SoCal F10 M5 - initial review and comparison to F10 550i M Sport

[kamichael]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

UPDATED 8/27/12

I picked up my new M5 on Friday (8/24/12) and have only driven about 250 miles cruising around this weekend. I have so many things I would like to cover - but I will try to start with some key areas that I had been curious about prior to getting my M5.

I had been driving a 2012 F10 550i M Sport since I purchased it in March of this year. I originally had hoped to get the M5 at the beginning of 2012 - it looked as though the US would be getting it along with the rest of the world. As we all found out, this was not to be - but great things come to those who wait, right? In my case, I can be a very impatient person. Having driven and owned many different BMW and BMW M models I thought the 550 would pacify my "need" for the M5. It looked similar anyway. Well, that is where the similarity ends, hands down. I am going to touch briefly on a few key areas, mainly because I have not driven the M5 long enough yet. I hope to follow up after my 1200 mile break-in period, once I have a chance to embellish a bit with my right foot. For now, I have left the car in the "efficient" setting which yields the lowest throttle response.

To start with, I have absolutely no complaints about my 550. I go on record to say that I was 100% satisfied with this car. It was flawless - perfectly built without any problems whatsoever. With the M Sport package - it is truly a beautiful looking automobile. Still aggressive and "sporty", but slightly less so in appearance when compared to the M5. In my case and opinion - it would be the 20" wheels and the front end differences that set it apart ever so slightly. Wider flared front fenders and the front air intake is a bit larger, pointing out further on each side where the fog lights are on the 550. Again, I was very happy with the 550 - if it were not for the new M5 (and my own insanity), I would have been satisfied driving it for a long while.

But we could argue about the cosmetic differences forever - it really is very subjective. Everyone has their own opinion. Let me get to the first thing that I found out right away after driving the new M5 - steering and overall ride.

I am not a professional driver and not competent on a track. As such, I suspect that I am at least a capable and experienced driver that is certainly confident while sitting behind the wheel. This being said, I was uncertain of how the debate on electric versus hydraulic steering mattered. So far, this has been the most noticeable difference between the two cars. I kept reading and hearing reviews talk about the feedback from the steering wheel and knowing where the tires were on the road, etc. Not only do you "feel" every bump and divot on the highway, you feel the front wheels pull at your hands when turning. I suspect this is part of what people are referring to when describing the advantages of hydraulic steering. Again, I am not a professional driver and struggle to describe what I have noticed here. The 550's electric steering is simply numb in comparison. No feedback whatsoever. I can say however that the 550 is a bit easier to maneuver around a parking lot - much of this is probably attributable to my model's Integral Active Steering option though.

As far as the ride is concerned - there is a significant difference in how the cars feel here as well. Both have EDC/damper control. My 550 has 4 modes (comfort+, comfort, sport and sport+) whereas the M5 has 3 modes (comfort, sport and sport+). The names may be similar between the two cars, but the actual functionality of the modes is very different. For example - comfort is listed on both cars but the comfort mode on the M5 is somewhere closer to sport on the 550. That isn't to say that the M5 is not comfortable - it is very comfortable, just in a different manner. A bit firmer (not harsh though). You just get a very confident feeling when driving the M5 in contrast to the 550. The 550, although still a refined BMW, is just "softer" in every way. Don't get me wrong - it still has 400 ponies and 450 lb. ft. of torque - it hauls if you want it to, no trouble at all. On each of the damper settings, the M5 is simply a notch tighter than the 550, in a good way for me. Both of these cars can be adjusted to operate very different as well - depending on a number of settings. The M5 obviously has more settings to play with - the 550 has the EDC and transmission/throttle response adjustments, depending on which of the 4 modes the car is in.

A quick note on the transmission differences - My 550 has the 8 speed sport automatic transmission. It is very smooth and has very short gears on the low end. Obviously the DCT can perform/shift faster and handles the increased torque of the M5. Although I have not pushed the M5 yet – they react completely different. Again, the 550 has a “softer” feel – the first gear shift almost seems to come on too early. So far, using the efficient and comfort mode on the M5, I already like it more. I cannot wait until I get a chance to try more aggressive settings. I really think the transmission is where the M5 shines so well – even the audible whine of the gears comes into the cabin as you drive. It reminds you what you’re driving is not just an ordinary car.

Please let me know if there is anything specific that you wish to ask regarding my experience with these cars, especially the M5. I plan on driving the M5 this week and returning with more to say about it. I will work on posting some shots of the cars side by side as well while I still have the 550 - I am in the process of selling it. I do not plan on keeping it - there is really no reason to have 2 F10 sedans. It's just not the same now anyway – I think it’s jealous of the M5.



Specs:

Alpine White, Black Merino, Anthracite Wood
M DCT, Executive Pkg, Driver Assistance Pkg, 20", B&O.

Pics:

[chocobo1104]

so comfort in M5 feels like sport in 550i... meaning even in comfort you can feel every small things on the road and highway.... oh god, then sport in M5 must be a jarring ride...

[raymeechen]

Any change you can post some side-by-side photos of the 2 F10s pls?

[bobblehead]

Great premlin review & write ups.

I am also going from a 550 to M5 and my 550 was trouble/issue free almost from Day 1. The best BMW I have driven I must say for now.

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by chocobo1104

so comfort in M5 feels like sport in 550i... meaning even in comfort you can feel every small things on the road and highway.... oh god, then sport in M5 must be a jarring ride...

I think comfort on the M5 combines the ride quality of comfort on the 550 with the body control of sport on the 550. The M5 is still very comfortable on rough roads if you want that.

