The New BMW M5

[TBP88]

So... the drive will come next week but I finally saw it in the metal:

The front is absolutely E60 Evolution. Is it as pretty or timeless? Not to me, BUT it is undeniably an M5 and a BMW design which is also MUCH better in person than the pictures.

• It has a very large amount of 'heft' in the design which you may or may not like. I personally like the front. There are some interesting lines including the bonnet creases. It also doesn't look like a front-end loader in real life. Will any F90 owner buy one because of the looks? Well probably not... but also many F10 owners became F90 owners over time and it is not nearly as offensive as the G80 was when it first came out...
• ... which is why the performance is going to matter on this as well as the sound. The sound was anaemic at best. Petrol particulate filters have not been kind to enthusiasts. This was the case in the F90 LCI and it is WORSE now. Definitely a vacuum cleaner compared to M5s of the past.
• They didn't mess with a lot of the good from the M5 Interiors of yore... but my god, the screens are terrible. It's worse because the rest of the interior is quite good so it sticks out more: It makes you feel like you're in a much cheaper car. While I appreciate that alot of guys like tech, go see or drive something like a Panamera Turbo S (which also has giant full LCD configurable screens in a similar side by side configuration but doesn't look like it is from Wish or Temu. It's possible to execute this in a much better way. It is so much worse that it is so obviously two screens glued together to look like it's big and there was a missed opportunity to do fun things with continuity... Without the screens in that configuration, I think it would be fine (even with those weird ambient lights that have now gone from 'just enough' to 'ok stop now'. That said I am someone who didn't even want the logos to light up on the seats in the prior gen so some folks will love it.
• There is no actual shift knob... I don't know if the people to make these decisions actually use these cars spiritedly let alone on track... not that these will likely end up anywhere near track days. It wouldn't be an issue if the paddles were column mounted instead of wheel mounted. but IIWII - we will have to get used to this since they are all doing it.
• The rear is where it falls apart for me. This was the case with the normal 5er as well. The angles don't scream BMW let alone M5... not unless you delve very far into the past perhaps to the E12. I have zero doubt there is some crazy exhaust planned to fix that lower section as well as a dramatic redesign with the LCI but it isn't here yet. It could be improved with a bit of more thoughtfully designed carbon and a (much larger than M Performance) spoiler perhaps.
• It is very VERY difficult to disguise weight... This is theoretical to most folks because they don't have much lighter or much heavier things on hand to drive back-to-back. For most G90 owners the problem won't be the weight itself but rather what that does to the feeling and the fact that it's looks are also very much 'fuller figured'.
• I think BMW knows that this is a difficult sell hence keeping the pricing relatively good and base spec quite high. At R3.3M chasing Merc pricing for E-classes it wouldn't be attractive at all. At R2.7M It is only 'slightly' more expensive than a 3 or 4 year old E63 and still a whole R1.7M cheaper than a GT63 which is the only sort of similar sedan Merc has left. It is as 'well priced' as a R2.7M car of its kind can be I guess?
• Tyres are interestingly Hankooks. Everyone had a different opinion on why this was the case ranging from 'they will have Michelin for delivery' to 'these are the only ones that have the load/speed rating'. Most likely money just traded hands and this was the result of some B2B deal as with Oil and fuel 'recommendations'. I know nothing about these particular hankooks. However brace for every tyre shop to market run of the mill Hankooks as a premium tyre because it comes on the new M5...

I feel like some of what they have done in the execution of the G90 was to start widening the gap between the M3 and the M5. They were getting to be quite similar in weight with the G80 gaining and F90 losing weight vs predecessors. The F90 M5 felt far more precise than the F10, despite still having that lunatic streak (to me anyway) that differentiates the drive vs. the M3. Most M5 (and M3) owners don't care about track use or otherwise they have the 'actual' car that M3 owners think their car is supposed to be when it comes to that. I feel like there is now a clearer delineation between the two in cost, (I assume) feel, size, price and performance (M5 coming off worse in all these cases on paper).

Anyway let's see how this plays out further and how many we see on the roads. It will be more than we think.

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The only compliment I can pay is that it isn't as ugly as the current M3/4. Thing looks dreadful from behind to me and only slightly less so from the front. Maybe the front end of this with the rear end of the current M3/4 would be an ok-ish compromise? IDK

R2.7m for a super-sedan is mad money, but probably not the worst deal, M3 tourings as spec'd are landing at R2.5mish, I'd love to know what a kitted M5 comes in at...

 

[Thami4u]

Interesting insights on BMW designs.


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[Quick///M]

 

[NB92325]

Comments are hilarious...

