I hadn't planned to go to Durban initially, but the somewhat rapid alignment of the stars and acquisition of the F90 meant we decided to take a drive down to collect kids vs flying... and what a test it was for the F90!
Rain, shine, clean dirty, solo or with family, an M5 is really a car for all seasons and all reasons. It was true of all of them: Certainly my F10 and even more so with the F90. Driving helps organise your thoughts, take your mind off things or focus on others and these cars are equal parts utility, companions and therapists.
As amazing as it was and as much as I loved it, the F10 had one flaw and that was traction. You could mod the car and end up with it slower in the real world and average conditions… I only ever drove F90s in the dry and for short periods of time before. Even in crazy weather and road conditions, the F90 allows you to continue without adjusting your speed or driving style… at all.
There is so much confidence and so much mechanical grip. I didn't see the TC light come on… something that would basically be permanently flashing at me in the F10 under similar circumstances. Switching to family duty, it becomes a docile-but-fun 600 horsepower lounge on wheels which is the real party trick of all M5s. Jekyll and Hyde…
During our trip we had some great weather, freak rain and hail (we missed this by minutes but the aftermath was all around us) and also had the opportunity to try out virtually all the toys the car has to offer. The return trip was uneventful but gave us more of a chance to marvel at just how this car eats up miles and how savage it can be while allowing you to cover crazy distances with close to zero fatigue.
My wife has always been a 'closet' M fan (her family are strictly Mercedes only). When it came to buying a car however, she wouldn't even drive a BMW or Porsche if it was meant for her. I was quite annoyed buying the W205 since she could have easily been in a G20 instead... Despite this, with the F10, she found any excuse to use it and drive it. With the F90, she didn't even use any of the driver aids or adaptive cruise etc during her stints behind the wheel because she was having so much fun doing everything herself. I found this very interesting since I think she is now "out of the closet"! Might be time for a Macan or X3 for her LOL.