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We drove the M5 up a few days ago, clocked about 400kms now. So far it has been great, aside from getting used to the SMG on Wellington hills when I have to stop and go again. I have already done 3 things on it already. the circle dance to remove the diff binding, gladly it seems to have been fixed by the 6th counter clockwise circle. reset SMG, the SMG is ok but it slightly lags every so slightly from other M5 I have driven. Or possibly I only driven the other M5 in better conditions, only a few times on slow stop and go situations. So far after the reset it is better, but I would imagine our M5 may still have original clutch and pump only has done 53k kms when we got it. SMG is probably the big item to be planned for if it does get significantly worse, but yesterdays driving after the reset we are pretty happy with it. wheel alignment, it drove pretty ok from down south. However once in Wellington I put in the right tire pressure and was more critical about it. I had some special deal with Tony's for my old cars so I used one of my alignment for the M5. Much much better with wheels realigned, not that it was bad before, actually it was the best M5 I have driven in terms of steering feel. It certainly feels less worn down and straight than the other M5 I have test driven. The car also came with almost new S001 tires, new front disc and pads, still pretty think rear disk and pads. So I guess those items won't be needed to look after for the near term. My first impressions M5 is definitely a lot more comfortable on long drives than I thought. It is pretty smooth and comfortable despite being in low profile tires. Definitely not a city car, or hilly city car. SMG on stop and go traffic hills or busy roundabouts can be weird and nerve racking at times. However I had expected it to be like this, in Wellington on the streets I drive on none rush hour it is still definitely a nice car to drive. Love the twisty roads of Wellington on the M5. Rear passenger is a lot bigger than I expected, comfy and my daughter loves the seat warmers Car is smaller and not as wide as I expected it to be, which is great. I have seen normal E60, driven an M5 but it is only clocking more than 100kms I get to understand how big it is. Easier to drive on Wellington narrow streets and easier to clean. Although it is not M5 related, now I understand why people are getting crazy over Skylines. I had already an affinity on Skylines even before it become Godzilla status, C110 and R30 etc was known to be when I was younger. Definitely the M5 is better in almost every department (not Reliability or city driving), the R34 in almost stock form is not far behind. No wonder these R32-34 Skylines are now appreciating in value. I can say that with a small amount of mods it would be on par with the M5. These Skylines are not a bargain anymore today, prices have gone 2-3 times from a decade ago. The Skyline experience is much more raw, even it is slower at its almost stock form. That said the V10 howl is truly unique, S85 and RB engines are definitely engines that defined their era. Thank you for all the useful information, it has been valuable. I hope to see you on the roads and/or speak to you personally, feel free to approach us if you see us. If a lady is driving it, it is probably my wife after all it is her car.

What are you talking about? People on the Internet don't have feelings.

Car looks great! Have to disagree with you on the Skyline though. No amount of money will bring the Skyline close to the M5 and the reverse is also true if you get what I mean? It's like taking two roads two their ends, they both go somewhere amazing but totally different. A good car to hold on to though!

Detailed the interior today...she is sooo pretty.

Olaf, I have done more than a decade of ownership on the Nissan (Datsun) R34 Skyline. Over a dozen years now, so I can clearly say the car has been with us longer than any owner including those at Japan. Here it is on "Crown Range Road", driving RWD on uphill and ice was interesting. I did it as slow and safe as possible. On the same trip, we clocked in 4,007 kms about the average yearly kms we do on the R34. We hope the M5 will do us just as well, R34 is clearly retired from its NZ cruising days. Need to save up to eventually make it a nice project car.... remember 3 meals a day first before the car expenses!

I’ve come to experiance that driving a E91 with a n52 on a long journey, you are taking a huge risk of being stranded on the side of the road. Why? No temp gauge + 12 year old electric water pump and thermostat + Brynderwyn hills = expensive trip back to Auckland on the back of a tow truck, leaving the wife, toddler, 2 dogs and bags in Waipu, waiting to be picked up. Also, having no spare tire is not and ideal situation either. It’s fitted with non run-flat tires so we have a bottle of Slime and a electric pump but this is not a 100 % fix. The tow truck driver said he has towed heaps of BMWs just because of a flat tire. On a positive note, I ordered the pump and thermostat on Friday night from Pelican Parts and looks like they have arrived in Auckland today (Sunday) with expected delivery tomorrow. Not bad for this time of year. Any tips for a electric water pump repair? It has Active Steering, so this is bound to throw the situation into the Complicator.

god damned Pohutukawa and their feckin pollen. Exposure allergies suck.

"old" car reality 101 .1

Made it shiny with Auto Glym UDS. Also added gloss black grille, black side indicators and new wheel caps.

Unbolt pump and thermostat, bolt new one on. Use new bolts and torque to spec. Use BMW Coolant and bleed the system, bobs your uncle. Took me 4 easy hours. The BMW Service manual that covers it is online. FWIW, you normally get a few error codes prior to total pump failure. Its nowhere near as bad as the internet makes out.

Can't wait to see this cruising around Wellington!

Pretty happy with my 80per year including parking. I also take my own responsibility for the safety of my vehicle by an emissions check only once every two years. If I crash due to the safety of my vehicle I'm liable. And will likely be sued. No hand holding by the government. It can be both good and bad. I probably end up paying more through insurance to protect my liability than the fee system NZ has.

Once I sell the 6 I'll be getting Mrs Smithy something small and hatchbacky from Asia - I've got my eye on something else for me

To be fair NZ's rego system is awful and doesn't have a good reason to exist. No consideration for how much you actually use the car and unfair if someone owns a second vehicle they might use occasionally. It's only purpose is fee collection, which could have been part of fuel costs/road user charges instead. That would spare a bit of admin work, the threat of $200 fines and other associated hassles from millions of people's lives.