Friday 27th January 2012

PH Carpool: BMW M5 (F10)

F10 M5 not all that? Not so says our latest Carpool candidate and proud owner of the monster M

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Name:
Simon Gregg

Car:
2012 BMW M5

Owned since:
January 2012

Previously owned:
Audi RS6, BMW M5 (E60), Mercedes E55 AMG,

Why I bought it:
I have had a couple of examples of the previous generation M5, which on the whole I really enjoyed, bar the gearbox which was terrible around town when in drive. I have also loved large forced-induction cars, such as the E55 Kompressor and the RS6, as they have lots of torque and are effortless to drive. The old V10 M5 had to be revved quite high to get the benefit of the power, which in turn killed the fuel consumption.

What I wish I'd known:
The new M5 has had some negative press, as reviews have said that it is not involving enough, but this did not put me off as the M car is so well set up in terms of ride, steering and power delivery.

I feel a great number of journalists fail to consider what is important to the buyer of a car in a given price range when reviewing cars and they simply look at it from their own point of view. They seem more concerned about getting the tail out as opposed to considering what they are like to live with in the driving environment we all encounter day to day.

Things I love:
I love that is so discreet and only those who know what it is know! The build quality is fantastic and I love the attention to detail - the M logo appears on the head-up display when you start the car! It is effortless to drive and one press of the M button and it turns into a rocketship.

Things I hate:
My only wish is that you could a hear a little more of the exhaust/engine
sound, as the cabin is so well insulated.

Costs:
I bought the car from North Oxford BMW and they were fantastic to deal with. I have bought other M cars from them in the past, as they supplied me my 1 M last year. The car was a launch specification, so the cost was £80,709.80 with BMW's Service Inclusive package. Options on my car include 20-inch wheels, rear reversing camera, powered boot lid, comfort access, soft close doors, M multi-function seating, high beam assist, lumbar support for front seating, BMW Professional infotainment, privacy glass and speed limit display. I took out finance with BMW and am paying £729.00 a month over three years, with a final balance to pay of £31,334.46.

Where I've been:
I have just been running it in at present and should be taking it in for its first service at the beginning of February.

What next?
BMW M5 Touring, if they ever launch it.

 

 

[golffoxtrot]

"I brought the car"

Awaits imminent arrival of the spelling police...

[cerb4.5lee]

Really like these, ur portfolio of cars is very impressive, i just wish they did a manual box for the uk spec cars like they offer in america.

[Not Ideal]

Awesome - look forward to more updates!

[Dan Trent]

golffoxtrot said:

"I brought the car"

Awaits imminent arrival of the spelling police...

They've been and gone already!

[Dave Hedgehog]

i assume they gave you 35k px for the 1m then

[PELVICPEANUT]

golffoxtrot said:

"I brought the car"

Awaits imminent arrival of the spelling police...

Nope you seem to have spelt 'car' correctly.

[mmm-five]

Those finance number don't add up.

£729/month for 3 years is only £23k, so even at 0% APR there'd still be £58k outstanding. Must have either paid a 50% deposit or BMW have given a £27k 'discount' to get a final payment of 'only' £31k?

[PHMatt]

£729 a month - holy bejeezus that's proper finance that is!

[j_s14a]

IMO, the compromises for everyday comfort appear to have gone too far on the M5. There are plenty of other 5 series to choose from if you want comfort.

[PHMatt]

mmm-five said:

Those finance number don't add up.

£729/month for 3 years is only £23k, so even at 0% APR there'd still be £58k outstanding. Must have either paid a 50% deposit or BMW have given a £27k 'discount' to get a final payment of 'only' £31k?

Or he traded his old M5 in?

[LuS1fer]

There is a fine line between "discreet" and "nothing special to look at" but it's not my money and so it only has to satisfy the buyer.

[Mermaid]

PHMatt said:

mmm-five said:

Those finance number don't add up.

£729/month for 3 years is only £23k, so even at 0% APR there'd still be £58k outstanding. Must have either paid a 50% deposit or BMW have given a £27k 'discount' to get a final payment of 'only' £31k?

Or he traded his old M5 in?

Curious about the numbers, for it sounds like a good deal.

[mmm-five]

PHMatt said:

Or he traded his old M5 in?

But wouldn't that be part of the 'cost' too?

And you'd be lucky to get more than £20k for a e60 M5 trade-in

[Alex]

"I feel a great number of journalists fail to consider what is important to the buyer of a car in a given price range when reviewing cars and they simply look at it from their own point of view. They seem more concerned about getting the tail out as opposed to considering what they are like to live with in the driving environment we all encounter day to day"

BMW shouldn't call it an "M" car then.

[Mermaid]

Alex said:

"I feel a great number of journalists fail to consider what is important to the buyer of a car in a given price range when reviewing cars and they simply look at it from their own point of view. They seem more concerned about getting the tail out as opposed to considering what they are like to live with in the driving environment we all encounter day to day"
.

Well equipped 4wd Audi's seems to be all we need.

[epom]

Thats a smashing car, best of luck with it

[edo]

Mermaid said:

PHMatt said:

mmm-five said:

Those finance number don't add up.

£729/month for 3 years is only £23k, so even at 0% APR there'd still be £58k outstanding. Must have either paid a 50% deposit or BMW have given a £27k 'discount' to get a final payment of 'only' £31k?

Or he traded his old M5 in?

Curious about the numbers, for it sounds like a good deal.

There MUST be a hefty deposit?

[0a]

It doesn't tell us much about what it's like to drive

[Hellbound]

Awww....only one photo?

[Big E 118]

Lovely car, haven't seen one on the road yet but the one at the FoS looked great.

BMW are doing some fantastic finance deals at the moment across the whole range with some prety generous dealer contributions. I guess they had to match the deals MB have been doing for the last couple of years!