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Reliability of 2008 E60 M5?

88K views 66 replies 38 participants last post by  jcolley 
#1 ·
Hi All,

New to the M5 board, but have enjoyed M products for years and have been active on the M3 sites. Currently have a '98 M3 Sedan and LOVE it-- very quick, very reliable and very chuckable (into corners). The family is expanding and I need something that will fit children who actually have legs, thus, I'm shopping for M5s. Drove the SMG and the 6MT. Just can't bring myself to give up the clutch and can't get used to the jerkiness of the SMG while I found the 6MT to be very enjoyable (though, arguably slower than SMG).

So, please give me your thoughts / observations re the reliability of the 2008 M5s with 6MTs. I've been reading a lot of posts on this forum and it sounds like an extended warranty is a must have, but I can't get a good feel for just how many problems I should be expecting. Are we talking GM / Chrysler level problems :eek7: or something between that and the rock solid quality I've enjoyed in my E36?

I know it's subjective, but I'd value your opinions. Consumer Reports rated the 2008 550s rather poorly in their Buying Guide. I know it's different; just trying to get a feel for what to expect.

Thanks for your help!!!cherrsagai
 
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#2 ·
I also had a 98 E36 M3 4-Door. Great car and I highly reccomend the E60 M5. I currentyl have a 2007 6-Speed and I love it. I am actually in the process of getting into a 2008 SMG.
 
#4 ·
Based on the posts I read every day on this forum, 2008 models are quite solid. You should expect a very reliable car. However, if you plan to keep it for a long time, consider an extended warranty, as these cars may need expensive repairs far down the road, simply because they are so complex. Good luck with your search.




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#5 · (Edited)
I too used to have a 97 M3/4 and 98 M3/2. Both cars were actually very reliable having only required the basic maintenance + bushings, etc. Great cars but definitely not the beast that the E60 M5 is.

First let me say that don't let the SMGIII scare you away. Sure its a tad jerky sometimes, but for the most part, its fairly smooth for what it is. What you have to realize is that this car is the ultimate daily driver. It goes from hauling ppl to hauling *** in one push of a button. Being in the same shoes as you with kids, etc, I can't imagine owning anything but an M5. Its truely 2 cars in one. If you are tired after a long day at the office, as often I am, I just put it in D3 and put put around and listen to music and relax. Or if you want to cruise the strip or talk to a friend, then D mode it is. BUT, If I want to play I just give the good old M button a push and I have the ability to shift quicker than humanly possible and confidence to rock anything on the road. Its just an amazing transformation.

I won't tell you what to do, but the game changer for me about getting into the E60 M5 was the V10 and SMG. I wouldn't have it any other way. I strongly recommend you look past some of the initial jerkiness and see the true benefits of that 7spd tranny.
 
#6 ·
2008 with 36K miles, SMG, everything great, as expected....

I've owned my 2008 M5 w/ SMG for about 16 months now and have put about 20,000 miles on it in this time. Hard to keep out of the car! I've had a headlamp replaced as well as the steering wheel trim for slight peeling, as mentioned above. Oh, and two sets of tires :)

I find the SMG to shift rather smooth once you realize you are driving a manual transmission car. I came from a Z06 (family grew) and have never owned anything but a manual transmission car as my primary driver. I do "reset" the SMG via the paddles about every 4 or 5 months just to do it, but overall I've been fairly surprised at how easy it will drive comfortably in "D" modes. My wife can jump in it and drive around no problem.

Unless there's a solution to this I'm unaware of, my only complaint is that it defaults back to manual mode every time the car is started. I have to remind my wife of this whenever she drives so she remembers to change gears or slap the stick for auto. This is also an issue for any potential valet parking, if one were so brave.

Other than that, I love my '08. It's the best all around car I've ever owned. I do plan on buying some type of extended coverages, just to be safe.
 
