Underwhelming test drive f10 M5 :(

[Dez335]

It maybe a bad example however after test driving a 2015 m5... did not feel like much of step up from my current oil burning 640d?

Is it me was expecting more than I should of dream car really😔

[rassi]

In what way did it not feel like a step up? Did you drive it on open roads and used more than 3000 rpm? The F10 M5 is brutal, and the extra 250 bhp and 50 nm should be very noticeable at anything over tickover. Traction is most definitely an issue with the F10, but thrust is always on tap.

[cerb4.5lee]

I've not driven a F10 M5 but I'd expect it to feel a fair bit more meaty than a 640d. Bmw's do have a terrible habit of detaching you from the driving experience though. They have loads of sound deadening and they are too refined to feel genuinely exciting for me. They only feel engaging at totally daft speeds in my experience.

[Dez335]

My 640d is remaped so has bit more push.

Definitely went above 3k on the revs and all the modes on sport plus. yes it gets to triple figures quickly but the traction was still clamping down till over 60mph.

Gearbox seemed bit clunky as well compared to 640d (Trq converter vs dual clutch?).

will try another example maybe on road i know would be advisable .

[TheAngryDog]

cerb4.5lee said:

I've not driven a F10 M5 but I'd expect it to feel a fair bit more meaty than a 640d. Bmw's do have a terrible habit of detaching you from the driving experience though. They have loads of sound deadening and they are too refined to feel genuinely exciting for me. They only feel engaging at totally daft speeds in my experience.

Not in the E60, the E60 is an event every time I start it up.

[J4CKO]

TheAngryDog said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I've not driven a F10 M5 but I'd expect it to feel a fair bit more meaty than a 640d. Bmw's do have a terrible habit of detaching you from the driving experience though. They have loads of sound deadening and they are too refined to feel genuinely exciting for me. They only feel engaging at totally daft speeds in my experience.

Not in the E60, the E60 is an event every time I start it up.

Isnt that at least in part relief that it has started ?

Sorry.

I think with the uber barges like these, its easy to think they are a step up, and they are in many ways but as you get bigger, faster and more powerful you perhaps lose some other stuff.

I could get one myself but for what I do its just overkill, they are for wealthy businessmen flying up and down the country in luxury with plenty of power, and then some, not something to engage and set your senses alive with all the feedback. Designed to do 150 plus on the autobahn in comfort so probably wont offer much in the way of enjoyment at legal speeds.

An M4 is plenty quick enough in the increments you can actually use on the road.

They are lovely, dont get me wrong but there is a reason why they are comparatively cheap compared to an M 2/3/4 (vs when new). Wont help that the cabin architecture, infotainment, trim and everything will feel very familiar as you are already in a pretty upmarket BMW.

[The Ferret]

TheAngryDog said:

Not in the E60, the E60 is an event every time I start it up.

I think he was referring to the more modern BMW's.

I'd agree, my E92 is an event every time the V8 fires up, and when needed it can become an animal, but it needs a lot of provoking - which is what I'd expect as you don't want a car continually trying to catch you out every time you pull out of a junction.

[V5Ade]

My old F10 M5 comp was neutered by a software update that was completed at a BMW dealer. After the update it had a soft limiter so you couldn't rev it past 4k in neutral. It also lost a lot of the hooligan nature, for example there's a tunnel just past a 90 degree bend that was on my commute home. Everyday I used to drive home with the traction off in the most aggressive settings and light up the rears and pull 3rd getting the crack from the exhaust in the tunnel. After the update it wouldn't do it anymore.

I assume it was an emissions software change. I wonder if you drove on that had had this update?

I stopped enjoying the car so sold it.

[cerb4.5lee]

The Ferret said:

TheAngryDog said:

Not in the E60, the E60 is an event every time I start it up.

I think he was referring to the more modern BMW's.

I'd agree, my E92 is an event every time the V8 fires up, and when needed it can become an animal, but it needs a lot of provoking - which is what I'd expect as you don't want a car continually trying to catch you out every time you pull out of a junction.

I had mixed feelings with my E92 M3. Most of the time I thought that it was just too refined and set up to cruise around in with lots of refinement. But if you did grab it by the scruff of the neck it would willingly go easily sideways...and I really loved doing that in it for sure.

[TheAngryDog]

J4CKO said:

TheAngryDog said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I've not driven a F10 M5 but I'd expect it to feel a fair bit more meaty than a 640d. Bmw's do have a terrible habit of detaching you from the driving experience though. They have loads of sound deadening and they are too refined to feel genuinely exciting for me. They only feel engaging at totally daft speeds in my experience.

