Doug DeMuro reviews the E60 M5!

[ncmoore12]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Doug DeMuro reviews the E60 M5!

Always enjoy his videos, and some of y'all are seen in this video!

[IanMan]

Just watched this. I like Doug, but he missed a lot of key points on this car. For those that didn't know, the SMG car is what the engine was originally built around. It is a great transmission for what it is. The failures of SMG components were mainly due to heat exposure. I had ZERO issues with my SMG. Shifting at redline with the tranny in S6 mode was one of the most emotionally satisfying things about this car and it THROWS you in the seat with each click of the paddle. The manual transmission in these cars was essentially an E39 transmission. It had slower acceleration and a dramatically reduced top speed.

My E60 M5 was extremely reliable. I did the rod bearing change myself at45K miles. The only issues I ever had were the steering angle sensor and the ionic control module for cylinder bank 2 ($97 on eBay). Of course if you look online, there are people that are going to voice their issues, just as we have issues with our M3's. They are not that bad of a car.

One of my fondest memories was killing my buddy's Gallardo in a drag race. I was once doing 145 with four people in the car and came up over a mountain highway only to see 6 bikers doing 125. We flew past them and the head turns and looks we got through their helmets was hilarious.

Probably the coolest most ridiculously designed cars ever and I can't wait to own another.

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by IanMan

My E60 M5 was extremely reliable. I did the rod bearing change myself at45K miles. The only issues I ever had were the steering angle sensor and the ionic control module for cylinder bank 2 ($97 on eBay). Of course if you look online, there are people that are going to voice their issues, just as we have issues with our M3's. They are not that bad of a car.
r.

Did you do the rods with the engine in the car? do you pull the pan and have access ? do two rods share a common journal ?

What was the design or manufacturing flaw that required new bearings ?

[BayE30]

Who is this guy? i cant deal with his voice...

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

Originally Posted by SFCM3

Who is this guy? i cant deal with his voice...

part of a mass trend to basically review a car by reading its purchasing guide. driving it around town. and giving it an arbitrary score...he does come from atuotrader and I actually enjoy some of his videos

[IanMan]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

Did you do the rods with the engine in the car? do you pull the pan and have access ? do two rods share a common journal ?

What was the design or manufacturing flaw that required new bearings ?

To answer all of your questions:

Engine remained in the car.
You have to remove the pan. (Why wouldn't you???)
Original rods were left in the car. (no way to remove the rods without taking apart the engine).
Two rods share a common journal.
The process is almost identical to the changing of bearings in the S65 with the exception of the pump removal in the front of the engine.
I went with new OEM bearings (which doesn't solve the issue, just prolongs the wear). The issue is that there is not sufficient clearnace between the journal and the bearings for adequate lubrication. I would have gone with BE bearings at the time if I could have.

I'm sure JColley will chime in. He is the real expert. He informed me that some people, when rebuilding these engines, will have their crankshafts grounded down to assist with clearance.

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

i am VERY HIGHLY considering giving my f80 back after lease, and just buying one of dirt cheap. drop 5-10k on maintence, and wake uip the whole town

[IanMan]

Originally Posted by G35POPPEDMYCHERRY

i am VERY HIGHLY considering giving my f80 back after lease, and just buying one of dirt cheap. drop 5-10k on maintence, and wake uip the whole town

If you are serious and decide to, reach out to Fast Attack Motorsports for all of your needs. This business is the tits and took great care of me when purchasing parts for my beast. Honest prices too.

[Majdnoon]

Originally Posted by G35POPPEDMYCHERRY

part of a mass trend to basically review a car by reading its purchasing guide. driving it around town. and giving it an arbitrary score...he does come from atuotrader and I actually enjoy some of his videos

"Trend" isn't the word I'd use. DeMuro is actually one of the most unique auto reviewers out there. No other reviewer talks about the door lock buttons, the key-in-ignition chime, or the funny little wallpapers on the infotainment screen. I like him a lot, he's a breath of fresh air in an industry that can't stop talking about 0-60 times and "oh it handle good, don't forget to like and subkrybe yo."

[NYAWE60]

Originally Posted by IanMan

Just watched this. I like Doug, but he missed a lot of key points on this car. For those that didn't know, the SMG car is what the engine was originally built around. It is a great transmission for what it is. The failures of SMG components were mainly due to heat exposure. I had ZERO issues with my SMG. Shifting at redline with the tranny in S6 mode was one of the most emotionally satisfying things about this car and it THROWS you in the seat with each click of the paddle. The manual transmission in these cars was essentially an E39 transmission. It had slower acceleration and a dramatically reduced top speed.

