New F10 M5 -- collision advoidance saved my a**

[Robert B]

After months of sitting on the fence, I traded my E90 M3 6 speed in for a Monte Carlo Blue F10 M5 DCT. The power the car produces is intoxicating. While I was not sure about which transmission to get, I went with the DCT. It is the first new car that I have purchased without a manual transmission in over 14 years. The DCT has proven very entertaining.

Sitting in the finance office at the dealer, I reflected on my progression of M cars, starting with an E36 M Roadster to an E46 M3 Convertible (still the best looking BMW I have owned) to an E90 M3 sedan to an M5. I guess a B7 (or an M7 if one is ever sold) will be next.

Even the electronic nannies that I have always scoffed at saved my a** today. I looked down at the Nav system when the collision avoidance lit up because the car in front of me stopped to make a right turn. I looked up, slammed on the brakes, and the ABS did its job perfectly. Without the collision avoidance, my brand new M5 would have ended up in the back seat of a Chevy.

Ironically, one criticism that I have about the car involves the brakes, which are a little grabby, making it difficult to smoothly come to a stop. But, when the brakes were needed, they certainly came through.

[RPiM5]

Nice! Makes me wonder if I should have gotten the Drivers Assistance Package. Hmmm....

[Robert B]

Originally Posted by RPiM5

Nice! Makes me wonder if I should have gotten the Drivers Assistance Package. Hmmm....

If I would have ordered the car, I would never have gotten the Drivers Assistance Package. I mean, what real driver needs assistance, right? However, BMW South County orders all of their M5s with Drivers Assistance and Executive Packages. I guess they knew what I would need better than I would have.

[avi8tir]

Good to hear. I was hesitant on all of the new electronics... my dad had them in his 7 and I thought they were worthless.

Now, after having the car for a couple of months, I rely on them.

[ucla95]

Top view camera is priceless

[Reedomn]

Originally Posted by Robert B

After months of sitting on the fence, I traded my E90 M3 6 speed in for a Monte Carlo Blue F10 M5 DCT. The power the car produces is intoxicating. While I was not sure about which transmission to get, I went with the DCT. It is the first new car that I have purchased without a manual transmission in over 14 years. The DCT has proven very entertaining.

Sitting in the finance office at the dealer, I reflected on my progression of M cars, starting with an E36 M Roadster to an E46 M3 Convertible (still the best looking BMW I have owned) to an E90 M3 sedan to an M5. I guess a B7 (or an M7 if one is ever sold) will be next.

Even the electronic nannies that I have always scoffed at saved my a** today. I looked down at the Nav system when the collision avoidance lit up because the car in front of me stopped to make a right turn. I looked up, slammed on the brakes, and the ABS did its job perfectly. Without the collision avoidance, my brand new M5 would have ended up in the back seat of a Chevy.

Ironically, one criticism that I have about the car involves the brakes, which are a little grabby, making it difficult to smoothly come to a stop. But, when the brakes were needed, they certainly came through.

I am in the same boat (or on the same fence) as I have always driven manuals but am considering an M5 DCT....my progression has been e30 M3, E36 2 door M3, E36 4 door M3, E39 M5, Audi 4.2 (fast car but a boat) E90 M3....does the M5 feel like a huge car compared to M3??

[h4nh]

oh man I turned all those nifty features off.. maybe it's time to put them back on lol glad your M5 is safe!

[Amin5]

Originally Posted by ucla95

Top view camera is priceless

Agreed! I have a very tight fit getting into the garage and this view does wonders to help inch by the wall and my other vehicle!

[Robert B]

Originally Posted by Reedomn

I am in the same boat (or on the same fence) as I have always driven manuals but am considering an M5 DCT....my progression has been e30 M3, E36 2 door M3, E36 4 door M3, E39 M5, Audi 4.2 (fast car but a boat) E90 M3....does the M5 feel like a huge car compared to M3??

Like many BMWs, the M5 seems to shrink as you push it harder. It feels supremely confident and planted on twisty roads at speed. My daily drive includes a steep uphill section of twisty, narrow road with a switch back. I blasted the M5 up and it felt faster and more planted than with my M3. While it was a lot of fun to drive, the M3 included more drama.

Because it is so competent and planted, it is also incredibly easy to drive way too fast in the M5. It is like being in a jet where the speed and sense of speed are somewhat divorced. Nevertheless, I do not feel completely issolated from the road. There is a decent amount of feed back through the suspension and the steering wheel.

All of this is a long way of saying that the M5 does not feel like a huge car.

[Tomcat2048]

Originally Posted by RPiM5

Nice! Makes me wonder if I should have gotten the Drivers Assistance Package. Hmmm....

I may be wrong but I thought that the Collision Avoidance came standard...at least it isn't listed under the Driver's Assistance package features...

However, since I have the Driver's Assistance package in my car, I can't be too sure.

[Tomcat2048]

Originally Posted by Amin5

Agreed! I have a very tight fit getting into the garage and this view does wonders to help inch by the wall and my other vehicle!

I use this daily...backing my car in with top view is probably the easiest thing in the world to do now

[Robert B]

Top view is great. Not just for backing up, but also for avoiding curb rash on the rims.

[crazy08]

I kept the collision assistance on for a while, and if your following someone fairly close it'll pick up that they're slamming on the brakes pretty quick.
I think it also takes your own speed in consideration when deciding at what point to warn you.

[LAKEOM5]

one criticism that I have about the car involves the brakes, which are a little grabby, making it difficult to smoothly come to a stop. But, when the brakes were needed, they certainly came through.[




How long have you had the car? The brakes are grabby at first until you adjust to them.

Then the only time they grab are when you are inching towards a wall in your garage - going between stopped, moving and stopping quickly. Primarily because the DCT holds you still and makes it tough to roll very slowly.

[Robert B]

I have about 700 miles on the car. It's the grabbing right before you come to a smooth stop that bugs me. In the scheme of things, however, it is trivial. I know I will be whining more when I have to buy new rear tires in about a month.