[Quickburn7]

I finally was able to take the time and properly learn how to set up the car through the many drive settings as well as take it out to the Malibu canyons yesterday to see how the car behaved on the twisty stuff while opening her up on the highways and the canyons.
I will say that I was bit disappointed the first few days of owning this car compared to the E63s. It did not feel as fast and as exciting as the AMG. However, this weekend I started driving the M5 more like one of my 911 GT3 cars and not like the E63 and boy did its personality emerge.
To me at least this car should be driven more like a sports car and not a super sedan. Rev it high as the power does not really come on until 4500 RPM but once it does hold on because it is a freaking beast. Just like the GT3 you hit a threshold in the rpm band and an entire new car emerges that pushes you to keep pushing it more and more. It is the opposite of the E63 which has so much power down low but then flattens out.
I had no idea what the buttons on the shift lever did or how to properly set up the drive settings in a way that when you did open her up it didn’t feel like a 7 series. Sh*t I just found out last night, by accident that the main screen was a touch screen as well!
Although the car does not sound nearly as good as the E63 I am now happy with my mickey mouse resonator removal. After breaking it in for 200 miles the car sounds very aggressive (compared to stock) and with very minimal drone which was horrible at first. This will have to do until a properly exhaust systems comes out but so far people love the sound.
The interior quality and tech to me is much better than the E63. As I mentioned above I am still learning new menus and stuff the car can do daily. Wish it was a bit easier to use but I am starting to get the hang of it after 10 years of now owning a BMW and mostly daily driving Porsches and BMW.
Also, as far as transmission this automatic is WAY better, faster, smoother and smarter than the AMG 9 speed MCT.
The car does feel faster once you’re in the higher RPMs. You really must get on the car to truly experience the speed while in the E63 its always there but not as ferocious as in the M5. I do think now after experiencing its potential that the M5 is faster than the E63 but just marginally.
The brakes in the M5 are vastly superior than the E63s. Its almost night and day. The brakes in the E63 were always a bit soft and mushy while in the M5 there is great feel and stopping power. (I have the steel brakes).
The best part about this M5 is really the handling and steering. It is so communicative and light that it is very easy to toss the car into corners and the car just sticks. I mean the E63 was a workout going through the canyons… this car feels about 1000 lbs. less than it is.
So to end this very long write up I am no longer disappointed in my switch from the E63s to the M5 and am actually ecstatic with the car. A few people on this board have sent me PMs to ask which car to get and at first, I would say the E63 but now the M5 all the way! The E63s is the perfect muscle car and some people including myself love that however the M5 is the best 4 door sports car I have ever driven…. Just be prepared to purchase an aftermarket exhaust system.

[TheRealOrosie]

[Bönz]

Same as the F10 (but better). Put 'er in Sport (or+), hit MDM and go!

Thanks for the write up.

[MTHX]

Wow nice review. Thanks for sharing

[Jez_zza]

thank you for the write up, it's much appreciated

[elitex]

Very nice. glad you liked it.

[F85FTW]

Originally Posted by Quickburn7

I finally was able to take the time and properly learn how to set up the car through the many drive settings as well as take it out to the Malibu canyons yesterday to see how the car behaved on the twisty stuff while opening her up on the highways and the canyons.
I will say that I was bit disappointed the first few days of owning this car compared to the E63s. It did not feel as fast and as exciting as the AMG. However, this weekend I started driving the M5 more like one of my 911 GT3 cars and not like the E63 and boy did its personality emerge.
To me at least this car should be driven more like a sports car and not a super sedan. Rev it high as the power does not really come on until 4500 RPM but once it does hold on because it is a freaking beast. Just like the GT3 you hit a threshold in the rpm band and an entire new car emerges that pushes you to keep pushing it more and more. It is the opposite of the E63 which has so much power down low but then flattens out.
I had no idea what the buttons on the shift lever did or how to properly set up the drive settings in a way that when you did open her up it didn’t feel like a 7 series. Sh*t I just found out last night, by accident that the main screen was a touch screen as well!
Although the car does not sound nearly as good as the E63 I am now happy with my mickey mouse resonator removal. After breaking it in for 200 miles the car sounds very aggressive (compared to stock) and with very minimal drone which was horrible at first. This will have to do until a properly exhaust systems comes out but so far people love the sound.
The interior quality and tech to me is much better than the E63. As I mentioned above I am still learning new menus and stuff the car can do daily. Wish it was a bit easier to use but I am starting to get the hang of it after 10 years of now owning a BMW and mostly daily driving Porsches and BMW.
Also, as far as transmission this automatic is WAY better, faster, smoother and smarter than the AMG 9 speed MCT.
The car does feel faster once you’re in the higher RPMs. You really must get on the car to truly experience the speed while in the E63 its always there but not as ferocious as in the M5. I do think now after experiencing its potential that the M5 is faster than the E63 but just marginally.
The brakes in the M5 are vastly superior than the E63s. Its almost night and day. The brakes in the E63 were always a bit soft and mushy while in the M5 there is great feel and stopping power. (I have the steel brakes).
The best part about this M5 is really the handling and steering. It is so communicative and light that it is very easy to toss the car into corners and the car just sticks. I mean the E63 was a workout going through the canyons… this car feels about 1000 lbs. less than it is.
So to end this very long write up I am no longer disappointed in my switch from the E63s to the M5 and am actually ecstatic with the car. A few people on this board have sent me PMs to ask which car to get and at first, I would say the E63 but now the M5 all the way! The E63s is the perfect muscle car and some people including myself love that however the M5 is the best 4 door sports car I have ever driven…. Just be prepared to purchase an aftermarket exhaust system.

