F10 M5 acceleration characteristics

[London GT3]

I have a new F10 M5 and find that under full power acceleration in 2nd and 3rd particularly that the rear end squirms and "steers" the car. This is not in the way that a car normally behaves when the rear breaks traction and slides out in one direction. It seems to squat to one side and then push in a slightly disconcerting manner.

It is most noticeable on poor roads but also on well surfaced A and B roads.

Has anyone else experienced this?

[gangzoom]

Never driven a M car, but is it not just the diff sending power to the wheel with most grip?

[Cheburator mk2]

Lol. Any car with silly power and torque will steer thru the rear when you put your foot down...

[Zod]

Sounds like every car I've owned in the last dozen years.

[HarryW]

I'll discount poor surfaces, but as it's doing it on good surfaces I expect a powerful rwd car to perhaps squirm one way that's easily held with a dab of opposite.
I'd be inclined to get the geo checked first before I considered anything more expensive.

[London GT3]

Thanks for the comments so far but I am interested to hear from anyone else who has actually driven the F10 M5 hard and can compare the acceleration to other high performance cars. In my experience it has completely different (and slightly odd) characteristics to anything else I have owned.

[Jazzer]

Hi there!

This is most certainly not normal at all.

I've driven a couple at full chat and while they struggle to get the power down at times, I did not encounter anything like what you described, even on less even surfaces.

A geometry check would be a good start as mentioned previously.

Keep us posted!

Jazzer

[ecain63]

London GT3 said:

Thanks for the comments so far but I am interested to hear from anyone else who has actually driven the F10 M5 hard and can compare the acceleration to other high performance cars. In my experience it has completely different (and slightly odd) characteristics to anything else I have owned.

Sounds like regular BMW MDM to me. I've driven the F10 in anger but never really felt it squirm as you described it. Felt very much like my E61 at the rear, only with way more torque. Remember, these cars have a very aggressive and active rear diff, not like Pork or other more track orientated metal.

[HarryW]

Try the M5board for more direct F10 experience as if it has a tricky electronic diff as opposed to a 'normal' lsd there maybe something inherent in it you are seeking confirmation of, perhaps.
I've only E39 M5 and Cerb (400hp/t) experience, both provide powerful (M5) and violent (cerb) RWD launches, with 'normal' lsd's, not what you're looking for.

[London GT3]

Many thanks again. It does indeed appear to be the MDM. When I switched it off and gave it a bootful in 2nd and 3rd on an empty smooth B road it behaved exactly as I would have expected. It squatted down evenly at the rear and when it did break traction it didn't do anything violent. I did the same again with the MDM on and kept my foot in. It squatted down slightly on one side, felt awful but actually carried on in a straight line but the steering felt very odd as well - most peculiar.

I will do some more experiments at the weekend.

[Jazzer]

GT3,

I think it's dangerous for you to do this.

Why don't you let me have your F10 M5 for the weekend, drive it hard in 2nd and 3rd for a couple of days, and report back to you on Sunday evening with my empirical findings??

{I'll pay for the petrol, so you've nothing to worry about!!}

Jazzer

[Contigo]

I've got my test drive booked on Monday afternoon so I will do the same test and let you know my thoughts.

[mhh]

Mine behaves as you would expect but it isn't difficult to lose traction at the rear. Thank goodness.

[Contigo]

One thing that struck me about the F10 is the amazing smoothness of the car. The Gear change in manual mode is really quite something and compared to the E61 M5 SMG box speed it was quicker and considering that was one of THE quickest gear changes in a production car it is amazing. Everything was in Sport mode for the drive I had.

[barraw]

GT3 - what was your conclusion after testing at the weekend? My M5 does the same

[PorkInsider]

barraw said:

GT3 - what was your conclusion after testing at the weekend? My M5 does the same

That weekend 8 years ago..?

[Max Maxasson]

barraw said:

GT3 - what was your conclusion after testing at the weekend? My M5 does the same

Old thread but likely still the same answer.
Good chance the rear toe will be out...one side with a different toe angle to the other.

[RichE60]

I have an F10 M5 (66) and it does that if you really nail it.

[Max Maxasson]

I've had a 911 turbo and a E92 M3 that both had the same characteristic...in both cases the rear toe was different side to side. And fixed by setting it correctly.