The Perfect Car: BMW E61 M5 Touring Manual | Catchpole on Carfection

V10 ESTATE + MANUAL. The perfect one car garage?
All the practicality in the back, V10 sounds in front and all the driver engagement in the middle. I rest my case. But why are we only seeing this now?
For some reason the manual E61 M5 Touring never made it to the UK but one man is on a mission to fix that.
Remember the manual converted M3 CSL that we reviewed? (If not, here it is: • BMW E46 M3 CSL - CONVE... . The highly skilled chap behind that conversion has also converted this E61 M5 Touring. His name is Darragh Doyle, a former F1 mechanic who has turned his attention to making BMWs ultimate driving machines a bit more ultimate-er(?)
This conversion includes a 6-speed manual transmission that is mostly similar to the US version but with different part numbers.
Darragh has seen to the the most notorious of issues relating to this V10 by replacing the connecting rod (conrod) bearings, replacing the fuel injectors and refreshing the suspension bushes. There is also the addition of an Eventuri intake kit which, not only increases power but, makes a great induction sound.
He plans to tweak the differential ratio from the standard 3.62:1 to 4.1:1 to increase the acceleration.
The reason this generation of M5 is so coveted is because of the howling naturally V10 in family car. It was developed by BMW Sauber F1. We may never see an engine like this again in such a car.
Specification of the M5 Touring:
- 5.0L V10
- 500 BHP at 7750rpm
- 383 lbs*ft of torque
- 1780kg (Touring)
- 0-60mph in 4.8s (claimed)
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#BMWM5Touring #ManualsMatter

[@Prime.Era.]

Why the Americans got the manual version exclusively I’ll never know

[@memememine1]

Because Americans buy more manual m cars according to Frank Van Meel. America got one for the F10 m5 and m6 as well.

[@joeleonard9965]

They fucked us with an intentionally terrible manual straight out of the 5 series.

[@horvathr95]

Cause they usually buy more manuals when it comes to sports cars.

[@joshuad1716]

Because we didn’t get the estate

[@Digitalstar3]

It's not good apparently, so whatever

[@Carolgeeskrs13]

The 4.10 final drive is going to transform that car, even with all that weight. Short/close gearing is so underrated. It’s a vital component in any drivers car, in my opinion. Love the E61 in white too 😎

[@joshuahenry7482]

Gear ratios in cars are kind of like speakers in guitar amp. People don't realize how much it effects the overall experience.

[@daniel635biturbo]

It also depends on the character of the engine, sure it's fitting to the V10. But when I built my 635csi Bi-turbo I already had the 3,07 final drive and the 0,85 fifth gear. To make that work I opted for a Turbo setup to deliver plenty of torque at lowish rpm. And with 500+ Nm before 3000Rpm. I never ever think of the high gearing, It just pulls forever.

[@BigUriel]

One big reason why modified cars tend to feel faster than stock ones with the same sort of power - people increase the engine's power but keep the stock gear ratios so acceleration goes up linearly with the power increase, where as the stock car with the next engine up almost always comes with taller gearing.

[@sanscipher]

@@daniel635biturbo Hahaha you monster, that sounds like a madman's wet nightmare. Did you mate the E24 with an Alpina-style B10 biturbo setup? F-ing madness. The 635 base (without the catalytic converters) is no slouch to begin with and still keeps up with quite a few of today's cars because it doesn't weigh that much... had to daily mine for 3 years now. Love the color on yours.

[@993mike]

I know the shorter geared Dinan diff I had put in my E92 M3 years ago has made a world of difference too

[@timothygeorge5806]

DriveTribe were considering a manual swap on their V10 M5 - great minds think alike

[@FruitoftheLoops]

Mike needs to just go through with the conversion

[@pipimontana]

I always considered a manual e32 v12 manual… Drivetribe - like friends from school, not seeing each other anymore

[@richardharrold9736]

@@FruitoftheLoops he'd be a fool to, the SMG is much better.

