CT5-V CT5-V BW Reliability/Maintenance Issues

[WyoBlackwing]

As a new owner of a 2023 CT5-V BW (and brand-new forum member), I have to say that after a month of ownership I've been thoroughly impressed with the dual (sports/luxury) nature of the car. Over a lifetime, I've been fortunate enough to have owned many performance cars and this is one of very few that exceeds expectations on just about every level. Coming out of a current generation Audi RS5 Sportback, while a very nice car, the BW with a manual brings back the passion and connection to the drive I was lacking in the German car.

A couple of questions for you BW experts out there:

1) General observations about the reliability and/or any maintenance issues/concerns on the CT5-V BW?

2) I've seen a few online posts about the high speed (150mph+) stability not being very good. Is this a "thing" with these cars? I would have thought that GM would do a very good job on the aero, suspension and brakes of any vehicle they produce that has the ability to exceed 200mph. Do the optional OEM CF F&R spoilers do much to enhance the downforce and stability at higher speeds over the base car without it?

Thanks, and if you are ever in Wyoming on vacation close to the Yellowstone East entrance (during the summer, ha) with your BW, reach out to me and I can recommend some absolutely phenomenal driving roads up here close to, but outside of the park.

 

[Roadhawk]

Welcome and congrats! 5 BW is a truly great car. I have the 4 and love it. I can't directly comment on the stability of the 5 at 150....I saw that recent post and feel it is an anomaly. I'm not sure I've quite reached 150 yet in the 4 BW (close certainly) but in general it feels highly stable at very high speeds. I wouldn't worry...

I've had my 4 BW about a year and have 10,000 miles on it. I've recently had an intermittent problem with my drivers window not wanting to go up....has happened 3 times now all recently. Its very annoying and I need to get it looked at. It eventually works after a few minuets....Other than that no issues and I think....other than some (rare) engine issues I've seen mentioned with the 5 I think they are pretty reliable cars.

I've only been to Yellowstone once....about 15 years ago. We entered the park from the East entrance after driving across Montana from Devils Tower. Traveled across some great mountain roads (in a Taurus rental). We spent over a week in the park before heading down to the Tetons for a few days. We saw lots and did some back country hikes and even swam in a hot springs fed river in the North of the park (friends who had worked there let me know how to find the place). Would love to go back someday but no immediate plans. Spent the last day chasing grizzly sightings but never did see one unfortunately. Did eat a "hateful burger" in Bozeman - I think it was there...great shame all meat has to be cooked well done (so they said)....

 

[1Evil55]

I always wanted to go sledding in Wyoming.

 

[hawk02]

I've had my 2023 M6 5BW since May. I had a 6th-generation M6 Camaro ZL1 prior to the BW. Both cars are built on GM's Alpha platform. The 5BW chassis has some minor tweeks over the ZL1 and therefore gets the Alpha 2 moniker.

My 5BW does have the stage 1 & 2 CF options. While I haven't had it up to 150 mph, I have had it over 100 on multiple occasions. My car is very stable at those speeds. In fact, I find it very hard to keep the car under 80 on the expressway. It's amazing how smooth and planted the ride is with speeds above 80 mph.

There is an issue with the rear-end stepping out and wiggling when you jump on the gas primarily in 1st and 2nd gear. My ZL1 had the same issue. Some people think it's an alignment issue but most people point the finger at the rubber bushings in the rear cradle as the culprit. The ZL1 1LE used solid bushings to overcome this and I believe the 2025 Precision Option will too. BMR sells a lockout kit for the ZL1 that provides 95% of the effects of the solid bushings. I don't know if the lockout kit will work on the 5BW.

Other than the rear-end wiggle, my M6 5BW has been a fantastic car to own and drive. It is a significant upgrade over the ZL1. I'm sure you'll enjoy the car as much as I do.

 

[sonny200]

I've had my 5BW 6MT since Jan 2023 & now have >37k miles on her. When I had the OEM tires, I've had her at +170mph without issue. My 2020 Dodge Charger WB Hellcat felt more unstable at +160mph than the BW. I think it's bc the 5BW has slightly better aero even though I don't have any of the CF aero bits on my 5BW. I recently went to A/S tires & larger in the rear over OEM & have only pushed it to 135mph & she's felt fine. I don't plan on going any faster than that bc I'm on an A/S tire now.

Since day one, I've had some notchiness going from 1st-2nd when the tranny fluid is cold. Double-clutching until the tranny fluid warms up to help the synchros makes it so there's no notchiness.

Reliability has been great thus far.

 

[Ex36]

I love my 5V BW but it hasn't been without problems. My rear mag ride shocks locked up and were replaced under warranty (about $3K per shock just for the parts yikes)! Talk about the car being tail happy--when there's no compliance in the rear end the thing is silly, losing the rear basically any time you turn and apply even light throttle. Luckily the electronic nannies are very sophisticated so I never lost control. In fact, I had gotten so used to the behavior I stopped counter-steering or lifting or anything and just drove through it. I don't know how long the shocks were frozen, but since I've never had a ~700 h.p. car I thought that was just part of the fun LOL. Now I'm not sure my auto climate control is working properly. The dealer just did the software update recall and claimed that would like fix it (it blows cold air into the cabin below the set temperature in wintertime, which seems wrong to me).

