RE: 2021 BMW M5 Competition | UK Review

[DMC2]

Ares said:

Augustus Windsock said:

Love the idea of this, and I’d take great delight in screaming up and down outside Theta Gruntburgers yurt whilst creating my own hole in the ozone layer.
But the reality is, even where I live on the edge of The Peak District, o wouldn’t be able to use the speed and power most of the time. And I’m not a great enough driver to get it anywhere near 10/10’s or even 8/10’s
So I’d rather have this and stick £50k in the bank..
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10139872?c...

I live on the edge of the Peak District, and have 510hp with just RWD. I get to use all 510hp on pretty much every journey.

Those that say you can't have simply never tried.

Sorry but if you use the full 510hp every day you must drive like a total b@ll end. Probably the sort of person who has helped give sports car owners the bad image they have.

[Ares]

DMC2 said:

Ares said:

Augustus Windsock said:

Love the idea of this, and I’d take great delight in screaming up and down outside Theta Gruntburgers yurt whilst creating my own hole in the ozone layer.
But the reality is, even where I live on the edge of The Peak District, o wouldn’t be able to use the speed and power most of the time. And I’m not a great enough driver to get it anywhere near 10/10’s or even 8/10’s
So I’d rather have this and stick £50k in the bank..
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10139872?c...

I live on the edge of the Peak District, and have 510hp with just RWD. I get to use all 510hp on pretty much every journey.

Those that say you can't have simply never tried.

Sorry but if you use the full 510hp every day you must drive like a total b@ll end. Probably the sort of person who has helped give sports car owners the bad image they have.

Not in the slightest. Not had any points nor accidents for over 18 years.

Don't judge everyone by your own standards. I just use my brain behind the wheel. Try it sometime....

[Carl_Manchester]

Ares said:

As for being too big to drive and park....it's a 5-series. It's not a LWB S-Class or an Escalade. Have a word with yourself...!!

In Germany/USA totally agree.

In UK I tested the last one, it won’t go through the 2m width restrictors around here without the mirrors being tucked in and a cold sweat appearing.

for a £100k that gives me the wobbles, fair play if you are made of stronger minerals

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

My car (Lexus LS460) is bigger than a 5 and I can't say I've ever really found it to be a problem. I think you get used to the size pretty quickly.

[Tango13]

jamespink said:

My November 02 E39 now has 160k and is running beautifully. Paint could do with a tickle up being critical, with a few small bubbles on two arches but honestly the best car I have ever owned. Even with only 400HP it is laugh out loud fast when spanked, goodness knows what 600 would be like...

Your fuel pump may die at about 180k, both mine and a mates fuel pumps went at that mileage.

Mine had 42k on it when I bought it and I never had any big bills, just the usual wear & tear. New rear tyres every year without fail, new fronts every other year. I put a clutch in it at 75k and that was still going strong when I got rid at 202k

I was pretty disgusted that the rear discs only lasted 155k

[C.MW]

To my mind, the latest M5 and its competition have got too powerful for their own good. Boost in power necessitated stiffer chassis, more brakes, and even the addition of awd system, all of which translated into more weight while taking away fun. As a result, these cars are now never comfortable enough for long trips, and never agile enough either for B road or track use.

If you happen to be able to afford one of these, get a weekend car and a nice comfort oriented sedan or even an SUV to form a 2-car garage, that will be money much better spent.

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

C.MW said:

To my mind, the latest M5 and its competition have got too powerful for their own good. Boost in power necessitated stiffer chassis, more brakes, and even the addition of awd system, all of which translated into more weight while taking away fun. As a result, these cars are now never comfortable enough for long trips, and never agile enough either for B road or track use.

If you happen to be able to afford one of these, get a weekend car and a nice comfort oriented sedan or even an SUV to form a 2-car garage, that will be money much better spent.

I disagree about the comfort thing. I think the modern car is still a comfortable car, as also highlighted by the review written above. The whole point of the M5 is a compromise between super fast AND practical, so your whole idea of 2 cars is kind of missing the point of the M5. Many people who have a new M5 don't want to drive to/from work in some cheapy little car and have a sports car for the weekend. A lot of the time most people are spending time with their family at the weekend, or going out with the fmaily (maybe less so at the moment!) and you can't take your family out in your fun car, and it's nice to take them out in a nice car as well. The reality is that if they had, say, a 530d and another little sports car, they'd likely do 90% or more of the miles in the 530d and 10% in the little sports car, when the M5 would be used 100% of the time, and be nicer to use than the 530d for the 90% of those drives.

[theboss]

TyrannosauRoss Lex said:

I disagree about the comfort thing. I think the modern car is still a comfortable car, as also highlighted by the review written above. The whole point of the M5 is a compromise between super fast AND practical, so your whole idea of 2 cars is kind of missing the point of the M5. Many people who have a new M5 don't want to drive to/from work in some cheapy little car and have a sports car for the weekend. A lot of the time most people are spending time with their family at the weekend, or going out with the fmaily (maybe less so at the moment!) and you can't take your family out in your fun car, and it's nice to take them out in a nice car as well. The reality is that if they had, say, a 530d and another little sports car, they'd likely do 90% or more of the miles in the 530d and 10% in the little sports car, when the M5 would be used 100% of the time, and be nicer to use than the 530d for the 90% of those drives.

Exactly this. When I was using my F10 as a daily my business trips involved everything from 100+ miles of Welsh A/B roads to trips across the continent and back. If I had a fun car sat on the driveway for weekends I would have spent 99% of my time behind the wheel in something deliberately economical and mundane resenting the fact I couldn’t combine the two and have something that makes every drive more enjoyable. M5 ticked that box perfectly and I’d do the same again quite happily. Too big / too powerful are rubbish arguments.

[C.MW]

theboss said:

TyrannosauRoss Lex said:

I disagree about the comfort thing. I think the modern car is still a comfortable car, as also highlighted by the review written above. The whole point of the M5 is a compromise between super fast AND practical, so your whole idea of 2 cars is kind of missing the point of the M5. Many people who have a new M5 don't want to drive to/from work in some cheapy little car and have a sports car for the weekend. A lot of the time most people are spending time with their family at the weekend, or going out with the fmaily (maybe less so at the moment!) and you can't take your family out in your fun car, and it's nice to take them out in a nice car as well. The reality is that if they had, say, a 530d and another little sports car, they'd likely do 90% or more of the miles in the 530d and 10% in the little sports car, when the M5 would be used 100% of the time, and be nicer to use than the 530d for the 90% of those drives.

Exactly this. When I was using my F10 as a daily my business trips involved everything from 100+ miles of Welsh A/B roads to trips across the continent and back. If I had a fun car sat on the driveway for weekends I would have spent 99% of my time behind the wheel in something deliberately economical and mundane resenting the fact I couldn’t combine the two and have something that makes every drive more enjoyable. M5 ticked that box perfectly and I’d do the same again quite happily. Too big / too powerful are rubbish arguments.

Calm down, no one said your f10 is rubbish.

You do realise that in a two-car garage, the one for normal duties like commuting doesn't have to be a cheap econobox, don't you. It could be a Bently Flying Spur, for example. If you think your 100+ mile journey to and from Wales in an M5 was just as comfortable as it could've been, then it likely means you have not driven or sat in a true comfort-oriented car on long a long journey. I know because I used to think so.

Edited by C.MW on Wednesday 21st October 11:30

[Ares]

Carl_Manchester said:

Ares said:

As for being too big to drive and park....it's a 5-series. It's not a LWB S-Class or an Escalade. Have a word with yourself...!!

In Germany/USA totally agree.

In UK I tested the last one, it won’t go through the 2m width restrictors around here without the mirrors being tucked in and a cold sweat appearing.

for a £100k that gives me the wobbles, fair play if you are made of stronger minerals

I ran a (bigger) 640d for 3 years. I never had an issue on UK roads??

[leef44]

Ares said:

DMC2 said:

Ares said:

Augustus Windsock said:

Love the idea of this, and I’d take great delight in screaming up and down outside Theta Gruntburgers yurt whilst creating my own hole in the ozone layer.
But the reality is, even where I live on the edge of The Peak District, o wouldn’t be able to use the speed and power most of the time. And I’m not a great enough driver to get it anywhere near 10/10’s or even 8/10’s
So I’d rather have this and stick £50k in the bank..
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10139872?c...

I live on the edge of the Peak District, and have 510hp with just RWD. I get to use all 510hp on pretty much every journey.

Those that say you can't have simply never tried.

