Automotive

To clarify on the M1 and M2 buttons, the pre-sets are, from what I remember, a tad conservative. It really depends on how the owner or previous driver decided to set them, and given the multitude of options (three each for steering, throttle response, suspension, gearbox response, and traction control), you can have a very different feel from the car.

The electronic nanny, as you put it, is very conservative on the M5. It will definitely dull the response, as the harder you push, the more severely she will push back to either save the tires, or the entire car. Stomp on the throttle as you try to pass a car in traffic, and you're likely to be met with an initial blinking of the DSC system light and a slight pause as the car regroups before launching itself. If you go for M dynamic mode or switching off DSC entirely, you will actually be asked to confirm your request by pushing the button again (I don't think this would happen in previous M cars).

Also, every one of these settings can be overriden; you will know that you're not using a pre-set if  "M1" or "M2" are not displayed on the dashboard. If you press the M buttons again though, the car will default to comfort settings, at which point it will be as docile as any standard 5-series. Bear in mind too that whenever you stop the car entirely (i.e. not with the auto start / stop system), it will default to comfort settings the next time you start it.

To me, the strength of the M5 is its bipolar personality, its ability to go from comfortable sedan to barnstormer at the touch of a button. I'd be curious to hear of your impressions next time you get a chance to adjust the settings to your liking.

Best,

Sean

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