REVIEWS AND ROAD TESTS

An engineering marvel

Since its first appearance six years ago, the 5 Series got its first remodeling in 2001. The front and back ends have been reshaped, and additional air bags helped reduce the risk of injury in case of collision. And the M5? It is still bursting with power. The M5 ’ s technical card indicates that its 5-litre V8 engine produces 400 hp, but this data does not do justice to its power thrust upon acceleration. A good comparison is the new Porsche 911 Turbo, which also develops 400 horses. In other words, the M5 is a BMW four-door luxury sedan with a performance that could shame the Camaro 1969.As is often the case, the fifth spot (equipped with a head-rest) requires the occupant to tighten the buttocks, squeeze the shoulders, move the legs (thanks to the transmission tunnel) and tuck the head (the centre section of the rear seat is slightly elevated). The trunk only has the limited loading capacity of a Neon. While two-tone plastics give the dashboard a less sober appearance, the similarly upholstered steeringwheel and dashboard are hard to distinguish.Those who somehow manage to resist the temptation to abuse the accelerator will not find a marked difference between the M5 ’ s imposing V8 engine and the BMW 540I ’ s standard 4.4-litre V8 offering 282 hp. Even the 6-speed transmission is impressive. Gears change flawlessly despite extraordinary 395 pound-feet of torque.

Only one small criticism the sound emitted by the bulky V8 is not as pleasant to the ear as that of the L6 engine that once powered the M5. Its growls will demand respect for this large V8, but I still prefer the melodious sound of the original L6 ’ s exhaust.

In regards to handling, the M5 could easily be confused with any BMW sedan known for exceptional control. Eighteen-inch rims are the only external evidence that the M5 is no ordinary 5 Series model. Suffice it to say that if you follow an M5 around a corner, you ’ ll understand its capabilities as quickly as lose sight of it.

Its huge rear 275/35ZR18 radial tires offer exceptional road adherence. The same goes for its front 245/40ZR18 tires. BMW lowered the 540 ’ s powerwheel by 15 mm in the front and 10 mm in the back, and made adjustments in the springs and shock absorbers. Similar to the 540 base model, most of the M5 ’ s suspension is fabricated with lightweight aluminum in order to eliminate undesirable weight. Not only does this improve handling, but it also makes the M5 almost as pleasant to drive as the 540.

Immense vented disc brakes, that are 345 mm in diameter in the front and 328 mm in the rear, perfect the package. Even after a series of sudden stops from more than 200 km/h, the brakes never showed signs of fatigue.

The M5 is just as impressive in terms of power and handling as a typical BMW sedan. All things considered, nothing critical can be said about the M5, expect perhaps its inflated price.

PROS
Very secure
Irreprochable brakes
Very sporty ride

CONS
Loud engine
High price
Restricted interior