Considering a 2021 F90 M5 Competition

[Viahuerto]

I've owner quite a few 5 series over the years and have tended to swing back and forth between the BMW 5 and the Porsche 911. I had a 1999 540i Sport, manual, two E39 M5's (No idea why I sold the last one!), and E60 M5 which I loved on the highway and country roads but hated in the city, and a F10 M5 which put me to sleep. I'm meant to test drive a F90 tomorrow. The reviews seem pretty glowing and I'm missing a car that I can take skiing and really storm around in. I've also loved my 911 cars too. Ideally I'd own one of each but given I spend 6 months a year + traveling (In a normal year) I can't justify two cars for me in the garage! I have a 2020 AM Vantage, 7 Spd manual right now which I enjoy but which isn't quite the daily driver I'd like.

I felt really turned off by the F10. I was seduced by the car's straight line performance but as an ownership experience I felt the car wasn't an eager partner. I'm interested in hearing for anyone who has owned a F90 for a couple years. Pluses? Minuses? My last E39 was a gem. The car felt eager to romp and also did the executive thing brilliantly. As I mentioned I'm going to do a test drive but that only gets you so far......

The alternative for me it to order the next 992 GTS with a manual when it come out. In a way that's the easiest choice as I know exactly what I'll be getting. There is something about the F90 that appeals to me though.

[BrntRubber]

I am a heavy duty Porsche guy and I think the f90 is very appealing. 4wd, super luxury and fast.

I would buy a 2018 vs a 2021 as they depreciate so badly, but if you only like new cars then so be it.

If it isn't fast enough just tune it. There is a good chance I might even buy one without a test drive.

[garystoybox]

Love my M5 comp, factory ordered from new and has been everything I hoped and knew it would be. I.e. Under the radar daily that I can use in any conditions, will all the performance you’d ever need from a daily snotter/run around. Was out in pretty poor ice/snow conditions late Christmas Eve and it was staggering what it could do (no doubt helped by the winter wheels).
It is not imo a sports car, nor is it trying to be. For all its performance, it’s at its best on well surfaced sweeping fast A roads and motorways. I certainly wouldn’t chose to get out of bed early on a Sunday morning simply to take it for a run out. I would recommend a lengthy test drive to ensure that it definitely fits your requirements before purchasing.
For all its merits, out of the 3 cars I run, it’s actually been the one I’ve put the least mileage on over the last 9 months.

[andyeds1234]

I personally would choose the new 550, over an M5. Sacrilege, I know, but if fast, practical and comfortable is the aim, it ticks all the boxes.
Having said all that, if a 992 GTS is the alternative choice, and those extra doors and seats aren’t a deal breaker, it would be the GTS every time.

[rassi]

andyeds1234 said:

I personally would choose the new 550, over an M5. Sacrilege, I know, but if fast, practical and comfortable is the aim, it ticks all the boxes.
Having said all that, if a 992 GTS is the alternative choice, and those extra doors and seats aren’t a deal breaker, it would be the GTS every time.

I know that the UK market no longer gets the choice of the non Competition model, but I could not imagine my own M5 significantly less comfortable than the 550i - it really is the complete package, and of course £30.000 is a significant difference (though I gather most lease, so not sure what the monthly difference is) but I would always choose the M5 over the M light.

[Viahuerto]

Thank you all for your perspective. It might be that I need to break my one car only rule and get two. Maybe a 993 type 911 and the F90 M5 or flip the script and get an E39 M5 and a 992 type 911 GTS with a manual transmission. Two issues: 1. I'd need to organize the garage (easy) & 2. I'd need to convince the spouse (a bit more challenging!)

[JMBMWM5]

Viahuerto said:

Thank you all for your perspective. It might be that I need to break my one car only rule and get two. Maybe a 993 type 911 and the F90 M5 or flip the script and get an E39 M5 and a 992 type 911 GTS with a manual transmission. Two issues: 1. I'd need to organize the garage (easy) & 2. I'd need to convince the spouse (a bit more challenging!)

You need a long test drive in the F90, I'm on my third, I've had the first 2018, then 2019 now in the LCI which is the best of the lot, that bit quicker off the mark, very eager to go quickly.
Not a sports car nor a "B" road blaster, just a missile on most roads, comfortable and very well equipped with the new Tech.

[Viahuerto]

I just test drove a 2021 Competition. It is a far cry from the E39 I remember so well but still compelling. It isn't a chuck-able sports car. The E39 managed to just give me a hint of playfulness that I feel in this car has been replaced by Uber-competence. I didn't have a chance to play with all the settings but I did spend a little time on the highway and in some mild canyon roads in M2 mode. The transmission wasn't telepathic and instant but it doesn't feel like a car that I would spend a lot of time flapping gears in anyway. The alternative for me is the new generation M3. Here in the US I could get with a 6 speed manual and RWD and I think the new M3 is about the size of the E39. Maybe that car will thread the needle between sports car and uber cruiser better for me. I think the new grill on the M3/ M4's are absolutely hideous.... like really embarrassing. But I'll wait to make a final call on that when an actual M3 shows up in my local dealership. Maybe I'll get the grill blacked out and put my front license plate smack in the middle and call it a day.

[jm doc]

I've owned M5's for 20 years, E39 through to F90C which is my current car. I've also had an M6 coupe (E63) and a 997 Turbo S. The F90c is undoubtedly the best of the bunch for me, the 4WD has transformed it, as has the transmission which is stunning. I loved the Porsche for it's looks and presence on the road, but as a daily driver and a fast cross Europe driver the current M5 is one of the all-time greats.

[Nuttcase]

JMBMWM5 said:

You need a long test drive in the F90, I'm on my third, I've had the first 2018, then 2019 now in the LCI which is the best of the lot, that bit quicker off the mark, very eager to go quickly.
Not a sports car nor a "B" road blaster, just a missile on most roads, comfortable and very well equipped with the new Tech.

Stunning. Is that Donington grey?