Got my 2007 yesterday

[Vancouver_M5]

So finally picked it up and its all that I hoped that it would be. I ended up with an 07 pearl white GT with no leather. The galaxy grey is newer color but my wife thought that it just looked to gloomy. We would have loved the red but since no reds in 07 we stuck with white as neither of us have had white cars before. First thoughts....

• 
  Its a little light on power but peppy. It does have a harder time going up steeper hills but I guess you just have to give a little more gas. As its been said before a 5 spd auto really would help here

• 
  There really isn't enough cubby holes near the driver, in fact I don't even see a good place to hide change other than the top layer of the armrest console. The door pocket is equally narrow and shallow, and its hard to fit much in there. Tons of cup holders everywhere though and lots of hidden cubby holes around the cargo area.

• 
  The tonneau cover is handy and well designed but of course makes converting the car from a four seater to a six seater at the spur of the moment rather tough.

• 
  Just enough space behind the front row of seats to place an infant car seat. There's barely an inch behind the front seatback and that's with the second row moved all the way back. I guess the m5 is a compact minivan after all.

• 
  Tailgate is relatively light and easy to close. Using both hand helps immeasurably

• 
  Handles relatively accurately with some body roll. In return the ride is a little rougher due to the firm-ish suspension.

• 
  The duct that leads from the grill to the air filter box looks rather thin and constricting. A cold air intake could really benefit the engine. K&N actually makes one. I might consider it.

 

[martman]

Let me be the first to congratulate you, Vancouver_M5. From what I have seen in different forums as well as read in articles, the '06 and '07 GT's are just about identical to each other with differences in color choices and the addition of Leather Espresso seats.

Regarding your last post about having a constricting air intake, what you see is actually the breather duct for the battery. The air filter box actually resides below that duct with the air intake/resonator assembly snaking around the driver's side wheel well. There have also been lengthy discussions on the pros and cons of a CAI. If you go that route, there are also a number of manufacturers other than K&N. AEM, Injen, Fujita, just to name a few make intakes for the M5.

In any case, welcome to the M5 owner's club, and congratulations again. Maybe we'll see each other on the streets of Vancouver. I'll be looking out for a Pearl White '07 M5.

Cheers,

Martman

 

[2cam16]

Congrats ! Any pics ?

 

[Vancouver_M5]

Just the one on my avatar. Nothing else different to show that anyone hasn't already seen. Had I bought the Galaxy Grey and leather I suppose it would warrant a few more pics.

Congrats ! Any pics ?

 

[Vancouver_M5]

Thanks, Martman. Looking at what's involved to install CAI, i doubt I'd get one or the whether the wife would approve. Its her car actually. I am considering a K&N replacement filter but not sure whether that would help with the snake of pipes leading to the airbox. I think my first upgrade will be to replace the standard H7 bulbs with a set PIAA Spark 8000s.

Let me be the first to congratulate you, Vancouver_M5. From what I have seen in different forums as well as read in articles, the '06 and '07 GT's are just about identical to each other with differences in color choices and the addition of Leather Espresso seats.

Regarding your last post about having a constricting air intake, what you see is actually the breather duct for the battery. The air filter box actually resides below that duct with the air intake/resonator assembly snaking around the driver's side wheel well. There have also been lengthy discussions on the pros and cons of a CAI. If you go that route, there are also a number of manufacturers other than K&N. AEM, Injen, Fujita, just to name a few make intakes for the M5.

In any case, welcome to the M5 owner's club, and congratulations again. Maybe we'll see each other on the streets of Vancouver. I'll be looking out for a Pearl White '07 M5.

Cheers,

Martman

 

[martman]

Thanks, Martman. Looking at what's involved to install CAI, i doubt I'd get one or the whether the wife would approve. Its her car actually. I am considering a K&N replacement filter but not sure whether that would help with the snake of pipes leading to the airbox. I think my first upgrade will be to replace the standard H7 bulbs with a set PIAA Spark 8000s.

I actually just installed a K&N drop-in filter on my 5 and that together with a home-made throttle body ground wire improved my throttle response. The M5 feels a lot peppier compared to when I first got it. So, overall, just simple but effective mods for me. Drop me a PM if you are interested in one of these throttle body ground cables as well. Check out pics of my M5 and some of my mods here:

Since you are in Vancouver, I encourage you to sign up on bcmazda3.com. they are made of mostly Mazda 3 owners, but they are a helpful bunch of guys. One of their sponsors, Nmotion also sells HIDs - not sure of which brand, but one of their M5 owners (also has a Black beauty like me) had HIDs installed, and seems to be very happy with them.

Congrats again.

 

[JimboNC]

The Mazda cars ride firm mainly because of the tires, they have stiffer sidewalls. When you get to changing tires look for a brand with softer rubber in the sidewalls, it makes a world of difference without changing the handling. Ditto for road noise from the tires, if any, look for a less noisy tread pattern.

 

[doctorz]

• 
  Just enough space behind the front row of seats to place an infant car seat. There's barely an inch behind the front seatback and that's with the second row moved all the way back. I guess the m5 is a compact minivan after all.

A rear facing infant car seat didn't fit well in our MPV either. I don't think it's so much due to the 5's size as it is the upright seating position resulting in less fore-and-aft room.

 

[P_bouchr]

Oh I did not get your infant seat was rear faced. Don't worry, this doesn't fit well in any compact cars.

And if you have the first seats, wait 'til you have the 3 in 1, where the kids don't fit anymore in the first ones, but still have to be rear faced...

But don't worry, I was able to fit this in my Jetta, so it's just a couple month where you'll be a little less comfy . When the seats are used front faced, ahhhh the space you'll gain! My kids have plenty of space in the 5 for their legs and my GF seats is all the way back.

 

[Vancouver_M5]

Cool. That's good to know. Fortunately we'll be using the infant carrier for a while yet seeing as our baby still isn't born. The bugger is almost 2 weeks overdue now.

Oh I did not get your infant seat was rear faced. Don't worry, this doesn't fit well in any compact cars.

And if you have the first seats, wait 'til you have the 3 in 1, where the kids don't fit anymore in the first ones, but still have to be rear faced...

But don't worry, I was able to fit this in my Jetta, so it's just a couple month where you'll be a little less comfy . When the seats are used front faced, ahhhh the space you'll gain! My kids have plenty of space in the 5 for their legs and my GF seats is all the way back.

 

[Benfolio]

I have no problems with an infant seat. SO long as the middle seat is all the way back, our seat(s) fit fine behind the front passenger seat even when it was all the way back. Can't recline, but oh well. Probably depends on the style of seat, but our 2 in 1 rear and forward facing carseat fit rearward with just the top edge fitting before the front passenger headrest.

And speaking of CAI's, I heard the Mazda 3 intake from Mazdaspeed will work on a 5. Have yet to try it, but I have one in stock I could "borrow".