BMW F10 M5 Review - Autoblog: Sets Holy Standard For Mixing Performance and Luxury

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BMW F10 M5 Review - Autoblog: Sets Holy Standard For Mixing Performance and Luxury

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Autoblog posts their review of the F10 M5 with a lofty summary - that it sets the holy standard for mixing performance with luxury. How does it do so? Read on.

You can find all official F10 M5 details :
[ Official M5 Info / Review List Thread ]
[ S63Tu Engine Specs ]

While the engine is technically taken from the X5/X6 M engine bay, its dual twin-scroll turbocharged unit has been significantly adapted for this application. There is now less boost from the Honeywell turbos (was: 14.5 PSI / is: 13.1 PSI) but the higher volume turbos work together with larger intercoolers to provide more and denser cool air more efficiently. This lowered boost allows a higher compression ratio of 10.0:1 versus 9.3:1 in BMW's overachieving crossovers, with the result being noticeably quicker responses in all drive modes. The redline with these two "no-lag" turbos is set at 7,200 rpm, a bit of a comedown from the last M5's 8,250 rpm banshee wail. BMW says the 2012 M5 is good for a 0 to 60 mph run in 4.3 seconds, but if we do not, at some point in the F10 M5's lifecycle, flirt with 4.0 seconds flat, then we will have failed you as automotive obsessionists; that's just how capable this S63tü feels.

Thanks to the M Dynamic Mode (essentially an M version of having the Dynamic Traction Control switched off), with rear axle Active M Differential frantically performing sophisticated feats of torque vectoring, this heavier 4,288-pound M5 comes off feeling no larger or heftier than the E60 M5. It feels decidedly more nimble, in fact.

On both the long and empty hilly two-lanes around Seville and powering through lap after dreamy lap at Ascari, we work the M5's revs and its Boysen four-tip exhausts ad infinitum. The M Servotronic steering is only slightly aided by electronics, so mechanical joy remains through all those lefts and rights with their weight transfers. Do the twin turbos and lower redline take some of the sound and fury away? Yes, a little. But the new M5 is unfailingly faster, and its entry and exit characteristics in corners are simply beyond what was possible with the E60.

This new M5 looks, sounds and behaves less like a middle-ager's racing four-door (yet it succeeds in being a better racer its predecessor), and it feels more like a true senior executive stormer that can be used every single day. As BMW Group director of sales and marketing Ian Robertson puts it, "The new M5 is all about the right balance. It still favors its racing edge but can now be a very sophisticated executive car." There are a few aspects that support Robertson's notion of balance. Not only did the E60 M5's V10 engine burn thirty percent more fuel over the same distance than the F10's bi-turbo V8, but its fuel tank contained 2.6 fewer gallons of go juice. So, the idea of making the new M5 a (more) practical long distance cruiser with the potential for 500 miles from a single 21.1 gallon tank rings true. The new M5 also has software enhancements that make life far more pleasant if and when you find yourself lodged in rush-hour traffic. Basically, the car is always less yippy, trying its hardest at all times to remain smooth.

At the end of our extended time with the F10 M5, all we lacked was that P button and perhaps a little more melodic roaring from the quad tailpipes. Simply put, the new M5 does for this more coddled segment what the Mercedes C63 AMG and M3 do for theirs: it sets the holy standard for mixing performance with luxury.

Autoblog's full review is at http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/22/2...-drive-review/

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[Sedan_Clan]

Another winning review! I can't wait to drive this car.

[mundo74]

I'm confused. What Boost is this engine running

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by mundo74

I'm confused. What Boost is this engine running

13.1 PSI....

[rmani]

4300lbs good lord. What happened to weight saving?

[silentassasin]

With the boost at 13.1 is there room to increase boost and possibly squeeze more power out of the motor? I was so confident they will push the 600 HP mark with this car that I want to see someone do it with little modification.

[zuschnell]

I want this car. Every review has been ridiculously good. I know there are people on here that want a more critical review but I think it is possible that this car is just that good. I can't wait to drive one and see what all the hype is about.

[silentassasin]

Originally Posted by rmani

4300lbs good lord. What happened to weight saving?

It's packing heat!

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by ACSE90

With the boost at 13.1 is there room to increase boost and possibly squeeze more power out of the motor? I was so confident they will push the 600 HP mark with this car that I want to see someone do it with little modification.

I'd say so! Remember, BMW builds these cars to last. Modifying boost without lowering the compression will likely lead to reliability issues. Of course people with money will play!

[AlHersh]

Anyone has an idea if increasing the boost with tuning wud increase lag? As wud it b very difficult for tuners to keep the lag low like bmw if they do so?

[Diver]

I wonder how the CTS-V stacks up against an M5. It also costs a chunk less.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by AlHersh

Anyone has an idea if increasing the boost with tuning wud increase lag? As wud it b very difficult for tuners to keep the lag low like bmw if they do so?

It's highly likely that lag will increase if you begin messing with the boost.

[宝马.e90]

Seems like the weight isn't an issue given all the tech that's able negate it. Looks like the only thing weight has an affect on is the 0-60 time but M cars were never about that anyway.

[GMW]

Another exciting review!

[lux]

Originally Posted by 宝马.e90

Seems like the weight isn't an issue given all the tech that's able negate it. Looks like the only thing weight has an affect on is the 0-60 time but M cars were never about that anyway.

Unless you plan on only driving in a straight line, then weight does matter and will greatly affect handling.

It doesn't mean the m5 won't handle well but if it had a lower weight with the same weight/power ratio, then handling would improve. That is one area where Porsche and Audi seem to take more seriously.

[IancoleTX]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

It's highly likely that lag will increase if you begin messing with the boost.

That makes no sense

[mundo74]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

13.1 PSI....

Keep seeing 22 psi but even if psia it still would not equal 13.1 psig

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by IancoleTX

That makes no sense

I should have been more specific as I was looking at it from the perspective of somebody who will make serious modifications to run more boost (..and I may have read too deeply into the question). Bigger turbos and more boost generally equate to more lag (..but with a huge surge of power). There really isn't any way to avoid lag with a turbocharged set-up. I"m sure that BMW has found the best balance possible in the OEM set-up.

Originally Posted by mundo74

Keep seeing 22 psi but even if psia it still would not equal 13.1 psig

I based my statement off of what the article stated. Where did you see 22 PSI?

[宝马.e90]

Originally Posted by lux

Unless you plan on only driving in a straight line, then weight does matter and will greatly affect handling.

It doesn't mean the m5 won't handle well but if it had a lower weight with the same weight/power ratio, then handling would improve. That is one area where Porsche and Audi seem to take more seriously.

That's what I mean. It doesn't look like any of the reviews are saying anything really negative about the weight - it's not making the handling/steering worse than what people were suggesting. Of course if the M5 was lighter than what it is, it would be beneficial but it seems like every talking about weight thought it would affect the M5, looks like it doesn't.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Ziggy99

So, it is the holy standard for them, subjectively.

With the exception of the measurable/quantitative data, ALL reviews are subjective.

Originally Posted by Ziggy99

Until they compare the car against its competition, and throw some data out there, it won`t be complete.

Patience young Skywalker!