My E60 M5 was extremely reliable. I did the rod bearing change myself at45K miles. The only issues I ever had were the steering angle sensor and the ionic control module for cylinder bank 2 ($97 on eBay). Of course if you look online, there are people that are going to voice their issues, just as we have issues with our M3's. They are not that bad of a car.

One of my fondest memories was killing my buddy's Gallardo in a drag race. I was once doing 145 with four people in the car and came up over a mountain highway only to see 6 bikers doing 125. We flew past them and the head turns and looks we got through their helmets was hilarious.

Probably the coolest most ridiculously designed cars ever and I can't wait to own another.

Facts. I killed a gallardo on the way up to Canadian Grand Prix back in 2008 in my E60 back then. Everything you described about the car is spot on. I had my SMG replaced under warranty though at 28K lol

[F30lolz]

I considered a e60 M5 but the maintenance/issues it has scared me away. IMHO the rod bearing issue is a design flaw (s65 included), throttle actuators go and the SMG pump isn’t cheap to replace. Why BMW didn’t offer a SB for the rod bearings and/or extended warranty is beyond me. I get that the SMG is the correct trans for the s85, however, I would rather have it in the 6MT.

However, the car keeps up with exotics and that V10 sound is pure sex. F1 inspired engine so you have to pay (tons) to play.

What is the Doug score?

[Eddien123]

He was way over on some of those costs. E60 M5 really is a nightmare to own (and I'm someone who really isn't afraid of unreliable cars) but man do I want one. I'm hoping in the next few years I'll be able to have the money and time to start a build and whatever car I use it's getting an S85 power plant.

SMG was a terrible transmission 90% of the time. But at its limits it really was perfect for that car. So aggressive and rough it really made that big lux sedan feel like a race car. If bmw made a manual for that car, it would be the greatest thing on 4 wheels. Really really sad that we will never see anything like that again. I mean the e39 was great But the e60 was lighter in some configurations with 107 more HP... how can you beat that? And the design just gets better and better with age. Doug's a weird dude but he really does understand why this is one of the greatest M cars ever built.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by pheerIx

I wish he found one with 6Mt

Wildly compromised car with that. DSC wasn't defeatable with the manual.

[DS_BMW]

This guy is as annoying as street speed717. Much prefer savagegeese.

[ncmoore12]

I do love Savage, he puts out some quality videos, too bad he is in Illinois and doesn't quite have the access to some other cars. Love that he puts the cars on the lifts and points out to viewers things they wouldn't look at normally.

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

Originally Posted by Majdnoon

"Trend" isn't the word I'd use. DeMuro is actually one of the most unique auto reviewers out there. No other reviewer talks about the door lock buttons, the key-in-ignition chime, or the funny little wallpapers on the infotainment screen. I like him a lot, he's a breath of fresh air in an industry that can't stop talking about 0-60 times and "oh it handle good, don't forget to like and subkrybe yo."

I wold agree doug is a nice refresh and keeps his pacing good, as long as you skip the intro....I guess the trend I hate is...5 reason why I hate my aventador....its eats gas....realy

[IanMan]

Originally Posted by F30lolz

... and the SMG pump isn’t cheap to replace....

This is a common misconception. Because it is easier for dealers to replace entire component groups (i.e. Transmission; engine) instead of individual components, a lot of transmissions were replaced when the key failure was actually the brushless motor in the pump. The pumps were quite reliable.

Think about it this way, you're essentially getting a Lamborghini Gallardo, in a sedan, that's way more reliable and for way less. Or at least, that's how it was at the time period.

Originally Posted by NYAWE60

Facts. I killed a gallardo on the way up to Canadian Grand Prix back in 2008 in my E60 back then. Everything you described about the car is spot on. I had my SMG replaced under warranty though at 28K lol

Hell yes. It was such a thrill!


Heres a really old video of mine at night. THAT SOUND!

[rjd_F30]

Doug the type of guy... oh wait

I think he nailed this one. Despite reliability troubles, it's an incredible car, and he got that point across. Was a good review IMO.

[phantasticphan]

Good review!

He has yet to review the e92 m3...I sent him an email to review my low mileage bone stock 13' e92 comp package and I live in San Diego but he never responded

[Germanauto]

Didn't watch the video yet but the title tells it all. That's basically my impression of this car.

[ncmoore12]

Originally Posted by phantasticphan

Good review!

He has yet to review the e92 m3...I sent him an email to review my low mileage bone stock 13' e92 comp package and I live in San Diego but he never responded

Yea he has a huge list of cars to review, my e70 X5 M is on there somewhere whenever he gets back to the bay area!

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

so my f80 will need rod bearings too...shit anyone on the market for 2016 f80 18k miles. Its got a CF fiber roof