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M5
Jan 7, 2019 17:07:13 GMT
Post by johnc on Jan 7, 2019 17:07:13 GMT
I couldn't resist it any more so I went to test drive an M5.
It is a totally different animal to the M3/M4 which feels a bit raw, a bit loud and a big bit hard. Starting up, the car has a nice automatic blip on the throttle which lets you know it is a V8 with intent. However everything else tells you this is a luxurious car with spectacularly comfortable seats which heat, massage and adjust in any way you want. The ceramic controls also feel really nice to touch, although I don't know I would necessarily pay more to have them.
We started out in comfort setting for everything and it just felt like a well sorted and comfortable large car. The ride was firmish but not hard or crashy and I could comfortably drive that every day over our less than perfect surfaces. The throttle response was pretty good and there was plenty of torque to pull away and make rapid progress without trying. Any decent prod of the throttle produced a nice V8 growl but on small throttle openings the engine is near silent. The road and wind noise was also very well suppressed. The exhaust can be switched but the quieter of the two settings really means silent whereas the noisier of the two is far from intrusive and nowhere near E63/C63 levels which tend to dominate (in a good way) but I dare say could become a bit more tiresome on a long journey.
I changed the settings on the throttle and steering to sport but felt the steering weighted up a bit too much so reverted to comfort for that. The Sport setting for the throttle is pretty good and is where I would want it to live on a day to day basis. There is a more aggressive setting but with 600hp to play with, I was quite happy the way it was. We managed to head out to the motorway to give me a chance to give it full throttle - we came up a slip road at about 45mph and I could then use the paddles to shift down a few gears and bury the throttle. Wow does the car shift. 3 seconds or so of full throttle and I had to back off but the acceleration is brutal, in a comfortable way whilst the exhaust plays a wonderful tune. The car feels as though it won't let up in acceleration until it is doing about twice the limit, such is the power of the shove in your back. However having backed off it returns to being a very comfortable and quiet cruiser: this car could cover very large distances with little or no effort. We then came off the motorway and made our way back via some back roads and a few roundabouts. The narrow back roads amplified the car's size but it was very sure footed and just launched out of every corner with no slip but just enough body roll to remind me that I was in comfort mode. It was supremely capable and demolished a couple of roundabouts as if they didn't exist. There is certainly no Lotus like steering feel but I didn't really think about the steering till I was back in the garage and wasn't aware of any thoughts of it being too light as I was in the E63.
Consumption for the test drive was a pretty reasonable 24.6mpg but before we set off and before I reset the computer, it was showing 14.1mpg which I presume was the lead footed salesman on the way into work. I could certainly live with mid 20's to the gallon and on light throttle the car was showing pretty reasonable MPG, well above 30mpg.
All in all the car felt really well screwed together with no flex or creaks and at the same time it felt compliant. It feels the way I wanted the M4 to feel and I am very impressed - it is a comfortable cruiser with a massive punch and more than enough grip and poise to entertain. It might not be perfect on a B road blast but it would just eat A roads and motorways with ease.
The full digital dash and head up display are also great and give you all the information you need with the minimum of fuss and the new idrive is even more intuitive than mine.
A very very good car.
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M5
Jan 7, 2019 17:17:17 GMT
via mobile
Post by Martin on Jan 7, 2019 17:17:17 GMT
Really interesting John.
Sounds like it improves on the two areas that made the E63S the wrong car for me, comfort and refinement. I wonder if that level of performance could be a bit frustrating, I don’t have enough opportunity to use all of mine, but I’m sure it’s great to have it when you do get the chance.
When do you get yours?
Thinking about the sound it made, was it fitted with the optional exhaust? That’s standard on the Competition and has been dropped from the options list for the standard model.
