Got to drive new V10 BMW M5 (Long)
11-09-2005, 08:53 AM
#1
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Got to drive new V10 BMW M5 (Long)
<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/31296/m5_small.jpg"></center><p>
Neighbor got his latest toy yesterday and let me drive it. He placed an order for it in 2002; it's one of the first in the country. V10, 500+hp, 8000+ redline, 7 speed SMG, 19s, and drop dead beautiful Pics don't do it justice. He's still in break=in mode, but we took it out on our local county twisties. Here are some observations:
- it's a big car from the outside, but you lose that illusion once in the driver seat. Fit and finish, materials are remarkable, as they should be for an $80K+ car. The alloys are beautiful. When you sit in the seat, the side bolsters automatically inflate to cushion you in. Heads up display appears at the bottom of the windscreen and shows you the tach (color), digital speed, and what gear you're in which is handy. Very unobtrusive and convenient location in line of sight. Interior is light grey and charcoal leather. Infamous I-drive.
- Brake set, put it in neutral, push starter button. Cold, it has a strange mechanical noise. Not like the high-pitched sound of our cold fast idle air, but something mechanical, high pitched, almost painful sounding. But it goes away as the motor warms up. Engine/exh is not loud, per se, but has a noticeable presence, that you feel in the car, more than hear it. You really feel like you're part of the car.
- Big fat steering wheel, no nicer than ours except that when you push the "M" button on the bottom spoke, it puts you into P500 mode which toggles you from the base 400hp to 500+hp. We need an "S" button that does the same thing :>
Alum paddles on each side; + on right for upshift, - on left for downshift. Pull gear selector over to manual, pull for 1st gear and we're off.
- Car is geared low in first. Keep in mind, this is a new, not broken-in car, so don't know what my observations will mean after a couple of thousand miles, but first thing i noticed when backing off the throttle in 1st coming to a stop sign is that the engine braking of this motor will almost stop the car when in gear. I mean right now... no coasting. I noted this in almost every gear when you'd back off. Which leads me to the SMG.
- I was very disappointed. THis was the first time i've driven this type gearbox. Steve played with the shift settings as I drove and never got it to where it shifted like I thought it should. Under acceleration, I wanted instant upshifts. Instead, I'd pull the lever, throttle constant, and the engine would drop rpm and fall on its face as it de-clutched, literally making you go forward in your seat. Then, it'd select the next gear, engage, and surge ahead. This took as much as 2.5-3 seconds? Seemed like forever, and made for a lurchy experience. Downshifts were not as instant as I would have liked either, but the engine did a good job of throttle matching on downshifts. All in all, I wouldn't want to live with the SMG if that's the best it can do. I was expecting more like what you guys with 3.2s have said DSG does, even tho I have read that the SMG is not in the same ballpark. None of the reviews I've seen in magazines for SMG cars have mentioned this, so I don't know if it's a fluke of a new car or not. I just know I didn't like it and would take a 6speed any day over this, or leave it in automatic if I had to.
- Steering is BMW-perfect. The ride is very firm and the car communicates everything to you. We were on washboard paved twisties. I'd say it was even a little firmer than my TT with Eibachs and Bilstein sports. But very very confidence inspiring for a big car. It would hold a line perfectly.
- The brakes are phenomenal. I liked them better than the ones on his 996 Twin Turbo. Maybe because in the Pcar you had to use a lot more leg to get the same results. These were prob the best of any car I've ever driven, esp for the mass of the car.
- Gas mileage= atrocious! Steve says he's getting only about 10mpg and driving it "gently". (He's prob going to turn it for a 6speed car)
- Being naturally aspirated, instant torque and power any time you dip into the throttle. On the roads we were on, and keeping it below 5500 rpm for break-in, I never got it above 65. He sent me some video links last night of the M5 and M6 club playing with some Pcars at the Koenigsegg factory track in Sweden. The M5 ate a 996 twin turbo and a GT3 from either a standing or 30mph rolling start. Once they got to 3rd gear, the BMW just pulled away. It's fast. And if you gotta carry 5 people and luggage, it's still fast :>
Striking car, loaded with lots of tech features that may require an engineer to maintain once it's out of warranty. Even has steerable headlights.
But I'd much rather drive the TT.
fig
Neighbor got his latest toy yesterday and let me drive it. He placed an order for it in 2002; it's one of the first in the country. V10, 500+hp, 8000+ redline, 7 speed SMG, 19s, and drop dead beautiful Pics don't do it justice. He's still in break=in mode, but we took it out on our local county twisties. Here are some observations:
- it's a big car from the outside, but you lose that illusion once in the driver seat. Fit and finish, materials are remarkable, as they should be for an $80K+ car. The alloys are beautiful. When you sit in the seat, the side bolsters automatically inflate to cushion you in. Heads up display appears at the bottom of the windscreen and shows you the tach (color), digital speed, and what gear you're in which is handy. Very unobtrusive and convenient location in line of sight. Interior is light grey and charcoal leather. Infamous I-drive.
