And if you don't live in a country where it can be shipped buy Aviation Gin courtesy of Bryan, I mean Ryan Reynolds. James May tried it and doesn't hate it.
@@MrMarkhall1 The original Top Gear was in the 70s. I grew up with the 90s presenters - Tiff Needell, Quentin Wilson, Vicky Butler-Henderson, Clarkson (he started on Top Gear in the late 80s) and May (Though he only did a few episodes at the end) Then BBC cancelled Top Gear in 2001. Most of the presenters went over to Channel 5 and made Fifth Gear. Then Clarkson pitched the 'new' Top Gear to BBC a year later. It started with him, Hammond and a guy called Jason, and then May replaced the other guy in the second season. So....Don't call it the original Top Gear :P (It's accurate to call it Clarksons Top Gear though, because he and Wilman came up with the format)
He really is. I feel like 'the trio' (Richard and Jeremy particularly) have kind of been playing caricatures of themselves in recent years. Their opinions and reactions haven't felt particularly genuine to me for a while. The video where Richard looked back at some of his Men and Motors reviews was a notable exception.
@@aidy6000 Maybe not watered down, but the grand tour always felt like a cheap act while top gear was abit more natural feeling, despite both being scripted
@@codemy666 I think towards the later years of them on Top Gear it was heading that way - it became a bit too contrived, lost the kind of silly comradery that made it so watchable for so long. It's a pity in one sense, but to be fair, that run they had for however many years on the BBC was really great television, that run alone was a career's worth.
@@codemy666 I think part of the reason is that the trio dressed a bit too nicely in GT, and I'm not even joking. It kinda lost that magic of them looking like your average bloke met at a pub or something.
Although they did replace the bearings with stronger ones in an earlier episode which should resolve that issue especially if it continues to get more regular oil changes, it's weird imo they don't mention that more and just say "engine's unreliable", brings into question whether they really believe in the work they did to the car.
the way you "fix" the sloppy smg is by treating it like a manual. when you pull the paddle, let off the gas, then go again. this trick works with aventador gearboxes also..
I’ve got a selespeed Alfa and yes, you have to have some degree of mechanical understanding to drive it properly. You can’t just put it in D and floor it.
E6x M5s are some of the coolest cars ever produced. James was pretty spot on with his early summary of it. 😂 I'd probably rather own an E39 M5, but these M5s were absolutely bonkers.
I think an E39 M5 will actually cost you more than an E60 now. The love it or hate it looks and the rod bearing issue really killed the second hand value of these.
@@BigUriel yep, they do. 😂 I keep looking but realistically I have to prioritise my money and unfortunately fast cars have to take a back seat - excuse the pun.
@Peter Ian Staker I've made enough silly car buying decisions in the past that have cost way too much to maintain *cough* F02 750Li *cough* . I still own an E38 740i and an E39 530d but they're not as highly strung as M cars. Not that being highly strung is a bad thing in this sense as you get what you're paying for and then some but I can't see myself in one any time soon. Love the name by the way.😂
@@BigUriel every car goes to their lowest before they start to climb up in price. E39 M5 just a few years ago was no more than 5k car in my country but now you can't find them under 20k. Bit like e30 m3 back in early 2000 was a grand car but now...
James May just casually waving to somebody passing by like he's just some regular old bloke. Definitely the most down to earth of the three, he has nothing to prove, nothing much to complain about. He's quite complacent with how things worked out for him and hasn't let it get to his head like his baboon of a colleague.
Out of any celebrities I’d like to meet, the boys would have to be tied for first place. Just to say hi and shake their hands, man.. that would be so cool. They’ve been responsible for so many happy and entertaining moments of my life.
James remembering the rules of the golden days of Top Gear and the cool wall, oh! it just gave me flashbacks of 15 years ago! James is great to watch honestly!
I love this video because of how casual it is. It was basically just two mates having a chat about a beautiful car and shamelessly plugging their own Gin what more could you want? (Definitely not that Austin Rover jacket that’s for sure…)
As a factory 6 speed e60 m6 owner for the past 12 years, a replacement transmission from an e60 m5 is impossible to source. The e9x m3 and transmissions are identical, short of a transmission cooler on the e9x m3.
@@SimonPhillips76 Dude thats actually nonsense. The s600 from the 2009-2013 ish era were just amazing to drive. Can't confirm about previous or later gen. That gen also didn't have many reliability problems. The only one I can properly point at is the pre 2003 models for bad reliability. Besides the merc would still be cheaper to maintain than the aston lets be honest. Its sad but true.
