BMW F10 M5 Long-Term Tester Review Update by CAR Magazine

[Jason]

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BMW F10 M5 Long-Term Tester Review Update by CAR Magazine

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Ben Barry at CAR magazine was apparently on Santa's good-boys list as he's currently driving a F10 M5 long term tester. And although he's only had a few hundred miles behind the seat of this new M5, that's more than nearly anyone else who's not a BMW employee. So what's Ben got to say about the M5 so far? Let's have a look:

If you’ve ever driven the old E60 M5, there are a couple of things you’ll instantly notice when you drive its successor: first is the easy flexibility afforded by that twin-turbo V8, which brings a new-found effortlessness to motorway cruising, the V8 giving a distant, tympanic rumbling that’s very, very different to the old car’s V10. It’s not as engaging as the naturally aspirated V10 when you wind it out, but it’s definitely quicker, and there’s the promise of big economy gains over the old car too. More on that later.

The other big difference is the gearchange: the E60 M5 used a seven-speed clutchless manual transmission with six different shift speeds. Despite – or perhaps because of – these multitudinous options, I never quite found the perfect setting in the old car. And the delay between gear changes was at times agonisingly ponderous, at others ferociously vicious. The new ’box is faster and much smoother, but it also has a pleasingly direct engagement, rather than a slur, and I know what I want in terms of settings: the third, most aggressive one for manual mode, and either mode one or two in auto. The gearbox is one of the new car’s biggest leaps.

As ever with dual-clutch auto M cars, one tap on the paddleshifter is all it takes to switch from auto to manual mode, and that’s definitely a philosophy thing on the part of M Division: the driver is in charge, and he doesn’t want the gearbox to overrule him and default back to auto like so many rivals do.

One thing that hasn’t changed much is the ride quality: this M5 still rides magnificently, and it’s such a quiet, comfortable, smooth thing to cruise about in that it’s incredibly easy to sneak up past 90mph without even realising it.

...on our first trip the weather was largely foul and the M62 seemed covered almost entirely in 50mph zones, so while I did hit 90mph or more on a few occasions, my typical cruising speed was a more plod-friendly 70mph or so. I was intrigued to see how much fuel the M5’s new turbocharged engine would use – after all, the smaller turbo motor goes against M’s previous DNA, and has been introduced to make M cars cleaner and more frugal – and I’d zeroed the trip computer before we set off. After a few hours on the motorway with the engine nicely warmed through and the ’box mostly in seventh gear, the dash confirmed we’d averaged 24.6mpg. In similar circumstances, my old Mercedes E63 AMG would have averaged 21-22mpg, so the M5 offers a worthwhile improvement – although it’s worth noting that the new E63 engine is also smaller and turbocharged, and therefore more frugal than my old 6.2 V8 was.

For the full review see CAR

[Kiemyster]

As ever with dual-clutch auto M cars, one tap on the paddleshifter is all it takes to switch from auto to manual mode, and that’s definitely a philosophy thing on the part of M Division: the driver is in charge, and he doesn’t want the gearbox to overrule him and default back to auto like so many rivals do.

I wish that were the case in the X5M.

[stefan]

Originally Posted by Kiemyster

As ever with dual-clutch auto M cars, one tap on the paddleshifter is all it takes to switch from auto to manual mode, and that’s definitely a philosophy thing on the part of M Division: the driver is in charge, and he doesn’t want the gearbox to overrule him and default back to auto like so many rivals do.

I wish that were the case in the X5M.

They DID say "M cars". Not.. M SUV's. Yep, I did not use the word SAV.

[Kiemyster]

Originally Posted by stefan

They DID say "M cars". Not.. M SUV's. Yep, I did not use the word SAV.

ohh... that was a blow below the belt. its ok, X5M hauls and kicks ass! ask me how i know this Its still 10 times more fun to drive than the M3... believe that.

[DylanMckay]

Not sure why he is comparing gas mileage of the m5 with his old mercedes??

Sounds like it gets the same mileage as the current m3. 24-25 highway cruising with a few stabs of the throttle is exactly what the e90 m3 gets. I guess for such a drastic chang ein technology and direction I expected there to be a really big improvement.

The e60 m5 could easily get 21-23 mpg cruising on freeway with a few stabs of the pedal. For 2 mpg improvement seems like not overly impressive.

[stefan]

Originally Posted by Kiemyster

ohh... that was a blow below the belt. its ok, X5M hauls and kicks ass! ask me how i know this Its still 10 times more fun to drive than the M3... believe that.

To each their own. I found it boring, quiet, and uncommunicative. Hated the transmission too. Won't tire of my M3 any time soon. Certainly not for an SUV nevermind a turbocharged engine.

[AndreyATC]

Originally Posted by DylanMckay

Not sure why he is comparing gas mileage of the m5 with his old mercedes??

Sounds like it gets the same mileage as the current m3. 24-25 highway cruising with a few stabs of the throttle is exactly what the e90 m3 gets. I guess for such a drastic chang ein technology and direction I expected there to be a really big improvement.

The e60 m5 could easily get 21-23 mpg cruising on freeway with a few stabs of the pedal. For 2 mpg improvement seems like not overly impressive.

