M5 Impressions

2013 M5 Impressions

Every time I've had the chance I have put down the M5 because frankly, all the models I've tried in my view have been mediocre at best. Harsh ride, no low rpm torque, subpar transmissions, etc., etc. Every time I've driven one I've walked away disappointed.

This time again I was curious about the new one and I decided to take a look at it KNOWING that I was going to hate it but I had to drive it anyway. Yesterday, I was able to take a new 2013 M5 out for an extended test drive and I'd like to share my impressions:

Wow! It took me completely by surprise - I had a totally different experience than what I was expecting and most of it was positive. The car I tested had the double clutch automatic and I must say it is just about the best dual clutch automatic I've tested and it felt better to me than the Porsche's PDK - it just felt crisper and smoother at the same time. The engine also felt sublime to me with an incredible pull from just about anywhere above idle. I thought the ride would be harsh like the others . . wrong again . . even in the Sport Plus setting it felt tolerably firm and always controlled (my test car had the 20s with Michelin PSS non-RFTs). The steering feel was also superb.

IMO the car is just magnificent. Journalists who have given it a bad review don't know what they are talking about . . HA! People keep trying to make the M5 a sports car when it is not. It is often criticized because it is so massive and it feels so heavy. Yes it is, it feels heavier and more massive to me than my F10 550i but I find that perfectly OK and I love the feel. It is not a sports car, it's a super comfortable and massive ballistic missile. Kudos to BMW for this masterpiece.

I liked it too. Was able to drive this at the Performance Driving School last month at the M-school. The engine response is fantastic.

And that's why I traded...

Interesting. The best perspectives come from the drivers like us. A ballistic missile. I love it. I would buy one. Wait...I just might do that!!!

Originally Posted by wdimagineer

And that's why I traded...

Whoa! You traded? Cool. Round numbers...$40k?

Originally Posted by 1HOT BMR

It is not a sports car, it's a super comfortable and massive ballistic missile.

So, approaching the M5 from a fresh perspective allows it to be appreciated for it's positive attributes.

Originally Posted by PeterC4

Whoa! You traded? Cool. Round numbers...$40k?

More or less. Paid cash for the M5 - got a phenomenal deal.

The car just came out....what are the dealers taking? Did paying cash make a difference?

Well, my dealer marked up their M5 and M6 allocations $10K and $15K, respectively. I did not pay that, and was several thousand under what would be ED MSRP.

You have to post pics of the interior.

I made the trade from 11 550xi to M5 a few months ago. Got it done at T&C BMW. Unbelievable trade in value they offered for my 550xi.

Drove the M5 very carefully (all economy mode) thru the first 2000km (just over 1 month) and after the break in period was over, drove the M5 with a bit more aggressiveness but now, I have to tone down (back to mostly economy mode) because I have my winter tires on. Have to wait til next Spring to really let the beast roar.

Originally Posted by dunderhi

So, approaching the M5 from a fresh perspective allows it to be appreciated for it's positive attributes.

Acknowledging that it's a sports sedan is a fresh perspective?

Originally Posted by tadtaggert

Acknowledging that it's a sports sedan is a fresh perspective?

No, acknowledging it is a ballistic missile is the fresh perspective. Expecting it to be a sports sedan, or more precisely the king of the sports sedans, is probably the reason behind all of the bad reviews

Originally Posted by wdimagineer

And that's why I traded...

It is an awesome car and I really want one myself. It is my 30k mile a year commute that is keeping me away from getting the M5. I just cannot justify the amount of fuel and tires I would go through if I made the switch.....

Originally Posted by Alpine300ZHP

It is an awesome car and I really want one myself. It is my 30k mile a year commute that is keeping me away from getting the M5. I just cannot justify the amount of fuel and tires I would go through if I made the switch.....

Michelin PSS tires are the same or cheaper than stupid RFT tires at the same size.

Originally Posted by wdimagineer

Well, my dealer marked up their M5 and M6 allocations $10K and $15K, respectively. I did not pay that, and was several thousand under what would be ED MSRP.

Congratulations!! Did paying cash make a difference? I hope you got all the options you wanted.

I am considering a car, and told the dealer that I have the cash. The CA politely told me that doing so does not help the dealership.

Originally Posted by 1HOT BMR

HA! People keep trying to make the M5 a sports car when it is not. It is often criticized because it is so massive and it feels so heavy. Yes it is, it feels heavier and more massive to me than my F10 550i but I find that perfectly OK and I love the feel. It is not a sports car, it's a super comfortable and massive ballistic missile. Kudos to BMW for this masterpiece.