@@xyroah I didn’t say they were bad to drive. My experience of both Mercedes and BMW of this era is BMW are better to drive. Neither reach Japanese levels of reliability or build quality - you have to go to the 1980s and 1990s for that.
@@SimonPhillips76 he literally said that he wanted one as a project car. If he wanted Japanese reliability surely he would have bought a Japanese car? Sorry you’re not making much sense.
I think you guys should look at the competition before you decide what car you go for next. The S600 has been done by numerous channels like Legit Streetcars and Hoovies garage. Same goes for Aston Martin. We have seen enough of those over and over. The Rover was such a great find. And the Mondeo as well. What about something really cool and not done before? Like a Mitsubishi Galant VR4 or a Honda Accord Type R or an even more ''forgotten'' super special. I bet you guys know more than me. There must be a whole lot of cool stuff to pick from instead of these absolute money pits we have seen on all the other channels so many times. Or maybe: Merc C36 AMG from the 90's, Alfa Romeo 164 Q4, Subaru 22B, Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4, Saab 9-3 Viggen, A really early Lancer Evo from before they got famous. Renault Clio Williams, Peugeot 306 Rallye and so on. Please not an S600 🤢
Your supposed to put the manual box from a 550i. They go straight in. Alternatively remove the robertised parts and you've already got a manual box. I think he's on about a db7 not a db9
If memory serves this is actually a manual box. Just take out the "clever" bits. There is a kit available in the US where the computer controlled bits are taken out, a reverse gear locking assembly is installed and the housing gets drilled and machined. The pooters will need to be remapped. No need to put a 3series box in
I’ve seen that done on an E46 M3 ( Ant .. Wheeler Dealers) but I think that the M5 is a different ball game and has the E90 M3 gearbox bolted in ( everything M3’s quoted me 6k ) , if my salon 2007 M5 would ever have a gearbox catastrophe I would consider it but 6k atm probably no as the cars only worth around 23k 😎👍🇬🇧 PS: they are climbing in price considering I payed 14k around 4 years ago so never say never 🤔
Exactly what I was going to say. That's what Darragh at Everything M3s does, which is the place they've mentioned here. I wonder if he's got confused about the M3 gearbox.
@@robot_san No he wasn't confused, the E9x gearbox is swappable onto the S85 because the S65 is in function a smaller S85, and they made factory manuals for it.
@@tonson5214 for some reason I thought he said "E46 M3" gearbox, but if not then I agree, you're right! Still seems odd to choose the e9x box over the m5 manual box. I guess availability in the UK is the reason?
@@robot_san there's only about 1200ish manual E60 m5s produced and I'm guessing the amount of them sold for parts is barely in double digits, e9x manuals were sold by the tens of thousands
My 2006 E60, 128k miles with original engine, replacement clutch at 50k after rivet head broke on plate. Yes great on highway, baulky around town. MPG 15. Still love it.
My mate Andy had the saloon. It had an injector failure and the engine was fully rebuilt by BMW under warranty at vast expense. A month later another injector failed and the exhaust became a flamethrower, they then had to replace the entire car. Sounded glorious, but...
As someone that bought a freelander 2000 after being almost burned to the ground, i can tell that being full restored after; i did still run it every day till now,. 22 years ago:)
Have so many great memories of owning one of these, ran one as a daily for 8 years. I had my fair share of issues (3 throttle actuators, various sensors, a DSC unit but never any gearbox issues) but disagree with all the hate for the gearbox, work out how it likes to be operated and its absolutely fine around town and this may be heresy but I also owned a manual e46 M3 and the gearbox in that was an absolute swine around town, I couldn't think of anything worse to swap the SMG out for. M5 was/is a far more involving drive than the RS6 I currently own, and of course the noise is without comparison.
I owned one of these myself, daily driver for 10 years. Amazing car. That sound! Only an owner can understand...only reao bad thing: very small tank. Don't care about consumption witj a V10...but 80l would have been optimal
The difference between Jeremy and James roasting a car, is that James will be a gentleman about it. Jeremy on the other hand, will tell you exactly what he thinks about it 🤣
i absolutely love watching James May. No matter how good the other two presenters are James will always be a mood and the most interesting and funny and cool. Also that gin scene was so needed. Also a car like this you would think they would have a good gearbox for both around town and track since its family estate wagon/sports car. Basically that Gearbox is a live hand grenade when going slow. so you like our car James: No 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I drove a 2008 6mt e60 for the last few years from 58k miles until 115k miles. Honestly the reliability was fine if you don't cheap out on maintenance. Great fun with the 6mt. Sound is amazing. For the drivetribe car, can you not just swap in a 6mt from NA?
