M5POST
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Go Back   M5POST - BMW M5 Forum > F10 M5 Forum > BMW M5 (F10) General Forum

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      03-05-2013, 06:23 AM   #1
hinckley
Brigadier General
hinckley's Avatar
3488
Rep
3,206
Posts

Drives: '24 M4C Conv
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: South Florida

iTrader: (1)

As many of you know from a prior post, I picked up a Sakhir M5 6MT a couple of days ago. I drove it about 400 miles over the weekend before I put it away for a month or so just as snow flakes were beginning to fall. I absolutely fell in love with the car and bonded with it so much that I was worried how I would feel getting into my other car. Let me explain.

While I've owned many BMWs over the years, I've also owned many other cars from Porsches and Audis to Hondas, Acuras, Saabs, Volvos and others (hell, I owned a Merkur - younger readers should go to Wikipedia). About 18 months ago, I got tired of waiting for the M5 and needed to scratch an itch, so I bought an Audi S4 6MT. I had initially thought of it as an interim solution, but was quickly blown away by the car. It's very fast, has a very effective trick rear sport diff, it's luxurious and smooth driving, and it's been a tank driving through this winter's many snow storms. The S4 is 80% of the M5 for 60% of the cost. I like it so much that I decided to keep it and trade my Porsche Targa4S for the M5. But after this weekend's drive, I was worried that the S4 would disappoint me. It didn't.

Then last night, I read another scathing Car and Driver review of the M5 and it got me to thinking. The S4 is "seat of the pants" fun. It lurched forward merging onto the highway and darted around rush hour traffic. The M5 is a much more sophisticated drive. It's sooo smooth and does everything without commotion that I understand how it could be described as "aloof". It's really become the epitome of the stealth German uber-sedan. It's not the visceral E39 M5 or the raucous E60 M5. But as an owner, it's what I want. C&D's reviewers may not agree, but then, they're not actually the ones spending the money. C&D has just got this one wrong. If they want a boy-racer, they should look at a WRX. If you want 21st century sophistication, look at the M5.

One other thing. I do understand that the DCT better fits this M5's character (I'm trying not to use the "sophisticated" word again). But I want a stick. And it took me precisely four shifts to find the clutch's pick-up point and every shift has been smooth since. And BMW's sticks have always, always had long-ish throws. It never bothered C&D before. Why now? I really am beginning to believe these guys just have a hair across their a$$ with this car. Btw, my first set of mods will include IND's upcoming short-throw.

This is the first time a car mag's reviews are really bothering me, but I do agree with C&D on one thing . . . Sakhir is "a beautiful color. "
__________________
CURRENT: '24 M4C Conv
RETIRED : '23 M8C Conv | '20 X4 M40i | '18 M4 6MT | '13 M5 6MT | '08 550i 6MT | '04 545i 6MT | '98 540i 6MT | '94 530i 5MT | '84 528e 5MT
Other retirees from Chevrolet, Buick, Subaru, Honda, Acura, Merkur(!), Volvo, Saab, Audi and Porsche
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2013, 09:59 AM   #2
Bokke
Major
Bokke's Avatar
571
Rep
1,320
Posts

Drives: E90M3/991.2GT3/G82M4CSL/9YOTGT
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Dallas, TX

iTrader: (0)

Again, congrats on the car and color!

Your analysis is spot on; your comparison to your S4 very similar to my experience with my E90 M3 which I drove this morning.

If you want 21st century sophistication, look at the M5. I could not agree more.

I dont think I could put mine away for a month, I actually feel guilty that I am ignoring my M3.

