I'm eagerly awaiting delivery Nov 22 of my M5. For those of you who are already driving your M5s, how are you finding the various suspension/power/SMG settings? There's a pretty large number of combinations (according to what I've read in the manual).

Are there any you have found you like already?

Mark

 

You may try m5board.com for more info from m5 owners..

 

are you steering people away from this board?????

 

are you steering people away from this board?????
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OF COURSE NOT! It's just that there are more E60 m5 owners over there that are able to help to answer his question..

 

Favourite modes: P500, S5, EDC normal

 

Well, I put about 630 miles so far and haven't seen much of a difference in suspension settings. P400 vs P500 is noticeable difference. SMG D drive mode is a nightmare: it takes forever to shift, setting 4 is jerky, so I am using 2 or 1 (starts in 2nd gear). At first I called BMW NA cust service, but they were waste of my time (rep was asking if I have manual or SMG transmission (?), admitted the car is new in the US and there was nothing on bulletin boards). Looks like it's designed to be driven in S Sequential mode, however, I found it slower than advertised fraction of a second to shift (seems to me downshifts are much faster than upshifts). Oil consumption is another surprise (down to 0.8 from 1 L in 400 mi), there is plenty of postings on this subject...

 

Well, I put about 630 miles so far and haven't seen much of a difference in suspension settings. P400 vs P500 is noticeable difference. SMG D drive mode is a nightmare: it takes forever to shift, setting 4 is jerky, so I am using 2 or 1 (starts in 2nd gear). At first I called BMW NA cust service, but they were waste of my time (rep was asking if I have manual or SMG transmission (?), admitted the car is new in the US and there was nothing on bulletin boards). Looks like it's designed to be driven in S Sequential mode, however, I found it slower than advertised fraction of a second to shift (seems to me downshifts are much faster than upshifts). Oil consumption is another surprise (down to 0.8 from 1 L in 400 mi), there is plenty of postings on this subject...
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was there a lot of jerking when downshift in the S mode?
How often was the jerking in the D mode?
thanks!

 

was there a lot of jerking when downshift in the S mode?
How often was the jerking in the D mode?
thanks!
[/quote]

There is no jerking on downshifts--it automatically rev-matches (and the throttle blipping is very cool ).

 

was there a lot of jerking when downshift in the S mode?
How often was the jerking in the D mode?
thanks!
[/quote]

There is no jerking on downshifts--it automatically rev-matches (and the throttle blipping is very cool ).
[/quote]

Not really true. The downshifts themselves are smooth, but the car will jerk slightly because of the engine braking once the clutch is engaged. This is especially apparent when coming to a stop. I no longer downshift when stopping, and once stopped, I'll hit the lever once to make sure I'm in first gear. I've had a couple nasty starts when I've hit the gas and the car is in the middle of shifting from second to first gear at a stop.

For normal driving, P400, EDC comfort, DSC on, and S4. I may switch to S5 or even S6 for normal driving, but I'm still under 5000 km. For the 'M' mode during break-in I have P500sport, EDC normal, DSC off, and (sigh) S4. I'll switch to S6 when I'm over 5000 km.

I agree the Automatic "D" mode is only useful if you want to give the car to someone who can't drive a manual (why would you want to do that??). It is slow, rough, and jerky, and really doesn't belong in a $90K car.

 

was there a lot of jerking when downshift in the S mode?
How often was the jerking in the D mode?
thanks!
[/quote]

There is no jerking on downshifts--it automatically rev-matches (and the throttle blipping is very cool ).
[/quote]

Not really true. The downshifts themselves are smooth, but the car will jerk slightly because of the engine braking once the clutch is engaged. This is especially apparent when coming to a stop. I no longer downshift when stopping, and once stopped, I'll hit the lever once to make sure I'm in first gear. I've had a couple nasty starts when I've hit the gas and the car is in the middle of shifting from second to first gear at a stop.

For normal driving, P400, EDC comfort, DSC on, and S4. I may switch to S5 or even S6 for normal driving, but I'm still under 5000 km. For the 'M' mode during break-in I have P500sport, EDC normal, DSC off, and (sigh) S4. I'll switch to S6 when I'm over 5000 km.

I agree the Automatic "D" mode is only useful if you want to give the car to someone who can't drive a manual (why would you want to do that??). It is slow, rough, and jerky, and really doesn't belong in a $90K car.
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thanks for the input wolverine!glad you enjoyed your car