#7 ·
I've owned my 2008 M5 w/ SMG for about 16 months now and have put about 20,000 miles on it in this time. Hard to keep out of the car! I've had a headlamp replaced as well as the steering wheel trim for slight peeling, as mentioned above. Oh, and two sets of tires :)

I find the SMG to shift rather smooth once you realize you are driving a manual transmission car. I came from a Z06 (family grew) and have never owned anything but a manual transmission car as my primary driver. I do "reset" the SMG via the paddles about every 4 or 5 months just to do it, but overall I've been fairly surprised at how easy it will drive comfortably in "D" modes. My wife can jump in it and drive around no problem.

Unless there's a solution to this I'm unaware of, my only complaint is that it defaults back to manual mode every time the car is started. I have to remind my wife of this whenever she drives so she remembers to change gears or slap the stick for auto. This is also an issue for any potential valet parking, if one were so brave.

Other than that, I love my '08. It's the best all around car I've ever owned. I do plan on buying some type of extended coverages, just to be safe.

How do you reset the SMG?
 
#9 ·
I've had virtually no issues with mine. It has been rock solid as well. 28,000 miles and my lease ends May 2010.
The reason I chose the SMG was due to the fact that the E60 was specifically designed and built around this iteration of the SMG tranny.
The 6MT was thrown in as an afterthought due to the demand from US customers.
 
#10 ·
I'm on my second E60 (a 2006 and now a 2009, both SMGs though), and both have given me zero mechanical problems ** KNOCK WOOD **. The only thing I've been to the dealer for are regularly scheduled maintenance items, and to have the OBC stalk replaced on my '06 because the BC button was rattling.
 
#12 ·
I'm with JT. My 08 has 18,000 miles and have had no issues except for tire wear. I love the fact that it's kind of a wolf in sheeps clothing looking very tame hiding a V10 under the hood. After a few days out of town, I look forward to returning to the airport and driving home. I highly recommend the M5.
 
#13 ·
Only have 8,500 miles but no issues so far. LOVE the 6-speed transmission and would not have a M5 in my garage if it only came with the SMG (just hated it at the BMW M School). A thread here has some back and forth on it (the important note in this thread is that the 6-speed does not do well on the track - so if you are taking it there, consider the SMG, if not, the 6-speed is the way to go IMHO).

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e6...2261-6-speed-vs-7-speed-what-do-we-think.html
 
#14 ·
IMO smg is the only way to truely enjoy the E60 M5 the way it was designed. I dunno about you guys but I enjoy cruising around with the wife in D mode as it allows us to talk and enjoy the scenery. Smg isn't as bad as some ppl make it out to be. Just remember it's not a slush box so don't expect seamless Lexus smooth shifts.
 
#16 ·
Strange, but I have no trouble enjoying the scenery, talking to my wife, AND shifting at the same time. Probably works for me because I try not to use my right hand when talking to her :)

Yeah, what he said - and the fact that I can jump on a conference call for work, slap it in to "D" and not worry about shifting for a while. The SMG, takes some getting used to - but it rocks when you want it to!
You really need to try the bluetooth functionality on this car -in fact, get the snap in adapter and let the phone charge and use the car's external antenna for a stronger cell signal. Most people can't even tell you are using the car's mic/speaker system and then you get to enjoy driving AND talking at the same time :)
 
#15 ·
Yeah, what he said - and the fact that I can jump on a conference call for work, slap it in to "D" and not worry about shifting for a while. The SMG, takes some getting used to - but it rocks when you want it to!
 
#24 ·
The 2008's are as good as the mid-late 2006's, 2007's....ect. There are lemons in every car know to man.
 
#26 · (Edited)
#27 · (Edited)
08 here... Car has been solid. Only have dealt with standard things like oil changes, tires, passenger thigh extender motor (cpo covered), air filters. Its at 65k on the original smg and (knock wood) everything feels fantastic still. Blackstone report at 60k was high in lead, at 65k it dropped significantly which I guess is relatively good news. If I don't upgrade to a '10 soon I am mentally prepped for a bearing replacement and full clutch job at some point. Still CPO'd but will need to be purchase an extended warranty soon just for piece of mind.

