first impressions

It’s the brand’s last engine with real roots in Formula 1. Rumor has it that it won’t last long, but is that true? Judging by the experience of a person who converted one of the BMW M5 E60s to a manual transmission, it doesn’t look like that.

We wouldn’t find many car fans who would hate the idea of ​​owning an E60 generation BMW M5. But the rational half of their personality will howl in anguish and scream that this is just one big piece of nonsense. This car with a 5.0 V10 engine is high maintenance not only in general, but also among the similarly designed supersedans and super hatchbacks. It moves more at the level of super sports and can be really expensive.

Today, it is slowly becoming impossible to buy a piece with which the previous owners would drive decently, or one that would only drive from a dry garage to service and back. Similar ones no longer exist or no one will sell them to you. These cars usually drove a lot and fast, because their character encourages them to do so. And when they drive away, they head to the dealership with tempting prices but a daunting list of typical problems. A lot can go wrong, including the already famous connecting rod bearings, besides clutches, oil pumps, throttle motors, electronics…

Sreten Milisavljevic is not afraid of any of that and has been showing for years that he can keep older Bavarians fit at a reasonable cost. One of his beloved cars is the M5 E60 from 2007, which is interesting not only because he converted it to a manual transmission that is not available here (in the US or Canada but offered as standard), but also because it has really done a lot . You probably calculated the 16 years of existence yourself, but the number 246,665 km lights up on the car’s speedometer. That’s almost extreme for an M5 E60, but it still works like a charm, as you can see below.

The car starts easily on the highway at 285 km/h, but the most interesting thing comes on the “engine brake”. It’s almost disarming to consider that a car whose new five-liter ten-cylinder was supposed to give 507 horsepower in maximum power mode, but now measured 514.3 horsepower after taking into account the estimated transmission losses, ended up on the bench. However, this is a value that surpasses even a new car, but here we have the honor of a cheap 16-year-old used car with a very colorful history. See for yourself below, this car can last a long time with proper care. And by the way, those connecting rod bearings have already received new ones…

The BMW M5 E60 can win hearts mainly with its naturally aspirated 5.0 V10 engine. The latter can also be a source of problems and disappointments, the car in the video below with almost a quarter of a million km does not confirm the latter in the slightest. Illustration photo: BMW

Source: M539Restorations@Youtube

Petr Miler

All articles on Autoforum.cz are comments expressing the editor’s or author’s opinion. Except for articles marked as advertising, the content is not sponsored or similarly influenced by third parties.

This car is a true historic gem, yet it has been sitting abandoned in storage for the past twenty years. In 1982, however, the whole world got to know it, because the brand exhibited it in Geneva and also used it when taking pictures for the user manual.

The Lamborghini Countach is an automotive legend of the first category. In 1971, the automobile company that adored bullfights came up with the basic shape, for which the name “Italian wedge” was later adopted. The car also featured upward-hinging doors, which appeared for the very first time on production cars. The cherry on the cake was the twelve-cylinder engine, which in the case of the initial version of the LP400 sent 375 horsepower to the rear wheels. According to the brand, acceleration to 100 km/h took 5.4 seconds, while the top speed was 288 km/h.

Four years after the arrival of the production model, which appeared three years after the first prototype, the automaker proceeded with modernization. The LP400S version received inflated fender flares over the original, as well as boasting better handling. This was enhanced by the additional rear wing, which nevertheless reduced the maximum speed by 16 km/h. However, the dynamics deteriorated in general, as the engine produced only 355 hp. You thus reached 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, and your takeoff then ended at 254 km/h.

In 1982, it was time for modernization, which brings us to the focus of today’s article. Forty-one years ago, Lambo released the LP500S version, when the name referred to the changes under the hood. The volume of the V12 engine increased from 3.9 to 4.8 liters. Thus, 375 horses once again spoiled the rear tires, but more sophisticated systems were already connected to them. The Countach thus suddenly had a 5.2-second sprint and a maximum speed of 293 km/h. Although probably no one outside the car company has achieved these values.

Like the original, Lambo also exhibited the new version in Geneva. And the very piece that was on the brand’s stand is now for sale. At the same time, it is the very first specimen of the series, which eventually grew to 321 cars. This is evidenced by the attached documentation reminding that the same coupe was also used by the automaker for user manuals. Basically, it is the most famous piece, which was noticed by a significant part of the world between 1982 and 1985. However, its interesting history does not end there.

The first owner first moved the coupe to Germany before having it shipped to the States. There they were noticed by the musician Carlos Cavazo from the rock band Quiet Riot, who unsurprisingly wanted him. He then bought it in 1985 and over the next 15 years drove most of the 66,198 kilometers that the coupe has on the odometer. At the end of 2001, however, it was stored in the warehouse of Franco Barbuscio, who specialized in European exotic cars and super sports. He intended to restore it to its former glory.

However, the renovation never took place and for 20 years the car gathered dust in a closed warehouse. The situation only started to change when Barbuscio died two years ago. Since then, the official formalities have been dealt with, so the car is still available for purchase, still in “found” condition. However, considering the historical value, it is not a cheap matter, because if you are interested, you have to prepare USD 695,000 (approx. CZK 14.86 million). And since it is not certain what the technical condition is, keep some of that million aside for re-operation.

It is also worth mentioning the fact that the Countach underwent certain modifications in 1985, when it changed hands. The key was the replacement of Weber carburetors with electronic fuel injection, which made the car meet the strict emission regulations of the state of California. Unfortunately, the original components have been worn away by time, but the optional rear wing, which was surprisingly never installed, is included in the package. As well as tools, a spare wheel and a large amount of documents. A truly historic gem par excellence.

That’s him, the 1982 champion. It can also go to your garage, but you have to prepare 15 million crowns. Renovation and commissioning will also take additional money. On the other hand, you will hardly find a more famous Countach for sale. Photo: Drivers Source, press materials

Source: Drivers SourceLamborghini

Petr Prokopec

All articles on Autoforum.cz are comments expressing the editor’s or author’s opinion. Except for articles marked as advertising, the content is not sponsored or similarly influenced by third parties.