This comparison was the first thought in most enthusiasts’ minds when the F90-gen BMW M5 first debuted. When BMW fans first saw the new M5, they immediately thought “how is it going to stack up against the E63 AMG?”. That’s a testament to how good the new Mercedes-AMG E63 is, which is an incredible super sedan. So how does BMW’s new 600 hp, all-wheel drive M5 stack up to the mighty AMG? Auto Bild found out.
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First, let’s take a look at how the two cars stack up on paper. Both cars use twin-turbocharged V8 engines, a 4.4 liter unit from BMW and a 4.0 liter from Mercedes-AMG. The BMW M5 makes 600 hp on the nose and the AMG makes 603 hp. Though, the AMG crushes the M5 for torque, making 627 lb-ft (non ‘S’ model makes 553 lb-ft) while the BMW M5 makes 553 lb-ft. Both cars send power through automatic gearboxes, an eight-speed, torque-converter auto for BMW and a nine-speed, wet-clutch auto for AMG. Both cars also send power to all four wheels with the ability to become completely rear-wheel drive.
As far as performance goes, both cars are just as closely matched as they are on paper. The sprint from 0-60 mph comes in a claimed 3.4 seconds but expect both to do it in around 3.2 seconds. However, according to Auto Bild, the M5 is quicker to 200 km/h (124 mph), with the M5 doing it in 11.1 seconds compared to the AMG’s 11.5 seconds. It’s odd that the M5 is quicker to 200 km/h, being that it’s slightly less powerful but we chalk it up to being lighter.
So both cars are really evenly matched on paper. But on-paper specs and performance can only go so far. At some point, you need to get behind the wheel and figure out which car is best. And that’s exactly what Auto Bild did.
It’s actually interesting what they learned from driving both cars back to back. Both cars are capable of being absolute hooligans, roasting their tires and making big skids. However, it’s the BMW M5 that actually has a bit more duality. Usually, it’s the Mercedes-AMG that’s the more comfortable on public roads while M products are usually too crazy, too motorsport-like. In this case, though, it’s actually the M5 that’s more comfortable when put in Comfort mode. It’s the more relaxed car under normal conditions.
The AMG E63 S has firmer suspension, more aggressive negative camber and is, ultimately, the angrier car of the two. That doesn’t mean it’s better to drive, though. The M5 is said to have a bit better steering, while also feeling a bit lighter and sharper. Though, when just puttering around town, the M5 is a bit calmer and more comfortable. That’s not to say that the AMG is bad to drive, quite the contrary. The AMG is a riot and its V8 makes a much better noise. Though, it’s not enough to fight off the new M5.
BMW’s newest M5 is a monster with a duality that makes it just a touch better than the mighty AMG E63 S. When the new E63 first debuted, it blew everyone away and rightfully so. It’s excellent. But the new BMW M5 seems to be a bit more excellent.
[Source: Bimmerpost]
Master M5.
Whoa, that Merc looks bad. On the looks front, it just lacks dynamism.
Why pay 6 figures for a car that looks like a no class C Class?
The thing that set M division apart from other brand’s tuning division is that they tuned cars in such manner that the cars were usable as a daily cars and as an when needed they were utterly capable track monsters or autobahn crushers !!
This was something that M was missing for quite sometime in recent past and it was ‘Alpina’ who was able to do this ‘black magic’ much better than M.
With this car, it seems that BMW has went back to true essence of M. I always believed that BMW M cars would be on top not when they have outrageous bhp figures and acceleration numbers to show but when they have cars that can change their characters from docile to demon and vice versa with natural ease and can perform both the role with affable finesse.
Welcome back BMW M !!
Finally, the verdict is out, this M5 pretty damn awesome, in standard form already, Competition package is not even out and the car is already this good. This BLOG is pretty ridiculous, you see numerous people who leaves disgusting comments, and the moderator just let them provoke, and every little thing that Mercedes did, they gave praise like it was god, but when BMW acheives that or surpass that, they gave absolutely no credit to BMW. Few comments I read, are people who are so biased, they labelled the Bimmer Competition Package as pointless, because they claim that the original M5 simply couldn’t cut, what a load of crxp, but what they don’t say is that Mercedes also offer a Competition package, in the form of E63 AMG S. This is how sad this BMWBLOG has become
I disagree. We delete a lot of comments and ban people. It is also nearly impossible to police all of them or see all comments. We rely on people to report those type of comments.
Well, they are everywhere, they were using beautiful vocabularies, and make this more like a MercedesBLOG. Perhaps you guys should call get more help.
The Mercedes trolls are comical, they name call in bad English because they can’t actually make a case. That the larger, older corporation had to buy the tuner co. of former employees to compete in a segment BMW created & still own is very funny.
Be honest, I have nothing against Mercedes Benz. Its good that they acquire AMG. However, I dislike people delibrately trys to use Apple vs Oranges analogy to elevate Mercedes status. They mock BMW for almost everything from F1 to their motorsport offerings, they claim they are better, but in actual reality, they are not. They claim the C63 AMG offering trash the M3 and M4, but what they don’t say is that, AMG chooses to use a larger engine which is more than a third bigger with 2 more cylinders,and they barely got ahead of the M4, the magic 6 from BMW M has enough to keep it level with the V8 Merc, yet still outdo them on the circuit. The M5, is the same, this is the baseline, and already equal to AMG highest end offering, but thiose who are delusional, says that the Competition Package defeats the purpose of the M5, but they choose not to mention that AMG also has an S offering, thats how hypocritical they are. F1, even more ridiculous, they claim Merc is a King, but they didn’t say that it takes 20 years just to land them the first one with McLaren. They better have it click after spending like crazy. These are the things that pops up all over in BMWBLOG, they claim BMW is ugly, but what people don’t mention is that Mercedes look like a bitxh, its good to look at, but it doesn’t give you that driving experience, plus all the space they got on the centre console, they have to shove the shifter in the side, further endangering driver to mistaken the stalk as Cruise Control or signal lights, even the Brake Hold, is way too smart, they don’t always engage, you bettter keep your eye on the daahboard, or you will be sorry. All we see here are BMW negatives, thats why its very sad to read those comments.
Only reason they are compared is because BMW went after Mercedes’ sales introducing 5 & 7, before that there wasn’t much overlap in the 2. Corporately they are still very different companies. By this century BMW were actually outselling M-B, while M-B bought AMG & returned to 4 cyls. to compete. Next they are even bringing back the inline 6. Competition is good!
Even the RS6 will kick M5 ass, let alone the E63. So the m5 is the obvious outsider among this trio (as it always was). Both in straight line and on the track, the miserable M5 doesn’t stand a single chance against those 2 monsters. But for me, the E63 AMG is the only icon in this segment. It’s enough to hear its engine roaring, and the m5 starts to tremble with fear.
I’d take the slowest AMG rather than the fastest M.