Is the E60 M5 a reliable car ? Trusted on long road trips ?

[Sir_Dingo]

This must be my millionth post about wanting an E60 M5

Anyway's, I have started a few threads asking about why all the dealer have lot's of used 2006 M5's on their lots, and they all have a few new ones on the showrooms floors. This begs the question of, is there something wrong with these awesome cars that I am not aware of ?

My point to this thread is, would ya trust a used 2006 M5 to be taken on road trips on a regular basis ? Driving through areas that are far from any city for repairs. My Boss and Brother both have cottages they are nice enough to let me borrow, and they are like 200-300mile one way, so a round trip could be 600+miles, can the new M5 handle that without question of having an issue ?

I just get a little worried when I see alot of threads about people having their Beast in the shop for this and that. Because for an $80-$100k car I dont think should ever have to be in the shop for a engine or transmision issue for years, especially not brand new. Paying this much for a vehicle would make ya think it is bulletproof right from the dealer ?

Thank's for any opinions.

[905RMP32V1x]

I'm pretty sure thats mainly first generation E60 M5"s. This weekend we drove to San Antonio and back, 4+ hours each way. No probs. Just put an extra quart in the trunk just in case. But accoring to our "reliable" electronic dipstick I didn't burn any oil (prob only 0.1L). It was a blast on the highway. The gas milage is overated. I only got 17.5 overall and with the family in the car I wasn't exactly driving it hard. Normally with the way I drive I get 11.5 so I guess that would be appropriate.

[bonehead]

Sounds like your fishing for guarantees. Sorry SD, certainly not going to get one here or anywhere else. I think someone on another thread replied to your question and nicely summarized some of the reasons why there are 'so many' E60's on the showroom floors (cost to operate, hate SMG/Bangle styling, blah, blah).
While most of us here love our M5's (or I suppose we'd be on MBWorld), we take the good with the bad. The vast majority of owners have not and will not have a problem (myself included, knock on wood), but others have had horror stories. Should a $100K car have problems? In an ideal world, no. But this is a cutting edge piece of automotive technology that for a few, will run into problems. New posts are always popping up about some sort of tranny fault, but most seem to be relatively early production cars (late '05, early '06). Seems that a number of these major problems are diminishing in frequency with the '07 models.

If you want more piece of mind and a dull drive, get a Honda. For an engaging, exciting driving experience, there are few better than the M5.
My 2 pennies.

[Ashok Arora]

Driving the car any distance these days is like playing Russian Roulette.

So far so good for my third gearbox but would you have any confidence after something like this:

Now I'm furious!! - the weekend from HELL

[darren_dallas]

I just drive mine to Little Rock, AR and back over the Thanksgiving holiday. About 5 hours each way with no problems whatsoever. In fact, similar to 905RMP, I didn't burn any oil (although I keep a quart in the trunk just in case as well). My family was with me and we had a fun, safe drive.

As my financial advisor will tell you though...past performance is not indicative of future gain.

Cheers,

Darren

[unfoundhorsepower]

Who knows what could happen, I picked my M5 up at the performance Center brand new and drove 1,100 miles and got 20 mpg....BRAND NEW !!!!!!!!!!!! Not even a Hick-up....

[905RMP32V1x]

Originally Posted by unfoundhorsepower

Who knows what could happen, I picked my M5 up at the performance Center brand new and drove 1,100 miles and got 20 mpg....BRAND NEW !!!!!!!!!!!! Not even a Hick-up....

20mpg? Thats pretty good. The best I could do was 17.5. For the most part that was driving S3 p400. For passing etc I'd hit the M button (S5, MDM, p500sport). What settings got you that mpg?

[Zlaatan]

unfoundhorsepower: very OT but I have to ask why you always have your txt colured and made bigger?

I don't want to be an ***** but it just seems very unnessesary.

[liquido]

Bad luck can happen to anyone at any time but I have driven all over Europe and so far nothing out of the ordinary.
Stop asking so many questions and go pick up that car, you'll love it!
Btw...whats up with your boss...your mentioning him in ALL your threads

[Sir_Dingo]

Originally Posted by liquido

Bad luck can happen to anyone at any time but I have driven all over Europe and so far nothing out of the ordinary.
Stop asking so many questions and go pick up that car, you'll love it!
Btw...whats up with your boss...your mentioning him in ALL your threads

My Boss is to blame or thank for getting me into BMW's It was him who had two E39 M5's, and then a E60 M5, also two E53 X5's. I bought one of his E39 M5's off him awhile back, and made the worst decision in trading her in on my new 2007 Corvette. Now want to get back into BMW, saw a nice new 2006 4.8is X5 for sale, which would be more practical, but dont want to make the wrong choice, and regret not getting an E60 M5.

I look at the 4.8is X5 and like it, but it doesnt get me all hot and bothered like the M5.

[Danish-M]

Originally Posted by liquido

Btw...whats up with your boss...your mentioning him in ALL your threads

Boss=Wife

[M CRISIS]

In case you missed this write-up - Good, Bad & the Ugly of an M5 road trip