F10 M5
 

Am I crazy to consider an F10 M5 (6M, obviously) as a second vehicle (e36 doesn't count)? 90%+ of our driving is highway, and it'd be great to have something more fun than the X5 to transport the whole family on our frequent trips around New England. Has anyone here driven one? I'm concerned about the steering primarily.

I’ve never driven one, but one thing I’d think about is the fact that it wasn’t really designed for a manual transmission. Some of the stuff I’ve read about it suggest the manual is an odd match.

One of the cars not many think about in this category is the Chevy SS. I’d look at that one too. It sounds like a modern E39 M5.

The F10 never seemed to set the M5 market on fire. Kind of like the Meh version. Even though the E60 is a basket case upkeep wise it still seem more radical then the F10.

I haven't driven one, but unlike regular RWD f10s, the M5 got hydraulic steering so maybe that helps a bit. I know it's almost a cliche, but have you looked into a chevy SS ?

It's funny that a couple of others have mentioned the SS. I'm not sure, but I *may* be the only one on the board that actually found a 6 speed SS to drive? It was brilliant fun to drive, and I regret not buying it, though a week with a Mustang GT also reminded me what it's like to live with V8 fuel economy (not great, Bob).

The F10 bores me, even in M5 guise. But the same is true of most BMWs. I guess it might be kind of neat to own a stick, but it doesn't strike me as a car that would be particularly fun to drive. I think I'd rather have an Alfa QV, if we're being totally honest, even if it didn't have a stick.

Thanks everyone. You're all probably right. I'm yearning for something fun that can also transport the whole family and am pretty stumped. I was looking at 997s and 991s for a while but it's looking like those aren't going to be big enough for an overnight trip with all of us...

I'm going to try to wrap my head around a 4 seater just to use locally on the weekends that we can all take in a pinch and use the X5 (not horribly unfun with 445hp) for all overnight trips.

Why not an M3 then? 4 door for the family :dunno:

Right, M3 sedan with a roof box.

Yup, definitely a consideration! CPO / used ones are pretty affordable (at least compared to new). I was hoping the F10 M5 would be just a bigger M3, but apparently it's not. Regardless, I'll try to drive both.

Zach wouldn't be caught dead driving his family around on weekends in Chevy Malibu. :D

JST - did the SS feel sort of slow? Presumably the torque feels great, but 500hp is the new 400hp.

At some point though on most public roads what is fast enough. I can’t believe I just said that but it’s true. Your won’t be canyon carving in a huge 4 door so at some point there just numbers. I rarely get to use my “underpowered” 400hp sedan as it is. Sure on ramp blasts or a 3rd gear high rev blast to change lanes on the freeway but still.

Same reason I’m ok going to a 315hp 981 BS. Fast enough given the weight but I am also looking for a very good handeling convertible manual trans car.

I am getting old but the hp numbers game and 0-60 before I can blink is just getting silly.

Yeah you are right - my HP comment is absurd in retrospect. What I really want is a 911 -- I just worry it won't get used if its inconvenient to take the family with me.

Fixed

I’ll go TD and JST one better. No Stick AND No SOUND No sale. Period.

I don’t care how fast they are.

Btw I agree with the M3 suggestions.

You realize they both drive Tesla's right? :lol:

The silent thrust is the best part!!!!!

Have you driven one?

I know!! But to there defense also own multiple cars. I on the other hand only drive one so I stand by that statement.

Well, it's a normally aspirated engine, and despite being a pushrod the LS V8s breathe pretty well and like a few revs to make power. I don't think it would feel particularly torquey next to a forced induction V8 or V6. But normal aspiration has its own rewards in terms of throttle response.

The others are right, though--next to the Model 3 or Model S, every internal combustion engine feels like its both gutless and expending way too much effort to accelerate.

This is too funny....

The most 'fun' I have ever had was in a car with 120HP.

Even my 997 isn't more 'fun' than my old 2002.

But that's just me.

Where is the like button.

Yet I’m currently driving a Hertz-provided Impala...

:lol::lol::lol:

Ha- was wondering when Tesla would be mentioned in this thread. Not to add gas to the fire, but given how some of the die-hard manual lovers here bought Teslas, maybe it's worth considering a used model S... :eeps:

We've decided getting one of these would be silly, right? F80 makes way more sense?

https://images.autotrader.com/hn/c/f...0699878d20.jpg

Nope! Not silly. Fun.

Did you test drive it?

Interested in hearing how the MT feels on it. Seems like with all that torque from the V8TT a manual might be kind of pointless.

I haven't driven one yet - very rare to even find a manual one. I'm quite curious though and if one pops up locally, I'll certainly try to drive it.

Not sure how much f10 DNA filters to the M, but no 535i or 550i that I have driven (or even the recently launched 540i, g-something) is "fun". They are grand and smooth but always luxo-boats first. The M may be different.

Combining luxury car and sport together into one is something I never really understood. But maybe if it comes together just right it could be really neat? Take just a bit of the boatiness out of it?

It makes sense in that you're more likely to be in your "daily driver" type car than in a dedicated sports car so when the opportunity arises it's nice to have some "sportiness". But the right balance is hard to achieve. The Panamera is probably the best at that game. IIRC, the F10 M5 was criticized for it's relatively harsh ride quality so I'm not sure BMW found the right balance there.

The e39 M5 is fun enough and I wish I'd bought one on at least one of my shopping rounds. However, regular e39 sport package cars were at least tidy starting points - in their day. Given how luxo/7-series like the f10 5 is, I'm not sure how fun the M can become.

With the advent of legitimate 4-door M3's (E90), M5's stopped having any appeal to me. And 2-door M3's as well.

Basically, in my mind (assuming manuals):

M3 sedan > any other sedan.
911 /Boxster > M3 coupe

If the E39 M5 had been sold with non-garbage steering, I’d own one instead of the e90.

I think back to all the times I almost bought an M5 and am thinking I must have known what I was doing then. Same with the E39 540.

I agree with FC, the E90 M3 really made the M5 redundant.

Zach, why not an F80?

F80 makes by far the most sense and I'll drive one soon. F10 is appealing due to being slightly larger and more luxurious for the 90% highway driving we do. That said, the F10 is a little too similar to the X5 which I expect we'll replace in a little over a year with a G05 X5 M50i.

What I really want is a 911 but am struggling to make a use case for it with soon to be 2 kids.

Congrats!

Yes, indeed. Congrats!

:+1 Awesome!

Ha - thanks guys. Should be interesting.