We’ve all been waiting a long time for this moment, to hear about how the new BMW M5 drives. This new F90-generation M5 is a very important car for the brand. It’s the first ever all-wheel drive BMW M car (non-SUV), marking a turning point for the M Division as a whole. When fans first heard of this switch to all-wheel drive, they were a bit upset. However, we’ve been promised that it still brings the dynamic feeling of rear-wheel drive with the added security of all-wheel drive. So has it worked? Autocar finds out in this new review.
Tested on both the road and the track in Lisbon, Portugal, Autocar finds out if the new BMW M5 is better with all-wheel drive and if it’s good enough to take on the monster Mercedes-AMG E63 S.
Under the hood lies a revised 4.4 liter twin-turbocharged V8 that makes 600 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. When paired with an eight-speed automatic (that’s right, a traditional automatic) and all-wheel drive, the new M5 is capable of 0-60 mph in a claimed 3.3 seconds. That makes it the fastest accelerating BMW of all time. But we knew it would be fast as all hell. What’s it actually like to drive?
In this review, Autocar’s Matt Prior takes it for a spin on both road and track, testing both its “4WD”, “4WD Sport” and “2WD” modes. On the road, the first impression is that there’s a lot going on. There are so many settings and modes for how it drives that it can be overwhelming. Though, once you get the settings the way you want, it becomes quite good to drive.
On the road, its steering is accurate and sharp, being just over two turns, lock to lock. It also has surprisingly good chassis dynamics. There’s a distinct difference between when the M5 and the Mercedes-AMG E63 S handle and drive. While the AMG is always straining at the leash, always trying to go as fast as possible, the M5 is a bit more relaxed when you want it to be. It’s a smoother athlete, while the AMG is a bit harder edged.
At the track, in 2WD mode, it can properly slide. There’s a clip of BMW driver Timo Glock holding an unbelievable drift in the M5, followed by heaps of tire smoke. It shows off just how well balanced the new BMW M5 is.
In the end, Matt Prior seems to come away really impressed with how it drives. He claims that he really appreciates both it and the AMG E63 S. Though, he can’t tell which he’d rather have. That, of course, means handing them over to our tamed racing driver….wait, wrong show. Sorry.
I always find it amusing that the Brits get all flustered with technology… until other manufacturers follows suit and then it’s the best. When the options in a BMW are plenty, it’s over complicated. When the options in a Merc are plenty, it’s finely tuned. BMW will get nailed when the car is too tight, too edgy… Merc will get praise when it does the same. Let’s face it, BMW is so good at it, people want it to fail. Reluctantly tho, they always come around in the end.
I agree 👍🏼
Well said….BMW has always been unique, look at the i8 with such a dinky battery, and how they make that 3 cylinder work with the battery, and this M5, with the best of everything, so well thought out. BMW doesn’t deserve to get nail, certain individuals go as far as calling BMW junk in F1 racing, but what they don’t mention is that Mercedes partnership with McLaren for almost 20 years only have 1 constructor under its belt. Although they did figure out now, how many years did they take to make it fully click….
Pathetic m division. They tried so hard to make this new m5 better than the current E63, but the fact is that the new m5 just comes close, not more. That’s why the reviewers can’t ay for sure which one they would prefer. But now the AMG ill release the new E63, and it will butt fuck the pathetic m5 as always. That’s why I always said, that Mercedes-Ben is always one step ahead of the whole automotive industry including the pathetic bmw.
Assume you’re here because you been banned from all the Trumpf pages. Bannoned?
M5 destoryed the E63 cry more hahahahahahahaahaha
M5 F90 In 3.2 secs vs AMG E63S in 3.4 secs.
3.2 Secs 0-100km/h M5 F90 in your shitty E63S AMG’s ass. Hehehe.
The new F90 M5 is simply an astonishing machine. I mean WOW!!! It’s so incredibly versatile: it can be a drifting monster, a comfortable luxurious sedan, it can do 0-60 faster or equally as fast as many even modern and very recent SUPER CARS. It’s simply the perfect package. It’s kind of the perfect car… It’s also perfectly safe now in bad conditions as well as being fun if you want it to. I’m stunned. It’s also faster in the quarter mile AND 0-60 benchmark run than the E63s, even though the Merc has more torque. Amazing.
However good bmw makes the m5, it will never be as good as Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG. Just press the accelerator a bit, and the m5 will be left far behind.