Keep the '02 M5 Vs Buy The V Analysis

[JEM]

Originally Posted by Johnny_D

I thought it was noticeable that the V was smoother. Maybe it's due to the 36-8 psi I keep in those low profile tires.

Only 36-38 in the M5 tires? That's pretty soft, every tire I've seen in M5-sizes are 51psi tires and like to be run up in the mid 40s. I've got 45 front and 42 rear on my Pilot Sports.

Originally Posted by Johnny_D

Seems like I feel every pebble I go over in the M5. I have taken 3 or 4 test drives in the V and drive my M5 daily. My wife agreed after driving both in succession.

Interesting. I think it rides exceptionally well, certainly not 'every pebble' - in fact, better than the spouse's 540i - I've got a Dinan Stage 2 setup in a box that I haven't yet put in, when I do I'll swap the M5 stuff onto the 540i.

Originally Posted by Johnny_D

The numbers bear out the fact that in most dimensions the V is slightly larger.

I'm not disputing the numbers. The CTS is better in rear legroom, the E39 BMW body is better in rear headroom, at least for me (in the CTS my head hits the glass.)

Originally Posted by Johnny_D

V seems more spacious. The M5 has the big speaker magnets hanging down from the shelf that cut into the useable space as does the electonics that you pointed out.

No question the E39 BMW trunk isn't all that big.

Originally Posted by Johnny_D

I have tried two Neither provide loaner cars nor give me a ride. Can't see how Cadillac could be worse. I got spoiled with Lexus having them deliver me a new Lexus to my office to drive every time my car went in for service. Talk about convenience! If Lexus made an equivalent "V" or "M" I'd be all over it. I just can't get into the their luxury vs drivers car. I appreciate a drivers car and they just don't have a credible offering in this category.

Odd. I know with our old Q45 the dealer was never shy about spending Nissan's money to take care of me. I certainly wouldn't say the local Bimmer store's customer care is at that level, and BMWNA doesn't have the contractual leverage over their dealers that Lexus does, but our local shop has usually coughed up a loaner or paid rental whenever I've needed one and the quality of service has been decent.

If Toyota had an IS300 with the old MkIV Supra Turbo motor in it, I'd be on that like shark teeth on a diver.

[Johnny_D]

Originally Posted by JEM

Only 36-38 in the M5 tires? That's pretty soft, every tire I've seen in M5-sizes are 51psi tires and like to be run up in the mid 40s. I've got 45 front and 42 rear on my Pilot Sports. .

My PS have only 2-3k miles left of tread,(wear bar just barely visible). I have gotten about 18k miles so far. at the pressures I am running, about 36fr 38rear, the tread is slightly more towards the center of the tire indicating to me that a higher pressure may in fact make these tires wear faster. Ride quality was harsher when I used to run them at 42 & 44psi.

I was thinking of a less expensive repleacement for the PS and looked at TireRack's Khumo which are about $130ish. Rated in the low 8's for ride, handling and noise. Any thoughts on this?

[JEM]

Originally Posted by Johnny_D

I was thinking of a less expensive repleacement for the PS and looked at TireRack's Khumo which are about $130ish. Rated in the low 8's for ride, handling and noise. Any thoughts on this?

Which Kumhos are you referring to? I know guys who used the 712s and found them just about worth the money - that is, nothing special but tolerable. There aren't many cheap alternatives for that car - maybe the Yoko ES100?

I went from the OE Dunlop SP8080s (comfy, not too grippy, good life) to S-03s (grippy, more civilized than the S-02, but multiple cases of belt separation) and now the Pilot Sports. I might have done the PS2 had they been available when I had to change tires, but they weren't...

At the recommendation of the chassis/alignment shop I use, we recently put a set of Continental SportContact 2s on the 540i. They're very sticky, overkill for that car's role, really. Roughly in the PS2/S-03 territory for harshness. I might be inclined to go with them on the M5 next time 'round - they're apparently the OE tire on the new M5.

For any CTS-V owner who hasn't given up on this message yet, the SportContact 2 is available in a 245/45-18 and would probably work exceptionally well on the Cadillac if you want to ditch the runflats.