An enthusiast's F10 M5 review

[Pentium]

Congrats! the ring is a dream...

[jphughan]

OP you're right about the wastegate behavior being different in Sport and Sport Plus; that was covered in some interview with someone in M, I believe the lead engine engineer, but I'm not certain (I've read a lot of M5 articles by now so they're blending together, sorry!) I agree it's unfortunate that you have to choose between a linear throttle and minimal turbo lag. I just recently discovered how helpful Normal throttle can be on my M3 while on the track. I still prefer Sport throttle for the street because it makes the car feel faster, more alive, and more "on edge" (even though I know those are illusions), but when precision is the name of the game, linear is the way to go.

As for the driving aids, I agree that they can reinforce bad driving habits, but I for one am glad they're active on cars driven by people who have no interest in learning proper driving technique, considering I have to share the road with them. I also agree that it might be fun to be able to disable ABS in order to practice threshold braking, but in a panic situation on the road most people's reaction is going to be to floor the brake pedal even if they know better, so I don't mind that aid so much. In my driving, on the street I tend to keep them on or at most in MDM because I seldom find myself driving in a way that would trigger their intervention in that environment, especially in MDM -- there just aren't really any roads here where it's very safe to exceed MDM's limits. Also, I'm not a perfect driver, so if the aids help me recover from a mistake without learning the hard way, I appreciate the safeguard -- but I do pay attention to when it intervenes as a signal of possible bad technique on my part. Plus, given the aids' unique ability to brake individual wheels and such, they could theoretically recover from a situation that no human ever could, which could come in handy in unforeseeable circumstances (suddenly driving over oil/black ice, having to swerve very hard to avoid a sudden accident just ahead, etc).

Great review, enjoy your new beast when it's redelivered on your shores!

[GreenLantern]

Brilliant write-up. Congrats, and thanks for posting!

[Karazy]

Thanks for the detailed review!

[GTR-Dad]

Glad the review is enjoyable. I write the stuff I wish could read about this car and hope it helps with purchase / option choices and entertains at the same time.

My comments about driver aids are only partly serious, and partly serious means partly in jest!

jphughan, The approach to using driver aids you describe makes good sense and I'll take back the comment about training bad drivers one corner at a time. My objection is really with drivers who just turn the wheel, floor the throttle, and let the computer sort it out. Or the ones who use the safety net as a trampoline by using ABS and/or stability control as part of their regular driving routine.

I'll get a few more pix posted too, although I spent more time driving than shooting!


Parked in a random lot in Southwest Germany

'Ring parking lot.

[aussiem3]

Absulutely well written. Puts a lot of reviews and motoring jouranalists to shame. Congratulations on your experience and your respect for the car and the road. A lesson to all when driving a powerful car like this. Enjoy your car for many years to come.

[jphughan]

Originally Posted by GTR-Dad

My objection is really with drivers who just turn the wheel, floor the throttle, and let the computer sort it out. Or the ones who use the safety net as a trampoline by using ABS and/or stability control as part of their regular driving routine.

Agreed 100%! In fact this reminded me of a video that was posted today. Evidently this person thought that the proper sequence of life was to buy a Gallardo BEFORE learning how to manage oversteer, specifically that when you've kicked the tail out, lifting completely off throttle isn't the best move.

(Skip to 0:40 to see the action)

[Fester]

Originally Posted by jphughan

Agreed 100%! In fact this reminded me of a video that was posted today. Evidently this person thought that the proper sequence of life was to buy a Gallardo BEFORE learning how to manage oversteer, specifically that when you've kicked the tail out, lifting completely off throttle isn't the best move.

(Skip to 0:40 to see the action)

This's scary!

[Fester]

Great writeup, better than many automotive journalists! Congrats and enjoy it in good health!

[danielt]

great comprehensive review! It would be great if you intended to test drive the M6 and post your comments too how did you find traction accelerating from stationery?

[GTR-Dad]

Originally Posted by danielt

great comprehensive review! It would be great if you intended to test drive the M6 and post your comments too how did you find traction accelerating from stationery?

I'd love to spend a week in an M6! Just need someone to supply a car.

Traction from stationary wasn't evaluated, mostly because it falls outside my main areas of interest. I can tell you I applied WOT in second gear in a straight line without traction control intervention (great pavement), and saw the blinking light at speeds above 100 km/hr in 4th gear in marginal traction conditions.

Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires are probably not great tires in the wet. I've run Dunlop Direzza Star Specs on my track car with what seems like much better wet traction.