Automotive

Quick looks - 2013 BMW M5

I recently had the opportunity to get some fairly quality back to back seat time (quality seat time=nice roads, a chance to "push" the car in both straight line and on twisties) with a nice line up of cars.

Getting seat time back to back can give a very different set of conclusions than a longer more considered experience with any on particular car (or watch, for that matter) - the feelings are more comparative, obviously, and necessarily focus on the more superlative or obvious qualities.

Both "quick looks" and long, considered "slow immersions" have their place. Obviously, commentary should be kept in the proper context.

I'll group my quick looks into two groups -

1st group are the ones that, while ranging from "not my cup of tea" to "not my cup of tea but I can see how others might LOVE it" are the ones I personally would not consider seriously for my own garage.

I'll try to get to group 2 cars - oh, man, am I in trouble... as soon as I can.

First up - 2013 BMW M5

Pros: smooth, effortless

Nicest body since the E39

Cons: didn't really excite me, performance was "meh" (in context of what I was expecting and what I know well, including M5's since the E39, which is still my favorite, by the way) and the famous BMW "feel" and engagement of driver was just not there, a disturbing trend to me from the makers of the "Ultimate Driving Machines"

General comments: I've been a long time BMW fan and am VERY familiar with most of the M cars, beginning with the M1. My last "in love" M5 was the E39...

I was told I must be out of my mind for

1. feeling this M5 was disappointing in the speed department

2. disappointing in the excitement category

All I can say was, I was told M1 was set for max comfort, M2 was set for max sportiness; neither really impressed me. I guess I should have played with the settings myself.

Conc: Jury's still out for me, only because so many others LOVED this car. I might have taken bad advice on the pre set M buttons...

That disturbing trend ...

By: bimbeano : November 16th, 2012-01:13

... is disturbing to me too :-) Thomas. I can imagine exactly what you mean, a 560 hp car that doesn't feel extremely quick even though it is ... that's the new trend it seems ... . I recently drove a new 3-series and was really disappointed with it, i re...

What do you mean, you and Thomas? That nowadays cars

By: amanico : November 16th, 2012-01:50

Provide too linear sensations? Try a modest A 5 3.0 TDI, it is really violent! ;) Best, Nicolas

It's not about linearity so much as "feel"...

By: ThomasM : November 16th, 2012-13:41

Hi, Nico, I am careful to try to filter out habit and what we are used to; we grew up without power steering and little brake boost and ABS didn't come in until later in our driving careers. Today's drivers grow up on...video driving games and simulations...

Making love with snow mittons...

By: amanico : November 16th, 2012-14:30

That is crazy how many sayings and expressions I heard and learned from you! You are my favourite english teacher. Yes please, keep the lessons coming! :) :) :) Yes, I know what you mean by the feeling provided by our currrent cars. Now that got my Volvo,...

I'm honored, Nico.

By: ThomasM : November 21st, 2012-07:16

now just don't go and try it, literally, my friend! ;-)

LOL. Keep them coming! :) [nt]

By: amanico : November 22nd, 2012-00:09

Feel.

By: BDLJ : November 18th, 2012-14:59

Completely agree about the loss of feel. Most of this comes from a single factor. Weight. But also the fact that without the driving aids, these cars would be scarily undriveable. The difficulty of 'just' a spirited launch in a 450hp, 800Nm car with a nor...

Great points! [nt]

By: ThomasM : November 21st, 2012-07:13

Nowadays cars ...

By: bimbeano : November 16th, 2012-14:47

... can be so bloody fast that if you drive it really fast you really have to be extremely focused, before you know it you're doing 200 kph on a 2 metre wide countrylane trying to foresee the next bend ... and end up in the ditch ... :-) Yesterday i found...

Or an old Series 3 BMW prepared by Alpina. That was a funny car. Dangerous, too. ;)

By: amanico : November 16th, 2012-14:50

Yes, quite :)

By: bimbeano : November 16th, 2012-14:53

I had an experience, but less scary than yours ... LOOOOL

LOL. ;)

By: amanico : November 16th, 2012-14:55

I finally saw the new BMW M5 on the road yesterday

By: AnthonyTsai : November 17th, 2012-11:01

First time seeing someone drive one in my neigbhorhood and it's a very sexy beast. I'm so glad BMW kept the circular dual exhaust tips on the M5 instead of using those parallelogram shaped exhaust tips on the 7 series. The settings weren't on M mode and S...

I like the new body too, more than the previous two generations

By: ThomasM : November 17th, 2012-11:17

Hi, AT, I was told the two preset buttons were set for max sport and max comfort. I took that to mean max sport = minimal electronic nannies, quickest timing in tranni and fueling and stiffest suspension settings, max RPM rev range and most aggressive shi...

M buttons

By: Sean : November 17th, 2012-16:50

Hi Thomas, 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 re...

Thanks, Sean, that might explain it.

By: ThomasM : November 18th, 2012-02:14

Hi Sean, Hope all's well, missed you in Shanghai! The M5 came with "minders" (not in the car, but prepping and "orientation") who told me they had set the buttons for ... I took them at their word, but then, it's very possible someone played with them bef...

Quite surprise to hear that....

By: Jacky : November 18th, 2012-13:47

...from you, a hardcore M lover. Can't comment much on the m5 as have not driven one but I agree that theres too much electronics this days and making cars today very robotic...I still love sticks although human is never as fast...but it's the feel like y...

yep!

By: ThomasM : November 21st, 2012-07:15

looking forward to seeing you and the KL gang again, Jacky! Say hi to everyone for me.