2006 BMW M5

giagastormer · 09-09-2004, 08:54 PM

First Drive: 2006 BMW M5
BMW Battles Back
By D. John Booth
Date Posted 09-08-2004

The SMG's launch control holds the big 5.0-liter V10 at an uneven 4,000 rpm, its warbling high-speed idle signaling that all 10 cylinders are champing at the bit.

Let go of the SMG's gearshift lever while simultaneously keeping the throttle pinned and the tires squeal, as the big V10 spins to its 8,250-rpm redline faster than my 1.33 gigahertz laptop can type the words.

Flick the steering wheel-mounted upshift paddle for a second and the 285/35ZR19 rear tires chirp under the strain of all that torque. Split-seconds later, you're doing the same thing for third and the tires still can't hold traction, squealing once again as the V10 starts to sing its post-6,000-rpm, Formula One wail.

A mile later you back off, the speedo hovering around 160 miles an hour. At those speeds, the pylons demarcating the course meld into one long orange blur and the 1,000-foot braking area that BMW has provided to get the M5's 3,869 pounds back down to a decent speed seems impossibly short. Cripes, this thing is fast.

And you haven't even hit the button: The one that makes the M5 feel as if it's grown a turbocharger — the button that kicks you so hard in the pants that it makes that last top-speed run seem like a Sunday hop to your favorite bar for wine-soaked steaks and a side of couscous. The button is the power switch just forward of the gearshift lever. When the V10 is first fired up, it defaults to its 400-horsepower mode, a figure not coincidentally identical to the maximum output of the outgoing M5's 5.0L V8. And since the two cars weigh virtually the same, it means the new V10 M5 in its economy mode is as quick as the old V8 was at full speed.

Full Test

That is bad a$$! I can't wait to see it at the NAIAS.

crazywop112 · 09-14-2004, 05:36 AM

500hp?

That car is insane. Those germans are crazy. I like it. B)

**Rex Raider** · 09-14-2004, 08:22 AM

Tehcnology / performance / power wise, it's pretty damn cool.
Too bad that it looks the way it does.

giagastormer · 09-14-2004, 09:22 AM

I like the styling

**jro4566** · 09-14-2004, 10:56 AM

Now if only I had the money...

HEVguy · 09-14-2004, 11:09 AM

I like the way the new 5's look also! They are the best looking out of the new 7's, 5's, Z4, etc... The design execution is really nice IMO.

However, I also agree that this vehicle is insane! I understand that BMW is taking Caddy's V-series and Mercedes AMG vehicles seriously... And they have to, Beemers are the ultimate driving machines, right? And they've consistently held that sport-luxury reputation, but V-10 - 500HP in a 5 series is insane! I hope they don't make an M7, they'll have to put a V-16 in it!! It is just a little over the top, is all, but what could they do... the competition is practically requiring BMW to do this!

Oh well, it is a SWEET RIDE!!

HEVguy · 09-14-2004, 11:11 AM

Hey, are those portholes on the side!?!?! :lol:

