BMW F10 M5 Review - Motor Trend: Better Than Predecessor in Every Way

[727jbh]

Love this car!!!

[esquire]

The new 5er is beautiful in and of itself. And I think BMW made the perfect move by leaving this M5 understated as they did with the E39. But hearing/reading these glowing reviews on the car is just icing on the cake. I see the M5 and its turbo's quickly becoming a very well-regarded M in the pantheon of M's.

MCB + White (Platinum?) interior FTW !

[Smoltz]

You ever notice that nearly every car is deemed superior to its predecessor by the mainstream car media?

[BMWPower06]

It's an awesome car, but the High Revving V10 will definitely be missed...

[SlammedR8]

cant wait to test drive it myself

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Smoltz

You ever notice that nearly every car is deemed superior to its predecessor by the mainstream car media?

Not always!

[BMWPower06]

Originally Posted by Smoltz

You ever notice that nearly every car is deemed superior to its predecessor by the mainstream car media?

I'd rather have the fire-breathing V10

[alpine92m3]

Originally Posted by m balla

I feel the exact same way... but the engine is a beast and I will accept that... I just hope and pray the M3 comes out more aggressive than what is being rendered

same here this blows

[GMW]

Originally Posted by debdoub

It is nice but still I like the chassis of E39 the most.

Hell yes

[JerezblackM3]

Originally Posted by GMW

Hell yes

1

[ddmerino]

I love this review.

[1speedbike]

26 psi

[eisenb11]

I'm surprised that the reviews generally aren't making a big deal about the sound generators. For some reason that feature really rubs me the wrong way.

[Budge]

Originally Posted by JasonCSU

You obviously don't understand the reason they had to go down the turbo route. With the stricter emissions and fuel mileage requirements, it's no longer possible to offer a high revving naturally aspirated engine at this time. Until such an engine can get better mileage with less emissions, expect to see more and more turbo engines.

I understand why they did it, I just wish they had done it better. Like you said, we are going to see more and more turbo engines from a lot of car companies. I expected BMW find a way to overcome the #1 gripe about these engines, at least for the M's. With turbo lag, it's going to feel like your waiting for the downshift in an automatic. I'll pass.

[mookie45]

Love this car. I want to see it beat up on some cts-v's!!

[CJ421]

I love the M5 ... maybe I'll save up and make it my next car. Definitely sounds like a manageable daily driver.

Originally Posted by uhn2000

"Rumor has it the U.S. will be getting a manual. Not sure why we need it, but we'll take it."

Looking forward to the car but this guy is such doosh!

Seriously!! WTF kind of comment is that.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by eisenb11

I'm surprised that the reviews generally aren't making a big deal about the sound generators. For some reason that feature really rubs me the wrong way.

Maybe Active Sound was not optioned on these vehicles or was disengaged (..or not nearly as intrusive as members thought).

[eisenb11]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Maybe Active Sound was not optioned on these vehicles or was disengaged (..or not nearly as intrusive as members thought).

From what I've read so far, it's not an option and can not be disengaged. I don't think it's a matter of being "instrusive", but of being "artificial".

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by stingray23

more like 99.9%

I'm sure it will be more than that. I've seen several E39 and E60 M5's at the track before.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by eisenb11

From what I've read so far, it's not an option and can not be disengaged. I don't think it's a matter of being "instrusive", but of being "artificial".

Considering that many gearhead journalists have yet mention it, I have a distinct feeling that it doesn't negatively affect the driving experience. At this point it's all conjecture however. Until we have the opportunity to delve into the new iDrive menus, we won't be able to confirm whether or not AS (..or at least the engine noise reproduction portion of it) can be disabled. Worst case scenario, EAS, Mike Benvo or another tuner will figure out a way to disable it via coding.

[Smoltz]

Originally Posted by JasonCSU

You obviously don't understand the reason they had to go down the turbo route. With the stricter emissions and fuel mileage requirements, it's no longer possible to offer a high revving naturally aspirated engine at this time. Until such an engine can get better mileage with less emissions, expect to see more and more turbo engines.

You should do some research on CAFE requirements, how CAFE affects companies like BMW and the cost per unit for violations. Also consider the sales volume of efficient cars compared with the volume of M cars in BMWs lineup.

This is more of a choice by BMW than the result of a mandate by the Federal Government, at least as far as the US is concerned.

-Adam

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by Smoltz

You should do some research on CAFE requirements, how CAFE affects companies like BMW and the cost per unit for violations. Also consider the sales volume of efficient cars compared with the volume of M cars in BMWs lineup.

This is more of a choice by BMW than the result of a mandate by the Federal Government, at least as far as the US is concerned.

-Adam

Thanks for the tip, but I have done that research in the past. It's not just the CAFE requirements, but also those of the European Union. It's the latter that is setting stricter emissions requirements for the future. Yes, BMW does sell far more efficient models than overall M car sales, but my understanding was that ratio eventually would not meet the future fleet mileage and emissions requirements, hence the more efficient M cars.

This brought up the question of how Porsche and Ferrari and similar manufacturers are still able to build the engines that they do. I believe those manufacturers were initially granted an extension on meeting the requirements due to being "niche manufacturers," but would eventually be forced to meet the requirements. With the case of Porsche and Ferrari, they may be able to fall under the large corporate fleet sales of the VAG and Fiat Group, allowing those vehicles to fall outside the requirements assuming the fleet average meets the requirements. Aston Martin on the other hand, doesn't have a large corporate fleet to fall under, which is why we have seen the creation of the Toyota based Cygnet.

With all that being said, I certainly hope we don't see the death of naturally aspirated engines, but I understand why we'll see more forced induction and diesel applications.