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M5
Jan 7, 2019 17:38:49 GMT
Post by johnc on Jan 7, 2019 17:38:49 GMT
Really interesting John. Sounds like it improves on the two areas that made the E63S the wrong car for me, comfort and refinement. I wonder if that level of performance could be a bit frustrating, I don’t have enough opportunity to use all of mine, but I’m sure it’s great to have it when you do get the chance. When do you get yours? Thinking about the sound it made, was it fitted with the optional exhaust? That’s standard on the Competition and has been dropped from the options list for the standard model. The spec sheet didn't mention an optional exhaust but it had a button on the centre consul with a picture of an exhaust which you could switch on and off. The performance is massive and I am sure that with foot to the floor for 6 or 7 seconds it would be over 100mph easily but it was still easy to drive much more slowly without the feeling you get in an M4/C63 which is a bit like a caged animal desperate to get out - great fun in a weekend toy but a bit of a pain on the daily commute or a trip in traffic. The Competition car is a bit harder in the suspension department which would take it off my list (current prices do the same) because I value the usability of a car with decent ride quality. This 7 month old car (£94K new) was £82,995 a couple of months back and is now at £73,995 with some room for negotiation. Still a bit much for me but I have an old endowment about to mature which I could divert and make this a possibility. If the prices fall by another £5K I am in. EDIT, I should add that one of the first things I noticed when I got in was that it has two power bulges on the bonnet - very similar to an E/C63. The car was also Rhodonite silver which is a really eye-catching colour. When clean the paint almost looks liquid and has a slightly darker silver look from some angles but in the sun it looks very bright. |
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M5
Jan 7, 2019 18:08:30 GMT
Post by Martin on Jan 7, 2019 18:08:30 GMT
Rhodonite silver is very nice, I’ve seen a it on a few normal 5 series. It has a valved exhaust with button as standard, the M Sport exhaust was an £1,100 option so would be worth seeking out. There are so many ex demos around at a similar price, I would travel to get one with the right spec, Premium/comfort packs (which the one you’ve driven must have) plus the exhaust and last but definitely not least, B&W speakers. The massage seats are surprisingly excellent as well, I use mine nearly every time I’m in the car.
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M5
Jan 7, 2019 18:20:04 GMT
Post by johnc on Jan 7, 2019 18:20:04 GMT
I put the massaging seats on for a bit too - at first it was a bit like a child behind you putting their knees in the seat but the salesman changed the setting and it became much more acceptable. Do you know what the sports exhaust does? Is it just louder?
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M5
Jan 7, 2019 18:24:32 GMT
Post by Martin on Jan 7, 2019 18:24:32 GMT
I put the massaging seats on for a bit too - at first it was a bit like a child behind you putting their knees in the seat but the salesman changed the setting and it became much more acceptable. Do you know what the sports exhaust does? Is it just louder? Some of the body articulation setting are strange, but the lumbar massage in particular is very good and sorts my back out if I’ve been car washing/wheel changing the day before. From the price list: M SPORT EXHAUST SYSTEM. The M Sport exhaust system sets the tone in every respect. Manufactured to the highest standards, it not only produces a deeper and more resonant sound, but also accentuates the athletic character of the BMW M5. Or as we’d say, it’s louder!  Mine has the optional M Sport exhaust fitted, but I’ve not tried one without it, so don’t know the difference. I can only guess that it sounds like it does in comfort all the time, so as good as the engine sounds on it’s own, I’m really pleased it’s got it fitted. |
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M5
Jan 7, 2019 19:34:09 GMT
Post by Roadsterstu on Jan 7, 2019 19:34:09 GMT
Sounds like a cracking car. Would it feel a bit big and unwieldy after the 4?
