[e90yyc]

What a car.

I have very mixed feelings about the outgoing F10 M5... It is a technically impressive car; it is fast, it is comfortable. But it lacks the soul of a true M car.

This couldn't have come at a better time for BMW. It certainly isn't as great as some of the M5's of old, but it does a spectacular job of marrying modern technology with prodigious power and better-than-some-Lambos lap times/performance, while still retaining an organic, fun-to-drive factor that was completely absent on the F10.

And that's not to say it is only impressive as a matter of relativity. No: this is an astonishing vehicle in its own right... Mind boggling acceleration, lively and responsive steering with a turn-in and agility that belies its size. I could wax poetic about this car all day long. I've driven every other modern M-car and this is by far my favorite.

Here are some pics. Sorry, they're kinda shitty. I was more interested in experiencing it in real life, rather than through the screen of my phone.

I also put the M760Li through its paces. It's incredible from an engineering perspective, but it's still just a 7 with freight-train torque.

[Wolf 335]

Amazing car

[mecheng77]

How did you hookup a test drive? Beautiful car!

[tgyberg]

Schwing

[e90yyc]

Originally Posted by mecheng77

How did you hookup a test drive? Beautiful car!

Cars are on Power of M Tour right now. At least I think that's what it's called; I can't find much on Google. They're travelling across Canada (on a flatbed truck) and stopping at dealerships along the way. I used to work for Bimmer too which doesn't hurt, but it wasn't like I was driving a new car from inventory.

M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M760Li, X5M, X6M. They had the whole lineup. I pounced on the opportunity to drive the two I hadn't already driven (M760 and M5), since I didn't see the opportunity coming around again.

[320IN54]

this is an amazing car pretty much everything about it is perfect. However for the price its going to have, you are breaking into a pretty decent sports car range but this car is a super sedan so it does neither one of those two things perfectly. In the end if you can afford a car like this, do what makes you happy.

[eljay]

Originally Posted by e90yyc

Cars are on Power of M Tour right now. At least I think that's what it's called; I can't find much on Google. They're travelling across Canada (on a flatbed truck) and stopping at dealerships along the way. I used to work for Bimmer too which doesn't hurt, but it wasn't like I was driving a new car from inventory.

M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M760Li, X5M, X6M. They had the whole lineup. I pounced on the opportunity to drive the two I hadn't already driven (M760 and M5), since I didn't see the opportunity coming around again.

Oh! Can you provide a link to the event or any more details? Can't find ut on the website.
I wonder if they will come all the way East to NS.

[BravoJohny33]

Too bad its automatic.

[Indyeah]

I'm going to M Track Days at Thermal California in November. Can't wait to track this beast.

[e90yyc]

Originally Posted by eljay

Oh! Can you provide a link to the event or any more details? Can't find ut on the website.
I wonder if they will come all the way East to NS.

The event is being put on by BMW Canada. In my experience you generally need to register for BMW Canada events in order to participate, but from what I understand registrations are not "closed."

That said, the major caveat is that any email blasts--which are usually how these things are advertised--would be limited to whoever is on national or dealer-level email lists. So if you've never been a 'prospect' at a local dealer, or otherwise ended up in their system, the likelihood of hearing about this if it does come your way is slim. They aren't stingy with their invites, but I don't know what criteria they're actually based on.

I was chatting with a former colleague of mine, and he told me that test drive time slots for the M5 were completely booked. This is rare. Any BMW Canada event I've been at has been moderately attended at best.

Wish I could help you further, but I was unable to find any official info on this either... Given they likely started the tour in Eastern Canada (cars came from Ontario), my guess is they're working their way to the West coast and then are trucking them right back to Ontario. I really don't know though. Hopefully they come your way!

[e90yyc]

Originally Posted by BravoJohny33

Too bad its automatic.

Maybe so for some, but the gearbox is basically flawless. For real.

