What did you do to your Blackwing today?

[5VBW Nick]

Even my wife's model Y AWD would destroy a BMW zhp. If you beat them, they weren't trying or it was the super slow, rwd only model.

 

[Roadhawk]

Even my wife's model Y AWD would destroy a BMW zhp. If you beat them, they weren't trying or it was the super slow, rwd only model.

I agree...and you would think....I'm sure it was a base model....and he was certainly trying....but I can get the ZHP moving faster then it has every right too and I hooked up quite well. Back in the day I once ran an E46 M3 on a long stretch where I ended up less then a car length behind. I get that driver skill is less important with these EVs though.

And in the more recent case...even though I beat the S model off the line in my BW and then had to slow due to merging traffic....at the rate he was overtaking I think he would have taken me regardless...

 

[FLYARMY]

Just got back from beautiful Aruba. Gonna pull the covers off my 67' deVille convertible and the 5BW and give them a foam cannon bath and take them for a ride. Today is 75* and sunshine !
The only Cadillac's I saw in Aruba were the airport limo taxis. The sunshine and heat down there beat the hell out of paint jobs.

 

[swoop1156]

Finally had a few minutes to get her washed after being plugged into a battery tender for a few weeks.

Swapped out the factory paper filter for a K&N drop in that was a gift from the auto transport guy, and changed out the stock lugnuts with no locks for McGard Spline drives in black (65315BK) as well as Advanced Locks wheel locks in black.

Now time to park it again before another week of rain.

I also ordered some Desert Does It "Seat Jackers" to get some support for my long legs. I'll report back when they arrive. I absolutely appreciate them in my Raptor F150, so I can only assume they're going to be a game changer in this.

Oh, 378 miles strong now. Awaiting that elusive 500 for a service and then full pulls!

 

[FLYARMY]

Finally had a few minutes to get her washed after being plugged into a battery tender for a few weeks.

Swapped out the factory paper filter for a K&N drop in that was a gift from the auto transport guy, and changed out the stock lugnuts with no locks for McGard Spline drives in black (65315BK) as well as Advanced Locks wheel locks in black.

Now time to park it again before another week of rain.

I also ordered some Desert Does It "Seat Jackers" to get some support for my long legs. I'll report back when they arrive. I absolutely appreciate them in my Raptor F150, so I can only assume they're going to be a game changer in this.

Oh, 378 miles strong now. Awaiting that elusive 500 for a service and then full pulls!

Read your owners manual. 1500 miles is the actual break in period. 500 miles just changes the RPMs range.

 

[swoop1156]

Read your owners manual. 1500 miles is the actual break in period. 500 miles just changes the RPMs range.

I've read it.

It states to avoid "full throttle starts" and not to exceed 4,000rpm. Also says not to exceed 80mph but that's basically impossible around here on the highway and it's fine. No explosion yet.

When I referenced "full pulls", I'm talking full throttle up to the recommended 4,000rpm conditional limit based upon the position of my right foot, including the prohibited "full throttle starts". But it says nothing about 3rd gear from 1,000-4,000rpm with my foot planted. I've not gone full throttle at all yet, waiting for 500mi. Just my own choice. So....

....anyway, service at 500mi for me, then 1,500mi including the rear differential, and then we're good.

 

[LS7Solstice]

Had the oil change done at the local Chevy dealer. $162 when it was all said and done, which is like $70 less than the Cadillac dealer.

Dealer only charged ~$11/quart for the oil which is marginally more than what you see online. Maybe the 6.2L recall & "fix" using the Supercar oil has driven down the price?

 

[swoop1156]

Yesterday I installed Seat Jackers, by Desert Does It. This cars driver's seat didn't adjust the squab enough for my long legs, nor tilt the front upwards enough to support said long legs.

I added an inch of height to the front of the seat, and it's glorious! Took a while 15 minutes to add another dimension of comfort to this thing. I also have them in my F150 Raptor.

 

[mfcentex]

Hit 1500. Now I can "drive" it .

 

[LongGrayLine16]

5th oil change and 2nd rear differential fluid change in 12k miles

 

[PrimeTime]

5th oil change and 2nd rear differential fluid change in 12k miles

View attachment 30627View attachment 30628

Axel back? Looks great.

 

[FLYARMY]

5th oil change and 2nd rear differential fluid change in 12k miles

View attachment 30627View attachment 30628

Put a Fumoto Valve on that oil pan and you will never have to remove the drain plug again.

