SoCal F10 M5 - initial review and comparison to F10 550i M Sport

Karazy · 08-28-2012, 02:23 PM

Congrats!!

desertfox73 · 08-28-2012, 02:54 PM

Nice shots - beautiful cars. I'm most amazed by the difference between the size of the M5 front brakes and those of the 550. Wow. Everything you need to know about what that car can do is spelled out in the size of those rotors.

B-1Pilot · 08-28-2012, 02:59 PM

Thanks much for the pics as well. They really help visualizing the differences between the two. I really like the M5s mirrors for instance, but hadnt really noticed how different they were.

Beautiful cars!

EdM5 · 08-28-2012, 03:45 PM

Awesome comparo!

mdosu · 08-28-2012, 03:47 PM

the M Sport body is very similar to the M5 body. It's funny how the front bumper of the M Sport is a "happy mouth", and the M5 is simply turned upside-down to a "sad mouth"

TheRealOrosie · 08-28-2012, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattmv06

Never seen a 550 Msport look so blah hahaha

This coming from an Accord driver...

jftoha · 08-28-2012, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdosu

the M Sport body is very similar to the M5 body. It's funny how the front bumper of the M Sport is a "happy mouth", and the M5 is simply turned upside-down to a "sad mouth"

I would say the M Sport looks happy, and the M5 a little angry, like in "get out of my way". More than anything, to me the M5 front looks a little more German and functionally designed and the M Sport a little more "stylized" and (don't get angry with me) Japanese.

There is something about the bottom edge of the M5 spoiler that makes it seem more functional and less stylish, as in designed to meet technical requirements. The M Sport lower edge seems to be more cosmetic or stylish. Maybe I am reading to much into it, but I am Designer, and may be wired that way.

Imola.ZHP · 08-28-2012, 05:53 PM

Silver looks so boring anymore...

mdosu · 08-28-2012, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jftoha

I would say the M Sport looks happy, and the M5 a little angry, like in "get out of my way". More than anything, to me the M5 front looks a little more German and functionally designed and the M Sport a little more "stylized" and (don't get angry with me) Japanese.

There is something about the bottom edge of the M5 spoiler that makes it seem more functional and less stylish, as in designed to meet technical requirements. The M Sport lower edge seems to be more cosmetic or stylish. Maybe I am reading to much into it, but I am Designer, and may be wired that way.

yeah, I hear ya and agree. I'm just saying the "mouth" part is basically flipped on each car.

m balla · 08-28-2012, 06:15 PM

Darker colors better suit the beast... AW is better suited for the coupe

Silver better brings out the lines of the car... AW looks so much better with the CF roof

I think BMW is saving something special for the next M5...

Same car, less weight (CFRP), and mo' power and a 7-speed manual

My main two complaints about this car: no CF roof and valvetronic

Pentium · 08-28-2012, 06:28 PM

Congrats on your new ride, gorgeous!

visualguy · 08-28-2012, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m balla

My main two complaints about this car: no CF roof and valvetronic

Agreed on the roof, but what's wrong with Valvetronic?

LemonOne · 08-28-2012, 07:46 PM

I don't think these two cars look similar.

E39 M5 and E39 540i M sport are more identical to each other IMO.

Not to mention E60 M5 vs E60 550i M

J Lau · 08-28-2012, 08:07 PM

whao...nice comparison, and Congrats on your M5!!!!!
I know the M5 is a much better car to drive, in fact, its a completely different creature compare to the regular 5. But I still think the 550i Msport is good looking and it is more than enough to satisfy my needs if i were to get a 5.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lemon Jelly M3

I don't think these two cars look similar.

E39 M5 and E39 540i M sport are more identical to each other IMO.

Not to mention E60 M5 vs E60 550i M

i agree! The E39 540i pretty much replicated 95% of the M5 bumper (beside the line in the lower vent/grille on the F. bumper), and i dont think back then BMW tried as hard to push there "M" aero kits. If I am not wrong, both E39 and E60 M5s were launched before the M/performance/sport body kits were options for the car. which isnt the same for F10.