I really like the SMG. I went into it knowing that it is a manual gearbox and I treat it as such. I never drive in 'auto' mode, literally. Controlling where and and when the car shifts is the entire point of an engine like this and I can say that it drives incredibly smooth around town just fine. People that are complaining about jerking issues are certainly the type of people that put it in D and think its going to shift like an automatic which it is not.

Buy the car, shift the gears, enjoy.
 
#28 · (Edited)
My oil cooler went out at 69K miles. It's a 2008 too. Sign of things to come....

Warranty covered it, though.
 
#30 · (Edited)
08 6-Speed, 21k miles, Gas, oil, And a lot more Gas.

That's about it.
 
#31 ·
Bought my 2008 6spd with 46k last September. Needed the space for my two kids and wife, but the wife didn't like the back seat of the E92 M3, so I went the next size up. Can't say I've driven the SMG to say I dislike it, but I'm a traditional four limb driver. That was the main reason in picking the M5.. Size, power, and a manual. Wish the Audis in the US offered a manual option, but then I wouldn't be here today lol. Eventually my next vehicle may be an auto stick, but I'll take solace in owning a manual V10 for now hehe. Didn't get an extended warranty, but I did need to replace my alternator already (out of pocket of course). I also need to replace some suspension bushings as well as new tires. Factor in fuel costs, high insurance rates for a performance vehicle, and this is one pretty expensive car to maintain.

Would I do it all again? Definitely.
 
#34 ·
http://corp.carmd.com/PressCenter/2012/html/CarMD_Nov2012VHI_111312.htm
2012-manufacturer-vehicle-reliability-ranking
Top Ranked Manufacturers

According to the 2012 CarMD Vehicle Health Index, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., is the no. 1-ranked manufacturer in the U.S. for the second consecutive year. Toyota earns the top spot with the lowest Index rating of 0.58, which is an improvement from its 0.67 rating in 2011 (the lower the rating score, the better the overall ranking). Rounding out the top five vehicle manufacturers of 2012 are no. 2 Hyundai Motor America, no. 3 BMW USA, no. 4 Honda Motor Co., Inc. and no. 5 Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Rank Manufacturer Overall CarMD 2012 Index Rating Average Repair Cost
(Parts & Labor) Year-Over-Year Comparison
(↑=improvement, ↓= decline)
1 Toyota 0.58 $490.72 ↑ rating / no change in rank
2 Hyundai 0.67 $271.86 ↑ rating / no change in rank
3 BMW 0.84 $502.48 New to Top 10
4 Honda 0.98 $466.77 ↑ rating / dropped from no. 3 in 2011
5 Volkswagen 0.99 $392.00 ↑ rating / improved from no. 9 in 2011
6 Nissan 1.00 $366.53 ↑ rating / improved from no. 7 in 2011
7 Kia 1.04 $320.08 ↑ rating / improved from no. 8 in 2011
8 General Motors 1.12 $290.50 ↓ rating / dropped from no. 5 in 2011
9 Ford 1.17 $340.96 ↓ rating / dropped from no. 4 in 2011
10 Chrysler 1.23 $287.93 ↑ rating / no change in rank (Top 10 vehicle manufacturers based on model year 2002-2012 vehicles needing repairs between Sept. 1, 2011 and Sept. 1, 2012, and determined by the manufacturers whose vehicles had the fewest percentage of repair incidents combined with the lowest cost per repair, per number of registered vehicles on the road. Sources: CarMD.com Corp., with vehicle population data provided by R.L. Polk.)
 
#35 ·
I bought my '08 over 2 years ago with about 60K miles and I now have about 80K miles and it's been trouble free. All I have done is change all of the fluids at their rquired intervals. I also bought the car from a fellow board member and it was super cleaned and well maintained to begin with. This one is a keeper. I can't see myself in any other car that is unique as this one.
 
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