Just returned from a four-up 1200 mile round trip Kent (UK) to Flaine (Eastern France) and thought you might like to hear some feedback - but the summary is, the M5 is MIGHTY and is still singing like a bird!
- The M5 was designed for this fast, continent crossing, mile munching driving. Happily sat at 90 -100mph all day with plenty in reserve when needed , usually to pass X5's and Cayenne's!
- The Police were noticeable by their absence, except for the last 150km into Calais when they had set up four separate radar traps. I backed off considerably and let the 'heroes' fly past, only to see them hauled over by the gendarmes at the peage toll booth where the elapsed time on their tickets automatically gave the speeding game away - easy pickings and big, big fines all round.
- Didn't see any other M5's in France and the car got a lot of attention from the locals who seemed very appreciative. For those of you who have seen the BMW 3 series tv advert with the car driven round the alpine hairpins, (the driver has a medical check and when his reflexes are tested - it is the car that 'jumps' in the car park outside!) This ad was shot in Flaine - great driving roads, but hard on the brakes and tyres.
- SatNAv was brilliant, the auto-on headlights made life easy through the tunnels and after all was said and done we returned 23mpg and didn't use a drop of oil in the entire trip.
What a car! lovelove
http://images4.fotopic.net/?iid=y8yy55&outx=800&quality=70
- The M5 was designed for this fast, continent crossing, mile munching driving. Happily sat at 90 -100mph all day with plenty in reserve when needed , usually to pass X5's and Cayenne's!
- The Police were noticeable by their absence, except for the last 150km into Calais when they had set up four separate radar traps. I backed off considerably and let the 'heroes' fly past, only to see them hauled over by the gendarmes at the peage toll booth where the elapsed time on their tickets automatically gave the speeding game away - easy pickings and big, big fines all round.
- Didn't see any other M5's in France and the car got a lot of attention from the locals who seemed very appreciative. For those of you who have seen the BMW 3 series tv advert with the car driven round the alpine hairpins, (the driver has a medical check and when his reflexes are tested - it is the car that 'jumps' in the car park outside!) This ad was shot in Flaine - great driving roads, but hard on the brakes and tyres.
- SatNAv was brilliant, the auto-on headlights made life easy through the tunnels and after all was said and done we returned 23mpg and didn't use a drop of oil in the entire trip.
What a car! lovelove
http://images4.fotopic.net/?iid=y8yy55&outx=800&quality=70
. Unfortunately, the two most monitored speeds (50 kph and 70 kph) are very difficult to see on my US spec M5 
