• Fifth Gear BMW F10 M5 review by Vicki Butler-Henderson

                    
      		   
      Published on 12-17-2011 06:41 PM
      14 Comments Comments
      There is something about Fifth Gear's Vicki we really like. Probably the same thing that turns us on about Sabine Schmitz. We rarely pay attention to women's thoughts on cars (sorry ladies) but we take women who can drive these cars to the limit like professionals very seriously. Vicki mentions there is a slight bit of lag in the F10 M5 which is no surprise as BMW themselves admit the new motors do not match the response of the previous naturally aspirated motors. She mentions the turbos do not spoil the performance but there is an aural aspect missing which we are glad she pointed out. Check out the video below.



      This article was originally published in forum thread: Fifth Gear BMW F10 M5 review by Vicki Butler-Henderson started by Sticky View original post
      Comments 14 Comments
      1. DarkPhantom's Avatar
        DarkPhantom - 12-17-2011, 09:00 PM
        I have to definitely agree with her lack of "aural" joy...downgrading from a V10 will do that, however she said 30mpg?! The old M5 barely got 15! Click here to enlargeGreat review!
      1. inlineS54B32's Avatar
        inlineS54B32 - 12-17-2011, 09:43 PM
        I just got back from a decent drive; for some reason in Chicago during the holidays, people really like to drive slow. Anyhoo - I set the cruise at 65 - and sure enough, I got 28 mpg - which is on par with my "old" m3 - which got this regularly. It's getting on the throttle that kills it, but BMW didn't lie when they said it was a more efficient engine is my point.

        Pretty cool car - I like her, she's a good reviewer.

        One thing about the 30 mpg however, is that it most likely is Imperial - meaning in US terms (multiply by .83ish) we are talking 24.9 - which does kick a$$ for 560 hp and ridiculous amounts of torque. I still would rather have the V-10 Click here to enlarge
      1. M3_WC's Avatar
        M3_WC - 12-18-2011, 03:52 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by DarkPhantom Click here to enlarge
        ...however she said 30mpg?! The old M5 barely got 15! Click here to enlargeGreat review!
        Those are UK figures.

        The 550i in manual trim, per US website: 15 city /22 highway mpg.

        M5 will surely get worse mpg than the 550i.
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 12-18-2011, 07:30 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by M3_WC Click here to enlarge
        Those are UK figures.

        The 550i in manual trim, per US website: 15 city /22 highway mpg.

        M5 will surely get worse mpg than the 550i.
        Except with the 7 speed...
      1. DarkPhantom's Avatar
        DarkPhantom - 12-18-2011, 02:26 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by M3_WC Click here to enlarge
        Those are UK figures.

        The 550i in manual trim, per US website: 15 city /22 highway mpg.

        M5 will surely get worse mpg than the 550i.
        Ah damn! Tricksters! well.....meh. Gas isn't really of concern if you're buying this car anyways.
      1. lughed's Avatar
        lughed - 12-18-2011, 10:32 PM
        A woman tossing a big v8 brute around in a skirt Click here to enlarge. And she knows a thing or 2 about car dynamics. Click here to enlarge. Im suprised she didnt mention the muffler speakers and she didnt really talk about how the car actually feels and handles. More about the speed, sound and fun factor.
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 12-18-2011, 10:57 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by lughed Click here to enlarge
        A woman tossing a big v8 brute around in a skirt Click here to enlarge. And she knows a thing or 2 about car dynamics. Click here to enlarge. Im suprised she didnt mention the muffler speakers and she didnt really talk about how the car actually feels and handles. More about the speed, sound and fun factor.
        Most women would have just talked about the color and the grocery space.
      1. 654's Avatar
        654 - 12-19-2011, 09:01 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by M3_WC Click here to enlarge

        M5 will surely get worse mpg than the 550i.
        Not necessarily, because it is the same base engine with more efficient turbochargers and chassis weight reduction.
      1. lughed's Avatar
        lughed - 12-20-2011, 12:00 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by 654 Click here to enlarge
        Not necessarily, because it is the same base engine with more efficient turbochargers and chassis weight reduction.
        M5 is lighter than the 550? More power to the same engine almost always means more fuel consumption.
      1. LZH's Avatar
        LZH - 12-20-2011, 12:30 AM
        Nice car control, looked like quite a bit of body roll tho. I'm sure with some suspension work and a tune these things are gonna be very quick. Great video
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 12-20-2011, 01:53 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by 654 Click here to enlarge
        Not necessarily, because it is the same base engine with more efficient turbochargers and chassis weight reduction.
        I think the M5 is heavier, isn't it?
      1. 654's Avatar
        654 - 12-20-2011, 03:37 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by lughed Click here to enlarge
        M5 is lighter than the 550? More power to the same engine almost always means more fuel consumption.
        Higher efficiency means more power with better fuel economy. M5 beats 550i in both.
      1. 654's Avatar
        654 - 12-20-2011, 03:41 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Sticky Click here to enlarge
        I think the M5 is heavier, isn't it?
        Yes, but not much.
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 12-20-2011, 07:12 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by 654 Click here to enlarge
        Yes, but not much.
        Yep, but it is heavier.