2019 M5 Competition

[stephen]

Todo list for the M5.

- Bumper really needs some love as well as the existing PPF needs to be redone.

- HK Audio is just plain terrible. Bavsound p&p speakers seem to be a good option. Anyone got any recommendations? Also p&p amp upgrades. Any local reputable shops?

- Yellow DRL's, although i might be heading towards RICE territory here. https://ind-distribution.com/produc...s-yellow-daytime-running-light-led-module-set

 

[TurboLlew]

There is a PnP 'add a sub' harness that you can find here as well as one to create balanced outputs (please check and double check what amps will work with this).

NBT HiFi (Option 676) Archives - Technic PNP

technicpnp.com

Locally there are drop-in options (Audison, Gladen, Blam, Rockford etc) in terms of speakers. They are not cheap but also aren't going to cost what the Bavsound might cost to land. You can pick and choose the speakers you change too I guess if you eg: don't care about rears.

However, I think doing the underseat sub upgrades and speaker upgrades will take you a long way before you get to adding separate amps and losing space to subs.

Please don't do the yellow DRLs...

 

[stephen]

Seems the best bet in terms of an audio upgrade is focal or audison direct replacement speaker kits, readily available locally as well. Bavsound won't ship direct to SA unfortunately. Don't think I'll add an additional sub, boot space is precious 😆

HK is just so flat out the box, im really not sure how this is sold in a premium vehicle. I've never listened to the F90 B&W personally but the B&O in the F10 was miles ahead in terms of clarity and depth. I remember listening to a Faithless track and hearing sounds I hadn't heard before. I can only assume the B&W in the F90 takes it even further. I'm definitely no audiophile but the HK quality is just ridiculous.

 

[Spanky]

Seems the best bet in terms of an audio upgrade is focal or audison direct replacement speaker kits, readily available locally as well. Bavsound won't ship direct to SA unfortunately. Don't think I'll add an additional sub, boot space is precious 😆

HK is just so flat out the box, im really not sure how this is sold in a premium vehicle. I've never listened to the F90 B&W personally but the B&O in the F10 was miles ahead in terms of clarity and depth. I remember listening to a Faithless track and hearing sounds I hadn't heard before. I can only assume the B&W in the F90 takes it even further. I'm definitely no audiophile but the HK quality is just ridiculous.

Interesting to read this - the HK in my E82 is incredible! Extremely punchy and exceptionally clear. It's one of my favourite things about the car.

I wonder if the HK has been watered down since that era

 

[TurboLlew]

Interesting to read this - the HK in my E82 is incredible! Extremely punchy and exceptionally clear. It's one of my favourite things about the car.

I wonder if the HK has been watered down since that era

BMW has different tiers for different vehicles. You need to look at what 'Top HiFi' is for that particular model. In the case of the F90 this is the B&W. With the F10 it was B&O. For most of the non Ms it is HK.

It's all just licensing agreements and marketing. In the case of the F10 M5 the amp/speakers were the same as HK in the Non M cars (Same option code in pre LCI even) but was not branded in the M5 for whatever reason. Now it seems that HK is used instead of just leaving it unbranded.

EDIT: Your HK in the E82 might be better than the HK in the larger or newer cars and be more in line with the B&O/B&W performance wise

 

[stephen]

Interesting to read this - the HK in my E82 is incredible! Extremely punchy and exceptionally clear. It's one of my favourite things about the car.

I wonder if the HK has been watered down since that era

Im guessing its a case of cost savings in later BMW models.

For comparison the HK in my 2022 XC60 B6 sounds way better than the M5.

Critically comparing the XC60 to the M5 with EQ settings all flat, surround processing off with the volume set moderately high, Volvo HK is a clear winner in my mind.

Volvo HK is 610W / 14 speakers.
M5 HK 600W / 16 14 speakers (idrive 6)

**I guess this is all subjective, I asked my wife to listen to both and she thinks the M5 sound better.

 

[922-ZN]

Im guessing its a case of cost savings in later BMW models.

For comparison the HK in my 2022 XC60 B6 sounds way better than the M5.

Critically comparing the XC60 to the M5 with EQ settings all flat, surround processing off with the volume set moderately high, Volvo HK is a clear winner in my mind.

