Test drove M5 today,Mixed reactions.

[luvthestck]

Originally Posted by B-1 Pilot

Lets see, you want the light and nimbleness of a manual 1 series, and the leg room of a 750li... GLWT.

Lol, I think i gave you the wrong impression.I always thought of the 750li as a blue whale.I expected it to be this soft,heavy car with a rolly polly ride.I was just surprised that it was 80% close to the M5's dynamics at legal speed limits[i did not expect that at all]. I never doubted its luxury,but always felt that it came at price[loss of dynamics]. Regarding the 135 and M5.... For my specific needs the most i could equate "sporty" was with Nimble , Dynamic and Powerful.The M5 lacked the first.No body would doubt the third.The point i don't get is that BMW claims the M5 has a Hydraulic steering.But i seriously doubt that now as the feel is different compared to the E82/E90 series.INfact the steering of the F01 was closer to the feeling in M5.I don't know if the weight of the car has to do with that similarity.

[luvthestck]

Originally Posted by Spinny02

Also car was prob under the 1200mile so it was a bit more tame.

Yeah it had like less than 100 miles on it.I did not floor it for the same reason.

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by luvthestck

Lol, I think i gave you the wrong impression.I always thought of the 750li as a blue whale.I expected it to be this soft,heavy car with a rolly polly ride.I was just surprised that it was 80% close to the M5's dynamics at legal speed limits[i did not expect that at all]. I never doubted its luxury,but always felt that it came at price[loss of dynamics]. Regarding the 135 and M5.... For my specific needs the most i could equate "sporty" was with Nimble , Dynamic and Powerful.The M5 lacked the first.No body would doubt the third.The point i don't get is that BMW claims the M5 has a Hydraulic steering.But i seriously doubt that now as the feel is different compared to the E82/E90 series.INfact the steering of the F01 was closer to the feeling in M5.I don't know if the weight of the car has to do with that similarity.

The Car was NEW, no miles on it probably tyres were under inflated ( the one BMW UK lent me was at 24PSI) you just got out of a egg box, what do you expect

Drive one with a few thousand miles through it and then for a day or two not 30 mins. No one gets feel for a car in that time. Rant ended.

[nugent]

Have you considered an A3?

[Rob///M5]

Originally Posted by DMC126

I read this comment in a F10 M5 6MT review. It does not remotely reflect my experience and I cannot understand or place the term "rubbery," in this context.

I agree.

Go drive a 987 or 997 Porsche manual and report back.

[hinckley]

Originally Posted by Rob///M5

Go drive a 987 or 997 Porsche manual and report back.

No question. Porsche has the best manual (and auto-manual) on the market today. But there's nothing wrong with the M5 6MT that the Rogue short-throw kit doesn't fix.

[DMC126]

Originally Posted by Rob///M5

Go drive a 987 or 997 Porsche manual and report back.

I have driven many high performance cars equipped with manual transmissions, including Porsches. Based upon my extensive personal experience, with the F10 M5 6MT, the description of "rubbery" is not a term that applies, unless one is describing the feel and texture of the gearshift knob.

I do not feel the need to drive a 987 or 997 Porsche to validate or contradict my personal opinion.

[wrsbmw]

I don't know what all this stuff about cornering is. I just took a corner at 120 mph yesterday morning and the sign says 50mph...... It is a flyover from one toll road to another so it's a nice banked turn. I was the only one on it at the time. Anway, I just drove it with my foot down and the DSC turned off using the DCT in S3. I took the curve in fourth gear. The car doesn't do tight turns that well but this kind of turn is perfect for it. I wasn't looking at the speedo but my passenger was and he reported the speed. I was just driving for effect to demonstrate to him what the car could do. He was impressed and not the least bit scared.

I like shifting the DCT myself. I keep it in S3 and sport, comfort, comfort for around town. That is my M1 button. The M2 button is S3, sport plus, sport plus, sport plus and DSC off.

[s4awd]

I tried both. Without a doubt the 6MT is just more fun. Is it the better value given the technology that went into it? Probably not but I could care less. Evo Magazine liked it as well and gave the same number of stars as the DCT. That doesn't mean the car is perfect. To me issue is not that a 6 speed doesn't fit well with the car, it does, it's just that that specific transmission is a bit too notchy, rubbery as others have said with a super light clutch. It's much easier on the hand and legs, but feels too light to me for that car. If you like the M3's 6MT, you'll like the M5 in MT.

[chong0]

Originally Posted by DMC126

I read this comment in a F10 M5 6MT review. It does not remotely reflect my experience and I cannot understand or place the term "rubbery," in this context.

I agree.

rubbery has been used for every bmw MT including 3 series and 1 series. its a generic term that does not accurately describe the m5. have the dealer get you a MT. You won't regret it. You're not a track guy, you won't regret it. the 750 will bore you to death

[chong0]

Originally Posted by DMC126

I read this comment in a F10 M5 6MT review. It does not remotely reflect my experience and I cannot understand or place the term "rubbery," in this context.

I agree.

rubbery has been used for every bmw MT including 3 series and 1 series. its a generic term that does not accurately describe the m5. have the dealer get you a MT. You won't regret it. You're not a track guy, you won't regret it. the 750 will bore you to death

[uhn2000]

Originally Posted by chong0

rubbery has been used for every bmw MT including 3 series and 1 series. its a generic term that does not accurately describe the m5. have the dealer get you a MT. You won't regret it. You're not a track guy, you won't regret it. the 750 will bore you to death

Great points, agree with them all. We owned a 135 and I trade with a buddy who was a 750 just to change it up sometimes. The 7 handles nice but not very exciting.