The E39 M5 is still very impressive from what i remembered, and it was such a large improvement coming from the previous gen, E34.

Maybe because I came from e46fanatics. IMO, the ZHP really made an impact to BMW NA. ever since the E46 ZHP was launched, BMW started the BMW Performance product line, the 335is, as well as the M-Sport Packege as an option which includes the upgraded aero kit rather than selling as after-sale parts. I think the the M-Sport package strategy has proven to BMW that it is sustainable to stand on its own, and this is where the "M" and "M-Sport" divided in terms of the exterior.

m balla · 08-28-2012, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by visualguy

Agreed on the roof, but what's wrong with Valvetronic?

Vtronic is something extra that could break or go wrong... I thought BM added this for efficient dynamics but don't the benefits of vtronic wane after 6K rpm? So my thought is that BM tried to increase gas mileage but could have gave us an 8K+ redline instead since individual throttle bodies are more instantaneous in higher rpm?

I was thinking vtronic would be better suited for diesel applications.

m balla · 08-28-2012, 08:25 PM

Is there faster response in the m valvetronic appiications? Could perceived turbo lag be from this? Can anyone comment on the X5/6M?

leletyM3 · 08-28-2012, 11:14 PM

Thanks for sharing all those nice pictures and for your opinion, I ve been thinking of selling my E60 M5 for the new F10 M5, but somehow even the new M6 is growing on me......

m balla · 08-28-2012, 11:43 PM

Almost triple black... Anthracite trim... And I've seen a couple on the autobahn acting all boss

///M3AN · 08-29-2012, 11:08 AM

Wow!

I was not a huge M5 fan until this post!

Good write up and comparison and a spectacular car, congrats!!!

johnca · 08-29-2012, 11:11 AM

Nice..

Xamil · 08-29-2012, 01:13 PM

Great review ðŸ‘

midcont · 08-29-2012, 07:04 PM

I agree that the m sport front bumper looks better
More of a classic BMW mouth and the lower intakes look larger, deeper and lower to the ground
Without the fogs it would look even more aggressive
Rear bumper m5 hands down
Same hoods?

