Where did your love of cars stem from?
I worked in the automotive aftermarketindustry for 12 years and also spent two years with Toyota Motor Corporation and Toyota Racing Development. My family has a car-importing business in Athens and when I was a kid my grandfather would take me to the workshop with him on weekends.
What are you driving these days?
I have a 2007 BMW M5. I bought it because it has the last high-revving V10 engine BMW used. It's just one of those cars you have to own in your lifetime. I bought it about two months ago and it hasn't done many kilometres.
Have you had a BMW before?
I had a 2005 BMW 325Ci about two years ago, but had to sell it. But I knew if I bought another luxury/sportscar, it would have to be a BMW
I was looking at M3s but the M5 won hands down because of its street presence alone.
Does it give you any grief?
BMWs are just like any other cars to maintain. If you know what to look out for and how to treat a car then it will look after you in the long run.
I only have some suspension issues that I'm fixing — apart from that, the car is in perfect working order.
Is it hard getting hold of parts for an M5?
Garages here don't usually stock parts for it, so I have to order all the components. But that's what you get for having a car that's not your everyday Camry, if you know what I mean.
Have you modified this in any way?
No, it's all original and I don't have any plans to modify it either. I modified my previouscar, a Toyota Supra, to such an extent thatthe only stock parts left were the head andthe cover on the engine.
It's nice to have a modified and fast car, but 507bhp from a stock four-door saloon is more than enough. I'm getting older and have to be more responsible and grow up one day.
Don't we all? How does it perform?
It has a standard E60 M5 V10 engine with 507bhp and does 0-100kph in about 4.5 seconds, redlining at 8,250rpm.
It has a seven-speed SMG transmissionwith automatic and manual shift modes.I also have a 2009 Jeep Wrangler, whichI drive regularly because I want to keep the kilometres low on the M5.
How did it feel to press that M button for the first time?
Well, I wanted to see what this V10 fascination was all about. My old Supra had over 500bhp, so I was used to power slides and wheelspin, but the acceleration and the way the M5 kept pulling, scared me out of my wits. It's really fast!
Since it's naturally aspirated, you just need to put your foot down and it flies!
Are you part of any car club?
Yes, I joined the BMW UAE Club, but I'mnot a paying member yet. I plan to be onewhen the club comes out of hibernation atthe end of summer.
Where are we likely to see you and the M5?
On Shaikh Zayed Road or cruising on the wayto Bab Al Shams.
I don't do the Jumeirah Beach Road happy laps thing. I don't see the point of driving up and down one spot all the time.
What's the dream?
I have driven almost everything out there, Ferraris, Porsches, Maseratis, you name it, but I would love to get my hands on another 1999 Toyota Supra. It's an amazing car if you know what to do with it.
Bio
Name John Paravalos
Job Business operations manager
From Greece
Wheels 2007 BMW M5
In the UAE Two years
