F10 M5 Test Drive. No noise!!

[jonlcerb]

Test drove an F10 M5 today at my local dealer. The main issue I had was that there was hardly any engine noise inside the car. I love the sound of my E61 M5. Even with standard exhaust it is much better than the new car. I am sure with more time to play with the settings the rest of the car could be set up to my taste. But can the lack of an exciting super car like noise be solved by fitting an exhaust without the risk of losing the warranty?
Unfortunately I am not totally sold on it as a replacement for my current M5 as a family car. 2 growing boys mean the estate would be sorely missed and possibly essential. As I can't stand Audis, and having tested an X5M, I definitely want a car not an off roader, there seems to no obvious alternative.
Any bright ideas that I might not have thought of?

[BlitzE34]

E63 AMG estate?

[jonlcerb]

Never considered Mercedes as my wife hates them. I think I'd rather keep the E61. So far Panamera Turbo could be a consideration. Not driven one yet and not sure about looks, also a bit too pricey.

[Deva Link]

Doesn't it play engine noise through the radio?

[jonlcerb]

Didn't seem to.

[Deva Link]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[jonlcerb]

Must have been switched off on the one I drove today! Think I'd prefer a real engine noise!

[goldblum]

BlitzE34 said:

E63 AMG estate?

Good call, there's a number of reviews in which the E63 beats the M5. Probably quicker and more comfy but doesn't handle quite as well. Also image isn't quite so...chavvy lol. Plenty of brutal AMG V8 noise.

[mhh]

This might help.

http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8320...

I've got an F10 M5 and a 2012 E63 Estate. The Merc is a superior family car with much more rear seat room - apart from the obvious luggage space advantage. And yes, it sounds a mile better.

Edited by mhh on Wednesday 24th April 01:29

[jonlcerb]

I didn't realise an M5 Touring was chavvy. If that's the case, not sure that's better or worse than a pimped airport taxi!

Good call, there's a number of reviews in which the E63 beats the M5. Probably quicker and more comfy but doesn't handle quite as well. Also image isn't quite so...chavvy lol. Plenty of brutal AMG V8 noise.

[/quote]

[belleair302]

Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo as a pure 5 door chassis, or buy an F10 and take it to G Power or Akrapovic for more noise.

[goldblum]

jonlcerb said:

I didn't realise an M5 Touring was chavvy. If that's the case, not sure that's better or worse than a pimped airport taxi!

I'm not sure the fact it's an estate makes any difference. It's the letter 'M' that lets the car down. Not quite the same cachet nowadays. You could debadge it so people won't confuse you with the youth in the 528i with a Halfords M stuck on the back.

[jonlcerb]

Thought of de-badging, but worried i'd damage the paint.

[goldblum]

jonlcerb said:

Thought of de-badging, but worried i'd damage the paint.

Yes I've been in the same boat but always thought after a few months of ownership that the car looks better badged. Whichever way you look at it they're very special cars. Funny thing pride.

[turboman786]

I test drove a F10 M5, and thought that the sound was pretty good considering it was actually fake noise being pumped through the speakers!

Awesome car though....

[Babw]

turboman786 said:

I test drove a F10 M5, and thought that the sound was pretty good considering it was actually fake noise being pumped through the speakers!

Awesome car though....

Every time I've drive an F10 M5, I turned the sound off and opened the window. It still made a great noise so I can definitely confirm it will neither be silent or sound like a diesel if you forget to turn your audio on.

[Wills2]

jonlcerb said:

Thought of de-badging, but worried i'd damage the paint.

You won't damage the paint, all you need is a bit of garden twine or cheese wire and you're done.

[belleair302]

Dental Floss is less likely to harm the clearcoat than anything else if de badging.

[Skrambles]

jonlcerb said:

I love the sound of my E61 M5. Even with standard exhaust it is much better than the new car.

My experience is the reverse and I'm finding that the exhaust on the f10 has become louder over the past year. There's also no diesel-like clatter.

[David 997t]

Got to agree my F10 M5 has got louder and louder, to the point my other half has complained about me waking the house up in the morning when I start it!!! I also love the very loud bang you get when you lift off full throttle around 3500rpm... have also set a few alarms off in London carparks!!;)
Not sure I get the chavvy comment either?? I see many old heap's of Mercs drive round with AMG badges on them, think most cars are prone to K***bs doing this now?????