Not in the E60, the E60 is an event every time I start it up.

Isnt that at least in part relief that it has started ?

Sorry.

It's fully in relief that it started

[cerb4.5lee]

TheAngryDog said:

J4CKO said:

TheAngryDog said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I've not driven a F10 M5 but I'd expect it to feel a fair bit more meaty than a 640d. Bmw's do have a terrible habit of detaching you from the driving experience though. They have loads of sound deadening and they are too refined to feel genuinely exciting for me. They only feel engaging at totally daft speeds in my experience.

Not in the E60, the E60 is an event every time I start it up.

Isnt that at least in part relief that it has started ?

Sorry.

It's fully in relief that it started

[toasty]

Dez335 said:

My 640d is remaped so has bit more push.

Definitely went above 3k on the revs and all the modes on sport plus. yes it gets to triple figures quickly but the traction was still clamping down till over 60mph.

Gearbox seemed bit clunky as well compared to 640d (Trq converter vs dual clutch?).

will try another example maybe on road i know would be advisable .

Traction can be very tyre dependent. I've only ever had Michelin MPS4S on mine and traction's rarely an issue.

If you're into remaps, they're easy to tune but I prefer the backup of a decent warranty.

[Pazuzu]

They take a while to reveal their charms. My F10 is my 4th M5 after 2 x E39's and an E60 (not consecutively).

Initially I was a bit puzzled on the test drive as it didn't blow me away like I'd hoped but I bought it anyway and after a couple of months it was the best thing since sliced bread. Had it 16 months now and adore it.

Phil

[Dez335]

Sooo after testing another with 19's and ps4s different car! Also on roads i knew! Loved it. Just need the spec now. Any must haves?

Thanks for responses btw.

Dez.

[toasty]

Dez335 said:

Sooo after testing another with 19's and ps4s different car! Also on roads i knew! Loved it. Just need the spec now. Any must haves?

Thanks for responses btw.

Dez.

For the sake of your alloys, the 360 view is worth having.

Multifunction seats are also really good.

Comp pack if you can find one in your price range.

[Dez335]

Car i looked at seems it needed 4 new tyres probably explained poor drive.

Has those 2 options and comp pack from what i can find doesn't give much extra?

[Schermerhorn]

Dez335 said:

Sooo after testing another with 19's and ps4s different car! Also on roads i knew! Loved it. Just need the spec now. Any must haves?

Thanks for responses btw.

Dez.

F10's with the 19" wheels look much better than those with 20" wheels IMO.

The 20" wheels are much better suited to the coupe looks of the F12 M6.

[MOBB]

Before I bought mine, the dealer let me have one for a weekend.

First couple of hours, nice car but nothing special.

Later that day, it clicked with me and I fell for it, ordered one the next day

[KPB1973]

I felt the same OP.

Too quiet, refined and ordinary at normal speeds. I think I was expecting some of the character of the E92 M3s I'd owned to be in its DNA. Instead, there seemed to be too much of the DNA of the 530d I was leasing at the time.

I tried an E63 5.5TT and found that a bit more exciting in day to day driving but the overall package (NVH, tech etc) a massive step down from the BMWs. Better steering though.

I went out and bought a 640d GC instead of either. But like you I often wonder whether a longer acquatance would change my mind.

[MDifficult]

Dez335 said:

Sooo after testing another with 19's and ps4s different car! Also on roads i knew! Loved it. Just need the spec now. Any must haves?

Thanks for responses btw.

Dez.

Car is hugely tyre dependent so well done for trying again and getting a go in one on the proper stuff. I roll my eyes at folk running these on anything but Michelin.

One of the options nobody will say but was key for me was split/fold rear seats. Amazingly, they weren't standard on the F10 M5 and you had to option them. It's amazing how often mine come into play.. whether it's trips to Ikea, or needing to transport a bike, or taking tyres to be fitted

As for all the other options.. get the big clever seats. They're a million times nicer than the standard ones. I also agree on the surround camera. Comfort access is one I personally really like, but I know people are scared of it now from a theft PoV.

The post LCI cars (2013) have nicer steering wheels, better iDrive and the updated headlights and front grills. Everything apart from the iDrive & headlights are an easy DIY retrofit for even the most ham-fisted ape (me).

Good luck with the purchase - you won't regret it!