RE: Driven: BMW M5
Discussion
philmots said:
I do prefer the standard smaller multi-spoke wheels to the optional blingy ones.
The wheel above is standard (if thats what you meant) - it's actually a great improvement on previous wheels. Very comfy and the button/roller wheel arrangements is great.Not sure what the 'M'car wheel would be though.
Ramses said:
Not necessarily the point though. With modern legislation (noise/emissions/etc) is become more and more difficult to make engines sound good.
If this minimises cabin noise (wind/road noise) whilst still giving engine noise, it could be a great anti-nanny state solution.
If this minimises cabin noise (wind/road noise) whilst still giving engine noise, it could be a great anti-nanny state solution.
Ramses said:
They have sacrificed cabin refinement in doing so though. Not an issue in a £200k supercar that spends a large proportion of its time being 'driven' - but a very big issue in a £60k exec saloon that spends a large part of its time being a luxary saloon.
I wouldn't necessarily have such an issue if it was like the old Lotus-developed white noise generator thing which reduced road and background noise, but fake engine sounds? This is an M car - if you want ultimate refinement and luxury from your 5 Series, you should be buying a 550i not an M5.As for new turbo cars that sound OK - even stuff like the 335i and TT-RS sound decent enough (as I'm sure the M5 does from outside), but that isn't the point.
Trommel said:
Ramses said:
Not necessarily the point though. With modern legislation (noise/emissions/etc) is become more and more difficult to make engines sound good.
If this minimises cabin noise (wind/road noise) whilst still giving engine noise, it could be a great anti-nanny state solution.
If this minimises cabin noise (wind/road noise) whilst still giving engine noise, it could be a great anti-nanny state solution.
Ramses said:
They have sacrificed cabin refinement in doing so though. Not an issue in a £200k supercar that spends a large proportion of its time being 'driven' - but a very big issue in a £60k exec saloon that spends a large part of its time being a luxary saloon.
I wouldn't necessarily have such an issue if it was like the old Lotus-developed white noise generator thing which reduced road and background noise, but fake engine sounds? This is an M car - if you want ultimate refinement and luxury from your 5 Series, you should be buying a 550i not an M5.As for new turbo cars that sound OK - even stuff like the 335i and TT-RS sound decent enough (as I'm sure the M5 does from outside), but that isn't the point.
And M5 drivers aren't going to want ultimate refinement - but they are going to want refinement above that which a McLaren driver would accept. This is an interesting work-around. And BMW being BMW, the workaround will be able to be cancelled through iDrive! Win/Win.
As for 2011 Turbo cars - the 335i sounds nothing from the inside, and the TTRS doesn't sound much better. Furthermore, neither were developed in 2011 (the 335i is now over 5 years old!)
Ramses said:
And M5 drivers aren't going to want ultimate refinement - but they are going to want refinement above that which a McLaren driver would accept. This is an interesting work-around. And BMW being BMW, the workaround will be able to be cancelled through iDrive! Win/Win.
Were you chief fluffer to Kay Segler? 
Fake engine noise seems to me to be the antithesis of what the M division should be about. As for switching it off:
Automobile Magazine said:
Here's something you'll be shocked to learn: when I unplugged the factory stereo amplifier, the engine's note inside the car changed considerably. It was all but inaudible over two grand, becoming more audible but distant as the revs increased. Somebody call the "Ultimate Driving Machine" police: BMW is actually using the car stereo speakers to pipe in engine music? Hmm.
At least the owners won't have to pay for one of those fake electronic dump valves to match the nasty plastic chrome grilles - just a quick reflash and done ...Mr Dave said:
No but Every concert I have been to has had the musicians play, their sound has been altered and played over speakers....
Semantics (and have you seriously never been to any live music performance without amplifiers and speakers?).
Synthetic exhaust noise played through the stereo is indefensible in my opinion. Variable exhaust baffling or tubes through the bulkhead are both good ways to get engine noise to the occupants at an appropriate level as required. A microphone strategically placed to pick up the best engine noises then played into the cabin would serve the intended purpose even better. I have often when driving reached for the radio to try and turn the engine noise up! Making up 100% synthetic noise and playing it into cabin to match engine load and RPM however is just ridiculous. Though on the plus side an optional extra could be the old v10 soundtrack.
Other than that I think its looking like another amazing M5.