- Brake set, put it in neutral, push starter button. Cold, it has a strange mechanical noise. Not like the high-pitched sound of our cold fast idle air, but something mechanical, high pitched, almost painful sounding. But it goes away as the motor warms up. Engine/exh is not loud, per se, but has a noticeable presence, that you feel in the car, more than hear it. You really feel like you're part of the car.
- Big fat steering wheel, no nicer than ours except that when you push the "M" button on the bottom spoke, it puts you into P500 mode which toggles you from the base 400hp to 500+hp. We need an "S" button that does the same thing :>
Alum paddles on each side; + on right for upshift, - on left for downshift. Pull gear selector over to manual, pull for 1st gear and we're off.
- Car is geared low in first. Keep in mind, this is a new, not broken-in car, so don't know what my observations will mean after a couple of thousand miles, but first thing i noticed when backing off the throttle in 1st coming to a stop sign is that the engine braking of this motor will almost stop the car when in gear. I mean right now... no coasting. I noted this in almost every gear when you'd back off. Which leads me to the SMG.
- I was very disappointed. THis was the first time i've driven this type gearbox. Steve played with the shift settings as I drove and never got it to where it shifted like I thought it should. Under acceleration, I wanted instant upshifts. Instead, I'd pull the lever, throttle constant, and the engine would drop rpm and fall on its face as it de-clutched, literally making you go forward in your seat. Then, it'd select the next gear, engage, and surge ahead. This took as much as 2.5-3 seconds? Seemed like forever, and made for a lurchy experience. Downshifts were not as instant as I would have liked either, but the engine did a good job of throttle matching on downshifts. All in all, I wouldn't want to live with the SMG if that's the best it can do. I was expecting more like what you guys with 3.2s have said DSG does, even tho I have read that the SMG is not in the same ballpark. None of the reviews I've seen in magazines for SMG cars have mentioned this, so I don't know if it's a fluke of a new car or not. I just know I didn't like it and would take a 6speed any day over this, or leave it in automatic if I had to.
- Steering is BMW-perfect. The ride is very firm and the car communicates everything to you. We were on washboard paved twisties. I'd say it was even a little firmer than my TT with Eibachs and Bilstein sports. But very very confidence inspiring for a big car. It would hold a line perfectly.
- The brakes are phenomenal. I liked them better than the ones on his 996 Twin Turbo. Maybe because in the Pcar you had to use a lot more leg to get the same results. These were prob the best of any car I've ever driven, esp for the mass of the car.
- Gas mileage= atrocious! Steve says he's getting only about 10mpg and driving it "gently". (He's prob going to turn it for a 6speed car)
- Being naturally aspirated, instant torque and power any time you dip into the throttle. On the roads we were on, and keeping it below 5500 rpm for break-in, I never got it above 65. He sent me some video links last night of the M5 and M6 club playing with some Pcars at the Koenigsegg factory track in Sweden. The M5 ate a 996 twin turbo and a GT3 from either a standing or 30mph rolling start. Once they got to 3rd gear, the BMW just pulled away. It's fast. And if you gotta carry 5 people and luggage, it's still fast :>
Striking car, loaded with lots of tech features that may require an engineer to maintain once it's out of warranty. Even has steerable headlights.
But I'd much rather drive the TT.
fig
11-09-2005, 09:01 AM
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I don't care for BMW's but I saw one here in Orlando 1 week ago
some Blonde Chick driving it like a 75 year old porsche owner. Not a bad looking sedan, but on looks I like the A8L better.
HOWEVER The wheels (how the sink WAY IN) i like that... heh
HOWEVER The wheels (how the sink WAY IN) i like that... heh
11-09-2005, 09:22 AM
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Re: Got to drive new V10 BMW M5 (Long)
<center><img src="http://www.audi.cz/newcars/images/a4/rs4/s0309.jpg"></center><p>"We need an "S" button that does the same thing"
Can you get an RS4 steering wheel? You can have the button, actually kickin up the ponies with it, you'll have to figure out yourself. (and when you do, tell me)
I think it would be just as cool to make it a smoke screen button though.
Can you get an RS4 steering wheel? You can have the button, actually kickin up the ponies with it, you'll have to figure out yourself. (and when you do, tell me)
I think it would be just as cool to make it a smoke screen button though.
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11-09-2005, 09:33 AM
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Agreed on the SMG. I drove 3 M3's with it and hated it.
All 3 were beyond 'break-in' (10k, 8k and 35k miles). They all shifted the way you felt it in the M5. I would never, ever want an SMG. The DSG is another beast. I would own a DSG (if I could no longer shift for myself).
11-09-2005, 01:17 PM
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They may be on crack, but they are correct.*videos inside*
Here's a vid of an M6 (same engine as M5) and 996
<A HREF="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5782964103205155527&q=m5+911">m6 vs 996 turbo</A>
new M5 Racing a Gallardo:
<A HREF="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1470469342086266008&q=m5">m5 vs lambo</A>
It's a beast.
<A HREF="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5782964103205155527&q=m5+911">m6 vs 996 turbo</A>
new M5 Racing a Gallardo:
<A HREF="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1470469342086266008&q=m5">m5 vs lambo</A>
It's a beast.