Sorry but if you use the full 510hp every day you must drive like a total b@ll end. Probably the sort of person who has helped give sports car owners the bad image they have.

Not in the slightest. Not had any points nor accidents for over 18 years.

Don't judge everyone by your own standards. I just use my brain behind the wheel. Try it sometime....

I take it you live near some open roads with good visibility and gradient.

I never imagined using my car with full power (only 420bhp) on a daily basis living in Surrey. However when I'm on holiday in a remote cottage in the Welsh hills, I get to give it the full beans every day on the country roads from the cottage. And I'm not talking about illegally high speeds, just that some parts get quite hilly and the engine gets warmed up properly.

[theboss]

C.MW said:

Calm down, no one said your f10 is rubbish.

You do realise that in a two-car garage, the one for normal duties like commuting doesn't have to be a cheap econobox, don't you. It could be a Bently Flying Spur, for example. If you think your 100+ mile journey to and from Wales in an M5 was just as comfortable as it could've been, then it likely means you have not driven or sat in a true comfort-oriented car on long a long journey. I know because I used to think so.

Edited by C.MW on Wednesday 21st October 11:30

Bit of a strange response - I’m quite calm thanks.

I make no assertions either way but merely agreed with another poster that the M5 is a good balance between comfort, performance, practicality and cost. It’s a nice car to be in all of the time. That may be unacceptably compromising to some, but perfect for others.

Of course I don’t think it’s the most comfortable way to travel, but that doesn’t mean I’d automatically swap it for some luxo-barge either. I had a 7-series but soon tired of it for long distance A/B road driving. If you’re going to talk about cars costing several times an M5 then that somewhat proves my point about just how good they are as all-round performance cars at a given price point.

Edited by theboss on Wednesday 21st October 13:52

[Ares]

leef44 said:

Ares said:

DMC2 said:

Ares said:

Augustus Windsock said:

Love the idea of this, and I’d take great delight in screaming up and down outside Theta Gruntburgers yurt whilst creating my own hole in the ozone layer.
But the reality is, even where I live on the edge of The Peak District, o wouldn’t be able to use the speed and power most of the time. And I’m not a great enough driver to get it anywhere near 10/10’s or even 8/10’s
So I’d rather have this and stick £50k in the bank..
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10139872?c...

I live on the edge of the Peak District, and have 510hp with just RWD. I get to use all 510hp on pretty much every journey.

Those that say you can't have simply never tried.

Sorry but if you use the full 510hp every day you must drive like a total b@ll end. Probably the sort of person who has helped give sports car owners the bad image they have.

Not in the slightest. Not had any points nor accidents for over 18 years.

Don't judge everyone by your own standards. I just use my brain behind the wheel. Try it sometime....

I take it you live near some open roads with good visibility and gradient.

I never imagined using my car with full power (only 420bhp) on a daily basis living in Surrey. However when I'm on holiday in a remote cottage in the Welsh hills, I get to give it the full beans every day on the country roads from the cottage. And I'm not talking about illegally high speeds, just that some parts get quite hilly and the engine gets warmed up properly.

I live in Cheshire. Plenty of quiet roads, equal number of quiet NSL dual carriageways.

Using all power doesn't mean 20mins at 10/10ths.

[leef44]

Ares said:

I live in Cheshire. Plenty of quiet roads, equal number of quiet NSL dual carriageways.

Using all power doesn't mean 20mins at 10/10ths.

They are moments to savour. I know what you mean. Those opportunities will get rarer and rarer in time.

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

C.MW said:

theboss said:

TyrannosauRoss Lex said:

I disagree about the comfort thing. I think the modern car is still a comfortable car, as also highlighted by the review written above. The whole point of the M5 is a compromise between super fast AND practical, so your whole idea of 2 cars is kind of missing the point of the M5. Many people who have a new M5 don't want to drive to/from work in some cheapy little car and have a sports car for the weekend. A lot of the time most people are spending time with their family at the weekend, or going out with the fmaily (maybe less so at the moment!) and you can't take your family out in your fun car, and it's nice to take them out in a nice car as well. The reality is that if they had, say, a 530d and another little sports car, they'd likely do 90% or more of the miles in the 530d and 10% in the little sports car, when the M5 would be used 100% of the time, and be nicer to use than the 530d for the 90% of those drives.

