Matt Farah reviews 2014 BMW M5 (Non-Competition Package) at Chuckwalla

[elitex]

Originally Posted by Skhmund

Curious, the engine sound I hear in the video, is that the real or faked engine noise?

Who knows. Doesn't really matter because you can't tell. It sounds real. Now my Audi S4 had this speaker in the firewall, you can clearly pin point where the extra noise was coming from. S4 definitely sounded fake to me, they gave you option to turn it down which was good but you couldn't turn it completely off.

[BMWonlyZone]

Originally Posted by elitex

Nope. M5 is the most perfect god given gift to mankind. Does this make me a fanboy?

M5 is BETTER than perfect. It's like a super space ship with more power than GOD! And yes, I am a super-duper-shameless BMW Fanboy.

It just is what it is.

[wilstave]

i'm kind of surprised...Farrah's reviews aren't Chris Harris caliber but they aren't awful either, especially with BMW's.

[dhirm5]

Originally Posted by bradleyland

I'm curious which cars you're referring to. I've used the system in new Infinity and Lexus cars, and I definitely prefer BMW's iDrive.

You can't even enter a destination in the Lexus unless you're in park. I hate the mouse pointer thing that Lexus does. No wonder they don't want you using it while you're driving. The aesthetics on the Lexus system are horrible too. Some people don't care about that kind of thing, but I don't want my infotainment system to look like a 1990's government website.

Infiniti's system is a little bit better, because it doesn't use that stupid mouse cursor interface, but it's still horrific looking. I cannot tolerate an interface that looks like a designer applied every bevel and shadow "effect" they could find, while paying no attention to color palette. Infiniti gives you some dedicated buttons for common functions, which is cool, but I prefer the assignable system in BMW's cars.

+1

[dhirm5]

Originally Posted by DanM1092

Also, i wonder if all the people saying that the dct being jerky is nonsense have actually driven the car.

Most of them actually own one, so it's close to 100% coverage on this one; I recognize most of the names.

DCT is not jerky. I own one, so I'm qualified to say so. Is it 100% like a conventional slushbox? No - you and the car can get out of step sometimes. It takes all of about 5 minutes to get the feel for it.

[DrewM5]

Originally Posted by bradleyland

I'm curious which cars you're referring to. I've used the system in new Infinity and Lexus cars, and I definitely prefer BMW's iDrive.

You can't even enter a destination in the Lexus unless you're in park. I hate the mouse pointer thing that Lexus does. No wonder they don't want you using it while you're driving. The aesthetics on the Lexus system are horrible too. Some people don't care about that kind of thing, but I don't want my infotainment system to look like a 1990's government website.

Infiniti's system is a little bit better, because it doesn't use that stupid mouse cursor interface, but it's still horrific looking. I cannot tolerate an interface that looks like a designer applied every bevel and shadow "effect" they could find, while paying no attention to color palette. Infiniti gives you some dedicated buttons for common functions, which is cool, but I prefer the assignable system in BMW's cars.

All of them. I will conceed the inanity of the block out while driving "feature" which I hate, but which is used by most non-German manufacturers and can be bypassed in any event. I find the Japanese user interfaces far more user friendly and intuitive and their general features and accuracy better than the Germans. I wasn't speaking to appearance and color preferences as much as to functionality - that was the reviewer's complaint. I also find the quality of their voice recognition much better which is key in using the Nav with the blocking feature.

Try a basic POI search in the BMW vs a Toyota. The categories in the BMW make no sense to me many times. The Toyota just seems like it follows my logic better and does not make me characterize a POI to the same extent. I needed to find the closest Best Buy to pick up a cable I forgot, the closest category I could pick was "department store" and it wasn't there. I had to find the address on my phone and plug it in. Not the end of the world in any event and doesn't mar my M5 experience, but certainly not what I would call "the best" or most intuitive nav.

But that is why there are so many manufacturers out there making different products - to serve our differences in taste.

[S65V8]

One of the reviewers you love to hate, what a douchebag..."oversprung and under damped?!?", how about you're overweight and under developed...

