TurboLlew
Honorary ///Member
HI Guys
I am into week 3 of my M5 ownership experience. Thought I should probably start posting more frequently LOL
I had to wait for a couple of minor things to be addressed before taking delivery but fortunately, Auto Bavaria BMW Midrand was almost as pedantic as I was about getting things right.
There are many combinations of settings to play around with, with my favourite settings mapped to the M buttons. I’ve read about some people not really liking the heavy feel of the steering in Sport Plus, but I quite like it. Driving the car in varying conditions and surface types over the past few weeks, I actually found Sport to be a better damper setting than comfort, with a good combination of keeping the car feeling settled whilst still being comfortable.
The driver focused controls shrink around you, giving you the impression that you are in a far smaller car. BMW has always known how to make the driver feel special. The head’s up display (HUD) in the F10 is awesome, detecting the speed limit as you go along, showing you the next navigational turn, your speed and, when in M mode, an S2000-like full colour tachometer as well.
The car feels taut, direct and brutal in its delivery. Enjoyed my trip to Sun City with it (dirty pics above and below) The sheer size does become apparent when it comes to stopping, with the MASSIVE brakes generating large amounts of heat to stop this monster effectively.
In terms of the power itself, it is difficult to describe just how much torque this car makes low down and how it delivers it. Left to its own devices in more economical modes, it still makes fairly rapid progress whilst swapping cogs at 2000rpm. The torque peak of the old E60 V10 is available from 1500rpm in the F10. Where the E60 wins is with an exhaust system, unleashing the F1 soundtrack of that glorious V10. As I’ve mentioned before, it is almost worth the risk of mechanical failure for that V10 wail!
There have been complaints about the noises (or lack therof) coming from the F10 in the context of M cars of the past. However, at each generational change I’ve heard about how the ‘old cars’ were somehow better at something or the other. At the end of the day, I'm happy, which is what counts. ALL these cars are awesome in different ways. and owners should remain proud of owning each of them! The F10 isn’t exactly quiet, although a performance exhaust would do it no harm. The exhaust note of the car can still be heard with the windows down as well as the turbos to a degree. Part of the experience of owning a turbo car is, YES having a somewhat quieter exhaust note than an equivalent NA car, but also having the additional theatrics (and I don't mean BOV noises).
The exhaust tips were bothering me so some elbow grease and Meguiars NXT metal polish restored them to their former glory. I'd love to get an Akra/BMW Performance exhaust as a first mod! Playing the lotto religiously... :roflol:
The advantage of owning a car like this, is that it can be brutal when you need it to be at the touch of a button and without exotic fuels, yet it can also be comfortable, with a great sound system, sunroof, seats that are both cosseting and supportive, many gadgets and the peace of mind of motorplan. Stealing a quote from Top Gear: it is indeed a Mako shark in a business suit.
Before my S2000 departed, I took some shots. Such a bittersweet time for me. Once the STI is sold, I will look into another toy... or perhaps someone will decide to sell an E61 30d and I will have a daily LOL
Many more updates to come over the next few years.
I am into week 3 of my M5 ownership experience. Thought I should probably start posting more frequently LOL
I had to wait for a couple of minor things to be addressed before taking delivery but fortunately, Auto Bavaria BMW Midrand was almost as pedantic as I was about getting things right.
There are many combinations of settings to play around with, with my favourite settings mapped to the M buttons. I’ve read about some people not really liking the heavy feel of the steering in Sport Plus, but I quite like it. Driving the car in varying conditions and surface types over the past few weeks, I actually found Sport to be a better damper setting than comfort, with a good combination of keeping the car feeling settled whilst still being comfortable.
The driver focused controls shrink around you, giving you the impression that you are in a far smaller car. BMW has always known how to make the driver feel special. The head’s up display (HUD) in the F10 is awesome, detecting the speed limit as you go along, showing you the next navigational turn, your speed and, when in M mode, an S2000-like full colour tachometer as well.
The car feels taut, direct and brutal in its delivery. Enjoyed my trip to Sun City with it (dirty pics above and below) The sheer size does become apparent when it comes to stopping, with the MASSIVE brakes generating large amounts of heat to stop this monster effectively.
In terms of the power itself, it is difficult to describe just how much torque this car makes low down and how it delivers it. Left to its own devices in more economical modes, it still makes fairly rapid progress whilst swapping cogs at 2000rpm. The torque peak of the old E60 V10 is available from 1500rpm in the F10. Where the E60 wins is with an exhaust system, unleashing the F1 soundtrack of that glorious V10. As I’ve mentioned before, it is almost worth the risk of mechanical failure for that V10 wail!
There have been complaints about the noises (or lack therof) coming from the F10 in the context of M cars of the past. However, at each generational change I’ve heard about how the ‘old cars’ were somehow better at something or the other. At the end of the day, I'm happy, which is what counts. ALL these cars are awesome in different ways. and owners should remain proud of owning each of them! The F10 isn’t exactly quiet, although a performance exhaust would do it no harm. The exhaust note of the car can still be heard with the windows down as well as the turbos to a degree. Part of the experience of owning a turbo car is, YES having a somewhat quieter exhaust note than an equivalent NA car, but also having the additional theatrics (and I don't mean BOV noises).
The exhaust tips were bothering me so some elbow grease and Meguiars NXT metal polish restored them to their former glory. I'd love to get an Akra/BMW Performance exhaust as a first mod! Playing the lotto religiously... :roflol:
The advantage of owning a car like this, is that it can be brutal when you need it to be at the touch of a button and without exotic fuels, yet it can also be comfortable, with a great sound system, sunroof, seats that are both cosseting and supportive, many gadgets and the peace of mind of motorplan. Stealing a quote from Top Gear: it is indeed a Mako shark in a business suit.
Before my S2000 departed, I took some shots. Such a bittersweet time for me. Once the STI is sold, I will look into another toy... or perhaps someone will decide to sell an E61 30d and I will have a daily LOL
Many more updates to come over the next few years.
raise:
