M5 E60 - 1 week in.
Discussion
So, after a week or running the M5, having coming from a 535D Tourer (DMS) and before that an E39 M5, I thought I'd post a few comments.
First of all the car is fantastically well put together and the interior is a excellent. The 535D with it's slightly hard leather felt like a little bit of a step backwards from the E39, but the new M5 is a lovely place to be and everyone who's passengered in the car has made the same observation. Even at 30mph it feels a bit special. The Logic 7 is very good, although alas not in the same league as the B&W system in the XFR's that I test drove. HUD is absolutely fantastic and I wonder why every car doesn't have one. Ride quality is surprisingly good with EDC dialled to comfort and at least a match for the 535D on run-flats.
So to the engine and drive. In a word EPIC
- The V10 howl is something that is never going to get boring 
- It's certainly not a jump-in and drive quick car like the 535D was with it's monstrous torque, or even the previous M5, BUT it rewards in a way that neither of those cars could (yes even with the manual E39 M5) as you get the high revving engine to exploit and with the paddle shift a real sense of satisfaction when you keep the car in the "zone". The blips on the downshifts really add to the drama. The noise isn't quite a spine-tingling as the noise from the Capristo system I had fitted to the 355, but it's got a lovely understated tone (fitting of the somewhat Q car status), and a real nascar burble. Performance in P500 mode in the sweet spot is exactly what I was hankering for and gives you that real pinned-to-your seat thrust
I've only really scratched the surface of the car, and greasy November roads aren't ideal, but I think this one's going to be a keeper - one happy owner
I'm sure I'm telling most of you what you already know, but nice to be able to give a glowing review.
First of all the car is fantastically well put together and the interior is a excellent. The 535D with it's slightly hard leather felt like a little bit of a step backwards from the E39, but the new M5 is a lovely place to be and everyone who's passengered in the car has made the same observation. Even at 30mph it feels a bit special. The Logic 7 is very good, although alas not in the same league as the B&W system in the XFR's that I test drove. HUD is absolutely fantastic and I wonder why every car doesn't have one. Ride quality is surprisingly good with EDC dialled to comfort and at least a match for the 535D on run-flats.
So to the engine and drive. In a word EPIC
- The V10 howl is something that is never going to get boring - It's certainly not a jump-in and drive quick car like the 535D was with it's monstrous torque, or even the previous M5, BUT it rewards in a way that neither of those cars could (yes even with the manual E39 M5) as you get the high revving engine to exploit and with the paddle shift a real sense of satisfaction when you keep the car in the "zone". The blips on the downshifts really add to the drama. The noise isn't quite a spine-tingling as the noise from the Capristo system I had fitted to the 355, but it's got a lovely understated tone (fitting of the somewhat Q car status), and a real nascar burble. Performance in P500 mode in the sweet spot is exactly what I was hankering for and gives you that real pinned-to-your seat thrust I've only really scratched the surface of the car, and greasy November roads aren't ideal, but I think this one's going to be a keeper - one happy owner
I'm sure I'm telling most of you what you already know, but nice to be able to give a glowing review.
Jazzer said:
Brilliant stuff Stu....I feel your excitement.
I never get bored with mine....it gives me intense pleasure, a bit like prostate massage!!!
Jazzer
Lol - Excitement is exactly the word! It's that special something, those little things that make certain cars a bit special. It's not just about speed it's about how the speed and power is delivered. I hear lots of comments about how a 535D is 95% of an M5, well having just come from one in my opinion it isn't............not even close in fact. The 535D is absolutely a fantastic workhorse and mile-muncher but the on/off nature of the power delivery coupled to the slush-matic gearbox means you don't ever get involved. It's just a wave of torque whenever you bury your foot. Whereas this morning I was out in the M5 and few times got to nail it in second before snapping into third in M mode at 8200rpm - bliss. At the top end the power is brutal. I haven't had that kind of performance since my Noble days. I never get bored with mine....it gives me intense pleasure, a bit like prostate massage!!!
Jazzer
Edited by StuH on Saturday 26th November 19:37
I also live in the sticks and something amazing happened to me yesterday.... I drove by 2 petrol stations without having to stop 
it is the worst car I have owned for fuel economy (including the Ultima I had lol) however as a package its one of the best.... currently the best car as an entire package that I owned is the E36 M3 evo which excelled in every area (even averaged 30mpg) and only time will tell if the M5 is as good as that.