Other than that I think its looking like another amazing M5.
re33 said:
...A microphone strategically placed to pick up the best engine noises then played into the cabin would serve the intended purpose even better. I have often when driving reached for the radio to try and turn the engine noise up! Making up 100% synthetic noise and playing it into cabin to match engine load and RPM however is just ridiculous. Though on the plus side an optional extra could be the old v10 soundtrack.
Other than that I think its looking like another amazing M5.
I thought this is what they were doing? Are you saying they are playing fake noise (ie potentially you could turn the engine off and you might still have "engine noise"?) If so, disappointing, I've done (passenger) many miles in e28 and e60 m5s and the noise in both was very different but both were mechanical and genuine. Other than that I think its looking like another amazing M5.
Just specced one up on the cofigurator (for fun). £80k for a 5 is a lot of money but what else can touch it?
Vehicle configuration Option code Price¹
M5 Saloon £73,040.00
Cohiba Brown Merino lthr - BMW Individual ZAWT £1,855.00
Imperial Blue Xirallic A89 £0.00
20" M Double-spoke style 343M alloy wheels 2NZ £2,080.00
Model designation deletion 320 £0.00
Rear spoiler deletion 326 £0.00
Reversing Assist camera3AG £330.00
Seat ventilation, front 453 £510.00
M Multi-function seats, front 4MA £875.00
Loudspeaker system - BMW Professional £330.00
Sun protection glass 761 £295.00
Speed limit display 8TH £250.00
Piano Black - BMW Ind. XE7 £460.00
Price information Total price¹
Total £80,025.00
Vehicle configuration Option code Price¹
M5 Saloon £73,040.00
Cohiba Brown Merino lthr - BMW Individual ZAWT £1,855.00
Imperial Blue Xirallic A89 £0.00
20" M Double-spoke style 343M alloy wheels 2NZ £2,080.00
Model designation deletion 320 £0.00
Rear spoiler deletion 326 £0.00
Reversing Assist camera3AG £330.00
Seat ventilation, front 453 £510.00
M Multi-function seats, front 4MA £875.00
Loudspeaker system - BMW Professional £330.00
Sun protection glass 761 £295.00
Speed limit display 8TH £250.00
Piano Black - BMW Ind. XE7 £460.00
Price information Total price¹
Total £80,025.00
Dapster said:
Just specced one up on the cofigurator (for fun). £80k for a 5 is a lot of money but what else can touch it?
Vehicle configuration Option code Price¹
M5 Saloon £73,040.00
Cohiba Brown Merino lthr - BMW Individual ZAWT £1,855.00
Imperial Blue Xirallic A89 £0.00
20" M Double-spoke style 343M alloy wheels 2NZ £2,080.00
Model designation deletion 320 £0.00
Rear spoiler deletion 326 £0.00
Reversing Assist camera3AG £330.00
Seat ventilation, front 453 £510.00
M Multi-function seats, front 4MA £875.00
Loudspeaker system - BMW Professional £330.00
Sun protection glass 761 £295.00
Speed limit display 8TH £250.00
Piano Black - BMW Ind. XE7 £460.00
Price information Total price¹
Total £80,025.00
It's testament that the M5 in standard guise comes fully loaded (and gives room for a potential CSL/CS version)Vehicle configuration Option code Price¹
M5 Saloon £73,040.00
Cohiba Brown Merino lthr - BMW Individual ZAWT £1,855.00
Imperial Blue Xirallic A89 £0.00
20" M Double-spoke style 343M alloy wheels 2NZ £2,080.00
Model designation deletion 320 £0.00
Rear spoiler deletion 326 £0.00
Reversing Assist camera3AG £330.00
Seat ventilation, front 453 £510.00
M Multi-function seats, front 4MA £875.00
Loudspeaker system - BMW Professional £330.00
Sun protection glass 761 £295.00
Speed limit display 8TH £250.00
Piano Black - BMW Ind. XE7 £460.00
Price information Total price¹
Total £80,025.00
Nothing you mention as an option is a "must-have" (althought the Piano Black comes close - I have it in mine and it does transform the cabin and the sun protection glass is very effective).
Scary that of the £80k price you quote, over £17,000 goes straight to the Government in VAT, VED & Showroom tax.
Ramses said:
Dapster said:
Just specced one up on the cofigurator (for fun). £80k for a 5 is a lot of money but what else can touch it?
