lindenTT

So after dirving an M5 yesterday I thought I would ask a couple of questions concerning the driving experience.
The first thing I noticed when I pulled out of the parking lot was the long throw of the shifter. Do people on the board swap out the stock shifter for a short shift kit? If so who would the board recommend? THe power of the car comes on very nicely and does not throw you back into the seat like the D4 I am coming from. I like the turbos but sometimes the power comes on too fast and harsh for my taste.
I took the M5 out onto the freeway and purposely got the thing up to 80 to see how it felt at some highway speeds. It was very nice. I headed straight for the clover leaf exit that I know very well. It is a 25mph 180 degree turn and in the S4 I can comfotably take it at 55mph. The M5 seemed to do it almost better.
The car had a more solid feel than the S4 and didnt have too much body roll. My S4 has coilovers on it as well as other modifications so I was a litlte surprised to how well the M5 went throuh the corner without any modifications done to it other than the Dinan exhaust on the car, which sounded amazing.
Overall the car was great. It was fast on the straights and comfortable in traffic. The corners were fantastic.

So to get to some questions:
1. What short shift would people put on the car??
2. What suspensions modifications do people do to the car?
3. Do people upgrade the brakes on the cars or is that somehting that even needs to be done?
4. How many miles do you get out of a set of summer tires?
5. Gas mileage....should I ask?

Thanks.

Jayson

1. UUC, Rouge, RMS, ACS
2.Dinan, Coilovers, Sway bars, camber plates.
3.Not many but theres many choices including a t 15" 8 piston front and 14" 4 piston rear
4.I got 12k outta the stockers, it's gonna depend on how you drive. Expect 15k-20k
5. 14 mpg city, 22 highway.

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2003 LeMans Blue Bmw M5-Stoptech 4 wheel brakes, Eibach sway bars, Bilstein PSS9 coilovers, Dinan Brake ducts, UUC short shifter, UUC trans mounts, Dinan Clutch and flywheel.Sirus Radio, Dinan strut brace

Suretyagent

Dear lindenTT:

Welcome. If the M5 you drove was not throwing you back in the seat harder than an Audi S4 then you should make sure the M5 is running without fault. There may be something wrong with the car if it is not noticably faster than your S4. Note - The M5 really comes into its own over 120mph.

1) I've left mine stock but am still considering a short shift kit.
2) Start with an adjustable rear anti-sway bar and go from there. Be sure to replace rear sway bar mounting brackets as stock pieces are weak.
3) For serious track work big brake kits are needed. Spirited road driving - stock brakes work well.
4) Between 8,000 and 15,000 miles depending on how aggressive I drive and how often I go to the track. I've known other owners to get nearly 20,000 and I've also seen a new set of tires shredded during one day at the track.
5) 12mpg to 20mpg. I tend to average around 16-17mpg but I do more city driving and often use full throttle.

Derek

warhaven

Many options but,

1. EVO3
2. Dinan sways, stut braces, camber plates
3. Brembo or Stop techs "big brake Kits"
4. 20K
5. 16.7 City / 23 HWY

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Warhaven's 2002 Dinan S2 M5
11/22/04 Dyno: 336.2RHP/329.2T (Exhaust only)
03/15/05 Dyno: 334.38HP/326.24T (+CAI)
06/22/06 Dyno: 348.76HP/331.33T (+ MAF)
Jet Black/Black
Super Sprint X-pipe
AA Front Grill
TC Racing Pedals
TCD Sway bar brackets
MK4 V28.1 NAV upgrade
Zenon 8000K Stage II upgrade