Discussion
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I've owned one for nearly a year now. Some things to watch out for:
1. They drink oil.
2. They
ing drink petrol, mine makes my 750iL look like a ing Prius.
3. They are horrendously expensive to maintain (but very well-built). If anything breaks, it won't be cheap to fix.
4. I think mine is a keeper, despite all the above.
I've owned one for nearly a year now. Some things to watch out for:
1. They drink oil.
2. They
ing drink petrol, mine makes my 750iL look like a ing Prius. 3. They are horrendously expensive to maintain (but very well-built). If anything breaks, it won't be cheap to fix.
4. I think mine is a keeper, despite all the above.
I think the 25mpg, was for a long gentle cruise, to be honest.
The only thing that scares me is the likely repair costs. But.....
Even with these costs, I still get a flutter about owning one
Both that I have seen have a slightly lumpy idle when cold, I assume that
is normal for such a wonderfull engine? The noise is amazing, and sounds
like a dream.
The only thing that scares me is the likely repair costs. But.....
Even with these costs, I still get a flutter about owning one
Both that I have seen have a slightly lumpy idle when cold, I assume that
is normal for such a wonderfull engine? The noise is amazing, and sounds
like a dream.
Nasta said:
I think the 25mpg, was for a long gentle cruise, to be honest.
The only thing that scares me is the likely repair costs. But.....
Even with these costs, I still get a flutter about owning one
Both that I have seen have a slightly lumpy idle when cold, I assume that
is normal for such a wonderfull engine? The noise is amazing, and sounds
like a dream.
The only thing that scares me is the likely repair costs. But.....
Even with these costs, I still get a flutter about owning one
Both that I have seen have a slightly lumpy idle when cold, I assume that
is normal for such a wonderfull engine? The noise is amazing, and sounds
like a dream.
I've never managed better than 23MPG, even on a gentle, traffic-free, cruise-controlled trip.
Mine has a slightly lumpy idle all the time. The engine noise is wonderful, though, I love driving away from toll booths with my windows open....
I have the car featured in this months 'Evo' piece and love it to bits. The car uses around 1L of oil for every 1200 miles and I get around 22-23MPG on average, more on m-way if cruising around 75mph. Parts and labour are not cheap, but if you buy a car that costs around £58K in 1995 which today would be nearer £70K today what can you expect. Tyres last around 9,000 miles but watch out for expensive EDC Dampers and major engine work. Buy a car with good history and look after it, you will I guarante have a smile every time you start up the engine.
An absolute cracker, a very analogue experience by today's standards and something of a slow burner but stick with it and...well, phenomenal.
Budget for new suspension and clutch release bearing but so long as it's been fed a regularish diet of Texan tea I'd jump right in.
I was blown away by it's sequential - seemingly never ending - progressive throttle travel (aka the TVR traction control) which seemed to work in notches where horizon scalping was directly proportional to the horizontal coefficient of anvil-bulkhead, light but feelsome rudder and remarkable stability at 'bahnrichtovenry, the thing squatting like a scalded ferret designed by Lola.
It needs some stoking, a love of very deliberate, mechanical inputs and a good dollop of committment but if you have the faith it promises rewards in keeping with the hype.
(Also looks fabulous on the prowl, a proper Ronin 5 Star.)
Budget for new suspension and clutch release bearing but so long as it's been fed a regularish diet of Texan tea I'd jump right in.
I was blown away by it's sequential - seemingly never ending - progressive throttle travel (aka the TVR traction control) which seemed to work in notches where horizon scalping was directly proportional to the horizontal coefficient of anvil-bulkhead, light but feelsome rudder and remarkable stability at 'bahnrichtovenry, the thing squatting like a scalded ferret designed by Lola.
It needs some stoking, a love of very deliberate, mechanical inputs and a good dollop of committment but if you have the faith it promises rewards in keeping with the hype.
(Also looks fabulous on the prowl, a proper Ronin 5 Star.)
When I first drove mine I wondered what all the fuss was about. It didn't feel particularly quick, just progressive. Then after a couple of weeks of growing into it and building my confidence I really found that when pushing on it really comes alive.
It's not my daily driver and with the crap weather recently I've not really taken it out however it's gonna be blinding when the suns out and the Peak District beckons...
It's not my daily driver and with the crap weather recently I've not really taken it out however it's gonna be blinding when the suns out and the Peak District beckons...
dazren said:
Belleair302 said:
Shame that the car(s) used in Ronin were not real M5's!
Really? All the cars filmed were fake or just the smashed up ones? Must rewatch the big chase and see if I can spot the mistakes.