[@mikedrivetribe8314]

We are indeed considering it, very very tempting

[@richardharrold9736]

@@mikedrivetribe8314 are you also considering the damage you did to Mad Ford's reputation by throwing them under the bus without explanation of why your Mondeo V6 went pop so soon after rebuild? Given you were ragging it with no run-in period...

[@michaelsummerell8618]

As the owner of an "what's wrong with it today" E91 320d Touring, this is properly drool-worthy... I need a reverse mullet in my life.

[@royvisser90]

Feel ya brother

[@shadekiahpops8988]

Oh you are a vedy ,vedy funny guy. Indian accent.

[@AlexDavidson12]

Agree, dream worthy!! What's wrong with an E91 320d though :) I've got an F31 328d stateside (~320d in EU) and loving it. Certainly wish we had some I6 options and manual/RWD over here!

[@RobManser77]

@@AlexDavidson12 Yep. I've just gone from two 320ds, the latter with Birds suspension, to a 530d M Sport auto. I knew the 320d well, after doing 100k miles in both of mine. Despite the better build quality, comfort, and power of the 530d, I really miss the manual gearbox and light weight of the 320d. There's over 300kg difference between them (and to this M5), which you really feel through the corners. We all corner more than we floor the throttle, so prioritising cornering is the way to go.

[@papa_pt]

@@AlexDavidson12 last time we got a 6 cyl wagon was the 2010 535i wagon.. love mine currently at 109k miles. xDelete let's me switch awd on and off in 2 minutes

[@TheOtherNeutrino]

Minor correction: BMW Sauber was a thing from 2006-09 and by then, the entire grid has moved to 2.4 V8s. At the time this was developed, BMW worked with Williams and Fifth Gear even did a shoot with the E60 and a V10 BMW Williams. The V10 Saubers were Ferrari powered.

[@RobManser77]

Yep, the F1 V10 era was 1995 to 2005. This M5 was introduced in 2004, so it did coincide with the V10 era, BUT as you rightly point out, the Sauber partnership didn't start until 2005, with rebranding in 2006, so all within the V8 era. If this guy is ex-F1 it's surprising he doesn't know that, unless there's something we don't know?

[@Brianhdgs7]

The motor was initially designed with the intention of putting it into an LMP2 car, but by time BMW finished the engine, the specifications for the race series changed. BMW didn't want to waste the huge chunk of development money, so they made some modifications to the motor to make it street legal. They changed the rod bearings from lead to leaded copper, as well as, a few minor tweaks to make the S85. So the motor, is racing derived but not from F1, from IMSA.

[@svenskaz3428]

@@Brianhdgs7 care to expound? lmp2?

[@Schmitzelhaus]

@@svenskaz3428 LMP2 stands for Le-Mans-Prototype, which is the highest class of vehicles for the 24h races. So yes, this is an actual racing engine. I kinda like to think of it as THE engine you want to drive, but maintainance is really quite a handful. To say the least. ^^

[@pistonburner6448]

@@Brianhdgs7 Also worth pointing out: BMW is different to so many others in that this very race-car-based engine was developed in-house at BMW, not in some very separate department or bought from a completely separate company. They even had engineers who had worked on the F1 engines working on this road car engine.

[@scottjohnson4319]

Those Everything M3 lads are really kicking out some serious pieces of kit. Really enjoyed this episode and gave me good reason to skip the Yaris vid. For that alone I thank you.

[@oliverlondon5246]

I love the variety of your reviews. Thank you!

[@stephenlane9168]

Loving this video. Great work Henry and carfection production team 👌

[@bpowick]

A million subscribers! Well done Carfection. Much deserved.

[@Bmontepeque11]

I was just rewatching this and it started at 999k susbcribers and by the time I finished it was at 1M! 🎉 Congratulations Carfection! I'm glad to be here to see this moment! 🎉🎉

[@petergillis3475]

One million subscribers at last! Well deserved and long overdue! Also, another great review Henry!

[@dc52e55]

As an owner of e60 m5 6 speed, I approve this video. I am never selling that car. Maintenance cost is irrelevant when you are revving the V10 out, shifting yourself and listening to Eisenmann exhaust.

[@Blu9ty]

Y’all are right on the edge of One million congratulations

[@PixelVogue]

The best of the last M engines! E63 M6 will be in my garage forever.

[@gabrielr9506]

More of theseeee pleaseeee! A new modern classics series maybe? I would include parts of using the car daily...early rise, driving for shopping, other gear you use when driving, etc :D

[@OpeoAslam]

The Eventuri intake is a good option. Put one in my M5 and have loved it ever since. Pulls to 8,200 rpm without choking.

[@richardharrold9736]

8200rpm is nothing special on a 75.2mm stroke, Audi have had engines revving higher than that on a 92.8mm stroke...

[@OpeoAslam]

@@richardharrold9736 Tuning will get it to around 8,400. That's still pretty decent for a road engine. Maybe mechanical changes could raise it but that's a complete guess.

[@richardharrold9736]

@@OpeoAslam on that tiny stroke, it could rev to 10,750 and still only pull the same mean piston speed as the Audi V8/V10 do at 8,700.

[@OpeoAslam]

@@richardharrold9736 Wouldn't know anything about that, my friend. Lol

[@papa_pt]

@@richardharrold9736 o yeah what motor came stock with a higher redline? Only audi I found with that stroke was a South African 5 cyl

[@eazzzyfitness]

my man, congratulations for 1M subscribers, you deserve it

[@ValladolidArde]

congrats on the one million subs, very well deserved!

[@diederikdemot2007]

i met Darah at the race track as mechanics , and we had fun ;) very lovely and comepetent chap . wish him al the luck

[@hristohristov8787]

Henry Congratulations for 1 Million subscribers 👏 Wonderful achievement

[@robinpratt1541]

Great car and review. Perfect for me and my greyhound. Congratulations 🎇 on reaching 1 million subscribers you really deserve it!!

[@tutelarius]

Congrats on 1M subscribers! Well deserved.

[@nl3712]

Congratulations on reaching a MILLION SUBSCRIBERS

[@richardmahoney9415]

Carfection u guys are on such a win streak I wish I could help get u past 999K u deserve it

[@CageyJ0nnY]

Congrats on the million!

[@nishantmachhar]

absolute hand on heart . .. this is the last of them good looking BMWs

[@The24Gamer]

One million subscribers! Congrats :)

[@ferrariscuderia4290]

Congrats on 1 million subscribers!

[@Scythesabre]

Congratulations on reaching the well deserved 1M milestone.

[@darrenstone3693]

Absolutely stunning V10👍

[@gobinduppal4429]

Awesome car and conversion. Here in the US we also got the F10 M5 in a manual trans, a fact that most people have no idea about. Would be cool to drive one and would be awesome to see Catchpole drive one, and see his opinion.

[@Birmingham_racing]

Congrats on 1 million subs. I've been around a few years since xcar days

[@BeastEator]

It sounds incredible!

[@jakubpasser3362]

great video about a great car, congrats to 1 mil subs!

[@manavphilip655]

You guys are so close to 1 million

[@freddiejones4598]

My old man had a (smg) black one of these back in 2005. Was epic. I still hold in such high regard and trust me it was rapid back then, still quick now

[@karimsadredini8875]

What can a man want apart from this roomy, sleek, sporty naturally aspired manual V10 E61🔥Just WOW! Kudos to the tuning company!! 👏👏

[@pdcichosz]

Reliable rod bearings I guess 😂

[@papa_pt]

@@pdcichosz just gotta wait for the THICC oil to warm up

[@Theoriginalramjammer]

1 million subs achieved!!!!!! Overdue and well deserved 🥇🏁👍❤️👏🏎😎

[@keithhagger1178]

Another great entry, it’s proper entertainment for car people 🍻

[@thefamilyrobbo]

The estate from this era is definitely the best looking with practicality as a bonus. Engine sounds gorgeous and the car sits well on the road. A great alternative to some of the modern stuff. Just seen 1m subscribers 🥂🍾🎁🎉🏆

[@kdpwt]

What an awesome car Practicality, character, exhilaration, engagement, sound. It has everything that never goes together

[@camperhonsa8633]

Absolute dream car right there, there will never be anything as uncomprosided as a manual v10 supercar that’s also a family wagon🙏

[@sanscipher]

I love, love, love this. First M5 E61 I've ever seen was just like this one, white with black leather, parked at the employees parking at the Nürburgring - must've been the boss's, I guess. Absolutely loved this combination. LHD, of course, and not a manual. But I can totally understand your reasoning -word by word- for this car, although I've never driven one myself. The only problem with used M cars is always the devastating after-effects of previous owners not understanding (and/or caring) what the delicate engines need to last. Makes finding the few truly good ones a hassle... But this is actually my all-time favorite 5-series design. Yes, I know, Chris Bangle and all, but what people fail to see are A) the absolute and simplistic beauty in the surfaces between the -admittedly unusual- lines of this car (I think they're working in genius ways, though!), and B) the great proportions this last E-series 5er has. That low, long hood, that short front overhang, the dramatic dash-to-axle distance. I think it's so much better than everything that came after, which looks like it melted in the Bavarian sun or the airconditioning system failed over the weekend in the design studio and the clay model melted... Final thought: compare the elegant kidney grills to the gargantuan abominations we get assaulted with these days. Ugh.

[@sparky191]

Man that sounds glorious.

[@jasonisaac1]

Love the sound of that V10. I had an E60 as my daily driver for 9 years, 2008 535i. I ordered it with manual transmission. Quickly installed Dinan stage 2 software, and Dinan exhaust. So exciting to drive! Had about 385 hp, and 414 lb-ft of torque with upgrades.

[@Dude_truthteller]

Why did you sell it?

[@jaypers232]

Clicked the like before the video started. Always know it’s going to be fire especially when you read that caption

[@timmason5230]

Thanks Henry!

[@davegavin7914]

Practical performance very very rare ! 👍🏻

[@bcosVic]

Stealth rocket - great video

[@flacjacket]

My grandfather owned the very first manual E60 M5 produced/ delivered in the US for several years. He bought it used from the original owner who had put together a petition to BMW with a bunch of buyers who put down large deposits to fund the R&D for it. Sadly he sold it without telling me, I would have bought it as a long term investment if I had known he was selling it. Cool cars, but absolute maintenance nightmares, expect about $2,500/yr in maintenance not including consumables.

[@williwonkah.9242]

My only gripe with this stunning M5 touring and the fantastic conversion is that why did they not cover the defunct paddle shifter holes on the steering wheel? Otherwise superb..

[@ZesPak]

Agreed, seems like such a simple fix.

[@couponvideo]

The manual version steering wheel was not installed at the time of shooting this review.

[@Edison73100]

They will probably replace the wheel

[@nathanb2100]

Another brilliant BMW improved even further with the additional of a manual gearbox 😃👌. Only 1k left until the 1M milestone 😲👀

[@alexlosy5]

It’s the Trade Plates that really do it for me

[@totoianugheorghelucian488]

Amazing car, absolutely superb❤ I really hope this will kick off, the future of these cars, of current and future classic cars like this one depends on people like Dara.

[@TheRoggan123]

That engine is one of the all time great engines of the modern era!

[@CM-mm3sw]

I love the fact you got here before drivetribe even had a chance to manual swap theirs😂

[@AndorRadnai]

I see these 5 series are lot lately! Seem to be really good cars!

[@paulwilliams9612]

Great review Henry and Team. As a previous owner of the E63 M6 I can concur with all you have said. Still miss the howl of that incredible engine. However, one point you never mentioned was the wallet emptying fuel economy! Supposedly 19mpg combined. In reality you would be lucky to get 15 and less when you’re driving it as intended. Crippling in todays fuel prices. Well over £100 to fill up and c200 miles to a tank.