09-09-2004, 08:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
giagastormer 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 6,170	First Drive: 2006 BMW M5 BMW Battles Back By D. John Booth Date Posted 09-08-2004 The SMG's launch control holds the big 5.0-liter V10 at an uneven 4,000 rpm, its warbling high-speed idle signaling that all 10 cylinders are champing at the bit. Let go of the SMG's gearshift lever while simultaneously keeping the throttle pinned and the tires squeal, as the big V10 spins to its 8,250-rpm redline faster than my 1.33 gigahertz laptop can type the words. Flick the steering wheel-mounted upshift paddle for a second and the 285/35ZR19 rear tires chirp under the strain of all that torque. Split-seconds later, you're doing the same thing for third and the tires still can't hold traction, squealing once again as the V10 starts to sing its post-6,000-rpm, Formula One wail. A mile later you back off, the speedo hovering around 160 miles an hour. At those speeds, the pylons demarcating the course meld into one long orange blur and the 1,000-foot braking area that BMW has provided to get the M5's 3,869 pounds back down to a decent speed seems impossibly short. Cripes, this thing is fast. And you haven't even hit the button: The one that makes the M5 feel as if it's grown a turbocharger — the button that kicks you so hard in the pants that it makes that last top-speed run seem like a Sunday hop to your favorite bar for wine-soaked steaks and a side of couscous. The button is the power switch just forward of the gearshift lever. When the V10 is first fired up, it defaults to its 400-horsepower mode, a figure not coincidentally identical to the maximum output of the outgoing M5's 5.0L V8. And since the two cars weigh virtually the same, it means the new V10 M5 in its economy mode is as quick as the old V8 was at full speed. Full Test That is bad a$$! I can't wait to see it at the NAIAS. __________________ -Your Type-R has never beaten JL W7 in any contest. -Your eD is not louder than a Stroker -You dont know what 160.0dB is like -You wont bully a multi-million dollar company via Internet -No one cares who You are, how many amp's You've installed, nor what "Your Buddy" can hit "in the kick". -You are a consumer. Shut the up and gobble up the products that You think are worth Your meager funds.

09-14-2004, 08:22 AM	#3 (permalink)
Rex Raider Administrator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Drives: 2009 Camry Hybrid (company car) Posts: 11,782	Tehcnology / performance / power wise, it's pretty damn cool. Too bad that it looks the way it does. __________________ Sure, I drive a Toyota, but at least I don't have to pay for it.

09-14-2004, 09:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
giagastormer 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 6,170	I like the styling __________________ -Your Type-R has never beaten JL W7 in any contest. -Your eD is not louder than a Stroker -You dont know what 160.0dB is like -You wont bully a multi-million dollar company via Internet -No one cares who You are, how many amp's You've installed, nor what "Your Buddy" can hit "in the kick". -You are a consumer. Shut the up and gobble up the products that You think are worth Your meager funds.

09-14-2004, 10:56 AM	#5 (permalink)
jro4566 GMI Staff Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Dallas, Texas Drives: 2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette 2003 Suzuki XL-7 2005 Posts: 5,050	Now if only I had the money... __________________ 2007 BMW 328i. Black sapphire metallic. Terra leather. Poplar wood. Automatic trans. Xenon adaptive headlights. BMW Assist. Bluetooth. Premium package. Heated seats. iDrive navigation system. Rear sonar. Comfort access. LOGIC7 surround sound. Sirius. 18" BMW wheels. Rear spoiler. 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara Luxury. Black onyx pearl. Beige leather. 4WD. Chrome hood vents, mirror covers, exhaust. Silver grille, taillight trim. Brushed metal bumper protector. Running boards.

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09-14-2004, 05:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
crazywop112 3.8 Liter V6 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: California Drives: 1999 Camaro 2004 GTO Posts: 468	500hp? That car is insane. Those germans are crazy. I like it. B)

09-14-2004, 11:09 AM	#6 (permalink)
HEVguy 4.4 Liter Supercharged Northstar Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Middle America Drives: Mt Bike Undisclosed Car Posts: 2,381	I like the way the new 5's look also! They are the best looking out of the new 7's, 5's, Z4, etc... The design execution is really nice IMO. However, I also agree that this vehicle is insane! I understand that BMW is taking Caddy's V-series and Mercedes AMG vehicles seriously... And they have to, Beemers are the ultimate driving machines, right? And they've consistently held that sport-luxury reputation, but V-10 - 500HP in a 5 series is insane! I hope they don't make an M7, they'll have to put a V-16 in it!! It is just a little over the top, is all, but what could they do... the competition is practically requiring BMW to do this! Oh well, it is a SWEET RIDE!!

09-14-2004, 11:11 AM	#7 (permalink)
HEVguy 4.4 Liter Supercharged Northstar Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Middle America Drives: Mt Bike Undisclosed Car Posts: 2,381	Hey, are those portholes on the side!?!?! :lol:

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