[pmsteinm]

I was visiting my relatives for thanksgiving and it turns out their neighbour just got a new M5. He knows I own a V so he offered to show it to me and take me for a ride.

1st impressions: The new M5 looks pretty good to me. I love the 19" wheels. The interior is very German: better then the CTS-V (of course) but not better than the STS...just different. The new M5 is a gadget lover's dream. 7 shift modes for the SMG, 3 suspension modes, 2 engine modes, and so many seat adjustments I'd probably never stop fidgeting with them. iDrive isn't so bad if you like computers, but I don't think it really fits in a car. It feels too much like a computer interface and not like driving a car.

So we went for a ride, and wow, the M5 feels fast. But as you know, it always feels faster riding in a car than driving one. Anyway, we zipped around a bit, and the engine sounded sweet (so does the LS6, but in a completely different way). We didn't do much in the way of cornering (no good places), but the M5 is flat in corners. The 3 suspension modes are nice, and the firmest felt about like the V does.

Then we pulled into a parking spot and he offered to let me drive. I was surprised but of course accepted. So I get in and off we go. I actually thought the SMG was pretty slick, but a manual can be more fun. The car goes like stink. At first I thought it wasn't much faster than my V....until I drove the V to work today. The M5 will prob leave the CTS-V in the dust at any speed...maybe not 25-40...but everywhere else. I hit 120 in the M5 in no time. But on the down side, it didn't feel like 120. It was almost serene going that fast. The most fun thing to do was to pull up next to someone going 65mph, downshift to 3 (really easy with the SMG...4 quick taps and you go from 7 right to 3), and floor it. :lildevil: Wheee! We'd pull away like the other car was going backwards. And as a bonus, I can act like a jerk because I'm in a BMW and everyone expects it!

The brakes are really grabby, but after they bite they are about the same as the V's. Tire traction is their only real limit (like the V as well). The M5 certainly doesn't feel or drive like the tank it is.

The M5 also has active seats, which inflate as you turn to help support you. I'm an engineer, so I think they are neat. They seem to help hold you in place too. The full color HUD is cool too, but I kept looking at the gauges instead...old habits die hard.

If money were no object, would I prefer the M5 over the CTS-V (never mind they are in totally different market segements)? Answer is...probably. Would you? It depends on you and what you want in a car. The M5 is luxury, gadets and lot of power, but very refined. The V connects you to the road more, is all American, and its fun and scary at the same time. I like the M5 because it is like a cross between my old STS and my V. But I like to buy American. So I can't wait to see the STS-V, which really is a cross between an STS and a V (actually, it's a dash [haha--bad joke:thepan:]).


But since money is an object for me, the CTS-V is the right way to go, and although the M5 might be "better" in a lot of ways, I still like my car, warts and all.

So when's the STS-V going to be in showrooms?

 

[Kadonny]

Good post. I saw a new M5 on a dealer lot. I did not like the rear of the car, but the front fascia and the wheels are awesome.

Glad you enjoyed your test ride. I might still go for the E55 if I was going to lay out that type of cash on a car, but no doubt the M5 is a beast.

The STS-V should be here soon, very soon. I heard they started production about a week later than the CTS-V.

 

[Geno]

Great post, very objective. I love my "V" for what it is, but the new M5 obviously has it's merits (albeit at it's premium price point).

 

[2004ctsv]

Thanks

I have a buddy in Houston looking at the M5. I'll send him a link to this thread.

Tony

 

[Mutlu]

There are some posts of the M5 racing a Porsche Turbo, Lambo Gallardo and some other cars. You would be amazed how fast this thing is.

I'll try and find the links.

The cheapest I have found one is 10k over MSRP and usually BMW always have problems with their M cars first year in production. Definetely want to get one next year with the 07 coming.

 

[Skeeter]

I just saw a nice pair of M5's on the showroom here in Berkeley, CA. They look GREAT. I'm not a Bimmer guy, never owned one, never liked the looks, but the new M5 is a SLICK ride.

I thought the interior was top-notch. Ultra-sculpted and contoured, bigger than it looks like it'd be from the outside...

But at $100k, it better be SCARY fast and completely luxurious and bullet-proof! It does not look like a six-figure car, though the stickers were right there @ $95k+ as I recall.

I hate the thought of so many cars being faster than our venerable CTS-V! I'll say it once more: gotta get me a Maggie and solve my rear hop. THen I'll show 'em!

E55 v. M5 would be an interesting comparo. I'm guessing the usual differences: torque (mbz) versus HP (BMW). Luxury tilt versus performance orientation, etc.

I think you may need to step up to the blown V12 benzez to keep with this new V10 BMW, though. ARGH!

Thankfully, most of the old men in the BMW's won't rev 'em up the way they need to be, and won't drive 'em the way we drive our CTS-Vs. Hehehe. No offense to my hard-drivin' white-haired pals, mind you. Just BMW guys tend not to 'abuse' their hardware. They might not need to do much to score a kill on us in these new M5's, though.