Exactly this. When I was using my F10 as a daily my business trips involved everything from 100+ miles of Welsh A/B roads to trips across the continent and back. If I had a fun car sat on the driveway for weekends I would have spent 99% of my time behind the wheel in something deliberately economical and mundane resenting the fact I couldn’t combine the two and have something that makes every drive more enjoyable. M5 ticked that box perfectly and I’d do the same again quite happily. Too big / too powerful are rubbish arguments.

Calm down, no one said your f10 is rubbish.

You do realise that in a two-car garage, the one for normal duties like commuting doesn't have to be a cheap econobox, don't you. It could be a Bently Flying Spur, for example. If you think your 100+ mile journey to and from Wales in an M5 was just as comfortable as it could've been, then it likely means you have not driven or sat in a true comfort-oriented car on long a long journey. I know because I used to think so.

Edited by C.MW on Wednesday 21st October 11:30

I think suggesting a Bentley CGT as an alternative to do the comfortable miles AND another car misses the mark, considering the Bentley is more expensive than an M5. I was under the impression that a 2-car garage to do the job of an M5 would not cost more than an M5. Therefore, if an M5 may cost, say, £95k with options after discounts, and someone wanted a fun, fast sports car, you'll be looking at between £50-60k.....that leaves £35-45k for the car to do the mundane trips. Considering we are talking new cars, then that seems like a fairly reasonable assumption to me.

An M5 is a great all-round car, that's its USP. I get that people would prefer a 2-car garage, but some people don't want to drive around in a not-so-good car for what would likely be at least 90% of their driving.

[Ares]

TyrannosauRoss Lex said:

I think suggesting a Bentley CGT as an alternative to do the comfortable miles AND another car misses the mark, considering the Bentley is more expensive than an M5. I was under the impression that a 2-car garage to do the job of an M5 would not cost more than an M5. Therefore, if an M5 may cost, say, £95k with options after discounts, and someone wanted a fun, fast sports car, you'll be looking at between £50-60k.....that leaves £35-45k for the car to do the mundane trips. Considering we are talking new cars, then that seems like a fairly reasonable assumption to me.

An M5 is a great all-round car, that's its USP. I get that people would prefer a 2-car garage, but some people don't want to drive around in a not-so-good car for what would likely be at least 90% of their driving.

Thats me. I did the two car thing for nearly ten years. I spent 95% of my time wishing I was in a better car.

I now have one car that covers all....not perfectly, but a damned sight more than the 5% left over from above.

[C.MW]

theboss said:

C.MW said:

Calm down, no one said your f10 is rubbish.

You do realise that in a two-car garage, the one for normal duties like commuting doesn't have to be a cheap econobox, don't you. It could be a Bently Flying Spur, for example. If you think your 100+ mile journey to and from Wales in an M5 was just as comfortable as it could've been, then it likely means you have not driven or sat in a true comfort-oriented car on long a long journey. I know because I used to think so.

Edited by C.MW on Wednesday 21st October 11:30

Bit of a strange response - I’m quite calm thanks.

I make no assertions either way but merely agreed with another poster that the M5 is a good balance between comfort, performance, practicality and cost. It’s a nice car to be in all of the time. That may be unacceptably compromising to some, but perfect for others.

Of course I don’t think it’s the most comfortable way to travel, but that doesn’t mean I’d automatically swap it for some luxo-barge either. I had a 7-series but soon tired of it for long distance A/B road driving. If you’re going to talk about cars costing several times an M5 then that somewhat proves my point about just how good they are as all-round performance cars at a given price point.

Edited by theboss on Wednesday 21st October 13:52

Oh you were calm? Didn't realise that as the way you put your argument forward appeared rough and a bit anxious even. Good to know you are.

It doesn't have to be a Bentley, of course not. It was a response to your somewhat strange statement that assumed a daily alternative to your M5 could only be "something economical and mundane".

Edited by C.MW on Thursday 22 October 01:54

[GravelBen]

It doesn't look much like a competition car? Or is it called 'competition' because its competing for sales with other expensive luxury cars?

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

GravelBen said:

It doesn't look much like a competition car? Or is it called 'competition' because its competing for sales with other expensive luxury cars?

It's a name. I'm surprised so many get hung up on this. Who cares?

[C.MW]

GravelBen said:

It doesn't look much like a competition car? Or is it called 'competition' because its competing for sales with other expensive luxury cars?

Probably so. I wonder why, too.