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Saturday morning, I was fortunate enough to get a long test-drive in a 2001 E39 M5 without the salesman. The car was used, with about 19,000 miles on the clock (to me, that was good - it was broken-in).
First of all, I have a lot of seat time in the E39 540i (6-speed), and I just sold my E46 330i (5-speed), so I am used to quick BMW's. The M5 makes both of those seem docile.
The car was morning-cold when the manager threw me the keys, so it took a good 5 minutes before I could redline and hear the engine sing. Once it did, I was in heaven. Unfortunately, the city was unfamiliar to me, and at first, I was unable to find any real place to open her up. Stoplights were frustratingly all green (wouldn't you know it), and traffic was heavy...so I searched for an open road. Minutes later, I found a side street next to a business park (it was Saturday) that was long, flat and desolate.
I pulled over, shut off DSC, turned on SPORT, and let her rip. The tires spun for what seemed like minutes... then I shifted to second. THE TIRES SPUN AGAIN for about three more seconds and the car twitched left and right. Redline in second and I swear I got another chirp into third... the tach climbed, then I ran out of room. Wow!
On the road, with the car in second gear at 4000 rpm, nothing can touch you. It really is a beast. The engine sounds beautiful (like the 540i - which already has a wonderful exhaust note - on steriods)
Turn the SPORT button on while cruising, and the car lurches forward. I am not kidding, it is like switching on more horses. It is frightening.
Anyway, it was the most powerful car I have ever driven, and I was very impressed. The transmission is different from the 6-speed in the 540i, it has wonderfully shorter throws. The suspension is tight, yet not jarring.
In case you are wondering, it does feel like a big car, so the M3 still would be my choice on the track. However, give me an M5 to slaughter people on the freeway, or from stoplight to stoplight.
First of all, I have a lot of seat time in the E39 540i (6-speed), and I just sold my E46 330i (5-speed), so I am used to quick BMW's. The M5 makes both of those seem docile.
The car was morning-cold when the manager threw me the keys, so it took a good 5 minutes before I could redline and hear the engine sing. Once it did, I was in heaven. Unfortunately, the city was unfamiliar to me, and at first, I was unable to find any real place to open her up. Stoplights were frustratingly all green (wouldn't you know it), and traffic was heavy...so I searched for an open road. Minutes later, I found a side street next to a business park (it was Saturday) that was long, flat and desolate.
I pulled over, shut off DSC, turned on SPORT, and let her rip. The tires spun for what seemed like minutes... then I shifted to second. THE TIRES SPUN AGAIN for about three more seconds and the car twitched left and right. Redline in second and I swear I got another chirp into third... the tach climbed, then I ran out of room. Wow!
On the road, with the car in second gear at 4000 rpm, nothing can touch you. It really is a beast. The engine sounds beautiful (like the 540i - which already has a wonderful exhaust note - on steriods)
Turn the SPORT button on while cruising, and the car lurches forward. I am not kidding, it is like switching on more horses. It is frightening.
Anyway, it was the most powerful car I have ever driven, and I was very impressed. The transmission is different from the 6-speed in the 540i, it has wonderfully shorter throws. The suspension is tight, yet not jarring.
In case you are wondering, it does feel like a big car, so the M3 still would be my choice on the track. However, give me an M5 to slaughter people on the freeway, or from stoplight to stoplight.
