How the 2014 BMW M5 Fared in 2014 Motor Trend Car of the Year Award Evaluation

[Bimmer6]

Originally Posted by basscadet

When are we going to stop blaming journalists and recognize the shortcomings of the car?

Are we really chalking this up to some anti-BMW conspiracy?

I would say every car made has some type of short coming as you would call it! If you go back and read the E60 reviews they were terrible, and the E39 really had no competition. I have owned the F10 for 13 months launch customer ED pick up, and I think the is absolutely perfect for for a commuter, break neck speed, and some track if that's your thing. My one issue it's a "tad" heavy same weight as a 2001 740i, and surely BMW could have done better. Key point that's my only complaint, and writers are not really high end sports car owners due to the cost. Now I typically go with Chris Harris reviews because he's a real driver vs. some advertising rag!

I will be the first to nail BMW because after 7 BMW's I bought a 991S, and it's slice of heaven. Not competition for the M5, but it was time to change up being a die hard to any brand. For what the M5 does you will be hard pressed to find two cars that can do the same, and please drop the caddy talk it's full of plastic and will not be worth anything on two years. The M5's only competition that I see is Audi, and they have been chasing BMW for 20 years which is their life's goal to pass BMW in sales.

Competition is good, and my opinion only this is the best M5 designed. One comfort is second to none, 560hp, looks are stunning, top notch interiors. I would bet less than 10% are tracked so all this race talk is a moot point in my opinion only. Tracked the M3, M5, and M6. M3 was fun in the turns, but not as fun as the M5 laying down the power so fun factor is there. If anyone buys a car because of a magazine review I have some land to sell you. If you own a M5 enjoy your car, and don't give a crap what a mag rag says. Especially people on this board that have never sat behind the wheel, and the car show does not count(:

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

That's not that different to what we have. We have transmission, throttle, suspension and steering, and all can be adjusted on a scale of 1-3. To me its remarkably intuitive and makes a ton of sense.

I was shopping for a car for my mother recently and she wanted to adjust steering weight. It's amazing how few cars have this feature! Motortrend calls it complexity, I call it convenience.

Plus the M1 and M2 buttons enable you to have 3 simple modes if that's all you want.

I personally don't mind the additional options. That said, I still prefer the AMG setup. In the C63, there are no suspension and steering settings. The suspension always feels dialed in and the steering feel remains consistently remarkable, regardless of how leisurely/aggressively you're driving the car.

I know that the E63 allows for multiple suspension settings and has an AMG button for those that prefer a one-step setup. Steering feel remains sturdy, communicative, and predictable in every mode/setting; no adjustment necessary.

I noticed that your M5 is for sale (it's gorgeous, btw). Are you getting a new one?

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by ybbiz34

I personally don't mind the additional options. That said, I still prefer the AMG setup. In the C63, there are no suspension and steering settings. The suspension always feels dialed in and the steering feel remains consistently remarkable, regardless of how leisurely/aggressively you're driving the car.

I know that the E63 allows for multiple suspension settings and has an AMG button for those that prefer a one-step setup. Steering feel remains sturdy, communicative, and predictable in every mode/setting; no adjustment necessary.

I noticed that your M5 is for sale (it's gorgeous, btw). Are you getting a new one?

I already got a new one.

http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=900509

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

I already got a new one.

http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=900509

Thanks for the link. Congrats! Sure is a gorgeous color combo.

My C63 will be getting a new stablemate in the coming week. It will be coming from the Stuttgart bloodline though.

[Bimmer6]

Originally Posted by ybbiz34

Thanks for the link. Congrats! Sure is a gorgeous color combo.

My C63 will be getting a new stablemate in the coming week. It will be coming from the Stuttgart bloodline though.

Ummmm Stuttgart do tell(:

[Rolitto]

I don't give a heck about journalists' reviews i.e. Chris Harris, Motor Trend, or whoever. Sorry but IMO they're useless.

[Ghetto2315]

Originally Posted by DINAN_GT

+1

I still don't understand why 80% of BMWs tested on MotorTrend are given to Jonny Liberman. Sure, the M5 is not perfect, but Liberman always seemed to have something against BMW, and he loves to over exaggerate the M5's flaws.

Next time they should give it to Carlos Lagos. He is not biased towards BMWs, but he gives very honest reviews about them.

Here is them both:

[HuskerFan85]

Originally Posted by bavarian19

The review does make some good points. Why does the competition package cost as much as it does? Effectively, no part included in the package is any more expensive to manufacture than the base product (aside from 20's). So why does it cost that much for the package?

The CCB is something you have to want, and you are going to pay through the nose for whatever car you get CCB with.

Then you have posts stating that the article claims going 100 mph is a problem. Those people obviously can't read.

Take a review for what it is. One person's opinion.

same reason the m-sport version of a car costs so much more even tho they are just taking the bumper/fenders from a different mold ///Marketing

[s62]

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

We have transmission, throttle, suspension and steering, and all can be adjusted on a scale of 1-3.

They are also including the 3 settings for traction.

So 3x3x3x3x3 = 243

[mainly]

Originally Posted by I am Earl

M5 (and a lot of the other new bimmers like the new F30), has been getting far too many not so great reviews. Or comparatively speaking, they are doing far worse than the previous generations. BMW is no longer the "best" by everyone's standards, they are still the best for many but not for all. Wait till the new M3 reviews start coming in and then you'll see more disappointment about the electrical steering wheel, the 1hp increase and only 90kg weight savings.

