The manual gearbox, which is unfortunately nearly impossible to find in the GCC is far less problematic

We clearly are quite opinionated when it comes to BMW's M cars as is evident in this issue's cover article. Love them or hate them, BMW's M cars are powerful, dynamic, and despite their flaws, a force to be reckoned with. The smaller M cars such as the M Coupe and M3 are blistering fast, sharp weapons with which you can easily draw blood from other sports cars on the road. T he only problem is that its likely your blood that will be drawn once your wife realises that you spent a bucket full of money on a car that only hauls two people and a little dog around while your kids are woefully left out of the equation. Enter the M5. Apart from being the perfect compromise between husband and wife for being spacious, safe and comfortable as well as blisteringly fast and a hoot to drive, the M5 has made a reputation for itself as one of the most out there sports sedans in the segment, almost untouched except by the likes of the Mercedes Benz E55 AMG and the Audi RS6. The M5 can do everything from picking up your kids from their swimming lessons to giving a Porsche a true run for its money while hurtling down the main straight of the Dubai Autodrome. Only problem that I can see of course is the massive price tag,. Wait a minute, this is a BMW after all and these cars are built to last for years. So why not buy a used one for a fraction of the price then?

Specification
Engine: 90-degree V8
Displacement: 4398cc
Cylinder block: Aluminium alloy
Cylinder head: Aluminium alloy, sohc per bank,four valves per cylinder
Max power: 400bhp @ 6600rpm
Max torque: 395lb ft @ 3800rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive 
Suspension Front: McPherson struts, coil springs, ARB. Rear: Multi-link, coil springs, ARB
Brakes: Vented discs front and back, 345mm front, 328mm rear, ABS
Tyres: 245/40 ZR18 front, 275/35 ZR18 rear.
Weight (kerb): 1720kg
Power-to-weight: 236bhp/ton
0-100kph: 4.9sec
Max speed: 250kph
Price: (E60) $ 69,000 (estimate)

The M5 first made its appearance in 1985 based on the E28 5 Series, followed by the E34 in 1989, the E39 in 1999 and now the latest version based on the current E60 5 series. We'll be looking at the current E60 M5 which has been on sale in the GCC since 2005.

Based on the 5 series sedan, the M5 has near identical dimensions, making it a competent luggage hauler. That was the whole idea behind the M5. The E39 came out with a whopping 394bhp normally aspirated V8 coupled to a standard six-speed manual transmission. No SMG or automatic transmissions were offered on the E39. The new E60 M5 on the other hand is offered with either the 7-speed SMG or 6-speed manual transmission coupled to a bahn-burning 5.0-litre V10 engine with an output of 500bhp. Don't get too excited though, since manuals are nearly impossible to find in the GCC with the SMG transmission the predominant choice among M5 buyers here.

Useful COntacts
www.pistonheads.co.uk
www.m5board.com
www.bmwm5.com

CH E C K P O I N T S
Engines
Apart from the transmission, the M5's engine is probably one of the areas you should give the most attention to.

Due to the fact that it produces such a high output and is more likely to have been driven hard, you should thoroughly review the car's history to see if there have been any problems with its engine and to ensure that it has always been serviced on time. With the exception of Porsche, high output engines from German cars such as the AMG or BMW M models are known to be problematic if not properly maintained and cared for. The main problem point that we've seen with the E60 M5's engine is the tendency to spring an oil leak every now and then. While this isn't as serious as it sounds and is usually rectified fairly quickly, it should not be neglected as it could lead to other problems especially keeping in mind that these oil leaks are directly linked to the VANOS valve timing system. Apart from this niggle the M5's engine is not something that should worry you too much.

Gearbox
The M5's Achilles' heel has been its SMG gearbox which has provided many owners with as much suffering as it has provided pleasure. The SMG works brilliantly when its working, and renders the car undriveable when its not. Your best bet is to first check the car's history for previous problems and to do a full condition report on the gearbox. The Manual gearbox, which is unfortunately in very short supply in the GCC and only pretty much available only through the grey-market is far less problematic than its manumatic counterpart. Ensure that there are no leaks, funny noises or twitchy behaviour. The warning signs include clunky downshifting and a slight hesitation to accelerate while in first or second gear.

Brakes
Inspect the brakes visually through the wheels to ascertain their condition. In this weather, brakes can rust relatively quickly if unused for long periods of time, so be careful of the odd M5 that's been sitting under the sun in a used car lot for too long. Make sure that the brake pads are not worn to less than 30 per cent of their original size otherwise they should be changed, and that the discs have not been warped.

Bodywork
Take a good look at the car from every angle to ensure that there is no damage from stone chips, dents or dings. It is also advisable to inspect the underside; especially in the front and centre areas of the car to ensure that there has been no grounding damage or broken parts. The M5 does have some carbonfibre bits on the body which means you should look closely to ensure that they're not loose or damaged. The underside of the front bumper tends to be fairly susceptible to damage as well, so make sure you get down on your knees and take a good look around.

Steering & suspension
One of the M5's strong points is its superbly tuned suspension and steering system which made the car feel telepathic in reading the drivers inputs. Active traction and dynamic stability control which ensured that the driver never got too far ahead of himself while trying to control the car's brute power is virtually failsafe and very few accounts of failed traction controls have been recorded. What you do have to be careful with are the usual wear and tear items and alignment, which if off centre by even a few millimetres will cause major, uneven tire wear and an unsafe drive. The M5's huge tyres don't come cheap either, with a single piece of the massive rear 285/35-19 ZR rated OE tyre costing upwards of $ 477.

Electrics
As far as electrics go, there have been no major problems reported with the M5 apart from the odd Climate Control system glitch which has a knack for suddenly increasing or decreasing the fan speed without any prior input. A small number of M5's were recalled early on due to a faulty airbag sensor, so ensure that this part has been replaced.

Prices
The good news about the values of the current E60 generation M5 is that you can pick it up for a significantly lower price than it costs brand new. A 2006 example in excellent condition with around 5,000 km on the odometer will cost you between 76,000 and $ 87,000 whereas a 2005 with approximately 50,000 km will cost you somewhere around $ 65,000. Compared to the original asking price of around $ 106,000 that's a significant discount. The bad news is that's still quite a high price for most of us motoring enthusiasts

Parts Prices
(Prices supplied by independent specialist)

Suspension strut $ 369
Front brake pads $ 353
Rear brake pads $ 120
Clutch kit $ 974
Starter motor $ 179
Air filter $ 60
Oil filter $ 63
Brake fluid $ 54
Sparkplugs $ 157
Bonnet $ 1099
18" alloy $ 870
Headlight $ 1312

Servicing
(Guideline price. Actual price vary depending on mileage and use.)
Major inspection $ 350