[@J_spec6]

"reverse mullet" I really like that description. I'm gonna call my is300 sportcross that once I'm able to turbo and (maybe) manual swap it

[@spatchcockdaniels1479]

Of the many car films I've watch on KZbin, this is one of the most desirable cars....

[@user-fv6eu8qw3o]

Unbelivable car, what an icon!

[@theylive2749]

At least when that V10 grenades itself, you can row the gears on the tow truck.

[@lezzbmm]

always been my perf 1car garage (except maybe an old stagea 260rs (or maybe an e61 xdrive w a b58 swap)) thx 4 sharing !

[@D114BCW]

There’s the million! 👍🏼 What a car! I would have to sort the steering wheel where the paddles used to be though.

[@kalousr96]

the best car ever made, practicality, fun, look... just everything

[@jackmehoff7430]

This engine was BMW’s masterpiece after F1’s V12. E60 M5 is amazing in manual or SMG 7sp.

[@hexagonosaurus5848]

Every bmw M engine was a masterpiece.

[@tstret3104]

I think it could only be considered a masterpiece if it was just a little more robust. Otherwise it’s the shit

[@jackmehoff7430]

@@tstret3104 Engine is perfectly robust, trouble is most owners abuse the car and want to maintain it like a Honda.

[@tstret3104]

@@jackmehoff7430 but if it’s not able to be beat on like a Honda then it’s not a masterpiece. Trust me I wouldn’t be bashing limiter if I had one etc. but it can’t be a masterpiece if it’s not great in all aspects. Like I’m sure theirs some people out there who probably believe rotary engines are masterpieces… but the general consensus is that they’re cool but a major headache a lot of times. I guess I’m just too literal 😂

[@OpeoAslam]

@@tstret3104 In my years of owning one, the only real “issue” I’ve had under the hood have been ignition coils and the alternator going out once. I’ll likely replace Vanos lines and the pump with new solenoid o-rings soon as preventative maintenance.

[@Bmontepeque11]

SO CLOSE TO 1M, GO CARFECTION! 🔥🙌🏻 Also, what a delicious thing that Manual M5 Touring is ❤️ I also love it when Henry talks about photography like he does on this intro and on the Manual Aston Martin Vantage AMR film!

[@The24Gamer]

They've gone and done it! 1M subscribers :P

[@Bmontepeque11]

@@The24Gamer YES! I'm so proud! :')

[@MRVSKIN]

Really really like this car

[@mazboengineer]

“Reverse mullet” love it 🤣😂🤣 👌🏼

[@leewindsor2246]

very impressive i love it

[@SP-ut5wc]

999K subscribers at the moment. So close!

[@AranOCNC]

Love the estate version of the e90. Hoping to get my hands on one before le mans 24h next year. Would love to take one there

[@roddydykes7053]

Coming up on a million subscribers. This would be a good car to crack that with

[@brianmessemer2973]

"It's like a reverse mullet." Brilliant.

[@stevep9041]

Bangle’s bungle with a manual finally comes good.

[@SWENWAR]

That V10 sound

[@joaquinpaul8205]

The E60 M5 touring in manual and the Cadillac CTS-V wagon manual are the ultimate God tier wagon cars for me

[@C-M-E]

As much as I adore the V10s in these cars, I've been steered off from several reputable friends from picking one up. As a stickler for maintenance, the phrase that did me in was "nightmarishly expensive". Maybe one day when I get to kitbash my ultimate M5 from parts across the lineage as a fun car. Til then, I'm more of the IS500 sort where I can have my 'super' sedan to monkey around and know it'll still be dead reliable 15 years from now.

