BMW E60 M5 review - see why it has the best M engine ever! - Mat Watson
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Date: 2022-04-11
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Comments and reviews: 10
Odl21
while obviously dated when compared to a modern dual clutch box, the gearbox isn't actually that bad once you get the hand of it. firstly, the auto mode just doesn't work when driving in any way other than gentle cruising. there is no combination of settings that make it change up and down correctly at the same time. in manual mode, you need to treat it like a normal manual - lift off briefly for the upshift (and let it do its thing to match the down shift. when you get used to that, its still probably quicker and smoother than a synchro manual box. i've owned mine for over 10 years and also own plenty of manual - both synchro and dog - and dual clutch cars including the excellent latest 911 dual clutch and i rather like the SMG in the E60. it adds a little more involvement to the driving rhythm than the super instant modern DSGs.
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while obviously dated when compared to a modern dual clutch box, the gearbox isn't actually that bad once you get the hand of it. firstly, the auto mode just doesn't work when driving in any way other than gentle cruising. there is no combination of settings that make it change up and down correctly at the same time. in manual mode, you need to treat it like a normal manual - lift off briefly for the upshift (and let it do its thing to match the down shift. when you get used to that, its still probably quicker and smoother than a synchro manual box. i've owned mine for over 10 years and also own plenty of manual - both synchro and dog - and dual clutch cars including the excellent latest 911 dual clutch and i rather like the SMG in the E60. it adds a little more involvement to the driving rhythm than the super instant modern DSGs.
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Robert
How very factory. Still running the Michelin PS2 - in January 2018. Ah, no wait, I was too. What a plate M -AM 5507!
Yes, the gearbox was universally criticised. Most people say they'd rather have a 6 speed manual, but with 8, 250 rpm to choose from 6 is not enough and the SMG is faster to 60, 62, 100 well just faster. Yes, it does take some getting used to and the saying 'drive it like you stole it' gets you in a Hertz Rental window. You need to own one to make yourself one with the car. Unless you are Ben Collins or Sabine Schmitz. Er, only she did, drive it, day in day out.
Anyway, I love the way mine starts like a tractor and takes off like a Eurofighter. You really have to use the SMG box regularly - what a chore!
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How very factory. Still running the Michelin PS2 - in January 2018. Ah, no wait, I was too. What a plate M -AM 5507!
Yes, the gearbox was universally criticised. Most people say they'd rather have a 6 speed manual, but with 8, 250 rpm to choose from 6 is not enough and the SMG is faster to 60, 62, 100 well just faster. Yes, it does take some getting used to and the saying 'drive it like you stole it' gets you in a Hertz Rental window. You need to own one to make yourself one with the car. Unless you are Ben Collins or Sabine Schmitz. Er, only she did, drive it, day in day out.
Anyway, I love the way mine starts like a tractor and takes off like a Eurofighter. You really have to use the SMG box regularly - what a chore!
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ThatsBigDave
People are prob going to hate me for this but i got to say i had one of these bought it when it was three year's old and it was by far the most problematic failing worse BMW i have ever had. Constantly in the garage, issue's with oil leaks, gaskets etc, had complete transmission failure and then just over a year later complete engine failure. rod bearings went leaving me with nearly a 7k bill which i did not pay, sold the car and lost alot of money. But when it was driving right which most of the time it wasn't, it sounded absolutely amazing
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People are prob going to hate me for this but i got to say i had one of these bought it when it was three year's old and it was by far the most problematic failing worse BMW i have ever had. Constantly in the garage, issue's with oil leaks, gaskets etc, had complete transmission failure and then just over a year later complete engine failure. rod bearings went leaving me with nearly a 7k bill which i did not pay, sold the car and lost alot of money. But when it was driving right which most of the time it wasn't, it sounded absolutely amazing
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MrMarshy123456
Why are people watching this with the pure intention of slagging these and the M6's off, buying the car is the easy part, maintaining it PROPERLY is the hard bit, yes they have there issues but look at previous generations of M car, they also have there issues, my M6 has just had a complete fluid change, filters, plugs, new O2 sensors, new thermostat etc and it wasn't cheap, but you don't buy a car like this if you want -cheap-, you buy a car like this if your a real petrolhead!
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Why are people watching this with the pure intention of slagging these and the M6's off, buying the car is the easy part, maintaining it PROPERLY is the hard bit, yes they have there issues but look at previous generations of M car, they also have there issues, my M6 has just had a complete fluid change, filters, plugs, new O2 sensors, new thermostat etc and it wasn't cheap, but you don't buy a car like this if you want -cheap-, you buy a car like this if your a real petrolhead!
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Giui
Gearbox had the fastest shift times of the period 150ms in the most agressive setting, so you cannot compare with instant upshifts and downshift of modern gearboxes.
As with all smg gearboxes of the era you have to understand the principle of how the gearbox works otherwise is rubish as you all say.
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Gearbox had the fastest shift times of the period 150ms in the most agressive setting, so you cannot compare with instant upshifts and downshift of modern gearboxes.
As with all smg gearboxes of the era you have to understand the principle of how the gearbox works otherwise is rubish as you all say.
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The
They'll never be another. I'm so glad I've held onto mine for over 6 years. The gearbox is not as bad as you're making it sound, switch to S6 mode and make sure you got a new clutch in it and it will be smooth as hell. It was made to simulate a manual and it does a pretty good job of it.
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They'll never be another. I'm so glad I've held onto mine for over 6 years. The gearbox is not as bad as you're making it sound, switch to S6 mode and make sure you got a new clutch in it and it will be smooth as hell. It was made to simulate a manual and it does a pretty good job of it.
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Tony
That SMG transmission takes some time to get used to because of how jerky the shifts can be, but the manual mode is definitely better than letting the transmission change itself. The shifts are a bit smoother in the manual mode, and I feel it's better to drive it in that mode.
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That SMG transmission takes some time to get used to because of how jerky the shifts can be, but the manual mode is definitely better than letting the transmission change itself. The shifts are a bit smoother in the manual mode, and I feel it's better to drive it in that mode.
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nature10879
Imagine if this car was reliable? Anyway still one of the best cars ever made. Saw one at the gas station today, talked to the owner who only complained about mpg but told me he loves the car. When he drove away, it literally put a smile on my face: )
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Imagine if this car was reliable? Anyway still one of the best cars ever made. Saw one at the gas station today, talked to the owner who only complained about mpg but told me he loves the car. When he drove away, it literally put a smile on my face: )
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Mo
This dude drove lots of modern cars he is laughing as a normal reaction that you see such old car with sooooo much power and the rest aren-t that good compared to modern cars, it-s still the craziest bmw they ever made
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This dude drove lots of modern cars he is laughing as a normal reaction that you see such old car with sooooo much power and the rest aren-t that good compared to modern cars, it-s still the craziest bmw they ever made
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Rabids
This car here in Australia is rated at 373kw at 7750rpm and 520nm from a 5L V10 n/a from 2004. The current mustang makes 339kw at 7000rpm and 556nm. So the mustang make pretty awesome power and torque for a n/a.
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This car here in Australia is rated at 373kw at 7750rpm and 520nm from a 5L V10 n/a from 2004. The current mustang makes 339kw at 7000rpm and 556nm. So the mustang make pretty awesome power and torque for a n/a.
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