BMW F10 M5 First Drive Review by InsideLine

leica.chang September 22, 2011 BMW M Series, BMW Models, BMW News, Reviews Leave a comment 2 Views

InsideLine says that overall, the BMW F10 M5 is a better sports sedan than the E60 M5. See the excerpts of their review below which discusses the performance of the car, its design, and its engine compared to its predecessor:

It’s down on displacement, more efficient and cleaner-burning, yet somehow it’s still a ridiculously fast sport sedan that gives up nothing to its V10 predecessor.
Compared to the previous M5, power rises from an even 500 horses to 560 horsepower at 6,000 rpm. The maximum torque rating remains unchanged at 501 pound-feet, but its arrival starts at a mere 1,500 rpm compared to the V10’s late 6,100 torque peak. BMW claims the extra power drops the M5’s 0-62-mph time from 4.7 seconds to just 4.4 seconds.
But even that doesn’t describe how much faster the new car feels on the road. That huge spread of torque means the effective rev range is much broader than the old car’s. The V10’s midrange pull was never as weak as detractors made out, but a big overtaking maneuver always meant dropping a couple of gears. Not any longer.
So, a win-win situation then? Almost. All that power means fewer trips to the redline because, well, you don’t really need to bother. It’s less work, but there’s less reward. More importantly, the V8 doesn’t sound anywhere near as special as the old V10.
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The new dual-clutch setup is smooth, quick, and makes the engine feel much more responsive than it does in the X5 M and X6 M, both of which make do with a traditional torque-converter-equipped automatic gearbox. But if you enjoyed the slightly scary sensation of the old M5 banging through the gears flat out, you might be surprised to find this one changes without much drama.
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But just because this M car is easier to drive slowly doesn’t mean it’s not huge fun to drive fast. It might have had to bow down to the engine downsizing trend, but the M department hasn’t rolled over completely.
The steering is still hydraulically assisted rather than electrically driven, as on the other 5 Series cars. And you won’t find a set of run-flat tires under the arches, just proper high-performance rubber. There’s even a set of six-pot fixed calipers behind the front wheels, replacing the old M5’s sliding caliper brakes.
Compared to the old V10 M5 and the current standard 5 Series, this one has a grittier feel to its steering. It gives you a far clearer sense of what’s going on down at the front wheels and feels much more precise just off center as you first tip the M5 into a bend. You need that precision, too, because at just 2.6 turns lock-to-lock, the new rack is quick (if not as swift as a normal 5 with active steering) and points the nose into corners with much more enthusiasm. And that’s despite a 253-pound increase in curb weight to 4,123 pounds.
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The ride is surprisingly good whichever damper mode you choose. Traction is impressive, too, in part thanks to a brand-new fully active M differential, which uses sensors around the car to decide how to apportion the torque across the rear axle for maximum bite.
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If some of the M5’s wilder character traits have disappeared in the metamorphosis from E60 to F10, then so have the rough edges. The brakes feel stronger, the performance is more usable and, if the engine is slightly less exciting, the improved chassis and much longer touring range makes up for it. It’s all about efficiency these days, remember?
It’s a shame the V10 had to go. We’re unlikely to see an engine like that again. But the new 2012 BMW M5 is more than just a great engine, it’s a better overall sport sedan.
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If some of the M5’s wilder character traits have disappeared in the metamorphosis from E60 to F10, then so have the rough edges. The brakes feel stronger, the performance is more usable and, if the engine is slightly less exciting, the improved chassis and much longer touring range makes up for it. It’s all about efficiency these days, remember?
It’s a shame the V10 had to go. We’re unlikely to see an engine like that again. But the new 2012 BMW M5 is more than just a great engine, it’s a better overall sport sedan.