2006 BMW M5 Test Drive

NSL · 11-06-2005, 09:28 PM

Last Friday night I had the privilege and pleasure of driving a brand new BMW M5.... All what I have read on reports about it is true! I spent 90% of my drive in Sport mode with DSC engaged and with the 'power' button on in P500 mode (you can select from P400 or P500 HP), I used the SMG paddles all the time. A little trick I learned from many years of driving manual shifters with clutch, is to let go the gas pedal a tad right before changing gears with the paddle shifters to achieve a smooth transition.

The car is like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, it can be a civilized touring sedan, or programmed to behave like a race car simply with a push of a button!
You can program almost everything on this car, like the timing the gears change while on automatic mode, on SMG, etc. Once the desired 'performance' is programmed, you find yourself behind an amazing race car on the road!
This is a barely legal rocket with a roaring sound that most of you will call a perfect symphony. No need to turn the radio/stereo on!

On tight corners (and depending on the amount of G-forces generated by the angular acceleration) the seats change shape actively wrapping your body from the left or the right side depending on which way you are turning and then the seat goes back to normal when on a straight line! I felt 3-4 stages of gripping (these are intelligent seats!).

The V10 engine is truly amazing! This was an exhilarating experience!

Just_me · 11-07-2005, 12:55 AM

Yep the car is awesome. I drove the M6 got a ride in two M5's, one original and one Hartge. Great cars for the money

Alx · 11-07-2005, 12:35 PM

NSL... Sounds like you had a real enthusaist drive, playing and testing out all options, very interesting. I cant wait to get my hands on one. M5's are some of my favorite driving cars.

Giannis · 11-07-2005, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NSL

The car is like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, it can be a civilized touring sedan, or programmed to behave like a race car simply with a push of a button!

BMW M5: It's a luxury sedan with attitude at the push of a button.
"The M5 is, in fact, the thinking man's Ferrari."

NSL · 11-07-2005, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just_me

Yep the car is awesome. I drove the M6 got a ride in two M5's, one original and one Hartge. Great cars for the money

Awesome

, how do you compare M5 and M6, what would you get if you had to choose one?

Matt · 11-07-2005, 10:53 PM

so, NSL, was the M5 "over-hyped" in your opinion or did it meet your expectations. Do you think it isnt as good as it was made out to be by the drooling public? I am just curious what your reaction was.

edit: actually you told us your reaction.

Is it as good as so many people who havent driven it think it is?

Just_me · 11-08-2005, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NSL

Awesome

, how do you compare M5 and M6, what would you get if you had to choose one?

M5 is more practical with more space but since I dont have any kids I would go with the M6. Besides its slightly faster and gives you a sportier feeling.

BTW M5 Hartge sounds better than a standard M5 and there will also be a kit for M6.

Just_me · 11-08-2005, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt is bomb

Is it as good as so many people who havent driven it think it is?

yes and better

klier · 11-08-2005, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just_me

M5 is more practical with more space but since I dont have any kids I would go with the M6. Besides its slightly faster and gives you a sportier feeling.

BTW M5 Hartge sounds better than a standard M5 and there will also be a kit for M6.

Also, the material use in the 6-series is a full class above the 5-series.

The Emperor · 11-08-2005, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klier

Also, the material use in the 6-series is a full class above the 5-series.

Wich material, klier?

11-06-2005, 09:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
NSL Where's the pub? Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 506 My Mood: Thanks: 135 Thanked 162 Times in 80 Posts Blog Entries: 1	2006 BMW M5 Test Drive Last Friday night I had the privilege and pleasure of driving a brand new BMW M5.... All what I have read on reports about it is true! I spent 90% of my drive in Sport mode with DSC engaged and with the 'power' button on in P500 mode (you can select from P400 or P500 HP), I used the SMG paddles all the time. A little trick I learned from many years of driving manual shifters with clutch, is to let go the gas pedal a tad right before changing gears with the paddle shifters to achieve a smooth transition. The car is like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, it can be a civilized touring sedan, or programmed to behave like a race car simply with a push of a button! You can program almost everything on this car, like the timing the gears change while on automatic mode, on SMG, etc. Once the desired 'performance' is programmed, you find yourself behind an amazing race car on the road! This is a barely legal rocket with a roaring sound that most of you will call a perfect symphony. No need to turn the radio/stereo on! On tight corners (and depending on the amount of G-forces generated by the angular acceleration) the seats change shape actively wrapping your body from the left or the right side depending on which way you are turning and then the seat goes back to normal when on a straight line! I felt 3-4 stages of gripping (these are intelligent seats!). The V10 engine is truly amazing! This was an exhilarating experience!

11-07-2005, 12:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
Just_me Expert Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sweden Posts: 12,612 Thanks: 741 Thanked 2,035 Times in 1,028 Posts	Re: 2006 BMW M5 Test Drive Yep the car is awesome. I drove the M6 got a ride in two M5's, one original and one Hartge. Great cars for the money

11-07-2005, 12:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
Alx 007 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: -Poconos, PA.- 2005 Aston Martin DB9 Posts: 5,458 My Mood: Thanks: 886 Thanked 551 Times in 224 Posts	Re: 2006 BMW M5 Test Drive NSL... Sounds like you had a real enthusaist drive, playing and testing out all options, very interesting. I cant wait to get my hands on one. M5's are some of my favorite driving cars.

11-07-2005, 10:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
Matt Devotee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,882 Thanks: 210 Thanked 130 Times in 88 Posts	Re: 2006 BMW M5 Test Drive so, NSL, was the M5 "over-hyped" in your opinion or did it meet your expectations. Do you think it isnt as good as it was made out to be by the drooling public? I am just curious what your reaction was. edit: actually you told us your reaction. Is it as good as so many people who havent driven it think it is?

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