Have you driven the F10 M5 in a manual? It sucks so hard man. And most people who have driven it will tell you the same. Apparently the take rate for NA customers on the manual was something like 5%, which at the very least explains the economics of why it isn't being offered this time.

Don't get me wrong, I can appreciate and a manual gearbox. I get that it's very much a matter of personal preference and opinion. But in this case, I honestly believe that once even the staunchest manual gearbox supporter drives it, they might not be (torque) converted, but they'll at least appreciate its performance and understand why BMW did it this way.

Originally Posted by Indyeah

I'm going to M Track Days at Thermal California in November. Can't wait to track this beast.

Sick. A co-worker of mine did that and raved about it. You'll have to tell us about it when you get back!

[mecheng77]

Believe it or not, the new car has a slush box, but the shift times match a dual clutch. Amazing how transmission technology has changed. Apparently, they are more durable.

[e90yyc]

Yes it’s quite remarkable. Smoother from a stop for sure, and stupid quick shifts. Telepathic gear selection in automatic mode too.

[navci]

wow that looks amazing

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by e90yyc

Yes it’s quite remarkable. Smoother from a stop for sure, and stupid quick shifts. Telepathic gear selection in automatic mode too.

Thank goodness for DCTs. Without them the auto manufacturers would have never been pushed to make something decent!

[e90yyc]

Originally Posted by tlow98

Thank goodness for DCTs. Without them the auto manufacturers would have never been pushed to make something decent!

[AllBlackBimmer]

Originally Posted by mecheng77

Believe it or not, the new car has a slush box, but the shift times match a dual clutch. Amazing how transmission technology has changed. Apparently, they are more durable.

DCT's can't handle the amount of torque the new M5 puts down.
DCT's will start to slip with that much power behind it.

The new auto-slushboxes are really quite impressive and shift really well and quickly.

With that said, I love my 6spd Manual E90!
Any car the size of an M3/M4 or smaller and I'd have to have a manual transmission.... however, for a big luxury cruiser/rocket ship I think I would want more of an automatic if that makes any sense.

[e90yyc]

Precisely my thoughts, and also why the F10 M5 was such rubbish with the 6-speed. It was too big, not to mention it was designed entirely to work with the DCT.

The E90 6-speeds feel so nice. I'm completely with you on the current M3/M4: for these cars, the third pedal reigns supreme.

Even when I spec'd out and ordered my 340, I chose the automatic because it was just so good. I know, I know... blasphemy. But considering the number of miles I drive in traffic (all) versus on a racetrack (none), the idea of having the car shift for me while still retaining the option to crack off shifts with lightning speed if I felt like it was an attractive proposition.

[sleepydinosaur]

Unpopular hot take here.

While I don't have first hand experience with this M5, when I saw the reviews of features and technology this car carries, I kept thinking -- does the "M" stand for "motorsport" or "money"?

When you go to a track day and see people stripping out sound systems and carpeting to pursue lightness, it makes you wonder if customizable ambient lighting or gesture-controlled infotainment has a place in motorsports.

Sure, the performance is amazing and better than all previous M5s, but it could be even more amazing if the car is focused on motorsports instead of being a status symbol.

[e90yyc]

I see your point for sure, but the M5 was never sold as true sports car in the strictest sense. That wasn’t what it was meant to be. And generation to generation, it’s incredible what the engineers are doing to save weight. The issue of course is that you still have to compete in the creature comforts arms race that has dominated the automotive world.

To be stripped down and spartan would be to miss the whole point of what the M5 and its competitors aim to embody. That is, immense power and capability, while also being comfortable and refined.

Track-ready cars like what you describe do exist, such as the M4 GTS with its (relatively) simple interior geared toward weight saving. I’m sure there are better examples out there, but this just came to mind.

Certainly to each his own. I can respect what you’re saying, and realize you probably aren’t suggesting they rip out the carpets in the next generation. I just feel that to skimp on comfort and luxury too much in favour of pure performance would result in an identity crisis for a car like the M5.