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      09-21-2011, 06:45 PM   #1
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Post BMW F10 M5 Review - Autocar: 2012 M5 a Landmark Car In Many Respects

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BMW F10 M5 Review - Autocar: New M5 a Landmark Car In Many Respects
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Autocar was impressed with the F10 M5 (no surprise there) and it shows in their review. We particularly like their verdict that the new M5 is a landmark car in many respects. Read on for the crucial details.

You can find all official F10 M5 details and links to other reviews at:

[ Official M5 Info / Review List Thread ]
[ S63Tu Engine Specs ]

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What’s it like?

In a word, rapid. It might weigh 1870kg, but in real world terms the M5 is considerably faster than the car it replaces by dint of its more accessible performance. BMW claims 0-62mph in 4.4sec – bettering the old model by 0.3sec up the strip. But I, for one, won’t be surprised to see independent tests better this figure by a considerably margin.
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But what really distinguishes the new M5 from each and every M5 that has gone before it is the enormous flexibility of its power delivery. Bury the throttle at anything beyond 1500rpm – the point where peak torque is developed, and it surges forward with immense force, seemingly in any gear.

Its performance, molded in no uncertain terms by its new engine’s mountain of torque, is omnipresent. Overtaking is truly effortless, helped in no uncertain part by the effectiveness of the new seven-speed box. I’m not sure how BMW has done it, but the shifts are race car quick, accompanied on full throttle up-shifts by an alluring bark of exhaust and a hearty blip on downshifts.
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There’s also an impressive level of suppleness thanks to inclusion of variable damping that serves up three levels of stiffness – comfort, sport and sport plus. Despite the obvious lack of compliancy in the standard 265/40 ZR19 front and 295/35 ZR19 tyres, the overall ride quality is outstanding.

Even in the most extreme sport plus mode, the new underpinnings manage to retain a good deal of composure, seldom allowing anything more than a sharp ripple to upset progress. In this respect, it’s much calmer and more relaxed as speeds increase than its predecessor.

It’s the steering that slightly disappoints. The speed sensitive hydraulic steering is an improvement on the electro-mechanical arrangement used by standard 5-series models, offering a more convincing feel and greater levels of feeback. But it possesses a lifeless feel around the straight ahead. It’s a pity because, once you’ve negotiated this tough, it’s is much more alert.
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Should I buy one?

Yes. We don’t care how, just make sure you do sample the new M5 in one way or the other. It is in many respects a landmark car - one that’s going to have the fast car competition – Audi, Cadillac, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz and Maserati among them - scratching their heads as they attempt to come up with a reply.

What really marks the new M car down as something really special, though, is its superb combination of agility, ride and refinement. With an 80-litre fuel tank and combined cycle fuel consumption of 28.5mpg, it is not only the new muscle car of choice but also the perfect cross continent express.
For the full review please visit Autocar.

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