Mike, if im correct the saloon was fitted with the manual gearbox form a 550i in some markets, the only delivered around a 1000 from them in total but it is an oem option
It is a cruiser rather than a bruiser. I hope they can pull it off, but I think it would be a better car as an auto. I drive an M4 with a DCT box, a big lover of M cars, I just think the estate is more of a grand tourer than a sports car. Even my car is a bit heavy for a dct box, but the auto function on it works well, on the track the box is great. Can’t really get excited about driving a big heavy car with a manual box in stop go traffic, and would you really want to track day an estate car? I don’t know, we are all different I guess…
@@flacjacket yeah I always found that weird that bmw still gave you guys manuals when ours stopped 🤔 heard the m5s wasn't the best but v10 manual can't complain lol
Okay, 8:19 - now You got me giving a statement: Im sometimes a bit jealous to Germans, Americans and especially Britains because in these Countries legendary cars have been made. Here in Seitzerland? Okay, we had Monteverdi, we have Rinspeed and Sbarro, but they make automotive collectibles, not "cars". BUT: 8:19 THAT hat world famous and (mostly hated) thing called "Wunder Baum" is made in the small Swiss city where I live.
The Grand Tour was like Top Gear, but given free reign to do whatever they wanted. It looks and feels the same. Once they got rid of the segments that didn't work it really hit its stride. You can still tell some things are scripted and over the top but it's like Top Gear never left.
If you ever do install that carbon fiber intake plenum, I do hope there will be more for sale. I’d love to have one to go with the Eventuri intake I’ve got!
You just do rod bearings every 60k and your fine with engine reliability, small price to pay. I got a buddy who made one of these basically but a 6spd manual.
It is not. People back in the day just red lining them when cold and swapping oil like on a Honda Civic. That's how bearings go, my friend, on supercar engine derived from F1
When Mike says the manual swap will “cost them nothing because they’re in the world of TH-cam” does that mean they’re getting the work for free or DriveTribe will pay for it? I can’t imagine “M3 Everything” will really make their money back by doing their manual swap for free. It bothers me a bit the TH-camr getting free work from these small companies, unless I’m missing something about the relationship.
@@papa_pt Except for the estate/station wagons. They all came fitted with the SMG. Considering that the estate M5's are a rare breed, why would anyone want to mess up the ethos of this car.
@@Turbo_S_Em_funf yes bc unfortunately no wagons for the states :( bc the ethos can only be improved with a DCT or manual. Everyone talks about the V10, no one buys these cars for the SMG Like host mentioned, the shop that does conversions has been doing a ton of M3 CSLs to manual since the SMG is the weakest part of that car
its funny because after seeing so many videos of this car restored and they try to explain to someone, why it's cheap what they fixed, the other person would just say its an old car that breaks down too easily with a racing gearbox and weird clutch
2:10 It sounds like James just challenged Mike to a economy competition, a month of doing the same kms, then a track day, with Ben Collins doing a stint in each, best combined mpg wins
M5's were available as manuals in US - both, E60's and F10's - low production runs, but they existed. E60 uses the same M3 gearbox, GS6-53BZ, so it is not a "custom job," BMW has done it. OEM interior panels can be sourced.
James is spot on. Mind you the v12 merc isn’t exactly known for economy nor reliability either🤣🤣🤣. There’s a reason these cars are cheap now. Now picking up a similar aged t5r estate and souping that up would be fun, or something like a big old v8 lexus? Not cool but great cars. In beemer land I’d have an E39 or E46 csl 330 coupe. Reliable, cool and quick.
Check out James May's Gin: bit.ly/JamesGinDT-YT
If you're in the USA head here: bit.ly/DTYTJamesGinUSA
does that Gin ship to Canada? i need to flood my cowlings.
And if you don't live in a country where it can be shipped buy Aviation Gin courtesy of Bryan, I mean Ryan Reynolds. James May tried it and doesn't hate it.
Sell Sell Sell
Why is the BMW logo moving at 2:42?
S600
James still remembers the rules of the Cool Wall, even though he never did Cool Wall pieces. Top bloke
That was beautiful. One of the greatest things ever
Ironically the original top gear three were the least cool people that exist
Chad May
The cool wall would be entirely Brown.
@@MrMarkhall1 The original Top Gear was in the 70s.