 

[668LT4]

I am on my second 6MT CT5-V Blackwing. I did around 5000 miles on the first one, and it is currently over 6000 miles (I am friends with the guy I sold it to). The new one is just about to pass 1500 miles. No issues with either car. Neither of mine exhibits a 1-2 notchiness or needs double clutching. Ironically, I owned a 2022 4 for about 2 months before my 2022 5 arrived, and that one did have the notchy 1-2 shift when cold.

I have driven both between 130-140. Rock solid. My 2022 has an OEM rear spoiler that I installed myself, but no other carbon pieces. The 2024 has all carbon from from the factory. I can't say I notice or recall any difference in the two. I imagine at some speed, the carbon packs and extra downforce will be beneficial compared to non-carbon pack cars (and probably just the CF1 is the main contributor). These cars come with great warranties IMO, especially on the powertrain. I guess you bought yours used? You might have even extra coverage if it is a CPO.

I have a family member in Laramie and love Wyoming. Seems there are many good Blackwing roads that way.

 

[Finally-a-V]

I've had mine at or over 100, well, almost every time it's out. I've been 120-155 (allegedly) and it is 100% stable. I have around 7300 miles and I've had zero issues. I do believe with newer vehicles it's a crap shoot in terms of reliability.

The only thing I would highly recommend is if you take it to a dealer for an oil change, be sure it's filled properly. Some of these take 8 quarts, some 9. Even more importantly, make sure your very knowledgeable dealer uses the right oil. Some dealers are a bit confused.

Oh, and read the book. There's a ton of great info in there.

 

[CBH]

I love my MT 5.

But nobody else has experienced the hood ripple above 130-140 ?

I've seen it in two different 5 BWs. Hood starts rippling like a sail. I couldn't believe the paint was able to cope with all that movement, but it seemed fine. But I can still count on one hand how many times I've been at those speeds.

 

[sonny200]

I love my MT 5.

But nobody else has experienced the hood ripple above 130-140 ?

At those speeds, I'm too busy looking up & ahead to notice the hood much.

 

[rjh]

I now have nearly 9k on my 2023 5BW and have had zero reliability issues. Car has light mods, now 675rwhp and 725 rwt, and drives beautifully. Yes, it will get a little sideways in first and second, and OK maybe third, but that's part of rear wheel drive and most important, part of the fun.
It ran 181 several times at the Arkansas mile this year on the same day, was completely stable at that speed, the brakes brought it down quickly and never showed any fade. I absolutely love the car and anticipate keeping it longer than my usual year. As I'm 76, that says a lot about the car.
Wishing you all a happy and healthy Christmas.

 

[ngoni]

If you don't have an extended warranty, you should probably consider it unless you're very comfortable doing your own maintenance. Even a minor fix can be thousands with these cars. You can shop around for dealers selling the GM extended warranty at lower rates. I think there's a dealer in PA that is one of the best for prices.

 

[VBhak]

We

As a new owner of a 2023 CT5-V BW (and brand-new forum member), I have to say that after a month of ownership I've been thoroughly impressed with the dual (sports/luxury) nature of the car. Over a lifetime, I've been fortunate enough to have owned many performance cars and this is one of very few that exceeds expectations on just about every level. Coming out of a current generation Audi RS5 Sportback, while a very nice car, the BW with a manual brings back the passion and connection to the drive I was lacking in the German car.

A couple of questions for you BW experts out there:

1) General observations about the reliability and/or any maintenance issues/concerns on the CT5-V BW?

2) I've seen a few online posts about the high speed (150mph+) stability not being very good. Is this a "thing" with these cars? I would have thought that GM would do a very good job on the aero, suspension and brakes of any vehicle they produce that has the ability to exceed 200mph. Do the optional OEM CF F&R spoilers do much to enhance the downforce and stability at higher speeds over the base car without it?

Thanks, and if you are ever in Wyoming on vacation close to the Yellowstone East entrance (during the summer, ha) with your BW, reach out to me and I can recommend some absolutely phenomenal driving roads up here close to, but outside of the park.

Welcome to the club!!!

1) I've had mine since Jan 2023, have 18K miles on it, only issue was OnStar module went out, took > 3 months to get replacement. No engine issues. On a side-note, I put > 77K miles on my V3, which also had an LT4, and had zero engine/powertrain issues. Only had issues with CUE screen (went out once, was replaced and is a known issue) and thermostat went out (fixed same day by dealer).

2) I have the CF1 package and have zero issues at speeds > 150 mph in closed conditions. Super stable. I have the CCBs and brakes are rock solid.

 

[565565]

The elephant in the room is that the LT4, just like all the other current batch or 6.2L V8s from GM, seem to be suffering from random blown engines, usually the main or rod bearings.