bazza_g Posted October 3, 2005 Report Share Posted October 3, 2005 Firstly, huge thanks to Lady T's dad for allowing me to take his 4 day old spanking new M5 out for a drive ! I can confirm that the car is brilliant. Hence my insane grin in the photo ! First impressions - the car is BIG ! No doubt about that one, from the outside it looks massive and inside there is so much space front and back it really is suitable to carry 5 adults at cross-continent silly speeds. I know a few people think its too understated but I'm loving its not too over the top Q looks The interior design and materials are all top notch, I forgot to ask about the options ticked but it appeared to have everything. The seats are SUPERB adjusting in everywhich way you could imagine - even the bolsters around your sides can squeeze you in the seat at the touch of a button. Layout is as expected and everything to easily to hand - one comment would be that on the left of the steering wheel, having the 'down' paddle, indicator stalk and the computer stalk makes things a little 'busy' in that area - a couple of times I changed the computer readout instead of indicating left ! I love the Heads Up display, in the pics below, that suspends the speed and gear selected (and some rev info in M mode) over the end of the bonnet - you get used to it very quickly. After a bit of messing with the i-drive we programmed the M button to give max shift speed and P500 Sport mode. The way the steering and suspension stiffens up is ace and gives the car a rock solid feel. With the car only having covered 400 miles and still on its 'skinny oil' I couldn't be too agressive but even from brief bursts up to 5500 revs (8000+ is available after 3000 miles running in or earlier if you are brave!) it feels massivley fast, gear changes done in a flash ! So much torque with the impression that the accelleration just wont stop piling on the mph ! It leaves you in no doubt that it will do the unrestricted 200+ mph the mags say it will. I also get the feeling that when it hits it 155mph limiter it'll be like hitting an invisible wall !! Handling is just as impressive - it does not feel like a big car ! Going around a pretty large roundabout in Bucks Lady T's dad encouraged me to push faster and faster - the grip is incredible - even when overtaking other cars around the roundabout !! We eventually got to the point where the back end got a little 'light' - time to back off ! After 4 laps I had to take an exit as I was feeling a little motion sick ! I could keep raving about this car all day but surfice it to say its brilliant and I want one ! (dream on bazza!). I look forward to trying it out again when its properly run in (fingers crossed!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N3WOB Posted October 3, 2005 Report Share Posted October 3, 2005 Nice one Bazza (lucky get) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riz Posted October 3, 2005 Report Share Posted October 3, 2005 Wooohooo Surely BMW along with other German manufacturers wont impose the 155mph limiters now as they have opted out of the agreement. So take it back to the dealer and have it de-limited. Riz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted October 3, 2005 Report Share Posted October 3, 2005 [ QUOTE ] but even from brief bursts up to 5500 revs (8000+ is available after 3000 miles running in or earlier if you are brave!) it feels massivley fast, [/ QUOTE ] I suspect its best work is in the last 2,500rpm and it's got a lot more to give than you've accessed so far! Good review mate, and a top car (though still don't like its looks, sorry... ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MOSE Posted October 3, 2005 Report Share Posted October 3, 2005 Nice one Bazz great review too!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted October 3, 2005 Report Share Posted October 3, 2005 Must add that that engine is a total masterpiece.. the V10 looks and sound stunning.. unfortunatly the body (esp the front lights) don't really do if for me.. but nice one bazza!!.. sounds like you had a ball Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted October 3, 2005 Report Share Posted October 3, 2005 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] but even from brief bursts up to 5500 revs (8000+ is available after 3000 miles running in or earlier if you are brave!) it feels massivley fast, [/ QUOTE ] I suspect its best work is in the last 2,500rpm and it's got a lot more to give than you've accessed so far! [/ QUOTE ] Absolutely Ari. When I drove one there were no 'restrictions in place' as it had been pre-ran to 1,700 miles and they were happy for me to do what I pleased. 6,000 to 8,000 rpm is over in a millisecond - and nothing short of brutal. Bazza...you'd have felt the 'lurch' after 5,500 rpm....and that's rapidly followed by sore neck syndrome... The M5 is a truly astonishing performance car - but it makes it all so easy. However, by comparison, I still can't get the 'shock' of the Noble M400 out of my mind. Brutal doesn't even begin to describe that.... The difference is it won't carry 5 over continents! In fact the chances of it getting you onto the next continent without an aircon failure or other breakdown, well they're slim! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza_g Posted October 3, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Must add that that engine is a total masterpiece.. the V10 looks and sound stunning.. unfortunatly the body (esp the front lights) don't really do if for me.. but nice one bazza!!.. sounds like you had a ball [/ QUOTE ] I had a ball and a half Agreed the looks take a little getting used to but for that performance I'd be happy to try Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danksy Posted October 4, 2005 Report Share Posted October 4, 2005 Good review Bazza, we are all green with envy mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brabus Posted October 4, 2005 Report Share Posted October 4, 2005 Great review Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smudge Posted October 4, 2005 Report Share Posted October 4, 2005 Bazza, get him down to Windsor will you!!! And top notch review fella. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza_g Posted October 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Bazza, get him down to Windsor will you!!! And top notch review fella. [/ QUOTE ] I'll see if he wants to swap for a couple of days after its run in bazza dreaming again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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