[stealth.pilot]

Thanks for the write up. I am also switching from a 2012 550i MSport to an M5.

Also you didn't mention the sound and M HUD but to me those contribute to significantly better driver engagement on the M5. I had difficulty using paddles because the car was so quiet and HUD lacks rpm on the 550.

One question - any tips on maximizing value recovery on the 550i? What did you get for it? Where? Please PM me.

[krispykreme]

Having driven 550i M Sport and owner of E60 M5.

550i has better body control thru corner and E60 M5. There was almost no body roll as compare to E60 M5.

550i however, has one of the worst steering feedback of any car I ever drove. It is even worse than my toyota minivan.

This was one of the biggest concern i had with F10.

But my E60 M5 did not age well. As the car gets older, i can start to feel the chassis and body flex. Hope f10 age well.

[kamichael]

Originally Posted by chocobo1104

so comfort in M5 feels like sport in 550i... meaning even in comfort you can feel every small things on the road and highway.... oh god, then sport in M5 must be a jarring ride...

Not at all - I do not want to mislead anyone about the comfort of the M5. It is definitely a comfortable car - considering the type of car it is and what it can do, you would be hard pressed to find something that comes close to it. I am just drawing a comparision to the 550 - which is noticeably subdued in the various modes. As touched on by stealth.pilot - the comfort setting on the M5 falls somewhere between comfort and sport on the 550 - "comfort on the M5 combines the ride quality of comfort on the 550 with the body control of sport on the 550."

I also strongly agree that the M5 is still comfortable on rougher roads. Not jarring at all.

[kamichael]

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

Thanks for the write up. I am also switching from a 2012 550i MSport to an M5.

Also you didn't mention the sound and M HUD but to me those contribute to significantly better driver engagement on the M5. I had difficulty using paddles because the car was so quiet and HUD lacks rpm on the 550.

One question - any tips on maximizing value recovery on the 550i? What did you get for it? Where? Please PM me.

I haven't used the HUD significantly yet. I do not have HUD on my 550, but have had it on previous M models. I does look great - probably the best I have seen in terms of brightness, resolution and clarity. It clearly is reflective of BMW quality and technology to date.

I assume when you mention "sound" that you are referring to the sound that the car makes and not the audio system. The 550 and the M5 cannot be more different in this area. This is probably the only disappointing thing about the 550. It is almost a silent car - while driving and idling. Even when you push it, it does not have much of an audible personality. I thought my older E60 550 (2007) that I owned had a nicer engine sound to it by far. This is one of the things I love about previous M models. Having had 2 E90 M3's - I believe that they were/are the best sounding cars produced by BMW. I just loved to hear the S65 idle. The 550 is dull in this area, enough said. The M5 sounds great inside and outside of the car. Not in the same way as the M3, but terrific nonetheless. You know that there is something special under the hood. I know that there have been a number of people bellyaching about the "artificial" sound that is piped into the sound system. You might also find many people stating that they did not notice it after actually driving the car. I go on record to say the same. If this simulated sound is occurring, BMW has done very well designing this feature, it simply enhances the existing sound that the car makes. It really sounds great in the car. Driving the car you will also hear the whining of the transmission/differential throughout the cabin as you accelerate - truly music to your ears! It all works well together, adding to the experience.

[SpokenHands]

Congratulations: Enjoy your ride safely!

[Mr. Liu]

Lol Monrovia BMW? Amazing car!!!

[RizOne]

Does the M5 have fender flares compared to the 550i M sport? I did not think so.

[Leonardo629]

Amazing car! BMW of Monrovia?

[StevenY.]

That is beautiful. I don't think I've ever been really attracted to an m5 until now.

[klammer]

Looking forward to more impressions after you've played with her for a bit. Can't wait to get a ride in one of these. Looks great

[krispykreme]

Originally Posted by kamichael

The M5 sounds great inside and outside of the car. Not in the same way as the M3, but terrific nonetheless. You know that there is something special under the hood. I know that there have been a number of people bellyaching about the "artificial" sound that is piped into the sound system. You might also find many people stating that they did not notice it after actually driving the car. I go on record to say the same. If this simulated sound is occurring, BMW has done very well designing this feature, it simply enhances the existing sound that the car makes. It really sounds great in the car. Driving the car you will also hear the whining of the transmission/differential throughout the cabin as you accelerate - truly music to your ears! It all works well together, adding to the experience.

Its still simulated sound. But i guess BMW did a good job. I will reserve judgement until i get my car.

[PrecisionP]

How about the connecteddrive and navi? Do your sweet ride have the new updated system?

[mkoesel]

That's a very unique and compelling perspective to absorb. I doubt there are too many others in your situation - going from a practically brand new 550i M Sport to an even newer M5.

As some have suggested already, I'd love to see side-by-side comparison pics if you indeed still have the 550i in your possession.

[Russkey]

Great review!

[Alpine F31]

Great info, especially about the steering. Congratulations on the purchase!

[jftoha]

Thanks for the preliminary review. Clearly you are very happy and the car looks stunning. One question though, it appears to me that the M5 sits clearly higher than the 550i. Is that the case? When their noses are facing each other, the M5 seems to be 1/2" to 3/4" taller than the 550i. Does the suspension setting change the ride height? I could blame the angle of the photo but in all the images you post I can see the M5 sitting higher. It's a bit surprising considering the intent of the two cars.

Enjoy your new ride, I am sure you will be putting some quick miles on that monster over the next couple of weeks.

Best,

Jo

[jonaliew]

Congrats on your M5. Good write up. Lucky men indeed.