f10 M5- how physically large a car is it?

[mattb46]

Hi All

As a former owner of a much loved E39 M5, I have been looking to buy a 2013/14 £35k F10 M5 for a few weeks now but whenever I have nosed around one, I have always been struck by what a physically massive car it seems. The car would be our main family car and so my wife will need to drive it regularly. Unfortunately she is not that confident a driver and I suspect she will hate its size (the lanes around us (Sarratt, Herts) are quite narrow). For this reason my head says discount it and look instead at something like a S4/RS4 which will be less physically intimidating. However the heart says "do it, she'll adapt".
Thoughts, experiences?

[mattb46]

Thanks v much Beanoir. I wonder whether the auto helps, gives someone who lacks confidence much less to think about. Am going to test drive one tomorrow afternoon...