For the record Im not a BMW fan but I do seem to be turning into an M fan
it is the worst car I have owned for fuel economy (including the Ultima I had lol) however as a package its one of the best.... currently the best car as an entire package that I owned is the E36 M3 evo which excelled in every area (even averaged 30mpg) and only time will tell if the M5 is as good as that.
For the record Im not a BMW fan but I do seem to be turning into an M fan
andygtt said:
I also live in the sticks and something amazing happened to me yesterday.... I drove by 2 petrol stations without having to stop
it is the worst car I have owned for fuel economy (including the Ultima I had lol) however as a package its one of the best.... currently the best car as an entire package that I owned is the E36 M3 evo which excelled in every area (even averaged 30mpg) and only time will tell if the M5 is as good as that.
For the record Im not a BMW fan but I do seem to be turning into an M fan
Wow - I ran an E36 M3 EVO from new in '98 and I wouldn't put it in anywhere near the league the E60 M5 is in - Horses for courses and all that I guess.it is the worst car I have owned for fuel economy (including the Ultima I had lol) however as a package its one of the best.... currently the best car as an entire package that I owned is the E36 M3 evo which excelled in every area (even averaged 30mpg) and only time will tell if the M5 is as good as that.
For the record Im not a BMW fan but I do seem to be turning into an M fan
Left London, Rotherhite SE16 to be precise, at 9:15am on Saturday morning, arrived in Stroud, Gloucestershire, at 11:15am. Covered 125miles in 2hrs, including the treck across London, then up to Oxford, Burford and Cirencester.
Loaded a complete Porsche 928GT engine in the back of the car, along with two boxes of assorted parts and drove back to London. The return trip took 3hrs. All on one tank of fuel. You do the maths on my average speed on the London - Stroud leg of the trip. Marvellous! Simply magnificent!
Loaded a complete Porsche 928GT engine in the back of the car, along with two boxes of assorted parts and drove back to London. The return trip took 3hrs. All on one tank of fuel. You do the maths on my average speed on the London - Stroud leg of the trip. Marvellous! Simply magnificent!
StuH said:
andygtt said:
I also live in the sticks and something amazing happened to me yesterday.... I drove by 2 petrol stations without having to stop
it is the worst car I have owned for fuel economy (including the Ultima I had lol) however as a package its one of the best.... currently the best car as an entire package that I owned is the E36 M3 evo which excelled in every area (even averaged 30mpg) and only time will tell if the M5 is as good as that.
For the record Im not a BMW fan but I do seem to be turning into an M fan
Wow - I ran an E36 M3 EVO from new in '98 and I wouldn't put it in anywhere near the league the E60 M5 is in - Horses for courses and all that I guess.it is the worst car I have owned for fuel economy (including the Ultima I had lol) however as a package its one of the best.... currently the best car as an entire package that I owned is the E36 M3 evo which excelled in every area (even averaged 30mpg) and only time will tell if the M5 is as good as that.
For the record Im not a BMW fan but I do seem to be turning into an M fan
Im also still in the honeymoon period with E60 and other than fuel economy and the fact the rear seats down fold, the M5 is proving perfect lol... Im not complaining about either as I knew both before buying
On of the most impressive things about the car so far has been the traction control that seems to be set perfectly for back roads driving... i've not been tempted to turn it off as its a lot of fun with it on and covers ground like a heavy rear drive car has no right to in the wet.
andygtt said:
its about a package not one item, yes the M5 is faster than the M3, but then my Noble is in another 2 leagues above the M5 so performance isn't everything... The M3 was thrashed to death and still came back for more, how its still alive is beyond me lol
Im also still in the honeymoon period with E60 and other than fuel economy and the fact the rear seats down fold, the M5 is proving perfect lol... Im not complaining about either as I knew both before buying
On of the most impressive things about the car so far has been the traction control that seems to be set perfectly for back roads driving... i've not been tempted to turn it off as its a lot of fun with it on and covers ground like a heavy rear drive car has no right to in the wet.
Totally agree, traction control is a hill of beans better than the system on the Z4MC. Glad you're getting on well with it. Would love a pax ride in the NobleIm also still in the honeymoon period with E60 and other than fuel economy and the fact the rear seats down fold, the M5 is proving perfect lol... Im not complaining about either as I knew both before buying
On of the most impressive things about the car so far has been the traction control that seems to be set perfectly for back roads driving... i've not been tempted to turn it off as its a lot of fun with it on and covers ground like a heavy rear drive car has no right to in the wet.
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