M5 vs CTS-V

[Bignate603]

Review

Cliffs:
Both have extremely close performance. They have different road manners with the CTS being happier to throw out its rear end if you stomp on the gas with the electric nannies off while the M5 tends to lose traction on the front end.

Fit and finish inside is better in the BMW but it had better be for an extra $30k.

 

[swtethan]

cts-v, cheaper, faster, better mpg, better warranty, lower rpm @ cruising,

 

[punjabiplaya]

Saw a CTS-V yesterday at a stoplight. That car looked mean. It wasn't in black though (silver). I've seen a couple of M5s and they do not have the presence the CTS-V has.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: swtethan
cts-v, cheaper, faster, better mpg, better warranty, lower rpm @ cruising,

/thread



😀

 

[DivideBYZero]

I'd take the M5.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
I'd take the M5.

Me, too, as the name has a lot more going for it, but if I had to pay the money myself I'd rather the caddy and $30k in my pocket.

It's not like BMW is going to be a cheap car to maintain, so other than any interior and its badge, I think that from a purely objective, quantifiable perspective, the cadillac is a better car regarding bang for buck; a better use of money. You look at those performance numbers and, first things first, these are performance cars. It either meets or beats the M5 in every single category. For 2/3 the price, that is excellent. Smokes it on mileage, too. And a better warranty. And lower emissions.

 

[Bignate603]

I honestly think the BMW is over engineered. Yes, the engine is impressive in the way its designed but its complex. The CTS-V shows that a simpler and cheaper engine can put out more power and torque. The simpler the design to get you to what you want is always the best from an engineering standpoint. They're cheaper to make, easier to maintain, and tend to be less likely to break.

 

[JDub02]

If someone else is paying, M5 all the way. If I'm paying (hypothetically, since I wouldn't actually pay for either), then it's the CTS-V hands-down. You just can't make the argument for the M5 over the CTS-V unless you're a brand whore.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: JDub02
If someone else is paying, M5 all the way. If I'm paying (hypothetically, since I wouldn't actually pay for either), then it's the CTS-V hands-down. You just can't make the argument for the M5 over the CTS-V unless you're a brand whore.

thats got to be at least 50% of BMW sales alone. 😛


BMW

 

[swtethan]

also, ctsv has cheaper performance part to hp gain ratio than m5, massive hp for little money!

 

[TehMac]

Originally posted by: punjabiplaya
Saw a CTS-V yesterday at a stoplight. That car looked mean. It wasn't in black though (silver). I've seen a couple of M5s and they do not have the presence the CTS-V has.

Disagree almost entirely. The CTS-V looks pretty ugly, while the M5 is a little less ugly, it still has presence. I want the next gen ones to come out already, I hear they'll be a V8 twin turbo, but some people are saying a twin turbo V10 :shocked:

 

[Gand1]

I want to know whats the cost over the life of ownership... with BMW covering everything as long as you take it back to BMW for service, does that beat out the Caddy? What is their maintenance warranty anyhow?

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: Gand1
I want to know whats the cost over the life of ownership... with BMW covering everything as long as you take it back to BMW for service, does that beat out the Caddy? What is their maintenance warranty anyhow?

It is only for the first 4 year/50k.

In that time the only thing you should need is oil changes and a air filter. Maybe a fuel filter and maybe a cabin filter.

Even BMWs inflated numbers say Cadillac will need $744 in cost. Just a little less then 30k differance. 😉


Actually it looks like they do not cover air filter, fuel filter, or cabin filter unless the break.

Engine Oil Services: $0

Inspection Services: $0

Wiper Blade Inserts: $0

Brake Pads: $0

Brake Discs: $0

Engine Drive Belts: $0

Brake Fluid Service: $0

 

[aleckz]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: Gand1
I want to know whats the cost over the life of ownership... with BMW covering everything as long as you take it back to BMW for service, does that beat out the Caddy? What is their maintenance warranty anyhow?

It is only for the first 4 year/50k.

In that time the only thing you should need is oil changes and a air filter. Maybe a fuel filter and maybe a cabin filter.

Even BMWs inflated numbers say Cadillac will need $744 in cost. Just a little less then 30k differance. 😉


Actually it looks like they do not cover air filter, fuel filter, or cabin filter unless the break.

Engine Oil Services: $0

Inspection Services: $0

Wiper Blade Inserts: $0

Brake Pads: $0

Brake Discs: $0

Engine Drive Belts: $0

Brake Fluid Service: $0

And after the 4 years or 50,000 miles... you'd better bring the lube.

 

[overst33r]

Yet where it really matters, as a performance sedan, the CTS-V soundly spanks the M5. It's quicker in a straight line, handles better, steers better, even rides better

Pretty much sums it up.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Neither.

BMW M3 sedan please:

Space Gray Metallic
Fox Red Novillo Leather
Blue-gray Brushed Aluminium Trim
Cold Weather Package
Premium Package
19" Forged and polished Double Spoke wheels (Style 220M)
Electronic Damping Control
Moonroof
Park Distance Control (rear only)

(6-Speed MT and NO iDrive/NAV)

Total: $62,825

 

[JJ650]

Originally posted by: TehMac

Originally posted by: punjabiplaya
Saw a CTS-V yesterday at a stoplight. That car looked mean. It wasn't in black though (silver). I've seen a couple of M5s and they do not have the presence the CTS-V has.

Disagree almost entirely. The CTS-V looks pretty ugly, while the M5 is a little less ugly, it still has presence. I want the next gen ones to come out already, I hear they'll be a V8 twin turbo, but some people are saying a twin turbo V10 :shocked:

?

