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      08-27-2012, 03:24 AM   #1
kamichael
BMW M on my mind
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Drives: 22 M3, 23 M2, 24 X5 50e
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SoCal F10 M5 - initial review and comparison to F10 550i M Sport

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UPDATED 8/27/12

I picked up my new M5 on Friday (8/24/12) and have only driven about 250 miles cruising around this weekend. I have so many things I would like to cover - but I will try to start with some key areas that I had been curious about prior to getting my M5.

I had been driving a 2012 F10 550i M Sport since I purchased it in March of this year. I originally had hoped to get the M5 at the beginning of 2012 - it looked as though the US would be getting it along with the rest of the world. As we all found out, this was not to be - but great things come to those who wait, right? In my case, I can be a very impatient person. Having driven and owned many different BMW and BMW M models I thought the 550 would pacify my "need" for the M5. It looked similar anyway. Well, that is where the similarity ends, hands down. I am going to touch briefly on a few key areas, mainly because I have not driven the M5 long enough yet. I hope to follow up after my 1200 mile break-in period, once I have a chance to embellish a bit with my right foot. For now, I have left the car in the "efficient" setting which yields the lowest throttle response.

To start with, I have absolutely no complaints about my 550. I go on record to say that I was 100% satisfied with this car. It was flawless - perfectly built without any problems whatsoever. With the M Sport package - it is truly a beautiful looking automobile. Still aggressive and "sporty", but slightly less so in appearance when compared to the M5. In my case and opinion - it would be the 20" wheels and the front end differences that set it apart ever so slightly. Wider flared front fenders and the front air intake is a bit larger, pointing out further on each side where the fog lights are on the 550. Again, I was very happy with the 550 - if it were not for the new M5 (and my own insanity), I would have been satisfied driving it for a long while.

But we could argue about the cosmetic differences forever - it really is very subjective. Everyone has their own opinion. Let me get to the first thing that I found out right away after driving the new M5 - steering and overall ride.

I am not a professional driver and not competent on a track. As such, I suspect that I am at least a capable and experienced driver that is certainly confident while sitting behind the wheel. This being said, I was uncertain of how the debate on electric versus hydraulic steering mattered. So far, this has been the most noticeable difference between the two cars. I kept reading and hearing reviews talk about the feedback from the steering wheel and knowing where the tires were on the road, etc. Not only do you "feel" every bump and divot on the highway, you feel the front wheels pull at your hands when turning. I suspect this is part of what people are referring to when describing the advantages of hydraulic steering. Again, I am not a professional driver and struggle to describe what I have noticed here. The 550's electric steering is simply numb in comparison. No feedback whatsoever. I can say however that the 550 is a bit easier to maneuver around a parking lot - much of this is probably attributable to my model's Integral Active Steering option though.

As far as the ride is concerned - there is a significant difference in how the cars feel here as well. Both have EDC/damper control. My 550 has 4 modes (comfort+, comfort, sport and sport+) whereas the M5 has 3 modes (comfort, sport and sport+). The names may be similar between the two cars, but the actual functionality of the modes is very different. For example - comfort is listed on both cars but the comfort mode on the M5 is somewhere closer to sport on the 550. That isn't to say that the M5 is not comfortable - it is very comfortable, just in a different manner. A bit firmer (not harsh though). You just get a very confident feeling when driving the M5 in contrast to the 550. The 550, although still a refined BMW, is just "softer" in every way. Don't get me wrong - it still has 400 ponies and 450 lb. ft. of torque - it hauls if you want it to, no trouble at all. On each of the damper settings, the M5 is simply a notch tighter than the 550, in a good way for me. Both of these cars can be adjusted to operate very different as well - depending on a number of settings. The M5 obviously has more settings to play with - the 550 has the EDC and transmission/throttle response adjustments, depending on which of the 4 modes the car is in.

A quick note on the transmission differences - My 550 has the 8 speed sport automatic transmission. It is very smooth and has very short gears on the low end. Obviously the DCT can perform/shift faster and handles the increased torque of the M5. Although I have not pushed the M5 yet – they react completely different. Again, the 550 has a “softer” feel – the first gear shift almost seems to come on too early. So far, using the efficient and comfort mode on the M5, I already like it more. I cannot wait until I get a chance to try more aggressive settings. I really think the transmission is where the M5 shines so well – even the audible whine of the gears comes into the cabin as you drive. It reminds you what you’re driving is not just an ordinary car.

Please let me know if there is anything specific that you wish to ask regarding my experience with these cars, especially the M5. I plan on driving the M5 this week and returning with more to say about it. I will work on posting some shots of the cars side by side as well while I still have the 550 - I am in the process of selling it. I do not plan on keeping it - there is really no reason to have 2 F10 sedans. It's just not the same now anyway – I think it’s jealous of the M5.



Specs:

Alpine White, Black Merino, Anthracite Wood
M DCT, Executive Pkg, Driver Assistance Pkg, 20", B&O.

Pics:







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22 G80 M3 Comp xDrive
23 G80 M2 MT
24 G05 X5 50e

Last edited by kamichael; 08-27-2012 at 05:58 PM..
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