Wednesday 15th February 2012

Chris Harris video: BMW M5 vs Nissan GT-R

Harris explores the unexpected shared mindset of two apparently different turbocharged nutters

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Hands up, this video is a gratuitous piece of number searching.

The GT-R and M5 are not natural rivals, but as is so often the case when you spend time in cars that should share little common ground, they ended up being interesting foils for each other's talents and weaknesses.

You do not fully appreciate how big and heavy the F10 M feels until you've jumped into one immediately after driving an R35. The Nissan has always felt vast on UK roads to me, but the M5 seems bigger. As ever, the GT-R proves to be one big magic trick on four-wheels. It just shouldn't change direction the way it does given that it weighs nearly 1,800kg.

And the pace it extracts from a damp, nasty surface never, ever feels natural. You can see it in the video, forcing its way into the asphalt. Mizuno-san, father of the GT-R often gives a baffling explanation of why he wants the car to be quite heavy, because that's what gives it such staggering traction. Listening to this monologue in a press conference you'd write him off as a nut-job. On a B-road in January, he's transformed into an alchemist.

But, against the F10 M the GT-R is horribly unrefined and its cabin invites the type of unkind Datsun gags that I've traded in for years. Its ride is very, very busy too. And it likes a drink.

If the M5 feels nothing like as sharp, you quickly alter your point of reference and realise that it is possibly the most complete fast car on sale. Its operating window is unprecedented -at any one time, but not simultaneously, you can choose: 190mph, crazy power slides, 25mpg, snap-crack gearshifts, near-silence and, of course, fake engine noise.

The fake intake sound has been discussed enough: I don't like it, nor what it stands for, but if it stops you buying this magnificent car, you are denying yourself the chance to enjoy a great M car.

Enjoy the vid.

 

 

 

 

[RossP]

Absolutely brilliant! 2 Great cars!

I would be perfectly happy with either but I think, for me, it would be the M5, but only just...

[jjones]

videos are improving

[nismo48]

Excellent video Chris...
Thanks for making me feel part of the experience too
with your witty comments and skilful driving of these two superb cars..

[Alex]

Chris, I am really enjoying your videos. For those who complain Top Gear is not about cars any more, this is where it's at. Keep it up!

P.S. GT-R for me.

[Crispy Rice]

I have a GTR and only wish I could drive like that!

[brett21]

Am loving your videos as well, I so love both of those tools.. If I had the funds I'd buy both, But the Gtr just wins for me.

[isleofthorns]

have they ruled out a touring version? that would differentiate the m5 further from the sports cars comparison...

looking for to a go in either

[ajprice]

Great video Mr Harris , not sure which one I'd go for in the lottery garage, maybe just get both.

[Kong]

These are two of my favourite cars in the world, period. Bit unfair to the M5 to compare it's performance to the GTR though which trounces almost any car at any price!

Would love to see M5 vs E63 vs XFR vs RS6 (when the latter comes out) video.

[stevoknevo]

Another great vid Monkey, they're the highlight of my week. Keep up the excellent work.

[Dave Hedgehog]

great vid

[greeneggsnsam]

Same concept as Steve Sutcliffe's Autocar vid a few weeks back- same ideas meeting, or just coincidence?

[Fire99]

Not bad though I wouldn't say the M5 is unique in it's handling of oversteer.

[365daytonafan]

I'm sure the GT-R is a great car but the looks of it just leave me cold. Love the M5 but think it's one of those cars to buy a used one in a couple of years time rather than shell out on a new one.

[j123]

Good video. I would be interested to hear what Chris thinks of a similarly thought provoking test a ways back where they compared the big heavy GT-R (a car which is light and agile next to the M5 in this context) and put it up against a Focus RS to wit which Autocar said on b-roads the GT_R could simply not keep up with the FORD nor would be as much fun as the FOrd. here...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZL8uPemi3k&nor...

I wonder if chris would have another view on the GTR than his old colleague Frankel at Autocar. J

Edited by j123 on Wednesday 15th February 22:20

[John D.]

greeneggsnsam said:

Same concept as Steve Sutcliffe's Autocar vid a few weeks back- same ideas meeting, or just coincidence?

Isn't it as '2012 GTR' and '2012 M5' both get lots of hits on Google? Swear I heard that somewhere

GTR for me. New M5 leaves me strangely cold.

[Godzilla]

Fantastic vid Chris!

Did you actually mean you turned VDC all the way "off" in the GT-R? Because in the vid, your finger turns it to "R" mode, which gives plenty of leeway, but still provides a safety net.
However judging by the angles you got it to, it does indeed look like you did switch it all the way off!

I would also be interested in whether you believe the 4WD switches out beyond a certain steering angle as some experienced instructors insist?
I personally don't believe it does, but I've not drifted it to quite the degree you have...

[marmite monster]

great video chris
want a m5 so bad even if its a st old one

[Mats]

Can you teach me to drive my GTR like that? Cracking video well done!

[KissMyR8]

I look forward to getting one of these cars in stock, especially the M5!