I grew up with the 90s presenters - Tiff Needell, Quentin Wilson, Vicky Butler-Henderson, Clarkson (he started on Top Gear in the late 80s) and May (Though he only did a few episodes at the end)
Then BBC cancelled Top Gear in 2001. Most of the presenters went over to Channel 5 and made Fifth Gear. Then Clarkson pitched the 'new' Top Gear to BBC a year later. It started with him, Hammond and a guy called Jason, and then May replaced the other guy in the second season.
So....Don't call it the original Top Gear :P (It's accurate to call it Clarksons Top Gear though, because he and Wilman came up with the format)
James is so refreshing with his honesty here
He really is. I feel like 'the trio' (Richard and Jeremy particularly) have kind of been playing caricatures of themselves in recent years. Their opinions and reactions haven't felt particularly genuine to me for a while. The video where Richard looked back at some of his Men and Motors reviews was a notable exception.
@@CaptainHoratioPugwash this is especially true since the switch to Amazon. It seems more watered down than TG was.
@@aidy6000 Maybe not watered down, but the grand tour always felt like a cheap act while top gear was abit more natural feeling, despite both being scripted
@@codemy666 I think towards the later years of them on Top Gear it was heading that way - it became a bit too contrived, lost the kind of silly comradery that made it so watchable for so long. It's a pity in one sense, but to be fair, that run they had for however many years on the BBC was really great television, that run alone was a career's worth.
@@codemy666 I think part of the reason is that the trio dressed a bit too nicely in GT, and I'm not even joking. It kinda lost that magic of them looking like your average bloke met at a pub or something.
They should make James may modify a car with every item he would hate and see what monster car he builds
Yes please this would be amazing
this needs to happen right now
I imagine he will proceed to drive that car off a cliff at the end ! 😂😂
No they should build James’s nightmare car and give it to him:)
@@TheSteinbitt He will just say, No thank you and walk away ! 😂😂
"the engine, that's the bit that breaks" some might see this as a problem. Perhaps even a deal-breaker.
Although they did replace the bearings with stronger ones in an earlier episode which should resolve that issue especially if it continues to get more regular oil changes, it's weird imo they don't mention that more and just say "engine's unreliable", brings into question whether they really believe in the work they did to the car.
This car literally roasted itself. James was just there to laugh at it.
It came pre roasted
Yeah, just asking some questions the car got roasted
Ahhh the life of a Euro project car owner lol!
@@wuokawuoka literally
Hahaha
I quite love getting to see James talking shop about cars and all the little specs he always loves to explain.
James May is morphing into Gandalf
Cardalf
You're in shock, Comrade Dyatlov. James is morphing into Billy Connolly.
And I’m 100% here for it.
Gandalf the May?
@@davidknowles2491 And Dumbledore the ..
“It’s had a small fire” 😂
It roasts itself
Fire Assembly Point sign deems apt.
"The. Headlining. Wrote. Off. The. Car."
@@hoilst265 that should tell you something
Average M5 e60 fan vs average Dacia Sandero enjoyer
E61*
"I puked in my car, but it's okay because I filled it with dog poo" 🤣
“You like our car?”
James without hesitation: “no, thank you for watching.”
😂
LikeCommentSubscribe
“And like, comment subscribe”
Makes sense can't really like something without driving
@@haberdasherrykr8886 He said he'd driven the saloon version and didn't think much of it, so an estate version wasn't going to change anything.
I watched the whole thing with a huge smile on my face. This is quite adorable and lovely to see. Well played to both Mike and James!
Thanks 🙂
the way you "fix" the sloppy smg is by treating it like a manual. when you pull the paddle, let off the gas, then go again. this trick works with aventador gearboxes also..
I do this just sort of out of instinct. There's no need for it in my car, but it feels right.
I’ve got a selespeed Alfa and yes, you have to have some degree of mechanical understanding to drive it properly. You can’t just put it in D and floor it.
Totally agree
Yeah that makes a lot of sense. Sure easier than spending half the car's value trying to retrofit a manual gearbox into the car too.
Always a treat to see James!
E6x M5s are some of the coolest cars ever produced. James was pretty spot on with his early summary of it. 😂
I'd probably rather own an E39 M5, but these M5s were absolutely bonkers.
@Peter Ian Staker I’m surprised to hear you say you prefer the 645 to the e39 but maybe that means I need to try the 645…
I think an E39 M5 will actually cost you more than an E60 now. The love it or hate it looks and the rod bearing issue really killed the second hand value of these.