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M5
Jan 8, 2019 7:03:33 GMT
Post by johnc on Jan 8, 2019 7:03:33 GMT
Sounds like a cracking car. Would it feel a bit big and unwieldy after the 4? I certainly feels a bit bigger but not massive by any means. As a driver you feel very connected to the car and your inputs are immediately reflected exactly as instructed. The biggest difference is in length which is about 25cm. Width is only about 1.5/2cm more which is pretty negligible. It certainly isn't as chuckable as an M3/M4 or a C63 but then it is so much more comfortable. My perfect car would probably be a 4wd M4 with a super comfort setting for the suspension. I can't stress enough the difference X Drive makes to a car used in all weathers. The C63 and M4 I drove could be seriously unruly at just the wrong time. In particular, the M4 was spinning its wheels on an up ramp to the motorway in slightly damp conditions and that wasn't anywhere near full throttle. I do the same ramp in my car and I can use full throttle and there is no hint of a TC light. The torque in my car is similar to the M4. The M5 just gave the same feeling of security that traction wasn't something to worry about and to an extent that makes it feel smaller because you know it's going to go where you want it to go and not suddenly stick the tail out 2 or 3 feet just at the wrong moment, exiting a corner. I have no doubt it could be provoked into some bad behaviour but at least that would be planned. |
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M5
Jan 8, 2019 9:53:27 GMT
via mobile
Post by franki68 on Jan 8, 2019 9:53:27 GMT
I got passed by one going up the hill coming out of Evesham (if you know the road you know the ridiculously tight corners ) I was on the gt3 and the driver obviously wanted to wave his penis around so he overtook me at a speed which was impressive in what it said about the car ,but shouted ‘lock the driver up ‘ .
It looked very composed ,and huge ,not sure I’d want to drive one on the roads near me,but for a motorway beast it looks tremendous .
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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M5
Jan 8, 2019 10:06:04 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2019 10:06:04 GMT
A 0-100 time of only just over a second beyond the F1's is scary!
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M5
Jan 8, 2019 10:34:29 GMT
Post by johnc on Jan 8, 2019 10:34:29 GMT
A 0-100 time of only just over a second beyond the F1's is scary! Nothing scary in the way it delivers the performance but it would be so easy to get in to trouble with the law. |
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M5
Jan 8, 2019 10:35:17 GMT
Post by michael on Jan 8, 2019 10:35:17 GMT
Is this the new shape or last generation M5?
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M5
Jan 8, 2019 10:49:25 GMT
Post by johnc on Jan 8, 2019 10:49:25 GMT
Is this the new shape or last generation M5? It is the current shape. |
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M5
Jan 8, 2019 10:52:49 GMT
Post by michael on Jan 8, 2019 10:52:49 GMT
Wow that is surprising how much the prices have moved. I've seen a couple around and they do improve on the looks of the 5 series substantially to my eyes. I was interested in your comments about the car shrinking around you as I've only driven the regular versions of the previous 5 series and had the same experience. Cars like that don't feel as big as you might expect until you come to parallel park them.
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M5
Jan 8, 2019 11:06:30 GMT
Post by Tim on Jan 8, 2019 11:06:30 GMT
It sounds like a very impressive car and the things you've said remind me very much of the E39 version, albeit that has a puny 400BHP!
I wonder when they'll be down to nearer £30k.......
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M5
Jan 8, 2019 11:13:40 GMT
Post by racingteatray on Jan 8, 2019 11:13:40 GMT
Rhodonite silver is very nice, I’ve seen a it on a few normal 5 series. I also think Rhodonite Silve is smart. It's not dissimilar (a bit lighter) to the smoke silver that Mercedes used to offer on eg W124s.
My only concern with M5s is that they depreciate like the proverbial building material off a cliff and just keep going. Not sure I'd be keen on buying one that was less than three years old. At under a year old, they are already £25k off list.
I know this is now the previous model which hits values but equally these are low mileage:
2016, 13k, competition pack, £41.5k approved used:
www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/bmw/m5/bmw-m5-m5-4dr-dct-competition-pack/9193760
2014, 28k, £31k approved used:
www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/bmw/m5/bmw-m5-m5-4dr-dct/9283312
So I'd be concerned that a year old M5 purchased for £68k will be worth at best half that come trade-in three years down the line, assuming average mileage.
Of course if money is no object then go for it! |
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M5
Jan 8, 2019 12:06:10 GMT
Post by PG on Jan 8, 2019 12:06:10 GMT
Rhodonite silver is very nice, I’ve seen a it on a few normal 5 series.
.... So I'd be concerned that a year old M5 purchased for £68k will be worth at best half that come trade-in three years down the line, assuming average mileage.
Of course if money is no object then go for it! I expect that is very true for the depreciation. But then, let's face it, with a few exceptions, all non-classic cars depreciate. If you want to run a large expensive car, then you'll get large expensive depreciation. £1000 per month is a lot, but when I looked at a few sites, lease rates for new ones were about £1300 per month inc VAT. You pays your money, you takes your choice. I reckon my XFR has at best halved in value over the past three years. But then that's 50% of a lower number to start with. But it's still 50%. |
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M5
Jan 8, 2019 12:15:04 GMT
Post by Martin on Jan 8, 2019 12:15:04 GMT
Huge depreciation is a given. You can get about £13k off an M5, so the actual price is £85k meaning it’s lost around £15k in a year. Although that’s more like £25k based on what the dealer would give you as a trade in. An 18 month old E63 can be had for £55-60k by way of a comparison and a guide as to short term depreciation.
If you don’t do huge mileage and are happy to keep it longer, then total depreciation won’t be too horrendous for the performance/equipment/quality etc you’re getting.
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Deleted
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M5
Jan 8, 2019 12:58:31 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2019 12:58:31 GMT
A 0-100 time of only just over a second beyond the F1's is scary! Nothing scary in the way it delivers the performance but it would be so easy to get in to trouble with the law. I mean in terms of progress. If you'd said that top-flight super saloons would by now be knocking on the F1's door when it came out, I suspect you'd have been sniggered at. |
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M5
Jan 8, 2019 13:31:41 GMT
Martin likes this
Post by johnc on Jan 8, 2019 13:31:41 GMT
The residuals after 4 years and 8,000/year are around £30K so I know what I am getting myself into but it is still a very big consideration. Instead of putting £20K from my endowment into a car, I could put it in my pension, save £5,000 in tax and have £25K in the pension for the future. In pure financial terms, that would be sensible thing to do. In a man maths kind of way, I reckon the new M4 which will be out within the next 2 years will probably be £75K and might not be 4WD. Perhaps the new 440i XDrive with 380hp would be more than enough but still likely to be 3 years from now before I could get one with the right spec around the £50K mark.
Money is never no object and blowing the money from my endowment is giving me concerns but I keep coming back to "if I don't do it now, I never will". Or I could buy an iPace!
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M5
Jan 8, 2019 13:38:05 GMT
Post by ChrisM on Jan 8, 2019 13:38:05 GMT
Money is never no object and blowing the money from my endowment is giving me concerns but I keep coming back to "if I don't do it now, I never will". Or I could buy an iPace! ... or you could buy a Fiesta ST, or a second-hand but very nearly new Micra diesel...... |
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M5
Jan 8, 2019 13:43:26 GMT
Post by johnc on Jan 8, 2019 13:43:26 GMT
Money is never no object and blowing the money from my endowment is giving me concerns but I keep coming back to "if I don't do it now, I never will". Or I could buy an iPace! ... or you could buy a Fiesta ST, or a second-hand but very nearly new Micra diesel...... I'd rather keep what I have. |
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M5
Jan 8, 2019 13:51:21 GMT
Post by Martin on Jan 8, 2019 13:51:21 GMT
The residuals after 4 years and 8,000/year are around £30K so I know what I am getting myself into but it is still a very big consideration. Instead of putting £20K from my endowment into a car, I could put it in my pension, save £5,000 in tax and have £25K in the pension for the future. In pure financial terms, that would be sensible thing to do. In a man maths kind of way, I reckon the new M4 which will be out within the next 2 years will probably be £75K and might not be 4WD. Perhaps the new 440i XDrive with 380hp would be more than enough but still likely to be 3 years from now before I could get one with the right spec around the £50K mark. Money is never no object and blowing the money from my endowment is giving me concerns but I keep coming back to "if I don't do it now, I never will". Or I could buy an iPace! I wouldn’t buy an iPace. £40k in 3 years at 8,000 miles a year is even worse depreciation than mine! You only live once and it’s not like you’re spoilt for choice or are likely to be any time soon. It’s tempting to wait for 6-12 months to take some of the sting out of the cost, but I don’t think I could wait. |
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M5
Jan 8, 2019 14:06:05 GMT
Post by johnc on Jan 8, 2019 14:06:05 GMT
£40k in 3 years at 8,000 miles a year is even worse depreciation than mine! The £30K residual is a March 2018 car kept for 4 years so £40K over 4 years. Gulp! |
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M5
Jan 8, 2019 14:11:17 GMT
Post by Tim on Jan 8, 2019 14:11:17 GMT
Money is never no object and blowing the money from my endowment is giving me concerns but I keep coming back to "if I don't do it now, I never will". Or I could buy an iPace! ... or you could buy a Fiesta ST, or a second-hand but very nearly new Micra diesel......
Oi 
In your position there's no way I'd buy that M5 at £74k but I could probably talk myself into it in less than 12 months at £60k.
I agree on the "if not now then when" comment but while this may be the last generation that has a decent sized engine unsupplemented by electrical assistance you know they'll be in production for at least a few years so at present there's no rush.
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M5
Jan 8, 2019 14:17:50 GMT
Post by johnc on Jan 8, 2019 14:17:50 GMT
I can get an i8 of the same age for c£65K or a really nice Cayman and have change - that's what I would do if I didn't have a family and that's what's dragging me towards 4 doors and a decent boot. However to be fair, a decent boot is a requirement for my golf clubs so I am back to square 1 again. Macan GTS?
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M5
Jan 8, 2019 14:37:05 GMT
Post by PetrolEd on Jan 8, 2019 14:37:05 GMT
If you can afford it, do it.
You've tyre kicked a lot of stuff, time to take that leap. You sound like you work hard, what's it all for if you don't enjoy it.
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M5
Jan 8, 2019 14:54:57 GMT
Post by racingteatray on Jan 8, 2019 14:54:57 GMT
I can get an i8 of the same age for c£65K or a really nice Cayman and have change - that's what I would do if I didn't have a family and that's what's dragging me towards 4 doors and a decent boot. However to be fair, a decent boot is a requirement for my golf clubs so I am back to square 1 again. Macan GTS? I have a friend who has a Macan Turbo and I have to say that it is very nice. Doesn't sound much like a Porsche but in all other respects it's smart, comfy, attractive inside and out, and goes like the proverbial knifed rodent. They also seem to be surprisingly reasonably priced and possessed of decent residuals.
Not very big inside though.
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M5
Jan 8, 2019 15:44:57 GMT
Post by Martin on Jan 8, 2019 15:44:57 GMT
The Macan GTS doesn’t give you enough performance for the fuel economy IMO. I really like the way it drove, the sound it made with a sports exhaust and thanks to decent residuals the cost was reasonable, but I my kids wouldn’t fit comfortably in the back. It’s got plenty of performance although the 750i is noticeably quicker, let alone an M5
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M5
Jan 8, 2019 15:54:47 GMT
Post by michael on Jan 8, 2019 15:54:47 GMT
I have a friend who has a Macan Turbo and I have to say that it is very nice. Doesn't sound much like a Porsche but in all other respects it's smart, comfy, attractive inside and out, and goes like the proverbial knifed rodent. They also seem to be surprisingly reasonably priced and possessed of decent residuals.
Not very big inside though.
Bit flashy though?
I know someone who bought his wife a Macan Turbo for her birthday last year. They are tight on the inside.
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