It is badged as an M5, and has the correct 17" M "turbine" wheels for this model, however, in the tunnel scene, the dashboard shown is from a non-M 5 series, as all M models have red needles on the speedo etc, and this car has white needles.
I will get my coat...
Edited by rassi on Monday 29th January 13:40
I'm on my second one and this one is a keeper (assuming it's not twoc'd likme the last one)
I Get around 25 on average and lots less when I give it the beans. I was getting a regular 23 until I got the injectors cleaned. 1 litre of oil per 1300 miles. Never fails to put a smile on my face - apart from the infrequent trips to the garage...
I need to replace my rear EDC's and I'm looking around to get the best price at the moment but so far I've been quoted 800 yoyos + vat + fitting! It's done 140k and the shox are originals.
Make sure it's got good history and take your time to find the right one... you won't regret it!
I Get around 25 on average and lots less when I give it the beans. I was getting a regular 23 until I got the injectors cleaned. 1 litre of oil per 1300 miles. Never fails to put a smile on my face - apart from the infrequent trips to the garage...
I need to replace my rear EDC's and I'm looking around to get the best price at the moment but so far I've been quoted 800 yoyos + vat + fitting! It's done 140k and the shox are originals.
Make sure it's got good history and take your time to find the right one... you won't regret it!
You will know when the EDC Dampers need replacing by the very firm ride and when you switch from S to P (The two settings Sport and Program) nothing happens. If the EDC dampers work you can feel the difference, one is more supple, the other is very firm. I would say the dampers will last around 70,000 miles. Check on the service history if they have ever been replaced, if not you will be looking at a bill of around £2,000 to replace all four. When working they are magical.
rassi said:
dazren said:
Belleair302 said:
Shame that the car(s) used in Ronin were not real M5's!
Really? All the cars filmed were fake or just the smashed up ones? Must rewatch the big chase and see if I can spot the mistakes.
It is badged as an M5, and has the correct 17" M "turbine" wheels for this model, however, in the tunnel scene, the dashboard shown is from a non-M 5 series, as all M models have red needles on the speedo etc, and this car has white needles.
I will get my coat...
Edited by rassi on Monday 29th January 13:40
Yup, I *think* they used 518i's badge up, which is pretty poor really!!!
Absolutely phenominal cars "IF" you get a good one.
I currently have a 1994 3.8 6 speed with the bigger brakes.
I've done 3 track days in mine and these things are rapid in a straight line and carry a huge amount of speed through the corners given it's size and weight.....but you do know how to drive them. It took me a long time to learn.
On the road you really cannot ask for more.
Running the can be expensive but if you start off with a good base car which has been properly maintained then you'll be fine.
Mine does 30mpg on a run and around 19 mpg around town. This is my 3rd M5 and none of them have been expensive to own if you buy a decent one to start with. I had to buy a new MAF and lambda sensor + a few coil packs to get it run as smoothly as it should.
One thing I would like to point out - do not under estimate the acceleration! It will out drag an E36 M3 on the move and keep up with a Z3M coupe.
I've driven alot of M cars in my time and these beasts are really something special. The engineers at BMW definately put alot of effort into them. The suspension is excellent, the brakes are better than the E39 M5 brakes and just do not fade on track lap after lap on standard discs and pads. The noise is brilliant!
I currently have a 1994 3.8 6 speed with the bigger brakes.
I've done 3 track days in mine and these things are rapid in a straight line and carry a huge amount of speed through the corners given it's size and weight.....but you do know how to drive them. It took me a long time to learn.
On the road you really cannot ask for more.
Running the can be expensive but if you start off with a good base car which has been properly maintained then you'll be fine.
Mine does 30mpg on a run and around 19 mpg around town. This is my 3rd M5 and none of them have been expensive to own if you buy a decent one to start with. I had to buy a new MAF and lambda sensor + a few coil packs to get it run as smoothly as it should.
One thing I would like to point out - do not under estimate the acceleration! It will out drag an E36 M3 on the move and keep up with a Z3M coupe.
I've driven alot of M cars in my time and these beasts are really something special. The engineers at BMW definately put alot of effort into them. The suspension is excellent, the brakes are better than the E39 M5 brakes and just do not fade on track lap after lap on standard discs and pads. The noise is brilliant!
m5pilot said:
I had to buy a new MAF and lambda sensor + a few coil packs to get it run as smoothly as it should.
Tell me more, please? I've had mine at the dealers several times for the rough, lumpy idle and they've found nothing. In addition, the lumpiness seems present when driving at about 30MPH in 3rd, for example.
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