Volvo HK is 610W / 14 speakers.
M5 HK 600W / 16 14 speakers (idrive 6)

**I guess this is all subjective, I asked my wife to listen to both and she thinks the M5 sound better.

I think sound is an even more subjective topic than cars.

I have a full Rockford(upper tier) system in my Hilux and I listened to a song I am particularly fond of recently and it sounded like CRAP compared to my stereo system at home or the 2.0 studio setup in my office. I have always opted for Rockford in my vehicles and always thought it sounded good until I compared them back to back and was horrified. I have some life changing decisions to make LOL

 

[stephen]

I think sound is an even more subjective topic than cars.

I have a full Rockford(upper tier) system in my Hilux and I listened to a song I am particularly fond of recently and it sounded like CRAP compared to my stereo system at home or the 2.0 studio setup in my office. I have always opted for Rockford in my vehicles and always thought it sounded good until I compared them back to back and was horrified. I have some life changing decisions to make LOL

After this exercise of mine i feel that you hit the nail on the head, it really is subjective based on your individual tastes

 

[922-ZN]

After this exercise of mine i feel that you hit the nail on the head, it really is subjective based on your individual tastes

Do you bud. Good sounding music is a special place to be when you get it sounding right

 

[stephen]

An update on the M5

Total cost so far:

• Wheel refurbishment - R16010.28 (Wheel collision)
• Michelin PS4's - R26421.54 (BMW)
• Cracked windscreen - R1000 (excess) happened on the drive down to KZN
• Mirror base covers - R1159.74 (insurance monkeys broke the mirror cover clips after installing the new windscreen). Insurance would have paid and asked for proof but it seemed easier to just fix and replace myself.
• Carbon fiber spoiler and lip pieces - R10000

Further costs:

• Quote to fix bumper - R7470.94
• BMW Matts - ?
• BMW tire valve caps - ?
• Ceramic coating / paint correction - ?
• There is some very annoying scratches on the center console trim - ? (visible to me not anyone else apparently. Kills me seeing it everyday)

All in all not too bad so far. Felt like an absolute bargain after driving it since it drove the same as the demo models I tested for closer to the 2 million mark. Although saying that, a demo with none of the hassles and running around would have been preferable.

I expect to spend another 30 to 40k or so getting everything to where I want it. Still very much under budget at the end of the day.

Decided against upgrading the sound or doing any other form of modifications to the vehicle to rather keep its value up.

 

[TurboLlew]

Still a great deal. F90 is definitely one of those cars that is a total bargain sub-1.5M (as nonsensical as that sounds)

 

[stephen]

KZN roads 1 - F90 M5 0

Happened a month ago, insurance finally came through after 3 weeks of back and forth.
BMW has started stripping and parts on order from Germany, ETA 18th March...

Unfortunate and completely unavoidable, bakkie anyone? No one injured thankfully just my ego and no structural damage either, just a matter of strip and replace.
Quote so far R391k


.

 

[TBP88]

Sheesh? What happened? Looking at this I'm glad you/your family are safe!

 

[stephen]

Sheesh? What happened? Looking at this I'm glad you/your family are safe!

Collapsed bridge up KZN north coast with a make shift road running alongside, that I completely misjudged 😆 . Avoiding massive pot holes and no where to try turn around I hit a rock and went through one of the pot holes anyway...

 

[Spanky]

JFC. Sorry, man. That's rough.

 

[NabbyM32]

Ouch man - But most important thing is everyone is safe !

 

[TurboLlew]

R391K

That looks alot worse than my tyre lobbed into my path on KZN roads story.

If it's any consolation my mate's Fortuner was written off with one of those 'dirt detours' - sump, shock towers etc. Unfortunately KZN is not about to fall apart: It has already fallen apart. LITERALLY gone to shit.

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

Ouch. sorry to hear man. Fortunately you all safe.

 

[TurboLlew]

Do you know (or willing to share) what the big portions of the 391K costs are broken up into yet?

Its not a new engine for that much, but it's roughly double mine, seemingly without much in the way of bodywork, electronics lights etc.

It's more for my curiosity as it seems the repair costs/estimates are all over the place these days.

 

[jld010]

Collapsed bridge up KZN north coast with a make shift road running alongside, that I completely misjudged 😆 . Avoiding massive pot holes and no where to try turn around I hit a rock and went through one of the pot holes anyway...

Move to Cape town immediately..M5 Comps deserve only the best city infrastructure.