mhh

OK, saw other thread. Happy Murci motoring.

Albert, what's replacing it?

t No, they have been arriving for about a month now. There will be 80 on the road by Xmas. I think mine is the second on the road in Adelaide.

Mike, I meant I need to show self restraint until 2000km. Hard to do when the powerband is just being reached.

From what I understand the SMG is more of an manumatic tranny like the AMG's (My E55 shifts the same way) The E-gear is a real F-1 gear box with an actual clutch, the only thats missing is the clutch pedal. No, the SMG has a clutch and is identical to the e-gear in operation - although is is a 7 speed. The E55 is an automatic with a torque converter. Here's some info... http://europeancarweb.com/firstlook/0501ec_m5/

When you pull the paddle to change up with e-gear, the change happens immediately. When you do the same with SMGIII (at least in the modes I've been using) there is a slight delay before the change happens. Maybe it gets quicker when run in. OTOH, the downchanges are about as quick. And the auto mode is much smarter than the auto mode in the e-gear. It is smoother and much less lurchy than the Gallardo at low speed.

about 530 hp. congrats on buying this great car! where are you located, if you dont mind me asking? Adelaide, South Australia

the E60 BMW has 500hp V10, same as in the M6. Great automobile. If you dont mind me asking how much did it cost you USD? just wanted to see market value these days In Australia, they cost about the same as an E55 if that helps. Sorry, I don't know the cost in USD but it is around $A230K. Our taxes are higher here and luxury cars usually come with all options.

Picked up my new M5 yesterday and have done 600km already. The thing is ####### the eyes but a real mile muncher. Limited to 5500rpm for first 2000km, but already it feels like a freight train when passing other cars. The SMG is not as quick to change as the e-gear (at least in the mode I'm presently using) but it is much better in automatic mode which I find pretty much unusable in the Gallardo. The biggest surprise is how smooth and quiet it is. It also handles remarkably well for a big car. Good brakes, great steering, nice ride, comfy seats and laden with gadgets (Australian cars come fully loaded). OTOH, some of the ergonomics are suspect compared to my wife's Benz - strange indicator stalk in the wrong spots and confusing cruise control. I guess they just take getting used to. Overall, I'm very happy with it.

Can the Kries-seig be supplied to fit standard G exhaust tips? The website shows a double tip look but I want my car to look stock. Also, anyone know if they can supply to Australia? My dealer knows how to fit a Tubi, but can he fit a K? TIA

My M5 has been delayed (well, they all have) and now gets here in September

Sorry, Taoist. The car you want doesn't exist. After all, if it did you wouldn't need to ask us, would you. Having said that, the BRAND that makes sedan cars (sorry, if you want to fit 5 people it isn't going to look much like a Countach or an Esprit) that are nice to drive is BMW. No-one else is so relentlessly committed to rear drive and rear drive makes for a nice driving sedan. You know you budget, so take your pic of a new 3 series or a used M of some sort.

Can I have the cash instead?

The first car pix are nearly 2 years old!

Isn't it a Ford? No thanks...

I'm getting an M5 instead. I thought the CLS was pretty but neither a roomy sedan nor a sporty coupe. Great to look at, though.

From page 156 of my Gallardo owners manual "It is normal for the engine to use a certain amount of oil. Oil can be used up to one litre for every 1,000km, depending on the driving style and usage conditions. For this reason, the oil level must be checked at regular intervals." I would show this to your dealer who has given you bad advice.

I had this dipstick 'mod' too....

This one is news to me. Mine uses oil, and the dealer assures me this is normal. Try going 7500m/12,000km without checking the oil and I'd have real problems! Other Gallardo owners - what is your experience with oil consumption?