 

[TurboLlew]

Take drag vids with a pinch of salt. The doctored drags have been wild. One week the F90 is killing the same cars that the G90 is struggling to (but admittedly still beating) and other vids show the G90 out dragging the F90 or it's obviously in a mode that is not ideal.

Anyway that aside, now that it has marinated and I've seen/experienced it in real life, my only issue is the rear and the screens. It will most certainly not tempt me out of my F90 - especially not with my exhaust and pre-PPF build.

What the G90 is, is a very, VERY fast straight line and in-gear (or is that in-motor?) car which you would expect of an M5. It is not any worse from that perspective. However, it won't (and will never) feel as good as an F90 does anywhere else or have the old/new balance, it won't terrify you the way an F10 will. It won't thrill you like an E60 will with its noise and it is not the 'car M3 owners think they have' the E39 was (all IMO).

We are in the enshittification era of interiors as some have put it. It's not a BMW only problem.

I've always said (even when I had my F10) that you can make a case to have every M5 because they all have their merits/charms. Design wise, this at the very least looks like an E60 evolution in terms of DNA so not the massive shock (and even less so in person) than the G80 was. However, I don't (yet) know what the differentiator is for this car that will make you switch generations (I guess it would be the massive amount of tech for some, but that doesn't appeal to me).

That being said don't be surprised if you do find a thread in 2 years time titled "Llew's G90 M5"... or more likely "G92 M8" if it comes... just that this time it won't be replacing my F90 - it would be to add on.

 

[YozTruly]

Today I saw the new 5 series (unfortunately not the M5).

It pains me to say it but . . . “Not bad, not bad at all.” The grey colour suits it and the back is less Corolla from up close. It’s wide and has road presence. It will likely not age well but for today’s standard, it’s actually acceptable. Dare I say it, “better than the E Class”.

 

[Quick///M]

I don't think any gen M5 was ever meant to be agile, it is the very reason something like a G8x M3/M4 will outperform the F90 M5 on a track. New M5.... Think C suite exec who wants a big @ss car for straight line speed, loads of fancy tech and screens and enough space to haul the family around! That is the market it "may" appeal too... Any hardcore BMW enthusiast will give it a no.

In saying that I have seen 3 new M5s on the road already now if only internet banter worked, no single person would be driving them!

 

[TurboLlew]

I don't think any gen M5 was ever meant to be agile, it is the very reason something like a G8x M3/M4 will outperform the F90 M5 on a track. New M5.... Think C suite exec who wants a big @ss car for straight line speed, loads of fancy tech and screens and enough space to haul the family around! That is the market it "may" appeal too... Any hardcore BMW enthusiast will give it a no.

In saying that I have seen 3 new M5s on the road already now if only internet banter worked, no single person would be driving them!

You seeing them doesn’t surprise me at all. If you don’t already have an F90 and you’re in that market then there is no real reason not to get it. It is not nearly as offensive as the G8x is. Unless you want to spend a bit more and buy a Bentley CFS maybe?

M5s are more family muscle car than athlete but let’s face it, nobody is actually taking these things (any of them) to a track regularly or buying them for that purpose. Even the builds are for more power for drags or to go spinning into a bush or verge.

By this logic no hardcore bmw fans would have bought f90s or G80s. Or is that what you’re basically saying?

 

[Quick///M]

You seeing them doesn’t surprise me at all. If you don’t already have an F90 and you’re in that market then there is no real reason not to get it. It is not nearly as offensive as the G8x is. Unless you want to spend a bit more and buy a Bentley CFS maybe?

M5s are more family muscle car than athlete but let’s face it, nobody is actually taking these things (any of them) to a track regularly or buying them for that purpose. Even the builds are for more power for drags or to go spinning into a bush or verge.

By this logic no hardcore bmw fans would have bought f90s or G80s. Or is that what you’re basically saying?

That is exactly my point its always been family muscle car, family being the keyword which means weight does not matter to the buyer, looks are subjective. The very few folk who track these cars are like hens teeth. The new M5 clearly doesn't belong on a track. I for one don't have an issue and its on my shortlist.

To my argument the hardcore BMW fans expect each gen M5 to be lighter, in which case they all chase older M3's and the like and call it a day. Or maybe they are actually not hardcore fans afterall!

 

[jld010]

G8x styling is not offensive anymore.. we need to move beyond this now. The G90 is also an upgrade in terms of aesthetics..whereas the F90 could have had more curvaceous hips differentiating it from the rest of the series.

The G90 being heavier than a Bentley by alot is still just absurd.

