Podcast Summary: The Smoking Tire – Episode: M5 Touring Review; 715HP 911T Drive; Car Thieves!

Release Date: July 29, 2025

Hosts: Matt Farah & Zack Klapman
Title: M5 Touring Review; 715HP 911T Drive; Car Thieves!
Description: In this episode of The Smoking Tire, Matt Farah and Zack Klapman delve into an in-depth review of the BMW M5 Touring, take a thrilling drive in a modified 911T with 715 horsepower from Flat 6 Motorsports, and discuss recent car theft incidents targeting connected vehicles.

1. Introduction and Casual Banter (00:00 – 10:34)

The episode kicks off with the usual off the Record sponsorship message, highlighting its legal assistance services. Matt and Zack engage in light-hearted conversation about music preferences and recent personal activities, such as Matt's filming of car videos and hiking experiences. This segment sets a relaxed tone for the episode, establishing rapport between the hosts and listeners.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Farah (00:00): “[...] when you go to offtherecord.com TST [...] Don’t plead guilty. Get off the Record.”
• Zack Klapman (01:38): “Did I tell you that when I saw Blues Traveler...”

2. BMW M5 Touring Review (10:34 – 35:34)

Overview and Initial Impressions:

Matt leads the discussion with a critical perspective on the BMW M5 Touring, expressing skepticism about its performance and ride quality. He compares it unfavorably to other vehicles like the Porsche RS6 and Panamera Turbo SE Hybrid.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Farah (11:30): “I have to say I'm leaning towards the don't love it side. It really doesn't work for me at all.”
• Zack Klapman (17:02): “So you told me all this stuff and I pick up the car...”

Performance and Handling:

The hosts dissect the M5's active suspension system, noting its underwhelming performance. Matt describes it as “like driving Fred Flintstone’s car versus a rolled Rolls Royce” (17:38), highlighting issues with ride comfort and steering responsiveness.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Farah (12:53): “It really doesn't work for me at all.”
• Zack Klapman (18:32): “It's the Helmberg Triangle of tech, [...] It just takes everything good away.”

Comparison to Competitors:

Matt argues that despite its horsepower, the M5 Touring fails to deliver a luxurious driving experience, especially compared to the Panamera Turbo and Bentley GT, which better balance performance and comfort.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Farah (22:11): “It's ludicrously fast and violent in a straight line.”
• Zack Klapman (25:30): “Or is this because [...] the execution of this is just not great.”

Conclusion on M5 Touring:

Ultimately, Matt decides against recommending the M5 Touring, despite acknowledging its powerful engine and aesthetic appeal. He suggests that other models like the BMW X5M offer better value and driving dynamics.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Farah (34:13): “This thing sucks. And it's because of you.”
• Zack Klapman (35:54): “This era of design for BMW, we'll see how it ages with people.”

3. Flat 6 Motorsports 715HP Porsche 911T Drive (35:34 – 51:10)

Introduction to the 911T:

Matt introduces the 715HP Porsche 911T provided by Flat 6 Motorsports. Both hosts express excitement about driving a high-performance manual transmission Porsche, setting the stage for an engaging comparison.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Farah (36:05): “Flat six motorsports [...] has a little direct comparison there.”
• Zack Klapman (38:55): “It's extremely fast and it's very to jump ahead.”

Performance Analysis:

Zack and Matt share their driving experiences, emphasizing the car's robust power delivery, smooth tuning by M Engineering, and enhanced handling. They compare it favorably against other high-performance vehicles, noting the lack of intrusive computer interventions in the driving experience.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Farah (39:33): “It's a lot of turbo. Amazingly as we learned, the stock clutch holds this power.”
• Zack Klapman (43:06): “At 2000 RPM, even though that's not peak, you're still making about the same [...] In the real world, that makes no difference.”

Engineering and Modifications:

The discussion delves into the technical aspects of the 911T, including the installation of larger turbos, Ohlins suspension, and forged wheels. Matt praises the meticulous tuning and over-engineered components that allow the car to handle increased horsepower without compromising reliability.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Farah (38:11): “[...] CSF Intercoolers. It’s got an exhaust, it’s got a numeric short shift kit.”
• Zack Klapman (50:00): “They use the same one for Sport Classic.”

Final Impressions:

Both hosts conclude that the 715HP 911T offers exceptional performance and driving pleasure, making it a standout among tuner cars. They highlight its potential for further enhancements and speculate on future modifications that could push its capabilities even further.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Farah (47:06): “It's essentially the Sport Classic experience, but you don't have to treat it as an investment grade asset.”
• Zack Klapman (50:29): “It's like a boxer race, [...] you do get a bunch of extra turbo whistle.”

4. Car Theft and Security Concerns (51:10 – 62:38)

Neighbor’s Theft Attempt:

Matt shares a personal anecdote about his neighbor experiencing a car break-in targeting a Hyundai Ioniq 5. They discuss the methods used by thieves to exploit connected car vulnerabilities, including the use of emulated key fobs.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Farah (56:30): “Shout out to the Kia boys. Get really getting it done.”
• Zack Klapman (59:13): “Once the car is woken up by touching the door handle [...]”

Technological Vulnerabilities:

The hosts explore the technical aspects of how connected cars like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 can be compromised. They explain the process of key emulation and the potential risks associated with advanced car electronics.

Notable Quotes:

• Zack Klapman (59:13): “[...] the program tricks the car into thinking it's a legitimate key by using an algorithm.”
• Matt Farah (62:14): “They’re driving stolen cars for that stuff.”

Preventative Measures:

Matt and Zack offer practical advice on enhancing vehicle security, such as using Faraday cages for keys and distributing multiple tracking devices like AirTags across the car to deter theft and improve recovery chances.

Notable Quotes:

• Zach Klapman (62:19): “Put them somewhere that's really hard to get to.”
• Matt Farah (62:18): “We got the Faraday box. And hopefully it's a real Faraday box.”

5. Audience Questions and Discussions (62:38 – 89:17)

The hosts address various listener-submitted questions, covering topics such as manual transmissions, car recommendations, and event attendance.

Manual Transmission Preferences:

Listeners inquire about the benefits of manual transmissions in modern performance cars. Matt and Zack discuss the tactile driving experience and the challenges of converting or modifying vehicles to include gated manuals.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Farah (85:13): “It's part of the overall package. [...] it all feels right and cohesive.”
• Zach Klapman (86:48): “If you can Photoshop it or see someone that’s done it. Yeah, go for it.”

Car Recommendations:

Questions about optimal sports cars within specific budgets lead to recommendations of models like the Shelby GT350R, Audi RS3, and early model AMG variants, emphasizing performance and manual driving enjoyment.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Farah (73:26): “Shelby GT350R. I see.”
• Zach Klapman (73:31): “You'll definitely have the loudest car.”

Event Participation – Goodwood Festival of Speed:

Listeners seek advice on attending prestigious automotive events. The hosts advocate for experiencing such events in person for the unique opportunities to interact with rare cars and automotive legends.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Farah (87:53): “You can walk around so many of them in the paddock.”
• Zack Klapman (88:05): “It's really fun and special.”

6. Conclusion and Final Remarks (89:17 – End)

As the episode wraps up, Matt and Zack reflect on the discussions, emphasizing the importance of hands-on car experiences and community engagement. They tease future episodes and express gratitude to their patrons for support.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Farah (89:07): “We have to review the footage.”
• Zack Klapman (89:17): “It's a really fun idea.”

Key Takeaways:

• BMW M5 Touring: Despite high horsepower, the M5 Touring suffers from poor suspension performance and lacks the luxurious ride expected from a performance luxury car. The hosts recommend opting for competitors like the X5M for better value and driving dynamics.

• 715HP Porsche 911T: The modified 911T from Flat 6 Motorsports impresses with its robust engine tuning, smooth power delivery, and exceptional handling. It stands out as a well-executed tuner car capable of competing with much more expensive counterparts.

• Car Theft Risks: Connected cars like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 are vulnerable to sophisticated theft methods involving key emulation. Enhanced security measures, such as Faraday cages and multiple tracking devices, are essential to protect against such threats.

• Listener Engagement: The episode effectively addresses audience questions, offering thoughtful recommendations and insights into manual transmissions, car events, and performance vehicle choices.

• Event Participation: Attending automotive events like the Goodwood Festival of Speed provides unique, immersive experiences that cannot be fully replicated through online platforms.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Suspension Critique:

  • Matt Farah (17:38): “... like driving Fred Flintstone’s car versus a rolled Rolls Royce.”

• Engine Tuning Praise:

  • Zack Klapman (38:55): “It's extremely fast and it's very to jump ahead.”

• Security Advice:

  • Zach Klapman (62:19): “Put them somewhere that's really hard to get to.”

• Manual Transmission Discussion:

  • Matt Farah (85:13): “It's part of the overall package. [...] it all feels right and cohesive.”

• Event Enthusiasm:

  • Zach Klapman (88:05): “You can walk around so many of them in the paddock.”

This episode of The Smoking Tire offers a blend of critical automotive reviews, exciting drives in modified vehicles, and pertinent discussions on vehicle security. Matt and Zack provide their expert opinions, backed by personal experiences and listener interactions, making it a valuable listen for automotive enthusiasts.