Great review glad you are enjoying the car. Having had some seat time in both I agree with all your opinions besides the transmission. The e63 9 speed MCT Felt noticeably faster and crisper shifting. This is with both cars in sport plus mode and using the paddle shifters. In full automatic mode the m5 was smarter with gear selection but driving all out you want to be in manual for full control.

The MCT felt alot crisper and smoother during high rpm downshifts where it would rev match aggressively with no driveline shock. The m5 while amazing for a torque converter still had a very slight feeling of “slush”/driveline drag during high rpm downshifts.

I felt the m5’s biggest advantage was how much better the suspension is set up for hard street driving on roads that aren’t perfect. The e63 was set up to stiff and heavy it would get unsettled hitting mid corner bumps/dips. The m5 felt a lot lighter on its feet and was able to absorb any mid corner bumps/dips beautifully without upsetting the chassis.

[onfireX5]

Thanks for the comparo. One thing that really helps is to set up the M buttons. Then you don’t have to worry about all of the individual buttons. I have M1 set to Sport Plus for everything plus TC off plus level 3 trans. Tap M1 twice and you’re gtg !

[Quickburn7]

Originally Posted by onfireX5

Thanks for the comparo. One thing that really helps is to set up the M buttons. Then you don’t have to worry about all of the individual buttons. I have M1 set to Sport Plus for everything plus TC off plus level 3 trans. Tap M1 twice and you’re gtg !

Yeah I had the M1 and M2 buttons set but in sport for some reason and in D1 for both. Didn’t know that you can change the transmission settings too. I bought the car in Virginia and then shipped it to me in Los Angeles so never had a real tutorial.
The MCT in the E63 might be more aggressive but it is not smooth and can be scary when downshifting for a corner on a canyon road and it unsettled the car big time! The 8 speed might not be as fast but it’s way smoother and keeps the car settled. Way closer to the Porsche PDK.

[F85FTW]

Originally Posted by Quickburn7

Yeah I had the M1 and M2 buttons set but in sport for some reason and in D1 for both. Didn’t know that you can change the transmission settings too. I bought the car in Virginia and then shipped it to me in Los Angeles so never had a real tutorial.
The MCT in the E63 might be more aggressive but it is not smooth and can be scary when downshifting for a corner on a canyon road and it unsettled the car big time! The 8 speed might not be as fast but it’s way smoother and keeps the car settled. Way closer to the Porsche PDK.

Agreed the ZF 8 speed does feel smoother and easier to live with everyday while the MCT is a sportier more aggressive transmission. Though I did not feel it unsettle the car I felt the downshifts were very crisp in Manual race mode but my seat time was limited. I still wish BMW was able to figure out a way to put a DCT in the car I don’t believe there excuse of to much torque as Porsche found a way in the all wheel drive panamera turbo S.

[fusionchicken]

I love the E63s but the OP's review sounds like what I expected when compared to the new M5...man I am absolutely in love with the F90M

[gcmr]

It’s interesting because I’ve owned both M and E cars. The E63 for bashing around town with its low end grunt is the winner but as soon as you get on an open twisty road where you can operate the M at higher rpm its the clear winner.

[gcmr]

PS I drove the current E63 two months ago and ended up ordering the new M5 site unseen a few days later. Now that is faith. Guess I’m addicted.

[Greer]

To the OP Quickburn,

Now that you have an M5 you have to join the Los Angeles M5 owners club for our next meet. It will be in a few weeks.

[uniqueMR]

[windtendo]

Can anyone comment on whether the M5 throttle blips upon downshifting?

[F85FTW]

Originally Posted by windtendo

Can anyone comment on whether the M5 throttle blips upon downshifting?

It throttle blips aggressively for sure especially in engine sport plus and transmission mode cranked up to 3. It’s not as crisp as a clutch based transmission but it’s the best torque converter car I’ve ever driven.

[neohh]

[Quickburn7]

Originally Posted by Greer

To the OP Quickburn,

Now that you have an M5 you have to join the Los Angeles M5 owners club for our next meet. It will be in a few weeks.

Yeah sure, I will be there if in town. How do I join the M5 owners club?