OK.. my wife and i flew from DC to northern NYC to pick up 'Sterling' yesterday. she was described to us as being perfect except a couple rock chips up front. we were both skeptical and prepared ourselves to 'walk' if she wasn't 'as described'.
from the airplane, we can see it had snowed. we arrive at the dealership and YES! Sterling Gray is nice... next the interior.. ostrich gray inserts.. YES from the both of us. we walk around the car.. no dings.. everything looked great! at this point, we were amazed. then we go on test drive. the streets were dry and very cold, the tires very worn (i requested they not be replaced) but we were able to put her through all 6 gears. WOW. can i break the DSP system? we returned and put the car on the lift. just sanity checks.. everything seems aligned, original, and in place (except a suspension sensor which we snapped back on).
we finished the paperwork and took off to Niagra Falls. did the quick Chevy Chase nod from Vacation and left. we decided to let the NAV system guide us home. by now, it is about 3pm. funny thing, the NAV system, set on fastest route, took us through the mountain-side. it was as if the NAV system knew it was an M5. the roads were very twisty and really fun. snow along the road, but not on the road. phew. it was a beautiful drive, until it started flurrying and the streets were getting a bit wet. the roads remain quite twisty, and getting more and more wet. temperatures dropped to 17F, and the sun was setting. we were getting a bit nervous of ice and tried to point the nav system to use 'highway routes' but we were over an hour away from a major highway.
after making it further south, the roads got dry, and still ohh very twisty. i then realized i forgot to test the 'sport' mode. to my surprise, the car was even more powerful!!! holey moley.. fuel mapping? timing? who cares, i started to really enjoy passing on the left, up and through those mountain twists. after a while, my wife tells me to stop grinning and drive smoother as she's getting motion sickness. but, it wasn't my fault. i think the moon came out and transformed me into something beastly. anywho. we continued following the nav system which took us through several small towns. i noticed a self-service car wash and quickly pulled in. it was 18F out, but i had to get any salt off her. hot soap and hot rinse and off we went. the water beads quickly froze to the car. if only i could make horizontal icicles off my side mirrors, i would look even faster.
we got home a bit after midnight and _exactly_ 500 miles later. we love the color, the rear shades, the heated seats, everything. the car has endless power. insanity. i can't even tell which gear i'm in because there is torque at all times. 40 bucks per tank, but well worth it. right now, we're both very very very happy campers.
Thanks to all !!
James and Ruth and Sterling
ps.. is there a FAQ that answers the basics:
- oil and oil weight
- tire and tire size options on stock rims
- tire pressure recommendations
- alignment specs
- aftermarket warranty
- cool service managers/dealers in N. VA.
- brake pad options - stock calipers
It's a great feeling, isn't it. Great story. Enjoy!
__________________ The Car: 2002 Alpine White ///M5 / Lemans Blue extended (sport) leather / aluminum trim The Upgrades: Dinan Stg. 1 / Dinan RSB / TCD Sway Bar Brackets / UUC Evo III SSK / UUC DSSR / UUC Tranny mounts / MKIV Nav Unit / JL 500.1 Amp / JL 12w6v2 Sub
I'm glad you didnt hit any ice. I only had ice on the roads once while driving the beast, not something to look forward to.
All you have to do to get your questions answered is to do a search on here, plenty of content on your queries.
Chapstick would be a good investment since your going to be doing a lot of smiling and you wont want you lips to crack.
Sport mode button speeds up the throttle response, and does something to the steering for a better feel. I have come to learn that it also smooths out the shifting when your in sport mode. Engine responds more quickly during shift changes. Sport seems a better match to the car IMHO.
Enjoy your new beast, and get a Lidatek Laser Jammer and a good detector.
__________________
2000 M5..."The Precious"...yup, the wife named it......Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what's for dinner. LIBERTY is an armed lamb contesting the vote.
If you get a chance to post a pic of the interior too...congratulations and enjoy your beast!