Skeeter

 

[wildwhl]

:hmm:

My impression of the M5 from a speed standpoint was that it didn't feel much faster - if any - than my V.

Guess you'd better get a Maggie :yup:

WW

 

[willsctsv]

Any wheel hop in the M5 on that test drive? The new M6 is just as powerful, and I think looks better. Something I'm considering in 07.
Also, How many M5's do you think you will encounter? Not many is the correct answer. The V will still kick the ass of most cars you find on the road on a daily basis. I seldom run into any worthy high end competition, and if I do, they wimp out when they hear the exhaust or there is traffic and no opportunity to get a good run.

 

[Dennisscars]

And as a bonus, I can act like a jerk because I'm in a BMW and everyone expects it!

:histeric: :highfive: .."when in Rome.." well Stutgart



Great write up..:thumbsup:

 

[c5racr1]

porsche in stutgart, bmw munich

 

[Dennisscars]

porches/bimmers...Something about porcupines and pr*cks on the inside…:thepan:

 

[Dave's V]

For the V to compete with a luxury sports $100k German sedan gives great credit to the V. The M5 is a fantastic looking car. Money no object, I would buy it, sell it and buy a V and Z06. Great review! Nice friend also!

 

[MCaesar]

Great write up

You made me feel like I was there.

In terms of acceleration, the E55 will pull away from all of them: STS-V, CTS-V, and M5 because of its incredible torque. From a roll the M5 and STS-V will have more of a chance but from a stop the E55 turns consistent 12.5s and one was clocked at 12.3. The others won't approach that.

BUT, Mercedes has turned into the Inspector Gadget of high priced autos. They have so many electronic gizmos that you don't get that direct feeling. Other than the power, the last generation E55 drove a little better.

 

[Blacksport350]

porches/bimmers...Something about porcupines and pr*cks on the inside…:thepan:

Funny, I know more porcupines and pr*cks that drive GM cars than all the Porsche and BMW owners that I know combined.

 

[Blacksport350]

Great write up
You made me feel like I was there.
In terms of acceleration, the E55 will pull away from all of them: STS-V, CTS-V, and M5 because of its incredible torque. From a roll the M5 and STS-V will have more of a chance but from a stop the E55 turns consistent 12.5s and one was clocked at 12.3. The others won't approach that.
BUT, Mercedes has turned into the Inspector Gadget of high priced autos. They have so many electronic gizmos that you don't get that direct feeling. Other than the power, the last generation E55 drove a little better.

:yeah:

Then only bummer about the new bimmer is the price tag! When I bought my first M5, it was $55K(although that was a chunk of change in '91) and now we are hitting almost $100K! I would own one at $80K and as much as I love the M6, it is price into the nutso zone for what it is. Wonder what will happen when BMW NA runs out of their hord of cheap Euros that they bought some time ago to last through '07 if memory serves. WE will probably see $70K M3s and $125K M5s!

 

[Dennisscars]

Funny, I know more porcupines and pr*cks that drive GM cars than all the Porsche and BMW owners that I know combined.

It’s probably a push, depending on which side of the windshield you are looking through.

GM drivers are people who can’t afford Bimmers
Bimmer drivers are people who can’t afford Porches
Porch drivers are people who can’t afford Lamborghinis
Lamborghini drivers are people who can’t afford well… what Jay Leno drives.

 

[pmsteinm]

Don't know about wheel hop on the M5. His car was still in break-in so we didn't want to try launch control. And he had snow tires on it already anyway.

That is one thing I don't like about BMW's: they have such a long break-in period, and I am not a patient man.

 

[MCaesar]

:yeah:

Then only bummer about the new bimmer is the price tag! When I bought my first M5, it was $55K(although that was a chunk of change in '91) and now we are hitting almost $100K! I would own one at $80K and as much as I love the M6, it is price into the nutso zone for what it is. Wonder what will happen when BMW NA runs out of their hord of cheap Euros that they bought some time ago to last through '07 if memory serves. WE will probably see $70K M3s and $125K M5s!

Nah, the market for them will crash. For as long as I have been driving the Germans, BMW and MB specifically, go through cycles. They produce great cars, the price goes up, they lose market share, they re-trench and offer new product with more features for less money, then the cycle starts all over again.

At one point MB introduced an all new E Class that was a big improvement at the same price as the previous one.

That will happen again.

 

[MacOSR]

I am going from the CTS-V to the M5. My M5 is just getting on the ship (just in time for winter).

Jan 06 C&D has the M5/STSV/CLS55 as its cover story. Should be a good read. Their picks were...
#1 M5
#2 STSV
#3 CLS55

When my M5 gets here (3 weeks) I will post a comparison to my CTS-V.

 

[MCaesar]

I am going from the CTS-V to the M5. My M5 is just getting on the ship (just in time for winter).

Jan 06 C&D has the M5/STSV/CLS55 as its cover story. Should be a good read. Their picks were...
#1 M5
#2 STSV
#3 CLS55

When my M5 gets here (3 weeks) I will post a comparison to my CTS-V.

What were the test results?