[Rotherd31]

So did you trade in the M3 Fish?

[FISH22]

Originally Posted by Rotherd31

So did you trade in the M3 Fish?

I did, to the same dealer I bought the 5BW from (Cincinatti Cadillac).

[FISH22]

Funny story. I found my engine builder on Facebook. Super stalker mode, we chatted a bit.

[TrentMeister]

Damn that things sick

[somer]

Great buy, the rear end on those things looks amazing on the road, very menacing.

[FISH22]

Originally Posted by somer

Great buy, the rear end on those things looks amazing on the road, very menacing.

Thanks! It really does. In pictures, it sometimes looks “meh”, but it’s actually a chunky “M-like” car, especially the rear. Those 305s really finish it off.

[evanescent03]

Such a cool car. My wife had let me get a lot of fun and useless cars, but she has opposed the Caddy V/BW. Can’t shake the old man image. I loved the suspension on the Camaro SS 1LEs I’ve had and I think it’s really similar on the 5VBW. Better (smoother & more adjustable damping) than any M3 I’ve had or 718S or 718 GT4. Pretty amazing for a $45k Camaro. I also had lap times similar in the SS1LE as the GT4 which is also pretty amazing. Yes I miss that car …

Enjoy the car … looks and sounds amazing. Manual is definitely what makes it a keeper.

[vj123]

Congrats and it looks amazing.

5BW was right at the top of my list when i sold my G80 last year and have been tracking that market closely for a while. I almost bought one early this year but ended up taking a different route.

[YamaLink]

Spent a long weekend driving friend's BW5. The interior is still forgettable, it doesn't get the stares and finger points from strangers (or even friend's wife who came home and said "your BMW is stunning!"), and the steering column stalks took me back to driving rental cars, ha. I couldn't tell you about the tech or the trunk because I was too busy laughing and gripping the wheel like a student driver. We were sideways so much and reveling in the s/c whine. The motor and suspension are so perfect that I entertained the thought of a Camaro ZL1 or GT500...for half a second. Those two are no-gos for my life and driving needs.

BW5 suspension was flawless, drives smaller than size (actually feels smaller in some turns than my M4CX). Nice not hearing brake squeal. I'm searching for a grey or silver metallic. Some good prices on black and white. New order locally is 18 to 36 months out.
On our drive a M5 tried flexing. I've never entertained the thought of the M5, just the US bound saloon. But the Blackwing 5, even for someone who is far and away NOT a US car fan, is truly special.

[FISH22]

Nearly 3 months and 2,500 miles;

This car has solidified itself as the greatest car I have owned. As a daily, it’s been extremely comfortable and easy to drive. The manual is just too good. I still get goosebumps from the exhaust note at either gentle acceleration and WOT pulls.

I go through cars quite often, but this is one that I need to seriously consider keeping around. I’ve learned my lesson of regret when I sold my manual E90 M.

And just like that car, mpg is awful during my city driving. Thankfully I live out in the country, so it’s a 50/50 mix. But the one killer is a small tank. Right now I’m getting about 220 miles to a tank and about 15 mpg. However, on a recent road trip, it averaged 25 mpg on the highway.

But screw all of that. I knew full well going into this car that it would be a guzzler. It’s worth it.

One of the best parts, while small, is that the car can be started with the exhaust valves in the sport setting (open). Cold starts are incredibly stupid and glorious.

If you’re on the fence with this car. Put the GM label to the side, and don’t miss out on this experience.

[HeelToeShift]

Like hearing the positive feedback which seems universal regarding the BW cars. These cars definitely have road pressence too. As a previous F90 M5C owner, if I were to do it all over again, the 5BW would be my pick as the M5 never really did much for me (previous car was a 991.2 Carrera T) and didnt last more than 3-4 months before I was back into Porsche with a GT4.
The 5BW seems to really hit a nice sweet spot of analog & digital that is hard to come by.
I still don't understand why BMW cant build just a slightly better manual manual...

[G MONEY]

Originally Posted by HeelToeShift

Like hearing the positive feedback which seems universal regarding the BW cars. These cars definitely have road pressence too. As a previous F90 M5C owner, if I were to do it all over again, the 5BW would be my pick as the M5 never really did much for me (previous car was a 991.2 Carrera T) and didnt last more than 3-4 months before I was back into Porsche with a GT4.
The 5BW seems to really hit a nice sweet spot of analog & digital that is hard to come by.
I still don't understand why BMW cant build just a slightly better manual manual...

This has been asked for over 20 years. Lol. The manuals have been garbage 4-ever. My 99 M3= trash E-46 Trash went DCT on the F.

[HeelToeShift]

Originally Posted by G MONEY

This has been asked for over 20 years. Lol. The manuals have been garbage 4-ever. My 99 M3= trash E-46 Trash went DCT on the F.

True, but having owned 2 e46 M3s, 2 e92 M3s (one DCT), 2 F8x M3/4, and now 2 G80 M3s (one comp xdrive) it amazes me that they continue to use the same hardware vs buying a better one.

[G MONEY]

Originally Posted by HeelToeShift

True, but having owned 2 e46 M3s, 2 e92 M3s (one DCT), 2 F8x M3/4, and now 2 G80 M3s (one comp xdrive) it amazes me that they continue to use the same hardware vs buying a better one.

