Topic: First Drive: 2018 BMW M5

[AutoTrader.ca]

Faster, now super-luxurious, and all-wheel drive – if desired.
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[Noto]

I honestly think this was the right call.  A have your cake and eat it, too, scenario.  Live somewhere warm, or have a Canadian summer where AWD isn't "necessary"?



Rainy day?  A touch of snow?  Pure track fun?



The funny thing in my mind is that the RS7 doesn't come across as a funtzy schmuntzy 6-figure beast.  The M5 has always, in my mind, been a halo car.  It may look like a regular 5-series, but those who understand proper "M" cars know that the M5 has always been a wicked ride.

...and now it's wicked quick.

I'd lease one if I had the means.  Now with AWD available, maybe it'll be FIL's next.  Who knows - it's why he got the Ghibli instead of considering the Bimmer - RWD is a no-go in his mind.

[JacobBlack]

And now with Michael's video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At18ZSf5w1Q&feature=youtu.be

[johngenx]

A proper BMW?  Huh.

[sailor723]

I got about 60 seconds into that video and moved on. I found the spoken delivery very annoying with awkward pauses mid sentence.  Some auto journalists aren't cut out to be in front of the camera. (or maybe it was the fault of the script?)

[dirtyjeffer]

I got about 60 seconds into that video and moved on. I found the spoken delivery very annoying with awkward pauses mid sentence.  Some auto journalists aren't cut out to be in front of the camera. (or maybe it was the fault of the script?)

he's got a face for radio...I kid, I kid...I know what you mean...it's his delivery...i'm sure it comes out smooth on paper, but doesn't work live very well...it's hard to do though so I don't fault him (doubt I could do any better)...it's the same way in acting as well...if you ever watch SNL, you can sometimes see actors that are usually pretty decent look terrible during a live show...it's much different.

[SKYMTL]

Not sure what the RS7 is doing as a comparison here. 

RS7 -> M6 Gran Coupe

Upcoming RS6 Sedan -> M5 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

This was pretty special when it came out.



No one else was doing sedans that handled like sports cars. The closest competition was Mercedes, but they were more high speed cruisers, and were much less playful.

Since then, everyone in the segment has come out with competitors. Some hit, some miss, but most are close enough now that it comes down to personal preference. This one, as most with of the last ones doesn't do much for me. I'd look at Audi, possibly Cadillac first.

[evil_twin]

I honestly think this was the right call.  A have your cake and eat it, too, scenario.  Live somewhere warm, or have a Canadian summer where AWD isn't "necessary"?

The only quibble would be that a RWD-only car would save the additional weight of the AWD components.   But clearly AWD is the going standard in this class, so I like this configurable setup.

These sedans are downright ludicrous now.    Will be interested to the comparos with the E63s and RS6.

[Noto]

I honestly think this was the right call.  A have your cake and eat it, too, scenario.  Live somewhere warm, or have a Canadian summer where AWD isn't "necessary"?

The only quibble would be that a RWD-only car would save the additional weight of the AWD components.

This model is 15KG lighter than the outgoing, so it's technically lighter with AWD than with RWD.

...but that argument fails if you consider that whatever weight-savings measures were made between the generations would also result in this beast being lighter still in RWD guise.

From my perspective, unless it loses a few hundred pounds, the car's too heavy any way and I'd rather AWD so that its weight can be tossed around with greater ease.

[OliverD]

I honestly think this was the right call.  A have your cake and eat it, too, scenario.  Live somewhere warm, or have a Canadian summer where AWD isn't "necessary"?

The only quibble would be that a RWD-only car would save the additional weight of the AWD components.

This model is 15KG lighter than the outgoing, so it's technically lighter with AWD than with RWD.

That statement is technically false. 

[Noto]

Beasts.

[Fobroader]

This was pretty special when it came out.



No one else was doing sedans that handled like sports cars. The closest competition was Mercedes, but they were more high speed cruisers, and were much less playful.

Since then, everyone in the segment has come out with competitors. Some hit, some miss, but most are close enough now that it comes down to personal preference. This one, as most with of the last ones doesn't do much for me. I'd look at Audi, possibly Cadillac first.

This was the last M5 that caught my eye



I would be looking at a CTS-V with a manual in this class.

[OliverD]

I would be looking at a CTS-V with a manual in this class.

Unfortunately that doesn't exist anymore.

[Fobroader]

I would be looking at a CTS-V with a manual in this class.

Unfortunately that doesn't exist anymore.

You can get the proper gearbox right up till 2016.