[bradleyland]

Originally Posted by DrewM5

All of them. I will conceed the inanity of the block out while driving "feature" which I hate, but which is used by most non-German manufacturers and can be bypassed in any event. I find the Japanese user interfaces far more user friendly and intuitive and their general features and accuracy better than the Germans. I wasn't speaking to appearance and color preferences as much as to functionality - that was the reviewer's complaint. I also find the quality of their voice recognition much better which is key in using the Nav with the blocking feature.

Try a basic POI search in the BMW vs a Toyota. The categories in the BMW make no sense to me many times. The Toyota just seems like it follows my logic better and does not make me characterize a POI to the same extent. I needed to find the closest Best Buy to pick up a cable I forgot, the closest category I could pick was "department store" and it wasn't there. I had to find the address on my phone and plug it in. Not the end of the world in any event and doesn't mar my M5 experience, but certainly not what I would call "the best" or most intuitive nav.

But that is why there are so many manufacturers out there making different products - to serve our differences in taste.

Yeah, functionally, I could see that there would be more room for preference. For example, I rarely use the POI functionality in any car, because I find it inferior to Google Maps results, which I rely on almost 100%. Even the "good" nav systems are way behind there in my experience. I drive a ton of rental cars because of my line of work and travel requirements, so I get to experience a lot of them. I always avoid the POI stuff because it's either out of date, or wrong much of the time.

My workflow is to search for the item with Google Maps, call to make sure they're still there and open, then plug the information in to the car (usually manually). I think the POI stuff is going to finally get to a usable state (for me) when manufactures stop trying to do this on their own and just go 100% Google (or whoever).

I think, as you've correctly identified, that a lot of it has to do with how you use the system. If your needs are focused in an area where iDrive is weak, the horrible appearance of the other systems can be overlooked for the better functionality.

I still feel like BMW has a real winner in the way the UI department. Not only does it look great, but input works fantastic. Like the way you rotate a dial to select letters/numbers when inputing ad hoc data. That's fantastic UI design. The in your hand feels directly connected to what is on-screen. The voice command works really fantastic for me, but I'm a native English speaker from Florida (no accent) and have good diction, so I'm probably a really easy case for the system.

One of the biggest wins for iDrive is the ability to assign one of those 8 buttons on the dash to just about any function in iDrive. I use that feature more than anything, and I much prefer it to talking to my car. I love how you get a preview of the function as you lay your finger on the buttons, and assignment is just like storing a radio station; quick and intuitive.

Anyway, I'm rambling. I agree: horses for courses.

[DrewM5]

Originally Posted by bradleyland

Yeah, functionally, I could see that there would be more room for preference. For example, I rarely use the POI functionality in any car, because I find it inferior to Google Maps results, which I rely on almost 100%. Even the "good" nav systems are way behind there in my experience. I drive a ton of rental cars because of my line of work and travel requirements, so I get to experience a lot of them. I always avoid the POI stuff because it's either out of date, or wrong much of the time.

My workflow is to search for the item with Google Maps, call to make sure they're still there and open, then plug the information in to the car (usually manually). I think the POI stuff is going to finally get to a usable state (for me) when manufactures stop trying to do this on their own and just go 100% Google (or whoever).

I think, as you've correctly identified, that a lot of it has to do with how you use the system. If your needs are focused in an area where iDrive is weak, the horrible appearance of the other systems can be overlooked for the better functionality.

I still feel like BMW has a real winner in the way the UI department. Not only does it look great, but input works fantastic. Like the way you rotate a dial to select letters/numbers when inputing ad hoc data. That's fantastic UI design. The in your hand feels directly connected to what is on-screen. The voice command works really fantastic for me, but I'm a native English speaker from Florida (no accent) and good diction, so I'm probably a really easy case for the system.

One of the biggest wins for iDrive is the ability to assign one of those 8 buttons on the dash to just about any function in iDrive. I use that feature more than anything, and I much prefer it to talking to my car. I love how you get a preview of the function as you lay your finger on the buttons, and assignment is just like storing a radio station; quick and intuitive.