They both have presence. The BMW's is just a little more reserved.

It's purely subjective.

 

[Arkaign]

I prefer the M5 while solidly conceding the impressive nature of the CTS-V, including the performance dominance.

One thing to remember, the current M5 premiered in 2005, and it was soundly better than the 1G CTS-V. The 2011 M5 will likely leapfrog the current CTS-V once more, and with GM wobbly, I'm not sure what they're planning to do. Hopefully they keep making the CTS as it is, even if they can't afford a redesign, so long as it's selling well.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Neither.

BMW M3 sedan please:

Space Gray Metallic
Fox Red Novillo Leather
Blue-gray Brushed Aluminium Trim
Cold Weather Package
Premium Package
19" Forged and polished Double Spoke wheels (Style 220M)
Electronic Damping Control
Moonroof
Park Distance Control (rear only)

(6-Speed MT and NO iDrive/NAV)

Total: $62,825

i'd buy the CTSV for 5k more and leave you in the dust. While fitting people into the back seats 😉

 

[Pariah]

Push comes to shove, I doubt it would take much reengineering to replace the LSA with an LS9. Would increase the price, but Cadillac already has 30 grand in hand, and somehow I doubt the next gen M5 will be cheaper than the current one.

That said, where is this going to end? I'm all for letting people buy what they want, and building it because you can, but 600+HP stock sedans just seems insane to me. You used to be limited to killing just yourself and your drunk buddy when you split your supercar around a tree, now you can take your whole family along for the ride to hell in a handbasket. There really should be an additional more stringent driver's license level above the standard one required to purchase cars in this HP range.

Back to the topic at hand, in the words of Jeremy Clarkson when comparing the Vauxhaull VXR8 to the M5. "The main reason why this is about 30k pounds cheaper than an M5 is simple, it's about 30k times less complicated." Oddly applicable to the M5 vs CTS-V, just replace pounds with dollars.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: Pariah
Push comes to shove, I doubt it would take much reengineering to replace the LSA with an LS9. Would increase the price, but Cadillac already has 30 grand in hand, and somehow I doubt the next gen M5 will be cheaper than the current one.

That said, where is this going to end? I'm all for letting people buy what they want, and building it because you can, but 600+HP stock sedans just seems insane to me. You used to be limited to killing just yourself and your drunk buddy when you split your supercar around a tree, now you can take your whole family along for the ride to hell in a handbasket. There really should be an additional more stringent driver's license level above the standard one required to purchase cars in this HP range.

Back to the topic at hand, in the words of Jeremy Clarkson when comparing the Vauxhaull VXR8 to the M5. "The main reason why this is about 30k pounds cheaper than an M5 is simple, it's about 30k times less complicated." Oddly applicable to the M5 vs CTS-V, just replace pounds with dollars.

What would a more stringent driver's license level do? Other than taking what, more dumb required BS classes about "don't floor it when you have 400+ HP in your car"? Any idiot can pass a test to get a license, just as well as this one. I know plenty of people with Corvettes that drive normally, and then I see plenty of teens driving beat-up Kia's swerving in and out of traffic like they're in a F1 car. There's no amount of tests/licensing that's going to replace one moment of idiocy when you decide to show off or race someone and crash your car.

 

[ViviTheMage]

I guess it's just me...but I dislike the look of the front end on the CTS-V ... rectangle headlights??? no thanks.

 

[woodie1]

If I had the money for a M5 I wouldn't be shopping the CTS-V.

 

[Pariah]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH

Originally posted by: Pariah
Push comes to shove, I doubt it would take much reengineering to replace the LSA with an LS9. Would increase the price, but Cadillac already has 30 grand in hand, and somehow I doubt the next gen M5 will be cheaper than the current one.

That said, where is this going to end? I'm all for letting people buy what they want, and building it because you can, but 600+HP stock sedans just seems insane to me. You used to be limited to killing just yourself and your drunk buddy when you split your supercar around a tree, now you can take your whole family along for the ride to hell in a handbasket. There really should be an additional more stringent driver's license level above the standard one required to purchase cars in this HP range.

Back to the topic at hand, in the words of Jeremy Clarkson when comparing the Vauxhaull VXR8 to the M5. "The main reason why this is about 30k pounds cheaper than an M5 is simple, it's about 30k times less complicated." Oddly applicable to the M5 vs CTS-V, just replace pounds with dollars.

What would a more stringent driver's license level do? Other than taking what, more dumb required BS classes about "don't floor it when you have 400+ HP in your car"? Any idiot can pass a test to get a license, just as well as this one. I know plenty of people with Corvettes that drive normally, and then I see plenty of teens driving beat-up Kia's swerving in and out of traffic like they're in a F1 car. There's no amount of tests/licensing that's going to replace one moment of idiocy when you decide to show off or race someone and crash your car.

There's an episode of Top Gear that gives some insight as to what it takes to get a driver's license in Finland. The amount and level of instruction they receive in car control is so far beyond what we learn in the US (ie.. none), that it would almost impossible to argue, that any driver wouldn't benefit from it.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: JDub02
If someone else is paying, M5 all the way. If I'm paying (hypothetically, since I wouldn't actually pay for either), then it's the CTS-V hands-down. You just can't make the argument for the M5 over the CTS-V unless you're a brand whore.

thats got to be at least 50% of BMW sales alone. 😛


BMW

Wonder how many BMWs you see on the road are lease / CPO'd / business-write-offs... so the $30k difference isn't always really $30k. And those people aren't exactly the type to make a "value-for-your-dollar" decision comparing cars' feature lists.

It's obvious why when you discuss vehicles side by side on a forum, the majority will take the value for your dollar.