 

[swoop1156]

I used the 1% leftover from my gentleman's agreement that, "I'm 99% sure", I'll buy a 2025 BMW M5 for my V8V Blackwing +$2k. Left mine in the showroom overnight, and had the M5 for the day. Took the family to dinner.

Backroads. Highway. Interstate. Did my daily route. Hit the parking lots. Grocery store. Gym. Everything.

The BMW was, and is, phenomenal. Tight in the small spot I have for the third vehicle. It's undoubtedly fast. It's comfortable. Materials are nicer. Sound system is better. Ride is more smooth. Cabin is more quiet.

But it's like the B-52. BUFF. Big Ugly Fat F.... well you know the rest. It's big. It's heavy. It's actually kinda complicated, even for me, having made my career in technology. It's black. Wheels are black. Interior is black.

I quick detailed it before I took it back, knowing my answer was no. But you never really understand a vehicle until you go to clean it. I know the Genesis G90 or whatever has the title of "largest hood", but this is a literal steamboat. The rear diffuser overhang was atrocious. The front air intake was large enough to swallow two rabbits. The tailpipes can hide whole bananas.

Cleaned it. Charged it up overnight. Filled it up with the finest 93 I could find. I appreciated the car, and the team that let me have it for basically 24 hours. I sat in it to the wee hours with a bit of whiskey, asking myself as I was getting dizzy deep into the menus and options - "is it better?" Well, both yes and no.

It's better in every single way other than enjoying what little enjoyment we can have left while fighting for our lives against the people that aren't paying a lick of attention to us.

I used to truly enjoy driving. Now, I'm ducking multiple vehicles oncoming into my lane daily. I'm avoiding speeding demons in parking lots. I'm watching out for so many things, I say, "thank you Lord, thank you Ford" when I make it home in my Raptor.

The M5 is a technological conundrum. It's so good, well, it's boring. Sound familiar? I sold my beloved '23 Blackwing 86-704 Blaze Orange Metallic 6MT to jump to a Porsche Panamera Turbo S e-hybrid Sport Turismo. My literal hero car. My wife daily drives the same Turbo S e-hybrid in the Cayenne flavor and it's simply the absolute best thing ever experienced on the road. I had to have one. I got one.

...and I sold it to get back into a CT5-V Blackwing. Here I was, considering another twin turbo V8 Hybrid, from a lesser (IMO) manufacturer, to what, have a third Blackwing in a few months?

I have a feeling this one is gonna be around for a while. I accidentally happened upon it. The same auto transport guy brought it to me, who took away my old one. We're now besties. Marian, if you see this... Thank you.

Anyway, wanted to share my story from the past 24 hours. I've talked to some of you on here, as well, asking straight up "help"! Two grand for an M5? That's donkey kong levels of "hell yeah", but also such an emotional decision when you just feel something.

Car and Driver rank the Blackwing #1 in the segment. #2 is my old Panamera. The M5 I wanna say I remember is #5. They're just journalists, but hey, maybe they're right.

I just knew I was when I fired up the old school V8, slapped the V button and watched heads peek around the corners of the now-defunct Porsche showroom. I enjoyed rowing my own gears out of there.

Hell of a deal and an awesome opportunity, but I'll stay with the last of the American Muscle for now. I've had the pinnacle of Porschepower and went back to Horsepower.

Cheers!

 

[Finally-a-V]

@swoop1156 ....great write and excellent thoughts. I think you were lucky to enjoy that BMW for 24 hours. Many journalists talk about how good BMW is, but the cars are boring.

My favorite part:

It's better in every single way other than enjoying what little enjoyment we can have left while fighting for our lives against the people that aren't paying a lick of attention to us.

I used to truly enjoy driving. Now, I'm ducking multiple vehicles oncoming into my lane daily. I'm avoiding speeding demons in parking lots. I'm watching out for so many things, I say, "thank you Lord, thank you Ford" when I make it home in my Raptor.

So true....all of it, especially about parking lots. I've said for years, your driving test should be in a parking lot. Most insane place to be. People speeding, backing out without looking, standing behind you while you're trying to back up, etc.

 

[LongGrayLine16]

Axel back? Looks great.

Yep, it’s the Corsa system. She’s rowdy.

Put a Fumoto Valve on that oil pan and you will never have to remove the drain plug again.

I’ve had one in my cart probably 3 times, just haven’t pulled the trigger on it yet.