Most of your FAQ stuff will be found on this forum if you use the search feature. Aftermarket brake pads like the Axxis Ultimates are popular. Tire pressures near 34psi or 35psi cold are about right. Oil is best bought directly from the BMW dealer, since it is special blend for the M engine. Consider using the 10W60 even though it costs more. Since you are not the original owner of the vehicle, the extended warranty will have to be a 3rd party one rather than through BMW (e.g. AAA warranty).
__________________
'01 Ti Ag / Black full-leather interior w/M-audio
Mods: Axxis Ultimate pads, M-Technic brake duct/grill insert, Rogue Octane SS w/WSR & transmission mounts, TC Design swaybar brackets, Dinan Stage 3 suspension, UFM IATS, SS brake lines
__________________
Ashok
2002 E39 Carbonblack/Caramel M5 (best car I ever owned)
2005 E60 Blue Onyx/Caramel/Light Figured Ash M5 (worst car I ever owned)
2007 E90 Montego Blue/Black Alpina D3 (sublime) Let me tell you what SMG stands for...
Congratulations on making the move. I am often in DC with my '02 and personal advice is watch out for those potholes. Perhaps if they don't build the new stadium there will be some money to fill them :-)
OK.. my wife and i flew from DC to northern NYC to pick up 'Sterling' yesterday. she was described to us as being perfect except a couple rock chips up front. we were both skeptical and prepared ourselves to 'walk' if she wasn't 'as described'.
from the airplane, we can see it had snowed. we arrive at the dealership and YES! Sterling Gray is nice... next the interior.. ostrich gray inserts.. YES from the both of us. we walk around the car.. no dings.. everything looked great! at this point, we were amazed. then we go on test drive. the streets were dry and very cold, the tires very worn (i requested they not be replaced) but we were able to put her through all 6 gears. WOW. can i break the DSP system? we returned and put the car on the lift. just sanity checks.. everything seems aligned, original, and in place (except a suspension sensor which we snapped back on).
we finished the paperwork and took off to Niagra Falls. did the quick Chevy Chase nod from Vacation and left. we decided to let the NAV system guide us home. by now, it is about 3pm. funny thing, the NAV system, set on fastest route, took us through the mountain-side. it was as if the NAV system knew it was an M5. the roads were very twisty and really fun. snow along the road, but not on the road. phew. it was a beautiful drive, until it started flurrying and the streets were getting a bit wet. the roads remain quite twisty, and getting more and more wet. temperatures dropped to 17F, and the sun was setting. we were getting a bit nervous of ice and tried to point the nav system to use 'highway routes' but we were over an hour away from a major highway.
after making it further south, the roads got dry, and still ohh very twisty. i then realized i forgot to test the 'sport' mode. to my surprise, the car was even more powerful!!! holey moley.. fuel mapping? timing? who cares, i started to really enjoy passing on the left, up and through those mountain twists. after a while, my wife tells me to stop grinning and drive smoother as she's getting motion sickness. but, it wasn't my fault. i think the moon came out and transformed me into something beastly. anywho. we continued following the nav system which took us through several small towns. i noticed a self-service car wash and quickly pulled in. it was 18F out, but i had to get any salt off her. hot soap and hot rinse and off we went. the water beads quickly froze to the car. if only i could make horizontal icicles off my side mirrors, i would look even faster.
we got home a bit after midnight and _exactly_ 500 miles later. we love the color, the rear shades, the heated seats, everything. the car has endless power. insanity. i can't even tell which gear i'm in because there is torque at all times. 40 bucks per tank, but well worth it. right now, we're both very very very happy campers.
Thanks to all !!
James and Ruth and Sterling
ps.. is there a FAQ that answers the basics:
- oil and oil weight
- tire and tire size options on stock rims
- tire pressure recommendations
- alignment specs
- aftermarket warranty
- cool service managers/dealers in N. VA.
- brake pad options - stock calipers
Wow, great story James...
Congrats on your new beast, and happy motoring....
i plan on driving her as much as i can, but have other cars to use during inclimate weather. will probably drive her a couple times a week to work only, if i have the will power.
can't stop thinking of those mountain roads, exit ramps, dotted-line straights...
Re: Drove her home.. WOW !! - '02 M5
Linear Mode
