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 ]

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.

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.

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.

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.

[TheBingoBalls]

...And another very positive first drive. Already the benchmark for it's class? Probably too soon to say but looking good so far. (The fuel consumption is just outstanding.)

[ajvee]

Originally Posted by stingray23

WAY too early to call it the benchmark for its class. Whether its gonna be great or suck, they'll still have it winning every comparo.

I agree with you. Based on their criteria, it seems like the CTS-V should be benchmark. Based on the reviews, the CTS-V seems to have better steering as well. I really hope that they do objective comparisons against the CTS-V and not just a "At the end of the day, you can't beat BMW dynamics or German Engineering".

[Daft]

I gotta book a test drive when these hit the dealers!

[E92LNGCGY]

The new M5 is getting better and better every day.

[bmwdinamo]

Combined 28.5 mpg? Are you serious? "This is madness... No! THIS IS BMW!" (300 reference, if you're scratching your head)

[BMW BRAD]

It sounds like other than the steering letdown, this new M5 is PRETTY FREAGGIN AWESOME! I hope they tweak next years model to improve steering feel..........

[M5007]

Hell yeah

[SpencerM3]

So excited to see this car. Hope it'll be my next car.

[Robert]

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.

Bummer, steering & handling were top characteristics of BMW now it's just a blazing bullet train like AMG.

[M ETT]

In all fairness, isn't the M5 supposed to be a super fast and effective luxury sedan or 'Gran Turismo' type of car rather than a sports car?
If so a slightly more relaxed steering would be perfect for those long distance drives.

[b33g33]

Originally Posted by bmwdinamo

Combined 28.5 mpg? Are you serious? "This is madness... No! THIS IS BMW!" (300 reference, if you're scratching your head)

Imperial gallons.

Sorry to suck the wind from your sails but nice reference regardless.

[Blindside_137]

Originally Posted by b33g33

Imperial gallons.

Sorry to suck the wind from your sails but nice reference regardless.

Right I was going to say.. I thought that had been discussed before, what can the US MPG be expected to be? Around 24? Still fantastic compared to 13MPG

[Jonny550]

The M5 will get the same fuel economy as the the E60 m5 give or take 1-2 mpg, It just has an extra 1gallon in the tank to take you farther.

[Diver]

And this is the view most other drivers will get to see.

[UltimateBMW]

Maybe I missed a bit of news but does this car still come with KERS? I remember it being mentioned a while back.

I find it odd that it wasn't mentioned in the article if it is outfitted to the car.

[727jbh]

I love my 2011 550i, now I'm ready to trade for the M5!!!! I love this car!!!

[SHOWTIME]

I'm loving this car no doubt, but everytime a BMW (especially a M) is reviewed they get into deep details about how the engine performs and what not. When a Benz AMG is reviewed, they'll just call it a rocket and not bother too much. I'd like to see/read a direct comparison between this and the new E/CLS with 5.5L twin turbo

[Blindside_137]

Originally Posted by Jon335iFL

The M5 will get the same fuel economy as the the E60 m5 give or take 1-2 mpg, It just has an extra 1gallon in the tank to take you farther.

really? thats pretty weak

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by SHOWTIME

I'm loving this car no doubt, but everytime a BMW (especially a M) is reviewed they get into deep details about how the engine performs and what not. When a Benz AMG is reviewed, they'll just call it a rocket and not bother too much. I'd like to see/read a direct comparison between this and the new E/CLS with 5.5L twin turbo

Interesting observation! They are likely a bit more concerned with such things where the BMW is concerned because BMW's are usually the most driver-oriented vehicles in its respective class.

[southlight]

Originally Posted by UltimateBMW

Maybe I missed a bit of news but does this car still come with KERS? I remember it being mentioned a while back.

I find it odd that it wasn't mentioned in the article if it is outfitted to the car.

KERS was rumored to come but that turned out to be wrong.


Best regards,
south

[Grover432]

About 23mpg US Gal