Winter Update

This winter the car went into storage. Even though we are having a silly warm winter, the snow will fly eventually. This car is precious enough to me to not want to drive it in the snow. I hope to keep it original and return it to as close to factory delivered as possible.

To accomplish this, I recently purchased a set of euro "smiley" headlamps to give it that true "euro" look. Additionally, I will be returning the amber lenses and the correct bumper strips to the car.

M5 Restoration Update

Since its been awhile since anything has been posted, I thought I should.

Some of the issues that I had to overcome since the winter have been:

The car passed its emission tests after some new injectors and playing with the air/fuel mixture.

The radiator needed to be replaced after it severley bulged from some unkonwn reason.

The EDC III suspension module was purchased and fitted to get the system working.

The rear bumper trim was replaced with a US spec piece so it would fit with the other side trim. The original Euro piece was about a 1/4 inch too long.

The center console and shift knob were replaced due to overwear on both parts.

The rear seat ash tray was purchased and fitted.

More too come

Winter Salted Roads

Regardless of how much snow is expected here, the DOT always seems to cover the roads with as much salt as they can find. This year we have not gotten enough snow to make any real driving hazard, but they roads have been well salted in case. I have tried to keep the M5 out of the salt and reserve that honor to the Rangie. As you can see, the thick layer of salt builds up and eventually will start doing damage if not washed thoroughly.

What Radio?

I knew going into other purchase of my car that I did not have a working radio to some extent. Well after having the car for a few months, I still don't have it working. I have tried the different codes , but there is never a steady message to let me know what it wants. I think it is really messed up.

Anyhow, after commuting a few weeks in the beast, I have come to the conclusion that I don't really care to get it working unless I can at least get my iPod working through it. Do I want to listen to the same lame music from 1985 or the boring NPR garbage, nope. I do want to listen to the wonderful sounds that the M5 generates, most of the time correctly. I love the sound of this car at low RPM, and when the throttle is opened, what a glorious symphony is played.

Yes, I love listening to music, but the sound of an M5 is truly awesome to hear.

Sly Saloon

It is a great kick to run around town and have people the faintest idea of what is under the hood. I think people see a fancy BMW with 18" rims and think I am a poser. For example, an older gentlemen in a caprise classic thought he was bad in his hefty V8. I let him hang with me for one green light until the next red one. He then pulls next to me looking the car up and down, I don't think he saw the M5 badging cause I never got in front of him. At the red, I heard him gasing the big engine. The light turns red and I let him think he has a fast car, ha. I stop kidding and let it run through second. He knows know what the M5 means. Love it.

Fuel Economy

After getting to drive the car around town awhile, both highway and city, I am truly amazed at what the computer calculated MPG is saying. Granted it may not be accurate, but at 26 MPG that is truly great for a high output engine generating 347 horses. I am sure the fact the the 6-speed transmission allows for accurate shifting but more so the engine is to blame. Features added to the S38B38 model like the variable length plenum, Motroninc 3.3 ECU and the individual coils on each head help this engine to generate torque at lower rpms. Thus, driving around town in a lower rpm saves fuel. What a great car....

Learning Curve

Even though I have had the car over a month now, I am still learning a bunch about it. I was especially pleased to learn that the seats are comfortable and do adjust downwards. I was thinking I was always going to be hitting the ceiling with my head.

After finding where the charging posts where in the car, I was able to take it out again after it had a dead battery. Although, I am still unable to find the actual location of the battery, I think its in the boot somewhere.

The most important thing about this car is the temperature of the oil. The car runs like a pig until it heats up a bit. But once it doesm the power curve is awesome. It is very nice driving around town at low RPMs. But once on the open road, the power comes on swift and smooth.

I still have much to learn about this car, especially the EDC III suspension. Since mine is stuck in performance, the ride can be a bit rough when driving over winter beaten roads.