Vehicle configuration Option code Price¹
M5 Saloon £73,040.00
Cohiba Brown Merino lthr - BMW Individual ZAWT £1,855.00
Imperial Blue Xirallic A89 £0.00
20" M Double-spoke style 343M alloy wheels 2NZ £2,080.00
Model designation deletion 320 £0.00
Rear spoiler deletion 326 £0.00
Reversing Assist camera3AG £330.00
Seat ventilation, front 453 £510.00
M Multi-function seats, front 4MA £875.00
Loudspeaker system - BMW Professional £330.00
Sun protection glass 761 £295.00
Speed limit display 8TH £250.00
Piano Black - BMW Ind. XE7 £460.00
Price information Total price¹
Total £80,025.00
It's testament that the M5 in standard guise comes fully loaded (and gives room for a potential CSL/CS version)Vehicle configuration Option code Price¹
M5 Saloon £73,040.00
Cohiba Brown Merino lthr - BMW Individual ZAWT £1,855.00
Imperial Blue Xirallic A89 £0.00
20" M Double-spoke style 343M alloy wheels 2NZ £2,080.00
Model designation deletion 320 £0.00
Rear spoiler deletion 326 £0.00
Reversing Assist camera3AG £330.00
Seat ventilation, front 453 £510.00
M Multi-function seats, front 4MA £875.00
Loudspeaker system - BMW Professional £330.00
Sun protection glass 761 £295.00
Speed limit display 8TH £250.00
Piano Black - BMW Ind. XE7 £460.00
Price information Total price¹
Total £80,025.00
Nothing you mention as an option is a "must-have" (althought the Piano Black comes close - I have it in mine and it does transform the cabin and the sun protection glass is very effective).
Scary that of the £80k price you quote, over £17,000 goes straight to the Government in VAT, VED & Showroom tax.
Badge deletion is a personal choice of course, but that is a badge of pride.
Don't bother with the speed limit display. We have it on the X5 and it is frequently wrong.
Ramses said:
Scary that of the £80k price you quote, over £17,000 goes straight to the Government in VAT, VED & Showroom tax.
Just under £14,000: £790 first year Band L VED at 232 g/km, £13,205.83 VAT.Your point stands generally, but VAT is an unavoidable fact of buying new cars for private individuals.
The options are actually not that bad, I spec'd one up with everything I would want and it came to 4k over list.
It looks to me like they have addressed everything that is annoying with the previous model (range, gearbox and, to a lesser extent for me, torque), and I think anyone that buys one of these will not be disappointed. Ultimate super-saloon? Definitely.
It looks to me like they have addressed everything that is annoying with the previous model (range, gearbox and, to a lesser extent for me, torque), and I think anyone that buys one of these will not be disappointed. Ultimate super-saloon? Definitely.
vsonix said:
belleair302 said:
No tourings sorry! For that you will need an Alpina!!
why on earth not? BMW seriously missing a trick by not making M3 or M5 wagons! E28 - saloon only (no standard E28 touring bodyshell anyway)
E34 - saloon & touring (+ a prototype convertible)
E39 - saloon only (+ a prototype touring)
E60/61 - saloon & touring
Therefore F10/11 - saloon only.
No M3 Tourings ever, but there was a factory E46 M3 Touring Concept - that looked amazing and I'm sure would have sold well. No idea why, perhaps engineering constraints with the Touring rear bodyshell and M3 rear axle.
Zwoelf said:
BMW take turns with M5 Tourings.
E28 - saloon only (no standard E28 touring bodyshell anyway)
E34 - saloon & touring (+ a prototype convertible)
E39 - saloon only (+ a prototype touring)
E60/61 - saloon & touring
Therefore F10/11 - saloon only.
No M3 Tourings ever, but there was a factory E46 M3 Touring Concept - that looked amazing and I'm sure would have sold well. No idea why, perhaps engineering constraints with the Touring rear bodyshell and M3 rear axle.
I disagree - M Powered tourings have never sold well... Just 800-odd in E34 guise and something like 1600 odd E61s... Not exactly blowing out the revenue side of the M Division accounts, don't you think? Sometimes I wonder why BMW bothered with the Tourings considering the engineering pain that they are. I personally am grateful as I have one and I love it, but it certainly made the srfa sense for BMW to make in the first place...E28 - saloon only (no standard E28 touring bodyshell anyway)
E34 - saloon & touring (+ a prototype convertible)
E39 - saloon only (+ a prototype touring)
E60/61 - saloon & touring
Therefore F10/11 - saloon only.
No M3 Tourings ever, but there was a factory E46 M3 Touring Concept - that looked amazing and I'm sure would have sold well. No idea why, perhaps engineering constraints with the Touring rear bodyshell and M3 rear axle.
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