This is good though because it will force BMW to get their act together with the next generation M cars.

i blame it partially on the turbos. they just dont feel "///M like".

the 5.5 AMG biturbos are the same. but at least they have a decent exhaust note and a bigger engine exclusive to the amg model.

i finally got tired of them altogether so i ordered a 991 gt3.

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by s62

They are also including the 3 settings for traction.

So 3x3x3x3x3 = 243

Yeah and there are actually 6 settings for transmission 3 manual and 3 automatic.

So its 3(traction) X 3 (suspension) X 3(steering) X 3 (throttle) X 6 (manual and auto transmission modes) = 486

So those bozos got it wrong!

[mainly]

Originally Posted by dhirm5

Not sure what you're referring to, but the current M5 interior is absolutely gorgeous; top notch materials -- much better than the last few generations. It's not even close.

actually the e60 had REAL aluminum on the dash and doors, the f10 has a plasticy faked aliminum looking material.

although the shifter base is real aluminum whereas it wasnt before....

overall though, there was more real aluminum on the e60

leather quality/quantity hasnt changed as far as i know - still merino.

i also found the carpet on the e60 nicer/softer to the touch than the carpet on my f10

[wilstave]

Originally Posted by bmellion

Johnny Liebermann is an idiot.

+1

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by Bimmer6

Ummmm Stuttgart do tell(:

Hints: It has an "E" in the designation and has a biturbo V8 under the hood.

[CFisher]

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

Yeah and there are actually 6 settings for transmission 3 manual and 3 automatic.

So its 3(traction) X 3 (suspension) X 3(steering) X 3 (throttle) X 6 (manual and auto transmission modes) = 486

So those bozos got it wrong!

Wull...if you throw in the infinite adjustability of the drivers seat...subtract the lack of adjustable side bolsters - Cripes I'm surprised they stopped there. How confusing all the settings!

[pkimM3r]

Originally Posted by M54ccibo

pretty sure on the front it does...

nice sig...i need to go to some track events with you .... do you go often?

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by CFisher

Wull...if you throw in the infinite adjustability of the drivers seat...subtract the lack of adjustable side bolsters - Cripes I'm surprised they stopped there. How confusing all the settings!

I don't find it confusing at all. To me it's common sense.

It would be hilarious if BMW sent them a modified car to fit their simplicity requirements. 1 gear only goes forward, one fixed volume level for stereo set to loud, one radio channel, fixed seating position, no drive modes.

Point is simplicity sucks - control is king. The key is to have an intuitive interface and we have that. By comparison the competitors interfaces are completely rubbish - and I write this as someone who drives both a BMW and a Mercedes every week, and who occasionally drives Cadillacs, Infinitis, Porsches and Lexuses as well.

[mstmng]

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

I don't find it confusing at all. To me it's common sense.

It would be hilarious if BMW sent them a modified car to fit their simplicity requirements. 1 gear only goes forward, one fixed volume level for stereo set to loud, one radio channel, fixed seating position, no drive modes.

Point is simplicity sucks - control is king. The key is to have an intuitive interface and we have that. By comparison the competitors interfaces are completely rubbish - and I write this as someone who drives both a BMW and a Mercedes every week, and who occasionally drives Cadillacs, Infinitis, Porsches and Lexuses as well.

iDrive and DCT FTW

[mstmng]

Originally Posted by ybbiz34

Hints: It has an "E" in the designation and has a biturbo V8 under the hood.

no doubt u went for e63 after our fight
Congrats!
which colour u gettin?

[Bimmer6]

Originally Posted by ybbiz34

Hints: It has an "E" in the designation and has a biturbo V8 under the hood.

Thought is was a P car(:

[mchaoster]

I just got back from a BMW drive event in Danville, CA. I drove a M5 (without competitive package) and a M6 convertible. I also sat in a 650 grand coupe and my friend drove the M6 grand coupe.

I would have to agree with many of the comments about the M5. I was very disappointed. I've dreamed of wanting an M5 and that's the car I was going to get if I won the lottery (with ED). However, after driving it today, I've changed my mind. The car feels bloated and the steering is numb. The car doesn't have the BMW feel that I'm used to (but I've mostly driven small ones like the 3-series, 1 series, and Z3). It also has too many damn settings along with the auto start/stop. It's fast in a straight line but the steering and the handling was not tight. I also didn't like the fake exhaust sound.

I drove the M6 convertible next and it was night and day. The car felt more connected to the road. The steering was tighter (had the new steering wheel which I didn't like on the 3-series but like it better than the old M5 one after driving the M6). The sport seats were nicer and the handling was much better.

After my experience, I would not buy an M5. If I wanted that size of a car, I would get a 535i, add some tunes, and buy M3 on top of that (both used of course). I've driven my friend's 535i and a M5 it's not $60k better.

I drove my "cheap" 135i on the way home and would pick that car over the ones I drove (which was totally to my surprise since I've always wanted a M5 or M6). My car has the performance suspension and PPK.

[B-1Pilot]

Confirmation bias and financial capability bias run strong in this thread (and I'm as guilty as the next I guess)

My take if you are considering an M5 is to listen to those who own the model you are considering vs. those who don't or can't afford them... Those who don't / can't tend to poopoo the car, and be satisfied with or explain away the differences of their current car)

However those who do or have give better informed opinions and are less subjective. There are plenty of former f10 m5 owners on here who will tell you exactly why they sold, moved on, or upgraded.

The best of both worlds is the person who owned the car you have and upgraded to the M5; their thoughts are invaluable and accurate (the M5 to M3 discussion was particularity enlightening, I.e. No one downgrades from M5 to M3... They may pick up and M3 if it can be afforded).