It’s actually fucked up!! That, along with the sound of the past 2 cars it’s just crazy to me. Ultimate driving my Balls Both of those issues should have be taken care of. Especially the Manual shit. It’s been going on forever. Oh well. Is what it is boys

[HeelToeShift]

Originally Posted by G MONEY

It’s actually fucked up!! That, along with the sound of the past 2 cars it’s just crazy to me. Ultimate driving my Balls Both of those issues should have be taken care of. Especially the Manual shit. It’s been going on forever. Oh well. Is what it is boys

I agree - doing a gearbox like Caddy would be easy and honestly not be impactful for profit margin.
I thought the F8x cars were some of the worst sounding cars - still makes me cringe hearing them but will admit it's much better with equal lenght midpipe.

The G8x I find to sound much better and aftermarket options much better. I have an Akra to go on my new one which everyone tells me is great sounding.

[LuvMyE92]

Originally Posted by FISH22

Nearly 3 months and 2,500 miles;

This car has solidified itself as the greatest car I have owned.

I recently got the bug to get one of these, and so I PM'd Fish and a few other converts to get their feelings after a few months of ownership.

Originally Posted by evanescent03

My wife had let me get a lot of fun and useless cars, but she has opposed the Caddy V/BW. Can’t shake the old man image.

LOL, that's what my wife said. "It's an old man's car", she said.

"I'm an old man."

Originally Posted by FISH22

If you’re on the fence with this car. Put the GM label to the side, and don’t miss out on this experience.

I'm picking mine up tomorrow. I'll update this thread (and PM the enablers that helped me) next week.

Originally Posted by G MONEY

The manuals have been garbage 4-ever. My 99 M3= trash E-46 Trash went DCT on the F.

Really, you know, I've been a BMW fanbois for a long time. My first BMW, a brand new E28, the transmission was like butter. Just wonderful. OK, the shifter was kind of sloppy, and I went into first once instead of third (my first 5 speed) and the rest of the car was garbage, but it was a great driving car, you know, when it wasn't being towed. My second car, an E34 - also new - was also like butter, but I buggered it up (HPDE) and the replacement transmission was a rebuilt number and kind of notchy. I think they beefed-up the synchros because of bozos like me. Since then I had (in manual form) an E36, two more E28, four E39 (3 of them M5s) that POS F10 and the forgettable F30, and my two M4s. And the brutal little M2.

And how could I forget my E92 335? That's what I had when I joined this forum. Man, if I knew then what I know now. The last good hydraulic steering rack. Sure, the engine had issues and it had the HPFP recall done and never ran the same (they reprogrammed the ECM as well) but in that car I was able to yank out the CDV and as a single hump, it was rather special. Oh well.

With every generation, the shifters got tighter but the fun grew less. And those CDV, OMG, don't get me started on that nonsense.

I've had a few Corvettes, so this BW should be familiar in a lot of ways. Wish me luck.

[G MONEY]

Originally Posted by HeelToeShift

I agree - doing a gearbox like Caddy would be easy and honestly not be impactful for profit margin.
I thought the F8x cars were some of the worst sounding cars - still makes me cringe hearing them but will admit it's much better with equal lenght midpipe.

The G8x I find to sound much better and aftermarket options much better. I have an Akra to go on my new one which everyone tells me is great sounding.

I have full Akra with AA EQ on my F-82. It’s better but Never would I say sounds good. Lol

[rick504]

I drove a manual 5 Blackwing for two weeks. Absolutely loved it. Truly an amazing car. Had plans on buying it but there is almost no aftermarket support and that one didn’t have carbon package. The steering is so damn good and the sounds are amazing.

[FISH22]

LuvMyE92 stoked for you, can’t wait to see pictures and hear your thoughts!

[DFW_M]

Been driving manual BMWs since 2002 and every new 6MT has the familiar BMW feel and absolutely loved them all. No idea what the complaint is about, I find them very precise and good. I also owned Renaults, Peugeots, Honda, Toyota, Audi, VW, Skoda manuals and drove Porsche, and a few others. No, never tried a GM manual though.

[G MONEY]

Originally Posted by DFW_M

Been driving manual BMWs since 2002 and every new 6MT has the familiar BMW feel and absolutely loved them all. No idea what the complaint is about, I find them very precise and good. I also owned Renaults, Peugeots, Honda, Toyota, Audi, VW, Skoda manuals and drove Porsche, and a few others. No, never tried a GM manual though.

I find it hard to believe you have driven all those cars and still think the BMW is not weak AF. They are not crisp what so ever/ long long throws and just over all mush. Been a huge complaint for Tons of people
For a long ass time. Glad you are the 1 satisfied dude. Lol

[D_SheerDrivingPleasure]

Originally Posted by G MONEY

I find it hard to believe you have driven all those cars and still think the BMW is not weak AF. They are not crisp what so ever/ long long throws and just over all mush. Been a huge complaint for Tons of people
For a long ass time. Glad you are the 1 satisfied dude. Lol

I think design philosophy comes into play here...BMW engineers go to great lengths to reduce NVH, so we don't get the notchiness of a good ole boy Tremec. Both are direct linkage, so the difference in feel largely comes down to bushing firmness and ratio reduction which increases throw effort. I have an F80 with an SSK by Auto Solutions. Coupled with a No Lift Shift tune, you can easily transform the shifting experience.