[@tommynobaka]

I consider the E92 and E60 mechanic specials. Only then would it make sense because though being finnicky and expensive, atleast you've gained the skill to work on it and it'll be cheaper to own and maintain. They suffer from neglect by people who don't understand how to properly care for them much like Rotaries I've had "reliable" 1JZ and it was easily the most expensive motor i've ever owned because things kept breaking and needed tuning. My point is, take ownership of vehicle by a case by case basis because generalities are never guaranteed

[@PixelVogue]

Zero issues with my E63 M6 in 3 years

[@sam-rs8wg]

Look up the channel “m539 restorations” and watch his series on the e60 restoration he did. They’re not magic, and with some maintenance you can keep one on the road yourself, although if you aren’t ready to work on your own car, don’t pay for someone else’s labor.

[@khayampeta6876]

That completely understandable, even I felt that way about E60 M5s, but I recently learned that they can be extremely reliable if taken care of properly. If you have time, check out M539 restoration's high mileage E60 M5.

[@PixelVogue]

@@khayampeta6876 Thats the thing, alot of owners didn't look after them properly but at the same time everyone thought they were bulletproof when they came out. Now there is alot more info out there and people who know how to keep them going.

[@sawyoutube9279]

Such a dream car...

[@filipegil8752]

This lad is answering to all questions or "what if's" that BMW M power never got to answer. I mean, the E39 besides it's timeless beauty is to me peak M, mostly because it was manually only. But an M3 CSL manual? yes please! An E61 M5 manual? OMG. Now then, how about an E90 M3 CRT manual... see where this is going? :D

[@hectorherbert6585]

Of course such an engine needs to be looked after...like any work of precision...I still own my 323i from 1982....i've used this car as daily as a young guy ( in the French alps) to go to work everyday..and today in 2022 ,keep driving it often and it stills has its stock 194 HP.....because I loved and love this car and took the best care I could....

[@derrickkoh468]

Please post some videos of your lovely car!

[@bungers99]

Not another one! Was just looking at one of these yesterday

[@lrnasigo1]

Let’s talk about 999K subs! So close to 1 million 🙌

[@khrisbharath752]

I remember Tom Ford from Fifth Gear back in the day, dashing across Europe to get to the South of Spain in one of these, sans the manual gearbox ofcourse

[@KNMK259]

Unshackled ❤️

[@curtislovrak5390]

I have that 1 car garage issue right now. I need to slim down, and a station wagon would definitely be at the top of my list, though I've always wanted a 911.

[@R8andGT3Fan]

This thing is stupidly perfect. 🤩

[@Harry._.Thompson]

Na it’s good, but not perfect

[@enjoyvride]

There is a car that is exciting, comfortable for the amount of passengers it was designed for, practical in town, and engaging to drive. The only disadvantage is that it shouldn't be used on a bumpy road. It's a Mini Roadster,:) The S version or the JCW, both are great.

[@HMSDaring1]

Gorgeous car - if I had the money I'd buy an E61 M5 to do just this.

[@HarryRS4]

I think this M5 Touring was transported from Hong Kong. Glad it got a second life in the UK to enjoy more open roads!

[@elcasho]

Would love a video of a pull through the gears, red lining it, with NO MUSIC!

[@GrotrianSeiler]

It’s a great combination. In America many call this a stick wagon and I’ve been driving them for over 20yrs. Have your cake and eat it too, is how I always see it. No, not an M5, but there are other, very fun, options.

[@Yachtzeee]

In Canada we had the E60 manual. A really well sorted one with some OEM+ mods is a real pleasure. Still a really hard decision. E39 M5 or E60 M5 manual?

[@magnusshawn4698]

Collaborating with Mike from drivetribe would’ve been fun for this video seeing how they have a blue one with an automatic gearbox.

[@machina_spirit]

Need more wot exhaust noise footage!

[@budthecyborg4575]

LOL Drivetribe referenced this video in their review of (effectively) the same car.

[@martinmees878]

Reverse Mullet.. Perfect 👌

[@cameroniwalker]

Oh hell yes!!

[@ManV10]

Dreamcar!!

[@JBOsurf]

Now lets see a manual M5CS !