08-28-2012, 02:23 PM	#67
Karazy Go Fast And Take Chances 50 Rep 261 Posts Drives: 2020 M2C Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho iTrader: (0)	Congrats!! __________________ 2014 Corvette Z51 Stingray 3LT, 7 M/T 2015 KTM 1290 SA Retired- 11 BMW 335, 07 BMW R1200GSA, 04 BMW Z4, 01 BMW K1200RS, 00 BMW R1150GS
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-28-2012, 02:54 PM	#68
desertfox73 Banned 679 Rep 1,020 Posts Drives: 2018 F83 / 2018 F85 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Nashville, Tennessee iTrader: (0)	Nice shots - beautiful cars. I'm most amazed by the difference between the size of the M5 front brakes and those of the 550. Wow. Everything you need to know about what that car can do is spelled out in the size of those rotors.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-28-2012, 02:59 PM	#69
B-1Pilot Yankee Air Pirate 168 Rep 982 Posts Drives: M5 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: The Nation's Capitol iTrader: (0)	Thanks much for the pics as well. They really help visualizing the differences between the two. I really like the M5s mirrors for instance, but hadnt really noticed how different they were. Beautiful cars! __________________ deposit placed for 2025 G99 ///M5 Touring \|\| 2020 F90///M5 \|\| 2014 F10 ///M5 \|\| My Epic ED trip report\|\| \|\| 2009 BMW R1200RT
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-28-2012, 03:45 PM	#70
EdM5 Colonel 4100 Rep 2,067 Posts Drives: G26 i4 M50 & E70 X5 Xdrive35d Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Amsterdam iTrader: (0)	Awesome comparo! __________________ 2004 e87 118d (ret.), 2007 e92 330d (ret.), 2007 e87 130i M-sport (ret.), 2009 e92 M3 (ret.), 2010 f10 535d M-sport (ret.), 2015 f10 M5 CP (ret.), 2017 f82 M4 CP (ret.) 2022 g26 i4 M50 & 2009 e70 X5 35d
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-28-2012, 03:47 PM	#71
mdosu Banned 329 Rep 8,495 Posts Drives: Double Vanos'd Civic-M3 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (6)	the M Sport body is very similar to the M5 body. It's funny how the front bumper of the M Sport is a "happy mouth", and the M5 is simply turned upside-down to a "sad mouth"
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-28-2012, 05:53 PM	#74
Imola.ZHP Colonel 129 Rep 2,218 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW i3 BEV EE Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mud Island, TN iTrader: (0)	Silver looks so boring anymore... __________________ - 2014 CPO i01 BEV Electronaut Edition Capparis White Tera World, '17- - 2015 CPO i01 BEV Laurel Grey Tera World, '17- - 2015 i01 REx Laurel Grey Tera World, '15-'17 - 2003 CPO 330i ZHP Imola Red Build 03/03/03, '06-'15
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-28-2012, 06:15 PM	#76
m balla m balla 14 Rep 155 Posts Drives: ///M Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: bslava iTrader: (0)	Darker colors better suit the beast... AW is better suited for the coupe Silver better brings out the lines of the car... AW looks so much better with the CF roof I think BMW is saving something special for the next M5... Same car, less weight (CFRP), and mo' power and a 7-speed manual My main two complaints about this car: no CF roof and valvetronic
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-28-2012, 06:28 PM	#77
Pentium Captain 316 Rep 822 Posts Drives: BMW 335i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335i [10.00]	Congrats on your new ride, gorgeous! __________________ The Best Is Yet To Come! E36 - E39 - E53 - E60 - E87 - E90
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-28-2012, 07:46 PM	#79
LemonOne Major 726 Rep 1,086 Posts Drives: ///Most Powerful Letter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: East Coast iTrader: (0)	I don't think these two cars look similar. E39 M5 and E39 540i M sport are more identical to each other IMO. Not to mention E60 M5 vs E60 550i M
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-28-2012, 08:25 PM	#82
m balla m balla 14 Rep 155 Posts Drives: ///M Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: bslava iTrader: (0)	Is there faster response in the m valvetronic appiications? Could perceived turbo lag be from this? Can anyone comment on the X5/6M?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-28-2012, 11:14 PM	#83
leletyM3 HPF Stg2 640rwhp 11 Rep 294 Posts Drives: HPF M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (1)	Thanks for sharing all those nice pictures and for your opinion, I ve been thinking of selling my E60 M5 for the new F10 M5, but somehow even the new M6 is growing on me......
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-28-2012, 11:43 PM	#84
m balla m balla 14 Rep 155 Posts Drives: ///M Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: bslava iTrader: (0)	Almost triple black... Anthracite trim... And I've seen a couple on the autobahn acting all boss
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-29-2012, 11:08 AM	#85
///M3AN First Lieutenant 35 Rep 343 Posts Drives: 2008 Jet Black E90 M3 Join Date: May 2012 Location: NW Arkansas iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00] 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe [0.00]	Wow! I was not a huge M5 fan until this post! Good write up and comparison and a spectacular car, congrats!!!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-29-2012, 11:11 AM	#86
johnca Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 289 Posts Drives: E46 Slow CSL Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	Nice.. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-29-2012, 01:13 PM	#87
Xamil New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: X6 50i 2011 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Geneva iTrader: (0)	Great review ðŸ‘
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-29-2012, 07:04 PM	#88
midcont Enlisted Member 4 Rep 33 Posts Drives: 19’ M5 Comp Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: NNJ iTrader: (0)	I agree that the m sport front bumper looks better More of a classic BMW mouth and the lower intakes look larger, deeper and lower to the ground Without the fogs it would look even more aggressive Rear bumper m5 hands down Same hoods?
	Appreciate 0 Quote