BMW M5 (2005) Driving Impression

Talk about being highly anticipated. Judging by the internet forum chatter prior to its launch, BMW has not just launched the next M5, but a full-blown supercar to end all others. It’s easy to understand all the hype, though – the technical sheet reads like a petrolheaded geek’s fantasy.

There’s a rev-happy V10 inspired by the company’s Formula 1 efforts, for example, as well as extraordinarily “tweakable” dynamics systems, including electronic dampers and a seven-speed SMG transmission with adjustable ratios. Is the BMW M5 a tech overkill? Do all the computer systems smother the driver’s car underneath? One way to find out!

Hardcore looks

The latest 5 Series is of course a handsome machine, even though it features some aspects of Chris Bangle’s controversial “flame surfacing” design theme. In M-guise, the basic shape comes alive with purpose. The subtly flared wheelarches house striking 19-inch multi-spoke alloys and very fat rubber – 285/35 at the rear. The front and rear bumpers and lower air intakes add entirely appropriate visual muscle. And, of course, there are those quad exhaust outlets at the rear. There’s no mistaking it for anything else.

The interior is perhaps not quite as successful at pushing the driver’s adrenaline buttons. The button-pushing, in fact, will be left to the driver – be warned, there are many of them. That said, the initial impression is of a pretty straightforward facia and layout. The instrumentation is large and minimalistic. The control interface for the ventilation and sound systems look simple enough.

If it wasn’t for the odd “M” badge here and there, you could just as well have been in any other high-specification 5 Series. The driving position is spot-on, with generous adjustment from the steering wheel and the seat (including the top half of the driver’s seat and side bolsters). As is to be expected, the build quality, too, seems very good with a feeling of solidity to all the cabin fittings. From behind the steering wheel of a static BMW M5, you may wonder what all the fuss is about.

Complex drivetrain

When you fire up that V10, however, things change rather dramatically, with a surprisingly rich engine note with metallic overtones immediately making a strong impression of “eagerness”. Once booted up, you also realise there’s more to the M5’s cabin than you may have initially thought.

There’s a heads-up display in the lower part of the windscreen, for example, that reminds of the type of systems used on fighter jet pilots’ visors. It can be switched out, but is quite useful, as it displays essential information in a very clear fashion.

Then the attention turns to the stubby transmission lever. Undoubtedly, at this point, you will notice a rather large number of buttons positioned around the lever. And this is where it gets (somewhat) complex. In an effort to make the M5 as adaptable as possible to the driver’s requirements, BMW has made just about everything adjustable, including the gear ratios, dampers and even engine power settings. For the technologically challenged this may seem simply too complicated, but there is a silver lining, too.

It is possible to “save” your favourite setting, which then becomes available at the press of a single button marked with an “M”. In other words, you can set the car up for general, daily use, but have its sportiest settings available on, essentially, a type of “speed dial”.

Infuriating transmission

While the M5’s dynamic talents make the entertainment facet of the car’s personality very addictive, the reality is that it will spend much of its daily life tootling along like a traditional luxury sedan. In this setting the M5 is not entirely convincing.

In normal “Drive” mode, the transmission is lethargic and there’s a Smart-like nodding effect between shifts that becomes infuriating after a while. The car is much better driven in manual mode, which kinds of begs the question – why not fit a normal manual transmission rather than an overly complicated semi-auto?

The answer is that, when driven enthusiastically, the SMG transmission is really impressive, with slick, quick and very dramatic shifts that allow you to concentrate on other things, such as apexes and braking, for example, rather than a clutch and clumsy manual shift action.

Also, if you simply want to demolish a rival at a robot-to-robot race, you simply dial up M-mode and the electronics will see you execute perfect launches that few mere mortals would be able to match. The claimed 0-100 km/h time of 4.7 seconds is actually easily achievable.

The engine, a naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V10, is a stunner. It is also very complicated – each cylinder has its own throttle, for example! The result is stupendous power – 373 kW developed at a dizzy 7 750 rpm.

The power delivery is also very linear, meaning you don’t have to be near the red line to make full use of its power. If you’re in the right gear, at the right moment, and mash your foot on the throttle, the acceleration is explosive and the sound shattering enough to make those on the sidewalk duck for cover.

Razor-sharp dynamics

As stated before, the M5’s various sub-systems can be tuned to the driver’s desires. But strip all that away, switch off the electronic nannies, and what you have here is a car that possesses a dynamic balance unmatched by any other saloon car. In essence then, the BMW M5 is a sharp, dynamic tour-de-force with exceptional body control, superb braking, beautifully pure steering and the ability to “let it hang out”, while remaining easily controllable.

There’s no other powerful sedan of this size that can corner with such poise and precision. Couple this with the excellent engine, figure out how to use the transmission properly, and you’ve got a car that will deliver the kind of driving enjoyment for which you would have to pay much more to equal.

Verdict

The M5 is not perfect. If you’re looking for a car to cruise around in every day, with only the occasional bit of “dragster” behaviour thrown into the mix, there are other cars that do it better – the Mercedes E55, for one. But, if you are a true driving enthusiast keen on exploring every facet of a complex and challenging machine, and pushing not only its boundaries, but also your own, then the M5 is a winner.

The engine is a marvel, the dynamics near flawless, and even the transmission, once you’ve learned its ways, contribute to a thrilling a drive. Isn’t that what an M-car is supposed to be about?

We like:                                                      

Macho looks

Aural entertainment

Sharp dynamics

Performance

Luxury features

We don’t like:

SMG transmission is slow in automatic mode

Ergonomics

Fast facts

Engine: 5.0-litre, V10, petrol

Power: 373 kW @ 7 750 rpm

Torque: 520 Nm @ 6 100 rpm

Transmission: seven-speed SMG

Wheels: 19-inch alloy

Top speed: 250 km/h

0-100 km/h: 4.7 seconds

Fuel economy: 14.8 litres/100 km

Also consider:

Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG:

Not as sharp as the BMW, but as an everyday drive the more comfortable option. Still, the E55 is ferociously fast while at the same time also being very good at being a traditional luxury car, with better ride comfort and a less complicated control interface.

Jaguar S-Type R:

Significantly cheaper, but also for a reason – the S-Type is an entertaining car to drive, but can’t match the quality, sophistication and raw power of the German offerings. Good value as a used buy.

Audi RS6 Avant quattro Tiptronic:

No saloon equivalent at the moment, but the RS6 Avant is very desirable, combing exceptional versatility with explosive performance and high levels of grip. Sounds good, too.