Let me introduce myself and ask some questions! - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

507bhp · 10th May 2005, 23:24

Hellow everyone!

(I have six questions below so please read the whole message)

My name is Richard and I live in Auckland, New Zealand. I've been visiting this site for past few months and just joined yesterday with some help from Gustav. Thank you.

I have preordered a M5 from BMW UK (Parklane Dutyfree sales dealership) about three months ago and they only roughly estimated that I would get my car sometime next year. The only thing I got from them after placing 1,000 GBP deposit was a order confirmation document with not much detail in it. I am importing it from UK rather than purchasing it locally to take advantage of about 20,000 GBP saving in price difference by purchasing it from UK.

I currently drive Lexus SC430 and Mazda RX-8 both of which I enjoy fairly well. I just feel that I am outgrowing 300HP of Lexus Sc430 and good handling of RX-8 and want something faster, stronger, better and nicer...all while maintaining 4 seat availability for my family. I think M5 suits my needs beautifully.

There are about six questions I'd like to ask you. Please share your thoughts if you have any knowledge regarding them.

1. How do you check the order status besides asking your dealer? I noted that some members such as Vic can find out their order status in real time basis. (Status of my car changed to 150!) I would like to know how I can do that as well. At the momebt, I always have to email my dealer for updated status and the answer always is that he does not have more firm estimate besides some time next year.

2. How is the automatic mode in M5 when it's compared to real automatic gear shifts in other cars? Is D1 mode as smooth as real automatic gear shift? My wife doesn't know how to operate manual gear so automatic mode is very important.

3. How does key memory setting works? I heard that the car setting will change based on which key is used. When does this change occur? Is it when the driver enters the car and put the key in iginition or is it when the driver press the button on the key to unlock the door? What kind of settings are affected by key memory setting?

4. How does D5 mode compare to S1 mode? Is D5 mode good enough to replace S1 if the the driver wants sporty driving enviroment but without having to shift gear themselves?

5. I was told by BMW New Zealand that I would only get two year international warranty from NZ if I purchase my M5 from UK. Furthermore, I would not be allowed to purchase extended warranty after two years, whereas the locally purchased M5 will be allowed to purchase unlimited extended warranty for about 600.00 USD per year. Does anyone know anything about importing and exporting issue? Did anyone imported new car from oversea?

6. For 20,000 GBP extra (if I purchase M5 from New Zealand), I would get 1 extra year of warranty (2 year international warranty vs. 3 year warranty) plus 3 years of servicing and road side assistance...plus ability to purchase extended warranty after 3 years. Does anyone think it is worth it to purchase locally and pay 20,000 GBP extra for those mentioned benefit? Do those benefit really worth 20,000 GBP? What would you do?

Thanks for reading and answering my questions.

vndkshn · 11th May 2005, 00:45

The only one I immediately know the answer to is the memory seating, at least in how it works with the E39. When you press the unlock button, it will automatically return the seats, exterior mirror, and steering wheel to your last used setting. The downside, if your wife uses your key, it will return everything to where she had things set. Of course, if you have saved your settings using the memory buttons (which are on the door of the E39) you can push that to return.

I think that the E60 also remembers radio presets and climate control settings between keys, but I can't confirm that.

JohnH · 11th May 2005, 11:50

If you have ordered via a UK dealer then the only way you can find out about status is via the dealer.

MortenDK · 11th May 2005, 12:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by 507bhp

2. How is the automatic mode in M5 when it's compared to real automatic gear shifts in other cars? Is D1 mode as smooth as real automatic gear shift? My wife doesn't know how to operate manual gear so automatic mode is very important.

4. How does D5 mode compare to S1 mode? Is D5 mode good enough to replace S1 if the the driver wants sporty driving enviroment but without having to shift gear themselves?

I cannot help you with all the NZ/UK import issues, but I know the answers for these questions

--------------------------------------------------------

2. In one of Gustav's posts about his 2600 km long test drive of the new M5, he wrote the car was shifting as smooth (in D1 of course) as something you could expect in a Mercedes-Benz S Class, no worries there

4. I found these times a while ago: M5 iDrive modes

P500 D5:

0-100 km/h 5,2 seconds
0-160 km/h 10,7
0-200 km/h 15,3

P500 S1:

0-100 km/h 5,1 seconds
0-160 km/h 10,8
0-200 km/h 15,3

As you can see the S1 mode is slightly faster from 0-100 and 0-160, but it's the same deal when they reach 200. So I believe with the stiffest damper settings D5 would be very sporty compared to other automatic cars.

MEnthusiast · 11th May 2005, 14:01

Welcome to the Board!

I will first address the money question. According to my calculations- to make this relevant to my US mindset- that 20,000 GBP=~ $37,000 US. So would I do it differently- no way! What I would do is investigate outside roadside assistance companies as well as extended warranty coverage. Here in the US we have a number of such services, the most well known is triple A. So the ultimate answers here will have to come from someone with local knowledge, which I lack. But for the money, I dont see how you could go wrong- these two things can't cost more than $5,000 together.

As to SMG. I have not driven V3. V3 is in the new M5. V2 is in the current M3. My experience with V2 is such that if you want the car to function as a traditional automatic, you would be disappointed. The biggest issues are rollback on hills (like with a real manual when you take your foot off the break- you better get on the gas!) although there is a hill holder assistant- you have to remember to put it on, and just not the smoothest shifts until you learn to feather the gas. In automatic mode you have to anticipate when the shifts happen. In manual mode, since you call for the shifts, you know when you need to apply the feathering.

Now I hear they have addressed the roll back issue with V3- using the gyros that are already in the car- and I am sure everything else has been improved too. But I can't say to what degree. My own sense of things is I think this system would be fine for the driver who is used to a manual transmission car and wants to have an automated mode for traffic or leisurely driving, but wants a more aggressive setup for more spirited driving as well. Without the benefit of having actually driving it, my feeling is still that I would not be comfortable recommending this to someone who does not understand or has no experience with a manual transmission.

In terms of coming from a Lexus or anything else or that matter, IMHO, I think you will be pleasantly surprised and the only warning I can give you is prepare to be spoiled for the rest of your life. You'll find it hard to accept anything else once you find the right M car for you.

Gustav · 11th May 2005, 23:28

Welcome Richard!

2. How is the automatic mode in M5 when it's compared to real automatic gear shifts in other cars? Is D1 mode as smooth as real automatic gear shift? My wife doesn't know how to operate manual gear so automatic mode is very important.

It is very smooth. 7th gear it will engage in say 70-80 km/h.

4. How does D5 mode compare to S1 mode? Is D5 mode good enough to replace S1 if the the driver wants sporty driving enviroment but without having to shift gear themselves?

I beleive you can say S5 = D5 in shifting speed. I do not rememebr if this was the case but I beleive so.

507bhp · 12th May 2005, 08:15

Thanks so much for all your great answers and warm welcome.

I will contribute to the site any way I can.

Take care!

Ashok Arora · 12th May 2005, 19:48

Welcome Richard

Can't be that many Kiwi M5's out there!?

Gustav · 13th May 2005, 00:13

After I read a magazine test I can confirm that S5 = D5 shift times.