F10 M5 driven

[Jon D]

Well, I finally got to spend a few hours in the M5 today and had a great deal of fun around Aberdeenshire's twisty country roads.
Truly exciting, incredibly fast and very dramatic compared to my 535d M Sport.

However, for me there's a huge but in the aforesaid drama - yes, I had a lot of fun through the corners, enjoying the massive straight-line thrust and pin-point handling, but, to me, it just makes too much of of a song-and-dance about it. It's difficult to describe, but all the noise and firmness almost overwhelms the sense of rapidity, until you suddenly realise that you're well into licence losing territory - although it's nowhere near as fast on paper, I get more of a thrill out of flooring my 535d at 40-50mph, you get that lovely surge without all the fuss. I'm probably showing my age and lack of experience as an expert racing driver, but I'd find it difficult to live with for everyday use and I think it would uncomfortable and tiring on long drives.

It's undoubtedly a very accomplished and extremely fast car and there are obviously many to whom it will hugely appeal, but it was just a bit too raw for me. I'd certainly buy one as a second car, but I'd probably end up losing my driving licence. For regular use I'll happily keep my 535d and look to the 640d as a replacement.

A note on the many comments I've read concerning the lack of engine and exhaust noise inside the car - all I can say is that I must have superb hearing, it's more than enough for me.

Makes you wonder why some folks spend a considerable sum on upgrading the audio - I reckon it would be like listening to a top-end home hi-fi with a pneumatic drill being operated just outside your front window .

[Falcon23]

It's true that the speed's impression is very masked ...

180 km/h, in the back seats, we would believe to cruise at 80 km/h

[singularity]

Thanks for a review, a very interesting perspective.

[grimlock]

Great review, nearly missed it..

[bmwcoupeftw]

Originally Posted by Falcon23

It's true that the speed's impression is very masked ...

180 km/h, in the back seats, we would believe to cruise at 80 km/h

^This

Cars are so well made and composed these days so you really need a older or a Mini Cooper S if you want that feeling off really going fast :P

[wisesoul]

From what I gather the car is fast and visceral. Sounds like an M car to me! Perhaps not as reserved as you like, but trust me I think that the "fuss" is part of the fun of the car

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by wisesoul

From what I gather the car is fast and visceral. Sounds like an M car to me! Perhaps not as reserved as you like, but trust me I think that the "fuss" is part of the fun of the car

I'm not saying that it shouldn't be so and it undoubtedly suits the character of an M car. It was a personal observation and my conclusion was that, whilst it was very fast, I wouldn't want all that 'fuss' and drama every time I drove the car - I'm also quite fond of my driving licence

[Falcon23]

Originally Posted by bmwcoupeftw

^This

Cars are so well made and composed these days so you really need a older or a Mini Cooper S if you want that feeling off really going fast :P

Undoubtedly ...