@@BigUriel yep, they do. 😂 I keep looking but realistically I have to prioritise my money and unfortunately fast cars have to take a back seat - excuse the pun.
@Peter Ian Staker I've made enough silly car buying decisions in the past that have cost way too much to maintain *cough* F02 750Li *cough* .
I still own an E38 740i and an E39 530d but they're not as highly strung as M cars. Not that being highly strung is a bad thing in this sense as you get what you're paying for and then some but I can't see myself in one any time soon.
Love the name by the way.😂
@@BigUriel every car goes to their lowest before they start to climb up in price. E39 M5 just a few years ago was no more than 5k car in my country but now you can't find them under 20k. Bit like e30 m3 back in early 2000 was a grand car but now...
James May just casually waving to somebody passing by like he's just some regular old bloke. Definitely the most down to earth of the three, he has nothing to prove, nothing much to complain about. He's quite complacent with how things worked out for him and hasn't let it get to his head like his baboon of a colleague.
Jermy? Surely you don't mean Hammond. What happened with Jeremy?
Jeremy is a consummate entertainer and deserves the upmost appreciation and respect. More than any other orangutan in the jungle.
He really does know everybody in hammersmith.
Quite obviously you just don't get Clarkson whose a deliberate & accomplished entertainer with all three being exceptional at what they do.
“The roof lining _wrote off the car?_ That must tell you something.” 💀
James may is the master of roasting
Imagine just sitting down with James, having a few pint, listening to him telling stories.
Out of any celebrities I’d like to meet, the boys would have to be tied for first place. Just to say hi and shake their hands, man.. that would be so cool. They’ve been responsible for so many happy and entertaining moments of my life.
No thank you, I would fall asleep almost immediately. I also seem to somehow disagree with him on almost everything 😂
@@Mr.Walker994 Disagree with James!?!? Well, as a friend of mine is fond of saying...
You have the right to be wrong
@@Mr.Walker994 given James is an intelligent and worldly wise chap with a vast experience in cars, do you ever consider maybe your just wrong?
@@Mr.Walker994 I'm with you, he could bore the rod bearings into a spin just by talking to them.
James remembering the rules of the golden days of Top Gear and the cool wall, oh! it just gave me flashbacks of 15 years ago! James is great to watch honestly!
everyone has to apprecaite the dynamic between james nd mike, they get on like a house on fire
Like an M5 estate with a small fire, more like.
@@Jaco_SchutteNooo you beat me to it!
Like Dad and son i´d say.
I love this video because of how casual it is. It was basically just two mates having a chat about a beautiful car and shamelessly plugging their own Gin what more could you want? (Definitely not that Austin Rover jacket that’s for sure…)
Why not track down the actual 6 speed that BMW put in the M5 for the US market?
As a factory 6 speed e60 m6 owner for the past 12 years, a replacement transmission from an e60 m5 is impossible to source. The e9x m3 and transmissions are identical, short of a transmission cooler on the e9x m3.
@@EightyFiveHundred now that's a reason! Are the interior parts for the manual equally impossible to get?
@@lougubrious9624 they only made 1000 in the USA for M5's and 3's
It's like buying your first poo box car when you have just passed your test and showing your grandad what you have purchased 😂
This looks like a conversation I'd have with my dad as a kid, trying to convince him to call for a test drive haha.
After 12 years with an M5 E61 I'm sorry to say the transmission shifts smoothly... if the driver wants it, it's all up to the driver.
More of these please! We like the banter, the roasting and the jokes!
You should have let him give it a drive too. Also the s600 is the superior choice all day. It’s a brilliantly quick car with decent comfort
And even more catastrophically ruinous when they go wrong. If it’s German, post 2000, it will be expensive and poorly made.
@@SimonPhillips76 Dude thats actually nonsense. The s600 from the 2009-2013 ish era were just amazing to drive. Can't confirm about previous or later gen. That gen also didn't have many reliability problems. The only one I can properly point at is the pre 2003 models for bad reliability. Besides the merc would still be cheaper to maintain than the aston lets be honest. Its sad but true.
@@xyroah I didn’t say they were bad to drive. My experience of both Mercedes and BMW of this era is BMW are better to drive. Neither reach Japanese levels of reliability or build quality - you have to go to the 1980s and 1990s for that.
@@SimonPhillips76 he literally said that he wanted one as a project car. If he wanted Japanese reliability surely he would have bought a Japanese car? Sorry you’re not making much sense.
@@xyroah fine. Mercedes are rarely superior drives to BMW, in my experience.
I think you guys should look at the competition before you decide what car you go for next. The S600 has been done by numerous channels like Legit Streetcars and Hoovies garage. Same goes for Aston Martin. We have seen enough of those over and over. The Rover was such a great find. And the Mondeo as well. What about something really cool and not done before? Like a Mitsubishi Galant VR4 or a Honda Accord Type R or an even more ''forgotten'' super special. I bet you guys know more than me. There must be a whole lot of cool stuff to pick from instead of these absolute money pits we have seen on all the other channels so many times.
Or maybe: Merc C36 AMG from the 90's, Alfa Romeo 164 Q4, Subaru 22B, Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4, Saab 9-3 Viggen, A really early Lancer Evo from before they got famous.
Renault Clio Williams, Peugeot 306 Rallye and so on.
Please not an S600 🤢
I think this one has to be a V12, considering the other cars, a V10 M5, V8 Dodge, V6 MG, obviously its time for a V12
The S600 that Legit street cars had the M275 not the Pagani Zonda M120. That said, I am not sure DriveTribe are referring to the Zonda Engined S600
@@alexanderfoti they are
@@jakeevans1129 they are talking about a W220 s class. That does not have the M120 engine
@@alexanderfoti he literally mentioned it’s the S600 with the Zonda V12 but okay pal 😂
Your supposed to put the manual box from a 550i. They go straight in. Alternatively remove the robertised parts and you've already got a manual box. I think he's on about a db7 not a db9
“Do you like our car then?”
“No! Thanks for watching”
2:42 love the subtle, floating wheel caps!
this could get interesting! 👀🚘
Whoa the big guys are here
@@purapurapurans3938 cant trust, too many of these fake channels nowadays
Monetize TheActMan again. He didn't deserve it.
TH-cam my app has a problem. Can you help?
If memory serves this is actually a manual box. Just take out the "clever" bits. There is a kit available in the US where the computer controlled bits are taken out, a reverse gear locking assembly is installed and the housing gets drilled and machined. The pooters will need to be remapped. No need to put a 3series box in
I’ve seen that done on an E46 M3 ( Ant .. Wheeler Dealers) but I think that the M5 is a different ball game and has the E90 M3 gearbox bolted in ( everything M3’s quoted me 6k ) , if my salon 2007 M5 would ever have a gearbox catastrophe I would consider it but 6k atm probably no as the cars only worth around 23k 😎👍🇬🇧
PS: they are climbing in price considering I payed 14k around 4 years ago so never say never 🤔
@@groupb5420 yeah pretty much the same thing... The flappy paddle stuff is just a way to get the computer to shift the actual selector...
Wouldn’t it be easier to get all of the parts from a genuine manual M5 from overseas and swap it all in? They did make these in manual form
Exactly what I was going to say. That's what Darragh at Everything M3s does, which is the place they've mentioned here. I wonder if he's got confused about the M3 gearbox.
@@robot_san No he wasn't confused, the E9x gearbox is swappable onto the S85 because the S65 is in function a smaller S85, and they made factory manuals for it.
@@tonson5214 for some reason I thought he said "E46 M3" gearbox, but if not then I agree, you're right! Still seems odd to choose the e9x box over the m5 manual box. I guess availability in the UK is the reason?
@@robot_san there's only about 1200ish manual E60 m5s produced and I'm guessing the amount of them sold for parts is barely in double digits, e9x manuals were sold by the tens of thousands
@@tonson5214 Must be expensive for Everything M3s then!
My 2006 E60, 128k miles with original engine, replacement clutch at 50k after rivet head broke on plate. Yes great on highway, baulky around town. MPG 15. Still love it.
Love James. A quick hand shake and talk about not owning cars for hours. Gin and Tonic please.
My mate Andy had the saloon. It had an injector failure and the engine was fully rebuilt by BMW under warranty at vast expense. A month later another injector failed and the exhaust became a flamethrower, they then had to replace the entire car. Sounded glorious, but...
2:43 why is the BMW centre cap wobbling like that?
Honestly, I’d prefer a 535d.
AKA a canal boat
As someone that bought a freelander 2000 after being almost burned to the ground, i can tell that being full restored after; i did still run it every day till now,. 22 years ago:)
Have so many great memories of owning one of these, ran one as a daily for 8 years. I had my fair share of issues (3 throttle actuators, various sensors, a DSC unit but never any gearbox issues) but disagree with all the hate for the gearbox, work out how it likes to be operated and its absolutely fine around town and this may be heresy but I also owned a manual e46 M3 and the gearbox in that was an absolute swine around town, I couldn't think of anything worse to swap the SMG out for. M5 was/is a far more involving drive than the RS6 I currently own, and of course the noise is without comparison.
I owned one of these myself, daily driver for 10 years. Amazing car. That sound! Only an owner can understand...only reao bad thing: very small tank. Don't care about consumption witj a V10...but 80l would have been optimal
6:20 I love how they're meeting at the Fire Assembly Point while talking about fires.
Only James May can roast a car without driving it and we'll happily watch that
The car being parked right next to the fire escape sign was quite ironic haha...
The difference between Jeremy and James roasting a car, is that James will be a gentleman about it. Jeremy on the other hand, will tell you exactly what he thinks about it 🤣
Funnily enough, Jezza would probably like this car, since he liked the saloon version when he tested it
i absolutely love watching James May. No matter how good the other two presenters are James will always be a mood and the most interesting and funny and cool. Also that gin scene was so needed.
Also a car like this you would think they would have a good gearbox for both around town and track since its family estate wagon/sports car. Basically that Gearbox is a live hand grenade when going slow.
so you like our car
James: No
🤣🤣🤣🤣
James’s accent and the way he delivers humour is outstanding. Such a great guy from old Top Gear ❤️
It's always a treat to see Dr. james may
5:28 May‘s opinion about Mike‘s project in a nutshell:
Just bought a V12 S600. Only 8/9 registered in the UK and none available for sale anymore.
I'm just impressed with how well the camera person managed to stay out of any of the reflections.
I drove a 2008 6mt e60 for the last few years from 58k miles until 115k miles. Honestly the reliability was fine if you don't cheap out on maintenance. Great fun with the 6mt. Sound is amazing.
For the drivetribe car, can you not just swap in a 6mt from NA?
Mike, if im correct the saloon was fitted with the manual gearbox form a 550i in some markets, the only delivered around a 1000 from them in total but it is an oem option
Looking forward to this getting a proper manual gearbox it's going to be the perfect m5 estate
It is a cruiser rather than a bruiser. I hope they can pull it off, but I think it would be a better car as an auto.
I drive an M4 with a DCT box, a big lover of M cars, I just think the estate is more of a grand tourer than a sports car. Even my car is a bit heavy for a dct box, but the auto function on it works well, on the track the box is great.
Can’t really get excited about driving a big heavy car with a manual box in stop go traffic, and would you really want to track day an estate car? I don’t know, we are all different I guess…
Around town put the gear box in full manual and shift listening to the revs like a manual . It is great even then
James May is an absolute treasure. Love him!
You could get this manual as standard in the states. Check out that route if you are swapping
Can't believe you're actually confirming the manual swap this is amazing 🤩
We got manual E60 M5s in the US, in fact my grandfather owned the very first manual S85 car ever produced for about 5 years, he sold it 2 years ago.
@@flacjacket yeah I always found that weird that bmw still gave you guys manuals when ours stopped 🤔 heard the m5s wasn't the best but v10 manual can't complain lol
@@flacjacket You should watch M539 restoration channel he has E60 M5 with manual that he bought and imported from America also 2 years ago hmm
Okay, 8:19 - now You got me giving a statement:
Im sometimes a bit jealous to Germans, Americans and especially Britains because in these Countries legendary cars have been made. Here in Seitzerland? Okay, we had Monteverdi, we have Rinspeed and Sbarro, but they make automotive collectibles, not "cars".
BUT: 8:19 THAT hat world famous and (mostly hated) thing called "Wunder Baum" is made in the small Swiss city where I live.
Mike looks awkward around James. That’s what happens when you are surrounded by such quick wit.
Spot on, its impossible to keep up with someone like that and keeps you off guard lol, amazing to watch though.
I think the 'awkwardness' came from poor Mike trying to defend the car.
Also love they are standing at the "Fire assembly point".
chemistry between Mike & Hammond/May makes you hope there will always be another Top Gear. Dude just gets it.
The Grand Tour was like Top Gear, but given free reign to do whatever they wanted. It looks and feels the same. Once they got rid of the segments that didn't work it really hit its stride. You can still tell some things are scripted and over the top but it's like Top Gear never left.
If you ever do install that carbon fiber intake plenum, I do hope there will be more for sale. I’d love to have one to go with the Eventuri intake I’ve got!
James absolutely destroyed it 😂
Convert the gearbox it has init to the manual it is, like they did on wheeler dealer
The legend that is James May.
For the interior bits you should be able to use NA spec M5 parts since we got the e60 M5 with a manual
Its just a mod to fix the hybrid flappy paddle controls
@@iHelpSolveIt ah
@@iHelpSolveIt should still work though since the manual M5 didn't have flappy paddles
I've waited so long for this moment...
You just do rod bearings every 60k and your fine with engine reliability, small price to pay. I got a buddy who made one of these basically but a 6spd manual.
I'm seeing a lot of negative comments here and on a couple of other recent videos.
I just want to say... Keep doing what you do Drivetribe!
What 17mpg is awsome my Bentley W12 is like 3mpg.
James is like a fine wine. He just keeps getting better with age.
Like your shirt James, cool colour!
These guys are so amazing and irreplaceable. I consider myself lucky, watching them since the beginning. The car is an F'ing black hole for money tho
But V10 goes ROOOOOAR
It is not. People back in the day just red lining them when cold and swapping oil like on a Honda Civic. That's how bearings go, my friend, on supercar engine derived from F1
Great to see James back
When Mike says the manual swap will “cost them nothing because they’re in the world of TH-cam” does that mean they’re getting the work for free or DriveTribe will pay for it? I can’t imagine “M3 Everything” will really make their money back by doing their manual swap for free. It bothers me a bit the TH-camr getting free work from these small companies, unless I’m missing something about the relationship.
the idea being (how they pitch it) that teh advertising is cheaper in oarts than actually paying for teh advertising,
The small company has the potential to become a bigger company through the power of youtube advertising sending more customers their way.
"Don't drink and drive". I agree, it's inconvenient. Drink first, and then drive.
4:45 "...without it just being a whole load of cable ties and gaffer tape and bollocks"
You will utterly ruin the car with the 6 speed manual. Leave this masterpiece alone please.
Masterpiece? It's a terrible car.
Nah that smg is wack get it out
considering you could get this cat with a manual and the SMG kinda blows I don't think so
@@papa_pt Except for the estate/station wagons. They all came fitted with the SMG. Considering that the estate M5's are a rare breed, why would anyone want to mess up the ethos of this car.
@@Turbo_S_Em_funf yes bc unfortunately no wagons for the states :( bc the ethos can only be improved with a DCT or manual. Everyone talks about the V10, no one buys these cars for the SMG
Like host mentioned, the shop that does conversions has been doing a ton of M3 CSLs to manual since the SMG is the weakest part of that car
James talks about the old days of Top Gear.
James says hello to a woman he doesn't know.
The old days never went anywhere.
Soooooo happy to hear you’re manual swapping it.
Love your work 👍
Im so glad we had it in manual in America, why not get the parts from over here?
I think they mentioned it: none (in reasonable condition) available to purchase, and production discontinued.
We could get these in a 6spd manual overhere, but we also only got the sedan only, no Touring. Still threw rod bearings tho.
its funny because after seeing so many videos of this car restored and they try to explain to someone, why it's cheap what they fixed, the other person would just say its an old car that breaks down too easily with a racing gearbox and weird clutch
Coconut trees are the best scent ever.
2:10 It sounds like James just challenged Mike to a economy competition, a month of doing the same kms, then a track day, with Ben Collins doing a stint in each, best combined mpg wins
I find myself watching less videos on this channel, but I will watch anything with May
there is also a dct conversion kit for the e60 m5, it's pricey though.
Get a box from USA. M5 with manual was available in North America. M539 Restorations has one of them.
3:05 I have Mr. Regular in my head going "The box said 10 horsepower!" in The Voice
Nice to see James doing what he does best.... Car's
2:42 weighted BMW logos? like on a Rolls Royce.
American spec E60 M5 came with a manual gearbox from the E39 M5 I believe, so it would fit quite nicely and with OEM standards.
You have to love James May and his Dry Humour . Does it so well .
M5's were available as manuals in US - both, E60's and F10's - low production runs, but they existed. E60 uses the same M3 gearbox, GS6-53BZ, so it is not a "custom job," BMW has done it.
OEM interior panels can be sourced.
James is spot on. Mind you the v12 merc isn’t exactly known for economy nor reliability either🤣🤣🤣. There’s a reason these cars are cheap now. Now picking up a similar aged t5r estate and souping that up would be fun, or something like a big old v8 lexus? Not cool but great cars. In beemer land I’d have an E39 or E46 csl 330 coupe. Reliable, cool and quick.
All that and they didn't drive it?!
Logically, James is a thousand percent correct…
But I LOVE THIS CAR and curse BMW for not selling the M5 estate in the United States.