 

[TurboLlew]

G8x styling is not offensive anymore.. we need to move beyond this now. The G90 is also an upgrade in terms of aesthetics..whereas the F90 could have had more curvaceous hips differentiating it from the rest of the series.

The G90 being heavier than a Bentley by alot is still just absurd.

Speak for yourself on G8x styling LOL. The whole idea of the M5s is that they don't stand out as much from the regular cars as the M2/3/4s do from their equivalent base models. (but are otherwise rocket ships appealing to aforementioned C-suite and entrepreneur types)

TBH I am very much drawn to Bentleys and these sorts of things as I get older The other day someone posed the question of "if you could only have one car, but had unlimited money, what would you get" - and my answer was a Rolls Royce Wraith

Who cares if it will get annihilated on track or the 'ring? I have other things for that (that will also go all day long and not be cooked after a few flying laps)

 

[Quick///M]

G8x styling is not offensive anymore.. we need to move beyond this now. The G90 is also an upgrade in terms of aesthetics..whereas the F90 could have had more curvaceous hips differentiating it from the rest of the series.

The G90 being heavier than a Bentley by alot is still just absurd.

Well at least we can say BMW has styling for all types of people!

 

[Greenz]

 

[TurboLlew]

Waste of time & data. Even if that thing they are calling a C63 beat it, you'd still have to deal with Mercedes junk-grade quality and service. Say what you will about the new M5, it's still AN M5 in most of the traditional sense.

 

[Quick///M]

Waste of time & data. Even if that thing they are calling a C63 beat it, you'd still have to deal with Mercedes junk-grade quality and service. Say what you will about the new M5, it's still AN M5 in most of the traditional sense.

Merc quality and service is a joke, try walking into a Merc Dealerships, completely ignored by salesmen on the floor, they can't be bothered to get of their @$$ to see what car you interested in. If you do attention you must beg for it.....

Yes my friends you judged on appearance, if you not rocking Versace, Luis Vuitton etc forgot it, I once spent a whole 15 minutes looking at cars on their floor with no single person approaching me. In fact the only person who gave a warm welcome was the security guard at the Merc Dealership even he admitted he likes my car better 🤣 than the ones they have inside.

 

[TurboLlew]

Merc quality and service is a joke, try walking into a Merc Dealerships, completely ignored by salesmen on the floor, they can't be bothered to get of their @$$ to see what car you interested in. If you do attention you must beg for it.....

Yes my friends you judged on appearance, if you not rocking Versace, Luis Vuitton etc forgot it, I once spent a whole 15 minutes looking at cars on their floor with no single person approaching me. In fact the only person who gave a warm welcome was the security guard at the Merc Dealership even he admitted he likes my car better 🤣 than the ones they have inside.

Few of us in this boat... but when you're out at Gerotek with their AMG team you experience a different entity entirely! The dealerships are absolute TRASH. Journos also seem to experience this 'other' Mercedes.

F10 M5 they told me they didn't have anything in my price range. Didn't even hear what my price range was.

F90 M5 I just went to take a look and again - same experience as you (and this was showing up with an in-plan F10 M5... zero desire to trade you into a 63.

Even if Merc quality was not a joke, I wouldn't deal with their shit again. You are absolutely judged based on your appearance and it has been the case for at least 10 years now.

 

[Gordvisr]

"kort broek en plakkies" in the BMW dealership close to me and they still treat us ( me and the kids) like royalty. Never bought a car from them ( unfortunately ) but all my BMW i have/had went there for services and most of my parts for the X5 i buy from them.

 

[TurboLlew]

Reviving this thread a bit since we spoke about it here. Doug Demuro listed the C63 as the worst car of last year. Reminder that AMG would not even let us drive or compete against it (though they did with the 43) at the Gerotek day last year AMG also put out social media posts interviewing their clients after the launch... some of which should have been asked to blink twice if they were under threat

Good luck getting a drive at a dealer too... If you don't want one with fake alcantara (yes really) and fake leather or non-sport seats on your top-of-the-line sport sedan AMG (its R100K to get seats that don't look like they belong on an E class coupe) and a few boxes ticked, you're at exactly G90 M5 pricing.

It's a huge pity that they are built like garbage, have junk-tier dealers/salespeople and perform like shit because they are beautiful from a design perspective (The SL as well). We need one of those collaborations where BMW builds the powertrain, Porsche/Bentley does the interior and fit/finish and Mercedes does the exterior design.

 

[Veedub]

 

[swazi85]

For me this shows me I’ll stick with the f90, lighter, better interior, 95% of the straight line performance. Handling I have a feeling the f90 would win with the weight advantage, especially the lci with the upgraded suspension.


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