Thanks for the flash back on the Merkur - I really wanted one of those when they came out!
__________________
Garage:
09 E90 ///M3 | SS | Black | Modded
22 992.1 GT3 | Black | PCCB | LWB | PDK
23 G82 ///M4CSL | AW | Race Buckets |
24 9YO Cayenne TGT | QGM| Burgundy | Neodyne / PCCB
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2013, 11:07 AM   #3
Boss330
Major General
Boss330's Avatar
No_Country
1712
Rep
5,108
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Earth

iTrader: (0)

Re the Merkur; I actually still have my 1988 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth (the Sierra and Scorpio are the Euro originals of the US Merkur models).
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2013, 11:28 AM   #4
krown
Private First Class
krown's Avatar
29
Rep
113
Posts

Drives: 2017 Alpina B6
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Vancouver

iTrader: (0)

I agree fully. I had a 2012 750iXdrive and traded her in for my M5. The 750 was ALMOST perfect in every single way. The ride was smooth as butter, and bloody fast for a luxury sedan (I had the Dinan Stage 1 installed). The only problem was... it wasn't an M5. Now the M5 isn't as a luxurious ride as the 750i, but obviously much more exciting to drive.. which is a tradeoff I'm willing to make 10 times out of 10. In fact, if I didn't own a 750 before hand, I wouldn't be able to make the claim the 750 ride was smoother than the M5.

Bottom line, the M5 is a luxury sedan when you want it to be, and can outrun 99% of the cars you'll encounter on an daily basis.
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2013, 11:30 AM   #5
ufgtrs2007
dentite
ufgtrs2007's Avatar
339
Rep
758
Posts

Drives: 718 GT4, M2C, JLU392, e92 M3
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: NC

iTrader: (9)

Garage List
2013 BMW M3  [0.00]
2013 BMW M5  [0.00]
Congrats on an awesome color combo.

I enjoy Chris Harris's reviews because he tells it how it is. He basically states that the new M5 is a successor to the E39 more than the E60 and that it improves in every category from the previous generation.

The technology and advancements in engineering and design in this M5 is ahead of any current BMW in production besides the M6. It is the future of BMW M engineering in present time. The fact that C&D continue to compare this car the Panamera's costing 50-80K more shows how impressive and what a bargain our cars are.

The E92 M3 was initially received with mixed reviews but now as the generation comes to an end, it's getting praised as a masterpiece. I expect the same for the M5.

None of these reviewers were ready for how complete, refined, and advanced the F10 M5 has become.
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2013, 11:57 AM   #6
PatrickC23
Colonel
PatrickC23's Avatar
United_States
183
Rep
2,245
Posts

Drives: '16 991.1 911 GTS, '16 F85 X5M
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NNJ

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2013 BMW ///M5  [0.00]
Exactly why I moved into the M5 class - nice write-up.
__________________
2016 991.1 911 Carrera GTS
2016 F85 X5M - Carbon Black/Mugello Red
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2013, 12:34 PM   #7
hinckley
Brigadier General
hinckley's Avatar
3488
Rep
3,206
Posts

Drives: '24 M4C Conv
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: South Florida

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Boss330 View Post
Re the Merkur; I actually still have my 1988 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth (the Sierra and Scorpio are the Euro originals of the US Merkur models).
lol. I have to admit I was much younger and thought I was pretty cool when I bought my '85 XR4Ti. Of course I also thought I was buying a German car made by Ford. What I actually got was a Ford made in Germany!
__________________
CURRENT: '24 M4C Conv
RETIRED : '23 M8C Conv | '20 X4 M40i | '18 M4 6MT | '13 M5 6MT | '08 550i 6MT | '04 545i 6MT | '98 540i 6MT | '94 530i 5MT | '84 528e 5MT
Other retirees from Chevrolet, Buick, Subaru, Honda, Acura, Merkur(!), Volvo, Saab, Audi and Porsche
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2013, 12:39 PM   #8
krispykreme
First Lieutenant
46
Rep
339
Posts

Drives: e90 328i
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Mission SJ CA

iTrader: (0)

I have to agree with C&D, except the portion about driving the car smoothly.

If you learn to feather your throttle correctly, the car is smooth as butter.

But C&D is right regarding the shifter as too long. Engagement of first and second gear is too long. Gear gate is a little vague. That is why short shift kit is a must.

As far as steering goes- I had to agree. The F10 is not as fun to drive as E60.

I would love to see this engine in the E60 chassis. I am just not in love with F10 chassis at all.
__________________
-13 F10 M5 6MT (Amazonite Silver)
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2013, 12:44 PM   #9
hinckley
Brigadier General
hinckley's Avatar
3488
Rep
3,206
Posts

Drives: '24 M4C Conv
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: South Florida

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ufgtrs2007 View Post
The fact that C&D continue to compare this car the Panamera's costing 50-80K more shows how impressive and what a bargain our cars are.
Fully agree. Reviewers like to compare base prices of cars. But in the real world, Porsches cost much, much more. I have a very well equipped M5 with options amounting to about 15% of base MSRP. To option a Porsche similarly, you add 40-50% to the base price.
__________________
CURRENT: '24 M4C Conv
RETIRED : '23 M8C Conv | '20 X4 M40i | '18 M4 6MT | '13 M5 6MT | '08 550i 6MT | '04 545i 6MT | '98 540i 6MT | '94 530i 5MT | '84 528e 5MT
Other retirees from Chevrolet, Buick, Subaru, Honda, Acura, Merkur(!), Volvo, Saab, Audi and Porsche
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2013, 03:56 PM   #10
Boss330
Major General
Boss330's Avatar
No_Country
1712
Rep
5,108
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Earth

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by hinckley View Post
lol. I have to admit I was much younger and thought I was pretty cool when I bought my '85 XR4Ti. Of course I also thought I was buying a German car made by Ford. What I actually got was a Ford made in Germany!
There is a big difference between the '80ies Fords and todays German Fords... The mid '80ies european Fords are not the best example of high quality German engineering...
Appreciate 0
      03-05-2013, 10:44 PM   #11
uhn2000
Big K...
uhn2000's Avatar
Canada
170
Rep
1,717
Posts

Drives: M3CS BX7
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Toronto, Ontario

iTrader: (0)

Great thread and good start to fantastic discussion; interesting similarity to my situation. I have always wanted an M5 in stick and finally when I heard they were making this one I was pumped and pulled the trigger. I also traded in my Targa4S for the M5 and was seconds away from actually going with an S4 and 991C2S combo. Long story short the M5 came in time and there is a piece of me that misses my Targa4S so much. I wish I kept it as a great compliment to the M5.

I find the M5 to be the most capable car on the road - able to do so many things all in one package. There is a huge piece of me that misses owning a 911 and hope to add one to the stable when the time is right.

P.S. Yes the DCT definitely fits the engine better but after driving one for one full day I was just bored and missed my MT!
__________________
Many fun toys... M3CS XB7 FTW!
Appreciate 0
      03-06-2013, 06:49 AM   #12
PatrickC23
Colonel
PatrickC23's Avatar
United_States
183
Rep
2,245
Posts

Drives: '16 991.1 911 GTS, '16 F85 X5M
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NNJ

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2013 BMW ///M5  [0.00]
Getting my haircut last night at the barber and I saw a car and driver mag so started looking through it. Got to a page previewing the new M4 and under the What Might Go Wrong section it read "The same guys who tuned the M5 to be a soggy, sorry excuse for an M car may still be on the payroll". I for one dont believe any M car could ever be described as such.
__________________
2016 991.1 911 Carrera GTS
2016 F85 X5M - Carbon Black/Mugello Red
Appreciate 0
      03-06-2013, 09:57 AM   #13
DMC126
Private
United_States
4
Rep
79
Posts

Drives: 2002 M5/2013 M5 6MT
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: San Diego

iTrader: (0)

I virtually ignore the automobile print media. Their job is to generate readers and eyeballs for their advertisers. That objective is not necessarily compatible with "unbiased reporting." The media's job is to stir passions and they do not care whether the response to the writing is positive or negative. All the better if both emotions can be summoned from the same reader.

I do pay close attention to the comments and observations of owners. Those reports have been overwhelmingly glowing and reflect my experience with the car.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:27 AM.




m5post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST