First Drive: 2012 M5

[PricklyPete]

I'm really excited to drive one of these. I'm not huge on the new 5 series looks...but with the M-trim...I think it looks great. The sound of the old V10 will be missed, but I loved this engine in the X6M I drove and can only imagine how much better this will be with its revisions and a proper gearbox (DCT or manual vs. the slushbox in the X6M).

http://www.insideline.com/bmw/m5/2012/2012-bmw-m5-first-drive.html

 

[JCH13]

22Psi with a 10:1 compression ratio... how the hell...

 

[Sunny129]

22Psi with a 10:1 compression ratio... how the hell...

direct injection certainly helps make that possible...

 

[satyajitmenon]

Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) 501 @ 1,500

 

[ViviTheMage]

want

 

[GTaudiophile]

Meh.

I haven't been inspired by a BMW in a while.

Now what would be cool would be if BMW made something the size of a Miata or S2K and put that new 250hp turbo-4 in it. Throw in some carbon fiber body panels for good measure and keep it low-frills with maybe only HID lights, heated seats, and a retractable hardtop.

This or perhaps make a BMW version of the old MR2 along a simple concept: mid-mounted engine, turbo-4, two seats, some carbon fiber panel work, etc.

These would be inspiring!

 

[GTaudiophile]

direct injection certainly helps make that possible...

I still question heat and the longevity of that turbo-in-V setup.

 

[saratoga172]

Meh.

I haven't been inspirted by a BMW is a while.

Now what would be cool would be if BMW made something the size of a Miata or S2K and put that new 250hp turbo-4 in it. Throw in some carbon fiber body panels for good measure and keep it low-frills with maybe only HID lights, heated seats, and a retractable hardtop.

This or perhaps make a BMW version of the old MR2 along a simple concept: mid-mounted engine, turbo-4, two seats, some carbon fiber panel work, etc.

These would be inspiring!

Drop the engine in a z4. Our whatever their current roadster is called

 

[PricklyPete]

Meh.

I haven't been inspired by a BMW in a while.

Now what would be cool would be if BMW made something the size of a Miata or S2K and put that new 250hp turbo-4 in it. Throw in some carbon fiber body panels for good measure and keep it low-frills with maybe only HID lights, heated seats, and a retractable hardtop.

This or perhaps make a BMW version of the old MR2 along a simple concept: mid-mounted engine, turbo-4, two seats, some carbon fiber panel work, etc.

These would be inspiring!

I hear you...but that isn't what the market is asking for unfortunately...and the small niche has already been taken by the various stripped porsche models.

There are days where I swear my next car will be a stripped 1 series or miata or something of the sort. We'll see.

 

[Koing]

I hear you...but that isn't what the market is asking for unfortunately...and the small niche has already been taken by the various stripped porsche models.

There are days where I swear my next car will be a stripped 1 series or miata or something of the sort. We'll see.

Indeed mate.

Stripped out Porsche models? You mean the GT models? They are not cheap!

Looks just like a big M3. It just doesn't excite me. I don't think a big 4000lb saloon that is relatively soft will ever excite me.

Why the hell did they put a slush box in the X6 M?! Why not just dump in the DCT?

Koing

 

[Throckmorton]

The Pontiac styling is growing on me

 

[exdeath]

22Psi with a 10:1 compression ratio... how the hell...

In other words don't expect much from mods, it's already strung out for every drop from the factory.

335i by comparison has stock boost at 8.8 lbs leaving much to be gained from simple mods like JB4. M5 is *already* at 22 lbs.

 

[Apex]

In other words don't expect much from mods, it's already strung out for every drop from the factory.

335i by comparison has stock boost at 8.8 lbs leaving much to be gained from simple mods like JB4. M5 is *already* at 22 lbs.

I don't know. The X5m/X6m boosts to 21 psi and pretty conservative software bumps them up 56hp and 74 lb/ft torque. What's particularly impressive it's not just peaky gains, but a huge plateau in the 2000-5000rpm range.

I doubt the M5 won't at least match those kinds of gains.

 

[punjabiplaya]

M + boost = win

 

[HarryLui]

I want to see the dyno graph.

 

[nanaki333]

i'd hate to see the out-of-warranty repair bill on that WHEN it breaks.

 

[exdeath]

I still question heat and the longevity of that turbo-in-V setup.

External heat from "being next to something hot" or from inside the engine bay is nothing compared to the heat inside the turbo from normal operation. A turbo is cooled by oil and/or coolant circulation internally, not by air or convection on the outside of it's housing.

As long as the oil and coolant flow is adequate and an oil cooler is employed, where the turbo is located is a non issue.

 

[PricklyPete]

Stripped out Porsche models? You mean the GT models? They are not cheap!

I'm thinking the Boxster Spyder, Cayman R, GT3 RS, etc. And they are not cheap...but neither are the M3/M5 etc.

On an unrelated note, I saw an 1M Coupe on the road today. It looked beautiful in black...really a shame that car was a limited run.

 

[aleckz]

Beautiful and powerful, but I'm on the same boat with the others; 22PSI seems a little high for a stock car. I understand with modern technology and better machining processes that this is doable and probably reliable, however; my brain wouldn't be able to shut down the idea that 22PSI is an insane amount of pressure running through those turbos and the fact of the matter is that it has to wear them down significantly faster than those other set-ups at a lower PSI. But who knows.

 

[Cheesetogo]

I love how a few subtle changes manage to really differentiate the M cars.

 

[punjabiplaya]

well, it can cure AIDS so everyone go buy one ASAP

http://sniffpetrol.com/2011/09/23/new-m5-is-amazing/

The new BMW M5 is so incredible that it can actually cure AIDS. That’s according to reports emerging from the new super saloon’s press launch in Spain.

Early road tests of the car also note that, aside from ‘an incredible engine’ and ‘a sublime chassis’, the latest M car can also ‘banish famine’ and ‘eradicate drought’. At least one journalist also noted that with the seven-speed double clutch gearbox in ‘sport+’ mode, gearchanges are ‘lightning fast’ and can ‘broker a lasting peace in the Middle East’.

Despite these remarkable abilities, several writers have also pointed out that the M5 is still capable of ‘seating four adults in comfort’ and ‘making you better looking and more successful’ whilst the right combination of chassis and ESP settings make the driver not only ‘marvel at its understeer resistance’ but also ‘a more considerate lover’.

Sniff Petrol tried to contact several of the car journalists who have driven the new M5 to find out more but they had all gone blind.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Here is a great post for those who want to read more about the new M5's engine.

 

[arcenite]

Being the owner of a cammed V8, that torque curve pisses me off

 

[GTaudiophile]

Being the owner of a cammed V8, that torque curve pisses me off

In a jealous way?

 

[PlasmaBomb]

In a jealous way?

I'm going to go with yes...

Interesting articles :thumbsup: