Black M6 delivery, 54 hrs and 1,218 miles! - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

MaxTimeOff · 25th June 2006, 20:58

Well guys, as you know from the "Get The Hat" thread, I picked up the M6, finally! I will start with this, not my words but they are worthy of repeating:

"The M6...if you have the means, I highly recommend it!!"

I just can't agree more. This car is special.

The setup:
My wife and I took delivery in Oregon where we met up with family. We then headed south for a nice tour down the coast. The trip covered about 1,200 miles in 54 hours!! It provided a good variety of driving conditions, perfect to properly break in the car. The first part of the trip was all Highway 1 which provided less speed, but more variation of speed and RPM’s, just what the doctor ordered. We had some highway driving towards the end of the trip, about 300 miles. The coast was foggy and the Inn’s at Pebble Beach and Carmel were sold so we cut the coastal portion of the trip a little short and headed down I-5 instead. On this trip, we just picked up the car and hit the road with no reservations booked and only a skeletal trip plan (just the way I like it). The cut over to I-5 was fast, beautiful and welcomed as I was able to stretch it out a bit (as defined here in the U.S.) from the 80 to 120 MPH range as conditions (read lack of CHP) permitted. I enjoyed that, the wife....not so much!! When it comes to marriage, the navigation system helps to keep everything calm, while the M button will usher you quickly to your next wife! This I have heard before, and it’s spot on.

We didn’t take a ton of pictures, but hopefully enough to provide a flavor of our delivery.

The M6 and society:
There were more looks and comments on this car than I ever thought there would be. My wife was confounded, she just didn't understand this car.........she does now!! I sort of feel vindicated in that this car is really all that I said it was. Getting gas, a frequent occurrence, I got comments, rolling down the freeway a guy in a blue M3 was taking pictures. Picture taking on the freeway happened at least twice that I know of. Several people were lingering in my blind spot just so they could get a prolonged look. I had to be mindful of that. I think a nice thing about the M6 is that most have no clue about this car, but the people who know, know, and are not bashful at all about approaching and engaging you in one form or another. I went to a very very small dealership to get oil (forgot to pick up a quart at the selling dealership). As soon as they heard there was an M6 present all 3 service techs and others came out and we had a nice chat.

The M6 and the law:
Happy to report, no tickets....which is amazing for a couple of reasons.

First, the car just simply hauls ash. I did take it easy and followed/are following the break-in procedures, but you can still get it going. I pressed the M button and ran it up to 5,500 RPM's (within procedure) and you can just tell this thing is a monster. Hard to keep it below 105 and accordingly went to about 120 a time or two but after it had over 900 miles on the clock. 120 MPH is absolutely a walk in the park for this car and I suspect anything under 180 MPH is very very easily attained.

Second, Oregon state police and CHP's are all over the place. Several cars pulled over, they were just all over, more than I ever remember. Must be state governments looking for revenue! You really have to pick your spots and have some luck as I feel I did. Any prolonged high speed runs would have got me nailed for sure. So, all good on that front.

The Car:
I ordered Black/Sepang full leather with the light olive wood. I was concerned about this combo......best choice I ever made, although I would still prefer Jet black over metallic black. It turned out to be a very classy/elegant look. Not race oriented, but on this car I was looking for the luxury GT look and this combo provided that in spades. The light olive wood has a nice grain to it. My wife described it as "special, not something you see on every car". I think it looks exotic, and I could not be happier.

I did have some blue transfer off of my blue jeans to the Sepang leather seats however. It cleaned up very easily, but the lighter color seats will take some maintenance, certainly more than a black interior would, and most likely somewhat less then Silverstone II.

Full leather, a MUST HAVE. It looks so nice. All of the stitching on the dash makes the car feel more high end. I just would not buy this car any other way. For $3k it really makes an impact. You also get the alcantera which is also a nice touch. The alcantera looks much better than I thought it would and it gives the cabin a rich look and feel.

SMG, what's not to like? It will and does take some practice to be smooth, but you can be smooth. The key to smoothness is throttle modulation. If you back off the throttle slightly during shifts you will be smoother. The drive mode (auto) works fine as well when you just want to kick back. This was better than anticipated as I have read so often that the auto mode is very jerky, I disagree. To be clear, my use of this was during unspirited driving. I have not “got on it” in auto mode yet, so no comment there. As the trip progressed I became smoother, but, as we drove through San Francisco I could tell that I needed more city driving practice. In all fairness, that was really the first time I was not on a back road or freeway but I did O.K. Give me a week around my stomping grounds and I'll have it mastered.

The blips of the throttle on the down shift are awesome. First it is functional, but it is also a way of expressing that this is not an ordinary car. The tone of the exhaust is another example of this. All of these things let you know that this is pure bred and not made for the masses. It's not over the top, but you can tell that something is going on here. I just love it. No need to smack someone over the head with a 2x4 and shout LOOK AT ME, ala Ferrari, Lambo etc., if someone cares to know, they will. And lots do!!

Build quality/fit and finish seems supreme. I am probably smitten right now and I will no doubt get more critical as time moves forward. But, after 1,200 miles behind the wheel, the car feels planted and rock solid, a fine example of German engineering and craftsmanship. I really have no issues. No rattles, squeaks etc. On rough roads the Contis seem to make a lot of noise, but different tires will probably take care of that.

The end…for now:
The car is scheduled for the 1,200 mile service next week. I will keep you all posted as my car matures, and I will post more detailed pics of the car after I clean her up.

I wonder how many hours it will take me to get through the rest of the break in? Vegas anyone?

///Marshall · 25th June 2006, 21:12

Congrats MaxTimeOff. Somehow I missed it that you took delivery!
Sounds like an excellent trip to get to know the new member of the
family...plus break-in takes care of itself.

I've decided that 1200 is enough...my choice of course. 3000 miles
would take me forever. I'm roughing my car up quite a bit these
days...taking it to the occasional redline certainly yellow line is no
stranger anymore. The car is just awesome at those revs.

There's a lot of info on how to get the smooth transitions with SMG.
Frankly I don't really care much for lifting-shift...shift/lift. I pretty
much keep the acceleration on. I like the shifts to be lightning
quick...yes, it's a little rough on the neck but it lets you and your
passenger know you have the power.

Looks like an excellent color choice...particularly since the wife
likes it.

///Marshall · 25th June 2006, 21:19

And BTW, which mods do you plan on doing?

Wayward · 25th June 2006, 23:34

Congrats MTO

!

Unfortunately (or is that fortunately), your post was about one hour too early as I've just composed the following prior to knowing of your return...

Once again I sit here and though feeling poetic,
I must admit to all that this wait's most pathetic.

We're sitting in wonder at how long it will take,
For MTO to get back and we have no firm date.

Yes we're patiently waiting for MTO to return,
And show us those pics for which we all yearn.

Since taking delivery he's gone on an excursion,
But we all hope his travels didn't entail immersion.

Into the ocean, that is, and although we won't worry,
He's waited so long, his eyes still might be blurry.

With his mind being so stressed and woefully busy,
He could have just lost it, if he felt a bit dizzy.

What if, and I say this with heartfelt frustrations,
He drove off a cliff while in search of gas stations.

And if the road he was driving on lay near the coast,
Into the ocean he'd plunge and his car would be toast.

That poor man, we'd all say with baited emotion,
How tragic that twice his car's sunk in the ocean.

Then again it might be that his sandals came loose,
Locking down the wrong pedal as he swerved for a moose.

Wait, this isn't a Smart car, he'd have just blown the horn,
Odds are he thought the same as his car went airborne.

In that case he'd roll, and twist like an orange peel,
He'd be thrown from the car, something far from ideal.

That could mean he flew off that cliff on his lonesome,
You'd think it'd be something he would shy away from.

He'd be dashed on the rocks before making that splash,
And what of his poor car, no doubt it would crash.

But where would it end up, just where would it roll,
We certainly know that it'd be out of control.

And if its trajectory matched the one that he led,
It no doubt would've landed right on top of his head.

That'd mean a double-splash, and one likely so loud,
That people would stop, they'd form a big crowd.

Oh look, they'd all say, that's MTO and his car,
Even they'd recognize that footwear from afar.

Cries of "Poor MTO, was he out of his gourd?",
Would echo from the hillside, until they got bored.

But back here on the internet, on this forum we share,
We'd all be so much wiser, knowing this was but a scare.

We're sure he's well rested, his eyes were never blurred,
This stuff could never happen, no, nothing's occurred.

As was said we know better, this whole thing's been absurd,
We've just read too much poetry from our good friend, Wayward.

Habib_2 · 25th June 2006, 23:44

Congrats Mr. and Mrs. MTO!

I enjoyed reading your post.

Wayward · 26th June 2006, 00:30

Congrats again MTO, and it's great that you're back,
Had you gone for a "swim", for you this forum would lack.

I didn't doubt your return and though wonders don't cease,
I for one am sure glad you've come back in one piece.

I'm still waxing poetic, guess I'm still in a rut,
And I'm really, truly hoping no one thinks I'm a nut.

Too much time on his hands, board members would say,
And should I depart, they'd no doubt cheer "hooray".

Yet these verses are fun, though seemingly senseless,
But I'm trying to stop, since it's becoming relentless.

And your M6 is awesome, the colors simply sublime,
I do hope that you'll celebrate and drink some fine wine.

It'll be sparkling for me, some champagne in a cup,
And sorry for the poetry, I just can't seem to give it up.

DoctaM3 · 26th June 2006, 01:23

MTO... yum... very very nice... and congrats!!! Lucky you...you now get to open up that biotch....LOL

Wayward · 26th June 2006, 02:11

MTO, all kidding aside, I think that the smile on your face in the "Drive-Thru Tree" shot pretty much says it all

.

It should also go without saying that your comments are more than appreciated, and thanks again. Best of luck with her

.

MaxTimeOff · 26th June 2006, 04:05

Thanks guys....this car is the bomb!! Just went for gas, any excuse! The good thing about the small tank is that it only sets you back about $50.00 and because of its rather small size it is quick to fill up. The X5 takes all day and costs $80.00. I know this makes no sense, but it feels better.

Please be prepared for my rambling posts!!

MaxTimeOff · 26th June 2006, 04:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///Marshall

I've decided that 1200 is enough...my choice of course. 3000 miles would take me forever. I'm roughing my car up quite a bit these
days...taking it to the occasional redline certainly yellow line is no
stranger anymore. The car is just awesome at those revs.

Marshall,

I kind of agree. This according to the manual:

Transmission - Optimized after 300 miles.
Tires - Broke in after 200 miles.
Brakes - Broke in after 300 miles.
Clutch - Optimized after 300 miles.

Engine and Differential - The engine and driving speed can gradually be increased to 135 mph. Only drive at top speed briefly.

That tells me that red lining is O.K. after 1,200 miles if you do it briefly.

The only challenge I can see is not using drive logic 5 & 6 between 1,200 and 3,000. I used it a little but was very mellow.

I'll probably stay away from 5 & 6 for the next 1,800 miles but winding it out for brief periods seems to be O.K.

Enjoy, fun car isn't it!