plan. For the M cars, they use a different type of oil for the first 1200 miles, do an oil change and check a few others things, and then you're good to go to redline. I burned just over a full quart in the first 1200 miles, and only 0.3L in the 1300 miles since. My SA said anytime I needed it topped off, just stop by, they'll give the car a once-over check and top off the oil for me in about 15 minutes total. I have yet to use that service, but hopefully it will only take 15 minutes considering they're usually super busy around there.

No, BMW does not use a different type oil for the first 1.200 miles. The factory oil is the same as you get on the 1,200 mile service on the M cars.