I just realized today as I rolled to 10,000 miles that it also is exactly 17 months to the day from when I first took delivery. I'll never forget my first glimpse of the silver beauty. It was a nervous ride home as I was fearing the beasts power. I grew to realize it is mostly civil, but you can release its nasty side when you have to. Since delivery there have been some changes: Dinan chip & strut bars, Euro angel-eyes, brake ducts opened, grill-splitter, 9.5 x 18's up front and all 4 rims powdercoated. Next week will add the Supersprint exhaust and adjustable camber plates. One of the things I've most enjoyed about this car is the knowledgeable people and the new friends I've made because of it, specifically Al, Darren, Max, Robert, Sean, Faisal and Barry. There are others whom I'm glad to see at some of our events and hope you will join us for more, as it has evolved into a monthly event now. Knowing myself, I would guess my time with this car is about half over, so it was time for some reflection. I invite you guys to post your time/mileage updates and share your experiences so far.
Jim,
its been a pleasure to meet you and the others.
Ive had the Beast for 14 months now, I have 14,500 miles on it- she's asking for the oil change now and it is scheduled.
My initial impression was less than favorable. I didnt like that I felt the mass of the car as much as I did. Over the past year Ive discovered this is the most amazing car Ive ever driven in that it can be a near luxury vehicle one minute and a near sports car in the next. My first impression was just simple newness talking. This is the ultimate daily driver. My mods are much more modest. I have some anti ratteling plates installed under one of the wood panels near the steering wheel (rattles annoy me). these plates are my own design and are made of high tech cardboard- nearly invisible to the naked eye- but they do ward off the ratteling spirits. I also installed a Bavarian Autosport subwoofer to try to enhance the standard sound system- now its OK by my standards. This year I will add a set of snow tires. I expect I will put around another 12-14k miles on her. The engine just gets stronger and stronger and so far I have no hint of any clutch problems......... (please hold out senior clutch)
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All the best,
Jerry 00 Z8 Jet Black/Red Sport / some others
ah yes jim
the 10k mark. wow. well i gotta say its been a pleasure knowing all of you guys also, the car experience has been larger then the car itself. The friends i have met will go beyond the car, and gotta say i would of thought the crowd would of been pompous and self indulgent, instead it turned out to be a great group of car buffs and some sincerely good people. Its been a pleasure. As for the car, well, 21k yesterday, in 13 months. I drive this car like i stole it. I go everywhere with it, and figure have as much fun as possible with it. The car has raised the bar for me, and i feel anything else would be a substitute for the real thing. The best performance sedan in the world imo, and i hope it stays that way. Even if that doesnt stay, im hard pressed to find a better group of guys.
My only problem with my M5 is trying not to put too many miles on her. I've had the car a little less than 2 months and 5,500 miles on her. Trying to resist, but just can't resist driving the Beast....
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2001 Carbon Black
2001 S500 Sport
1999 E55
I appreciated your description of picking up the car. I have a 2002 being built in September, and am anxiously awaiting the same moment. All of the information and cameraderie on this board has only heightened the excitement over the car. I ordered the car without any sense for the depth of passion it has engendered across the world. As a car lover from an early age, I always dreamed of owning a car like the M5. It's gonna be fun.
I do 7.000km (4.350 miles) in the first 4 weeks, then I must wait 1 month and 1 week for my new engine and afterwards I do additional 10.000km (6.215 miles) in 10 weeks
__________________ keep the engine hot ...
Tom
Webmaster of the german BMW M-Forum
I picked up my Beast on July 1, 2000, thirteen and a half months ago. My odometer currently reads 15,500. which is about twice what I used to drive in a year. Not to mention the fact that I still take my Jeep Wrangler to the commuter lot most days, occasionally alternating with a Nissan Maxima I'm holding onto for my son who will be driving soon.
I'd forgotten that driving could be so much fun. My wife couldn't understand my fascination until she recently traded in her SUV for a Mercedes wagon (to each his/her own). She's actually driven the Beast a few times when we've been on long road trips together, but it's not her cup of tea.
I have one more little lighted box to go before the first service and am still running on the original Dunlops, which appear to be good for at least a few more K miles.
The only thing I've been keeping my eye on recently is the external temperature guage, which seems to be reading 5-10 degrees too hot. I know this was a problem with the earlier 2000 models, but the guage always seemed to read true before. I did have the right-side underbody splash shield replaced a few months ago. Maybe there's a connection. All in all, an untradeable experience!
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Tom
'00 Anthracite/Caramel/Burl Walnut
Exactly 17 months and 10,000 miles
I hit 20k in 14 months. First two months were sub 1000 miles too! 
and afterwards I do additional 10.000km (6.215 miles) in 10 weeks 
Linear Mode
