First proper boot it session - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Rob Plummer · 12th April 2005, 00:21

Had the pleasure of a night out in Sheffield last Friday - and the even greater pleasure of a blast over the A57 Snake Pass.

First time I've really driven the car hard for anything more than a couple of minutes.

Impressions? Well - I REALLY enjoyed myself. Grip levels are incredible - wet or dry. Instant throttle response a real joy (although I wish it had a huge lump of midrange torque so you don't have to rev the knackers off it!). Overtaking ability - great.

The only minus point - and it's a big one - the steering is crap. And before you all go on about steering box adjustment, it doesn't need it.

The steering is slow-witted, lifeless and lacking detailed feel. And the steering wheel itself is just ridiculously large!

Nevertheless, this one minus point hasn't blunted my enthusiasm for the old girl. Before I bought her, Kurt told me that his car really "grew" on him (so much so he's sold it now!), but I couldn't agree more.

Sure, there are quicker cars. And sure, there are better handling/gripping cars. But as a package - I like mine more every day!

Kurt Ramsden · 12th April 2005, 00:47

Not sold yet Rob (boo hoo), but I still meant what I said about it growing on you!! The steering is definitely an 'acquired taste', and your point about mid-range grunt rings true with me too. But those really are relatively minor shortcomings. I've definitely been spoilt by the 944T which addresses those two issues completely. I can almost forgive it for sounding like a concrete mixer in comparison...

I don't think anyone on this forum would argue - the M5 (esp in e34 guise) is the best big saloon car driving experience you can get. The closest I've been to a sale (so far - and it wasn't that close) on mine is a guy moving back from an e39 M5. Nuff said.

Enjoy....

Mmm-Five · 12th April 2005, 12:29

I find that you can compensate for the poor steering feel by:
1) keeping the suspension on 'S'
2) using decent tyres with stiff sidewalls
3) keeping the steering wheel off-centre to remove the 'dead' area

It will never be as pointy as a 500kg Cateradifield

Rob Plummer · 12th April 2005, 13:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mmm-Five

I find that you can compensate for the poor steering feel by:
1) keeping the suspension on 'S'
2) using decent tyres with stiff sidewalls
3) keeping the steering wheel off-centre to remove the 'dead' area

It will never be as pointy as a 500kg Cateradifield

Hi Tony,

I had the suspension on "S."

Tyres are Michelin Pilot - stiff sidewall? I don't know.

Keeping steering wheel off centre is far to complicated for my simple brain. When you get up to speeds approaching 60mph (

) then you need to concentrate on keeping on the black stuff.........

Of course, I'd never expect it to be anything like my Striker, cos it weighs well over 3 times as much and it's much slower. It's a BUS by comparison!

Cheers for the pointers though.

Smokestack · 12th April 2005, 17:32

Hi Rob,

They all suffer from it .... it's my biggest gripe with the cars. The steering is always vague on centre with very little difference between an old and a new steering box. They are susceptible to anything on the front setup that isn't perfect. Check the front tyres as any uneven or high wear contributes to that 'wooly' feel.