Anyway, I'm rambling. I agree: horses for courses.

I agree with much of what you state here, but I see that more as a review of the UI/iDrive overall and not of the Nav. Overall, I have always liked the BMW UI and think the F10 is the best from BMW to date (no surprise).

[kgroschi]

Originally Posted by DrewM5

Honestly? Have you spent any time in a Japanese car? I love my M5 and am a huge fan and supporter of BMW - and I think the Nav is just fine. but there is no comparison between the Navs being used by the German automakers and those of the Japanese. The Japanese are far ahead of the Germans on all levels here. Of course, the Germans do so much other things better and I don't buy a car for the Nav.

Honestly I gotta say no. I don't drive Japanese cars at all, but I will definitely check them out now that you mention it.

I still don't understand what's the difficulty of entering a city, street name and house number. Or using the fantastic working voice entry which makes it even easier.

[bradone1]

Did he call MonteCarlo blue , Estoril blue??

[TonySCV]

The point someone made earlier about context being critical is dead on. Was the DCT set in the most aggressive shift setting and the throttle in Sport Plus? That would certainly make for a jerky ride in top and go traffic. Context is key. Most of the time reviewers don't bother mentioning which of the 81 different combinations the settings are set at when reviewing the car, and you'll have completely different experiences.

[TeutonicFlight]

Originally Posted by Gastoys

First it is no secret that Matt is not a fan of BMW nor does he care for BMW drivers, but he respects the brand and those owners who track their cars.

But do we have to respect him ??

[Mbdurham17]

Originally Posted by Zundefolge

But do we have to respect him ??

Nope

[Spinny02]

Sorry if this was already posted but thats a CP. Those are black chrome tips....

(did not have time to read all the post)

[tyler9595]

M5 is an awesome, wicked car...I want one badly.

But the video makes a good point about BMW's current nav system. The nav system in my daughter's $25k Focus is better than the one in my $52k 135is...that's just not right.

[Axman85]

The M5 is the ultimate driving machine. I can haul my kids around, blow off a shit corvette in the process. Who cars about the NAV! When I have a spare 100k I'll be in one of these. My 335 is quick, this thing is insane.

[6spdterror]

Originally Posted by DrewM5

All of them. I will conceed the inanity of the block out while driving "feature" which I hate, but which is used by most non-German manufacturers and can be bypassed in any event. I find the Japanese user interfaces far more user friendly and intuitive and their general features and accuracy better than the Germans. I wasn't speaking to appearance and color preferences as much as to functionality - that was the reviewer's complaint. I also find the quality of their voice recognition much better which is key in using the Nav with the blocking feature.

Try a basic POI search in the BMW vs a Toyota. The categories in the BMW make no sense to me many times. The Toyota just seems like it follows my logic better and does not make me characterize a POI to the same extent. I needed to find the closest Best Buy to pick up a cable I forgot, the closest category I could pick was "department store" and it wasn't there. I had to find the address on my phone and plug it in. Not the end of the world in any event and doesn't mar my M5 experience, but certainly not what I would call "the best" or most intuitive nav.

But that is why there are so many manufacturers out there making different products - to serve our differences in taste.

The best Navigation system on the market bar none is Honda/Acura's system. It is the most user friendly intuitive system out there and it doesnt have that stupid block out feature. The Navi in my TL is leagues ahead of my M5.

[rallybull]

Originally Posted by BMWonlyZone

So use your iphone for nav. Who gives a shit. The M5 is still fuck*ng retarded to drive. Nothing comes close at all.

Yes and yes. Agree on both counts.

[kilowongHK]

nice!

[OneDirty]

Butthurt M5 fanboys resort to personal attacks on Matt Farahs fatness. Shame on you all.

[MichaelJohn]

Originally Posted by OneDirty

Butthurt M5 fanboys resort to personal attacks on Matt Farahs fatness. Shame on you all.

Butthurt? No, my butt massager takes care of that!