Funny, in that I find the M5 less massive as it is more planted and tighter than the 535i, more like a larger 3 than a smaller 7

Originally Posted by bm323

Funny, in that I find the M5 less massive as it is more planted and tighter than the 535i, more like a larger 3 than a smaller 7

My guess would be that your 535i is not equipped with Adaptive Drive. Cars that have the package feel smaller and more tossable in general. My 550i does have Adaptive Drive (Dynamic Damper Control + Active Roll Stabilization) and yet the M5 still felt more massive to me - I"m not sure why since they weigh about the same

Originally Posted by dunderhi

No, acknowledging it is a ballistic missile is the fresh perspective. Expecting it to be a sports sedan, or more precisely the king of the sports sedans, is probably the reason behind all of the bad reviews

I'm eyeing that m5 they still have at rockville, if they still have it in December I might bite

Originally Posted by 1HOT BMR

My guess would be that your 535i is not equipped with Adaptive Drive. Cars that have the package feel smaller and more tossable in general. My 550i does have Adaptive Drive (Dynamic Damper Control + Active Roll Stabilization) and yet the M5 still felt more massive to me - I"m not sure why since they weigh about the same

The M5 is about an inch wider which is a lot and rides on fatter rubber and has hydraulic steering. All of those can lead to a more stable and in a way massive feel with the weight being about the same.

Originally Posted by dunderhi

No, acknowledging it is a ballistic missile is the fresh perspective. Expecting it to be a sports sedan, or more precisely the king of the sports sedans, is probably the reason behind all of the bad reviews

I am sure BMW M marketing folks would disagree with this assertion that the M5 is no longer a sports sedan. Am I hearing that the M5 has become more like an AMG (i.e. luxo cruiser with more HP than the chasis/tires can handle)?

Originally Posted by solstice

The M5 is about an inch wider which is a lot and rides on fatter rubber and has hydraulic steering. All of those can lead to a more stable and in a way massive feel with the weight being about the same.

I haven't test driven the M5 yet, so I don't know how to interpret "massive feel" (and not sure how much more massive than the 550i it can get), but since the 550xi also has hydraulic steering, I don't know if it has much to do with that feel. More on-center feel? Probably. More massive feel? No so sure.

"but since the 550xi also has hydraulic steering, I don't know if it has much to do with that feel"
I think the OP was comparing to his RWD 550i which has EPS. If the M5s hydraulic steering requires a bit more effort to change direction I can see how that would translate into a relatively more "massive" feel when you tool around town. On a track with your hair on fire it's a different story where the M5s chassi reponses would likely negate any massive feel from steering effort and width giving the M5 a less massive feel than a 550i.

Per PeterC4's ask, here are some interior pics:

Is it like real red or does it have a darker tint once your in it?

Originally Posted by 1HOT BMR

My guess would be that your 535i is not equipped with Adaptive Drive. Cars that have the package feel smaller and more tossable in general. My 550i does have Adaptive Drive (Dynamic Damper Control + Active Roll Stabilization) and yet the M5 still felt more massive to me - I"m not sure why since they weigh about the same

My 535i is optioned with adaptive drive, ie both DDC and ARS

The M5 feels less massive than the 535i, both in the city and out.

For those keen on reviews, and still haven't test driven the M5 http://www.caradvice.com.au/199070/b...arison-review/

"The BMW M5 is certainly a great track car. It provides the biggest impression of stability both in a straight line and under heavy braking, and it also benefits from a set of Michelin rubber that gives the M5 both superior traction and front-end bite. That grip meant the 5 Series M car's throttle needed a determined press on the gas to generate the desired slip angle, while on three occasions – with different testers – the M5's electronics also had a panic attack while sideways. ...

It's true that many customers will have already sworn allegiance to either BMW or Mercedes and that will make any choice redundant. For neutral buyers it's a tougher call – if you ignore the fact our E63 cost more than $42,000 more than the M5 with a raft of options including the Performance Package.

The AMG version of the E-Class has never been so closely matched to the hero of BMW's 5 Series range. And for those looking for a luxury sedan with more overt performance, the E63 is the pick.

And the BMW M5 isn't perfect, getting noticeably chubby around the mid-riff. It's ballistic rather than balletic, and BMW may need to consider aluminium construction for the next 5 Series.

But the M5 is coated in an extra layer of civility that allows you to enjoy it purely as a supremely comfortable and cosseting luxury car before peeling away that mask to expose its thrillingly epic ability.

The BMW M5 is more than good."