Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluehorseshoe
Phil, had my M5 for a couple months now and have 500 miles on the clock. Babying the throttle for the most part, I'm getting exactly 12MPG, worse gas mileage than my former 2011 full-sized Range Rover SC.
I had a great offer on my RR and sold it fully intending to buy a 535d for my next DD.
Long story short, I was disenchanted by the numb steering feel of the 535d, so I proceeded to drive every other BMW model that made sense for a guy with two young children in search of a daily driver. I was set on only buying a BMW.
(BTW, I sold my RR because I was tired of going to the gas station and missed the handling of my last 750i.)
I was dumb enough to test drive an M5 equipped with CP and found the steering and feel of the car to be unmatched. It spoiled me for every other BMW model.
I'm still in love with my M5 after 500 miles but, in retrospect, right now, I feel like a loaded 535d (non X-drive with 4 wheel steering and electronic damping control) would have been the wiser choice for me.
I find the M5 to be a cumbersome daily driver. It feels so low to the ground impairing visibility, and often challenging to maneuver in parking lot type situations with average turning radius and steering that's far too heavy between 1-10 MPH.
I'm also irritated how the car teases me to drive 2x the legal speed limit in order to feel right. This car will get me in trouble and is to be fully enjoyed in parts of the world with higher or no speed limits.
Also, you need to dial in the more aggressive settings for transmission and throttle response or the car feels sluggish and out of sorts at routine RPMs. (I wonder if there's a way to lock in these type of settings?)
With kids and car seats in the back, full leather, black in and out I wish for once in my life I was able to make more practical choices.
Now please keep in mind that I'm not used to this car yet and can't fully enjoy her due to break-in period.
I'm just saying that in your case as a daily driver with concerns about range I would think long and hard about a 535d. I didn't. But hey, I don't really care about range and I 100 percent realized that I was making an emotional buying decision. Good luck!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M3PGH
daily driver: the M5 is an excellent car weather permitting
Snow driving : fairly risky even with snow tires. I live on the opposite end of state and familiar with snow driving.
IMO driving in the snow depends on multiple factors
1. tires
2. drive system awd/rwd/fwd and we all know rwd is the worst
3. topography of the area. traction uphills is different than flat surface.
4. public utility taking care of the roads reference snow removal and salting the roads
I never attempted driving M5 in snow, but a similar car C63 AMG I had with snow tires was a headache . So if you travel a lot for business, this means you will be traveling in rural areas where public services are much worse than bigger cities.
Get yourself an a winter mobile: my suggestion evo x MR, with snow tires and have fun in M5 in the summer and in the evo in the winter. This is my personal setup at this time and it is great
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CFisher
Might as well chime in here too...I grew up in Green Lane @PhilT3 so I'm familiar with where you're at. I am a sarcastic bas$^&d most of the time...but I'll keep it in check! 
As everybody has said...M5 might not be the first car to consider if primary concern is MPG...but you've said that range is key. I just checked mine (5 months) and I'm getting about 360 mile range. Most of those are 'short' miles, as my commute is embarrassingly small. So I wouldn't be surprised to see higher numbers on someone with a warmed up car most of the time. As long as you stay out of Tioga County I can't imagine you'd have trouble locating gas!
I have had ZERO issues driving in snow up to about 3 inches+ running square setup on winter Pirellis (19's). You need to drive with that in mind however. Drive like you think you're on rails...and you'll pay. I'm used to RWD - been driving that for the last 14 yrs. Keep in mind...I'm no longer on the same terrain as you are. I even turn off the DSC once in a while to make sure the car can still do doughnuts in the snow. 
I pulled into the drive the other day...and the neighbor kid started giggling (11 yrs old)...I asked him what's up..."Your car looks so awesome..." - you don't get that with too many other cars. And mine's practically stock...with winter wheels on!
The car is sex on wheels. We bought in because it's a legend...for many it's been our dream car to some extent...Perfect? Nope. Some of us are more spoiled than others too so opinions will run wild. It's definitely my daily for a long time to come. |
FINALLY! This is GREAT feedback guys. EXACTLY the kind of insight I've been looking for.
Fortunately, my job doesn't 'require' I drive in any condition. My wife on the other hand is dictated by surgical case schedules, so she HAS to go sometimes. I am simply selling software, so I can be flexible if/when needed.
I will put on winter / snow tires and drive with extra caution.
As for gas... I will need to plan accordingly.
The M5 has been a dream car of mine and ...YOLO!!!!! (You Only Live Once)
Thanks again for taking the time to give straight and honest feedback.