I have a late 2000 M5 which has done about 24K and is my daily driver. I've also started to do some track days this year with it and expect to probably do about 4 or 5 track days a year in the future. The circuit I go to is quite quick (Goodwood in the UK) and so the brakes need an upgrade. My warranty is also up at the end of the year and I'm a little concerned about keeping it beyond the expiration of the warranty as I've had a few problems in the last 12 months (twice back in the shop for camshaft sensor replacement and another after a failure to start because of an electrical relay failure). So I am thinking about either doing a brake upgrade (maybe the AP Racing kit although other suggestions in the UK would be welcomed since I don't think we can get Stoptechs in London) and take the risk on reliability or wait until some used CSLs come onto the market and they stop trading at a premium over list. Whatever I do has to be able to live with a daily city traffic commute and I'm prepared to live with a compromise brake pad arrangement as with my work it would be difficult to get them changed before and after track days. Any views would be welcomed.
How about Option 3: You might be perfectly happy (and well-served) with a standard-spec M3. You'd have a decent budget for track upgrades with the savings over the CSL. And you may prefer (as I would) a traditional 6-speed with its old-fashioned clutch pedal (CSL is SMG-only).
johann and others have made nice track cars out of theirs; I'm sure you could get lots of advice to that end.
I wouldn't keep the M5. For all the reasons you mentioned.
Today I just had my AP 6 Pot Kit fitted on the front with uprated rear pads, the car feels completely different and feels like my old Subaru with big brakes!
So much more inspired to go harder and faster into deep corners just because of the brakes! trust me if you wanted something which is the ultimate all rounder then keep the M5 and get some AP's!
Best mod ive made bar the Kellener exhaust, the brakes are still being bedded in but further down the pedal feel is only getting better and feel awesome.
Forget the CSL as ive thought about it and love the M5 too much to part with it, also speak to your dealer about extending your warranty as I plan to end of the year, my 3 year comes to an end at Xmas.
The M5 is not a track car. While it can hold its own at the track, it was designed to be an everyday super sedan that can cruise down the autobahn at ludacris speeds while talking on the phone. I would suggest looking into an M3. As MWM suggested, the M3 is better for the track and is less expensive then the CSL. Please let us know what you decide to do.
I agree with what has been posted here. However, if you like your M5 I would keep it and consider something ENTIRELY DIFFERENT such as buying a used PORSCHE 993:
1. it makes an EXCELLENT track car
2. completely different experience than BMW
3. EXTREMELY reliable!
4. great looking cars!
5. what else do you want me to say...... ITS A PORSCHE!!!
-alf
ps: you being from ENGLAND, what do you think about the LOTUS ELISE I/II .....EXCELLENT TRACK CAR as well!!!
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I think the CSL has been slightly over rated, dont get me wrong it is a little beauty but at the moment it is over priced, you are very wise to wait for the prices to come down in 6 months or so.
If i was you i would get a test drive, i m not sure how but do anything, you may fall in love with it. then it is simple
If not AP do an awesome brake conversion for the M5.
Keep us posted on what you do, im also regurlarly at Goodwood in the RUF so if you see us come over and say hi!
all the best
adam
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1995 Alpina B8 4.6 #10-(engine blew up. sold)
2001 BMW ///M5(sold)
2003 RUF R turbo
1990 RUF CTR
2006 VW Golf R32 DSG
2005 e60 M5 (sold)
2007 997 GT3 RS Carrara White
2008 Renault Clio 197
"You know it is kinda ironic, these old people are being kept alive by the organs of the young people they ran over" - Chief Clancy Wiggum
MWN, HS, TCM, alpinadvl & Adam, thanks for all your thoughts. The "Option 3" of a 993 or a Lotus Elise/Exige was something I had thought about but has its own set of issues principally parking as I live in central London and anything would have to live on the street which is a problem for parking and vandalism (already lost one set of wheels off the M5). It seems like there are some downsides to the CSL, I am not sure what clutch life would be like on an SMG gearbox when my daily commute is a cross city crawl (I see some 355/360 F1s and the occasional Vanquish on my commute and they seem to have the most horrible clutch slip in slow moving traffic). Will evaluate a standard M3 as I haven't driven one.
HS where did you get you APs done and why on the front caliper set and not the full kit? Do you have any problems with insurance or do you have a mod friendly insurer.
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