Car rags have sides with the M5 over the previous gen E55. For one, they bag on the AMG's slush box. Secondly, they generally don't care for its steering. It'll be interesting to see the M5 match wits with the new, more powerful E55. That being said, one rag recently responded to the E55 by saying the proposed V10 M5 will eat its lunch ... sounds like they're still BMW's bitch (like me).

For me, I want a powerful and reasonably sporty luxo-cruiser ... GS430, A6 4.2 Quattro, CL / TL Type S, S4, etc. While a 911 Turbo and it's 4sec blast to 60mph would be incredibly fun, I want luxury. I'd rather do it in a SL55 or CL600 twin turbo.

 

Well, that may be the case......but if the new 5 series has anything in common with the E65 7 series, I won't be too concerned with the new M5 eating the W211 E55's lunch. I'll be worried about "losing" my lunch everytime I see one on the road.

 

Oh, come on! It's not a S-class, but it's a great looking auto. Very authoritative. First, BMW was criticzied for making all their 3 and 5-series look the same, but it's OK for Audi to pull the same stunt over three models and now the next gen models? In response, BMW tries something different and they're criticized again. Seems like they're damned if they do and damned if they don't. iDrive is over the top, but I'd bet it'll be "addressed" in upcoming 7-series exterior re-do and soon to be launched 5.

This coming for someone who liked the Z3 M Coupe? (Giving you a hard time, but it's OK because I really like that bread wagon)

 

note for everyone: bmw is planning to put a new v10 into the m5. saw it in road and track last month. SOOOO if you think its beast now....wait

 

"Great" looking, you're in the minority on that one. The rear is simply hideous (even my salesperson who sold me my M3 and Mcoupe hates it). The car in any other color but black looks strange, which doesn't really say that much for a car's design to only look good in dark colors. Also, those sleepy looking headlights have got to go. If they fix those areas, then it will be much better.

Also, if they could put back the floor shifter, that would be nice. I think the center stack (console) looks like it came out of an Ethan Allen catalog.

So overall, the car does have a presence to it...because it's wide and wacky looking, but not for the better IMHO.

Indeed, I loved the Mcoupe, didn't buy it for its amazing styling .....enjoyed it because it was a blast to drive and it was fairly rare/unique.

 

Great minds don't think alike ... at least, yet

Is your GTS blue w/white stripe?

 

There is definitely validity to that statement.

Nope, blue/white stripes was only made in 96 and 97.....mine is red/silver stripes.

 

Maybe in comparison to the M5 motor, it is low on torque, but it certaily has plenty of down low punch. The top end in amazing. Keep in mind the M3 is 600lbs lighter.

As for the M5, it really is amazing what BMW has done with the car. It does everything (except braking) very well from the factory. If only it wasn't so heavy...

And, yes, I have driven the E55. The M5 is much more exiting to drive.

 

My friend's girlfriend has an '01 M5 (she has a rich dad). She was going to sell it with about 20k miles on it, so I was going to sell my car and buy it.

She wouldn't sell it to me. the 6spd was replaced twice and BMW voided her warranty (no mods and she doesn't race or anything). and there have been about 20 electrical problems, windows, instrument lighting, radio, you name it, she had a problem with it.

So her dad, who's a lawyer, is taking BMW to court.

 

bah, why would you waste 70-80K on anything other than a real sports car? For that $$$ you could get a Viper or Lotus (used) or Porche, or a few Ferrari's (F355, Testarossa, 512TR) or god know's how many others. If you want a car that goes seriously fast, buy a sports car. That's just how I feel about things

 

Oh, the M5 is bad ass, but the RS6 will be whoopin on it soon....

 

Beltfed, whut do u think of the new Viper???

 

I like the SRT, not in love with it though......since they raised the fenders a bit and sculpted a more pronounced integrated trunk spoiler, it looks better than it originally did (was changed due to many complaints on the VCA board). The styling overall is still a bit generic, with bits and pieces of other cars styling mixed in to it.

It is a better car than the model its replacing obviously, but I'm wondering how much better? The car is expensive, all said and done its around $85k. Once the hardtop becomes available it will be around $88k.

Things I would change......the wheels, they are huge but not very good looking. The reverse slash on the side of the car is the biggest drawback IMO, it just seems like it doesn't match the rest of the car.


Why they had the guy who designed the Camry/Corolla (whichever it was) to design the Viper still boggles my mind, but whatever.

 

Any pics of the new viper?

 

beltfed, have u takin your viper to the track??

i cant imagine how slow your cl-s feels when you have a gts.

 

darrinb......Been to the track twice with the Viper, only have 6,500 miles on it actually (hardly driven). Yes, the CL feels like a snail in comparison.

 

Very nice!!!

Sweet!!

Wow!!

etc...

P.S. Michigan plates???

 

I also could not figure out how an Asian dude styled the DODGE VIPER, it's like the new American car icon, like the vette. I think an Asian dude designed the ENZO Ferrari. You got an American, Chris Bangle, doing the BMW German thing. I think an Indian fellow did the Japanes 350 Z. Hell Americans designed the CL and TL.

And I think all these cars look weird. I currently like the previous Viper way better than the new one. Too much computer, not enough emotion.

 

Oh come on, the car is sweet!!!

Much better than a toyota... now those havre no souls!

 

for something thats so hyped as "the worlds best sports sedan" it looks like it has an AWFUL lot of body roll on sharp turning....im sure it handles well, better than a CL-S no doubt (for that money it better) but i would have expected the M5 to be a little tighter than that. i had tighter suspension on my stock 1996 Camaro. but obviously my camaro wasnt a BMW and it didnt have 5% of the features that the M5 has...i just think the whole big boaty sports sedan market is kinda silly...who would want a luxury plush crusier for the family thats got really rigid suspension and a manual tranny anyhow? who are they trying to sell this too? if i want a FAST car thats RWD, 6 speed tranny, handles great...i want a SPORTS CAR, if i want a 4 door LARGE sedan with awesome interior amenties and features, great styling, ill get a BMW 5 series....why mix the 2? i just dont see a point for a car like the M5...an M5 will never ever handle as well as a car like..say...a Z06 or a top of the line Ferrari....and a Z06 or a Ferrari will never have the features, comfort, etc of an M5...but you dont see sports cars trying to come out as family sedan cruisers, why do we need big family sedans that are so powerful and stuff....do you really want to be driving a family sedan with 2 rug rats in the back, watching them in the rearview, listening to them fight or cry, while talking to your wife in the passanger seat and then try to worry about shifting your manual tranny? ill save that type of exhileration for a SPORTS car where that type of power, handling, etc is meant to be...if i get a big sedan, i want something luxurious, AUTOMATIC (for ease of driving and less to worry about as i cruise down the highway in my big comfy cruiser) and something that has realitively soft suspension, not something thats semi-sports tuned like an M5. id rather have a BMW 540i or whatever the current model is and have a fast-as-hell raced tuned sports car on the side...i dont see a point for mixing the segments..like someone else said in a thread about sports-sedans....the whole concept is an oxy-moron....sports cars are not sedans and sedans are not sports cars....end of story