Question about M5

JV · #1 10-25-2005, 10:16 PM

Dodge is charging a premium for the Charger SRT, so I am gonna start looking at several alternatives, a used M5 being one of them. My question is, what are the major differences between the pre-02 model and the 02 and later MY?
I have heard the '02 and later M5's are better than the previous models, wondering what you think the major diff's are.

Thanks!

JV

EDIT: How bout them cupholders?

ylwjacket · #2 10-25-2005, 10:33 PM

sad as I am to say it, good deals out there on '05, or even on '04 leftover CTS-V's. I've heard 12k under MSRP on the '04 leftovers, if you can find them. Just as much HP and torque as an '02 or newer M5, and more easily moddable. You might want to take a look.

JV · #3 10-25-2005, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ylwjacket

sad as I am to say it, good deals out there on '05, or even on '04 leftover CTS-V's. I've heard 12k under MSRP on the '04 leftovers, if you can find them. Just as much HP and torque as an '02 or newer M5, and more easily moddable. You might want to take a look.

I would be considering the CTS-V, but it doesn't have enough headroom for me. The M5 is fine, but the CTS cramps my big ass.

JV

ylwjacket · #4 10-25-2005, 10:40 PM

Wow, I'm surprised there's not at least as much in the V as the M5. Honestly, I wanted an '02 or better M5 when I bought the V a year ago. At the time, they were charging new prices for them with 25k miles. Not only that, the dealers were jerks. So, I test drove the V and bought it. My BMW dealer had a 4.8 X5, but he wouldn't let me test drive it. So I told him to stick and went down the Cadillac dealer.

JV · #5 10-25-2005, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ylwjacket

Wow, I'm surprised there's not at least as much in the V as the M5. Honestly, I wanted an '02 or better M5 when I bought the V a year ago. At the time, they were charging new prices for them with 25k miles. Not only that, the dealers were jerks. So, I test drove the V and bought it. My BMW dealer had a 4.8 X5, but he wouldn't let me test drive it. So I told him to stick and went down the Cadillac dealer.

I've never actually driven the CTS-V, only sat in one, I've heard the rear axle is prone to hopping a lot. Any truth to that?

JV

ylwjacket · #6 10-25-2005, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JVZ104

I've never actually driven the CTS-V, only sat in one, I've heard the rear axle is prone to hopping a lot. Any truth to that?

JV

Only til it breaks. After that, you get the new '06 dif under warranty, and you're good to go.

Cadillac came out with a TSB to add some urethane bushings to the back end to help with the hop. I had that done, and it seems to have fixed it quite a bit. Also, the car comes with runcrap tires, and they are loud, wear like crap, and contribute to the hop. Replaced them at 8k miles, and it's quieter, still sticks corners, and doesn't hop.

One cool feature is the lateral g meter in the dash. Right now, I have 1.11 left and 1.09 right. I hear they only go to 1.2. Gotta work a little harder.

SANguru · #7 10-25-2005, 11:00 PM

I have an 02.. major differences between the newer ones and the 2000-2001 are the new style headlights, change in design on the S62 to use 5W30 instead of 10W-60, WS NAV,late 02's wired for bluetooth, newer style steering wheel, and some new colors. I say go for 02 and after as they fixed quite a few bugs.. I've put over 15K on the M5 since I picked it up about 10 months ago and absolutely love it..

JV · #8 10-25-2005, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SANguru

I have an 02.. major differences between the newer ones and the 2000-2001 are the new style headlights, change in design on the S62 to use 5W30 instead of 10W-60, WS NAV,late 02's wired for bluetooth, newer style steering wheel, and some new colors. I say go for 02 and after as they fixed quite a few bugs.. I've put over 15K on the M5 since I picked it up about 10 months ago and absolutely love it..

Gracias, man. Once this rain stops here (thanks, Wilma) I'll get out and hopefully get into a few.

JV

dan_fitz · #9 10-25-2005, 10:42 PM

There were no performance changes, but some interior differences were made. The new M steering wheel is one that I have noticed. I think that the minor interior changes were the only differences.

JV · #10 10-25-2005, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan_fitz

There were no performance changes, but some interior differences were made. The new M steering wheel is one that I have noticed. I think that the minor interior changes were the only differences.

I noticed the earlier models with Nav have the 4:3 screen. I'll keep my eye out for the steering wheel diff's. Good to know there were no engine/drivetrain major changes.

JV