I can almost guarantee that the difference is a lot more than 2mpg
I can also bet this car can easily do 26-27 just cruising at 60-65mph
Heck, my X6M with 1000lb weight difference gets almost 24mpg on those speeds



this one round trip through Manhattan with traffic

[moody320d]

Originally Posted by stefan

They DID say "M cars". Not.. M SUV's. Yep, I did not use the word SAV.

Well that could still include the SUV's, plus why the strong hate? relax your self mate.

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by DylanMckay

...Sounds like it gets the same mileage as the current m3. 24-25 highway cruising with a few stabs of the throttle is exactly what the e90 m3 gets. I guess for such a drastic chang ein technology and direction I expected there to be a really big improvement.

The e60 m5 could easily get 21-23 mpg cruising on freeway with a few stabs of the pedal. For 2 mpg improvement seems like not overly impressive.

Originally Posted by AndreyATC

I can almost guarantee that the difference is a lot more than 2mpg
I can also bet this car can easily do 26-27 just cruising at 60-65mph
Heck, my X6M with 1000lb weight difference gets almost 24mpg on those speeds...

Don't forget that the article in from a UK magazine and the mpg figures are quoted in Imperial gals, not US - there's a conversion factor of approximately 0.83, thus 25mpg UK equates to 21.75 US.

[FasterM3]

A beautiful car.

[AndreyATC]

Originally Posted by Jon D

Don't forget that the article in from a UK magazine and the mpg figures are quoted in Imperial gals, not US - there's a conversion factor of approximately 0.83, thus 25mpg UK equates to 21.75 US.

We still should be in agreement that new M5 will get better MPG than my '12 X6M's 23-24mpg
It has extra gear, 1000lb less weight, better aerodynamics and valvetronic
And I am talking US mpg here

It's a great car regardless

[blakonblak]

Interesting that they went with fuel economy in mind... if you can afford a m5, gas aint nothing but a thang. I rather have a v10 I think, just cuz

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by blakonblak

Interesting that they went with fuel economy in mind... if you can afford a m5, gas aint nothing but a thang. I rather have a v10 I think, just cuz

Only trouble with that darn 'thang' is that it cost's us more than double what you have to pay over there and there is a limit. Having said that, when civil war breaks out in Nigeria and Iran closes the Straits of Hormuz, the price of petrol will probably skyrocket beyond most folks reach regardless of what car we drive.
Enjoy your cheap gas whilst you can, regardless of external affairs, I think the US deficit will eventually dictate a very unpleasant shock to domestic consumers.

[Tee-Tom]

in europe i do believe most of the cost of fuel is TAX

[itf joegun]

Originally Posted by Tee-Tom

in europe i do believe most of the cost of fuel is TAX

No that much, but in Germany 86 cent per liter are tax. One liter costs us about 1,60 Euros today (I refer to petrol 98 octane).

To the M5: Who cares if the car has 24 or 23 mpg? I think it is a useless discussion and also I think it was a useless report. The M5 has more to offer then just fuel economy...

[tareemaa]

sounds like hes reviewing a 550i, not an M5. sick car nonetheless, id get a manual though for sure, not gonna spend 30k extra for an auto

[blakonblak]

Originally Posted by Jon D

Only trouble with that darn 'thang' is that it cost's us more than double what you have to pay over there and there is a limit. Having said that, when civil war breaks out in Nigeria and Iran closes the Straits of Hormuz, the price of petrol will probably skyrocket beyond most folks reach regardless of what car we drive.
Enjoy your cheap gas whilst you can, regardless of external affairs, I think the US deficit will eventually dictate a very unpleasant shock to domestic consumers.

Good point... almost forgot cost of petrol in other nations is extremely high and by the liter. Sorry to be the ignorant american. Fuel in HK is pretty ridiculous too.

We should all just drive gundams

[rmani]

Originally Posted by AndreyATC

I can almost guarantee that the difference is a lot more than 2mpg
I can also bet this car can easily do 26-27 just cruising at 60-65mph
Heck, my X6M with 1000lb weight difference gets almost 24mpg on those speeds



this one round trip through Manhattan with traffic

i've always found the bmw trip commuters to be horribly inaccurate in measuring mpgs. check it yourself next time. bmw should be ashamed they can't get this right when every japanese manufacturer can.

[AndreyATC]

Originally Posted by rmani

i've always found the bmw trip commuters to be horribly inaccurate in measuring mpgs. check it yourself next time. bmw should be ashamed they can't get this right when every japanese manufacturer can.

Sorry to disappoint you, but it's very accurate
I'm sure many others will confirm that as well
Calculated at the pump vs trip computer has always been almost identical for me
This applies to my 335i and X6M

Now, that MPG thing
Yes, driving a car that is close to 100K definetelly makes you care about MPG a little less
However, it's just a good feeling to know that such a powerfull car has also amazing MPG for its power/size
You just feel proud that BMW accomplished such thing and you own it

When ppl asked about specs of my 335i, they were shocked to find out that 300Hp car could get 34mpg
It is just cool, that's all i wanna say

[jadnashuanh]

Keep in mind that they said the car only had a few hundred miles on it...it gets better with age.