Stunning 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 loves to rev; breathtaking technology; beautiful interior
30kgs heavier than Mercedes E63 AMG
BMW M5 AS GOOD AS IT GETS
Well there’s no surprise the BMW M5 has matched the Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG in scoring Car Showroom’s highest score. Some say the M5 is the world’s best high-performance sedan.
Mercedes-Benz would have an argument with that…for us, we’ll just say it’s a split decision between the two German super-sedans.
2012 BMW M5 Overview
The seventh generation BMW M5 dispenses with its predecessor’s V10 engine and adopts BMW’s superb 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 for more performance and enhanced fuel economy. Priced at $230,000, the M5 is the cutting edge of automotive technology with multiple adjustability for the engine and chassis to fine-tune your high-performance set-ups.
But this is no grumpy, fussy sports car, this is the BMW M5, equipped with BMW’s hallmark opulence inside and capable of carrying five adults in comfort.
2012 BMW M5 Engine
The array of programmable systems within the BMW M5 driveline is the heart of its performance and pretty much includes every state-of-the art technology there is. BMW at its best you might say.
For starters the 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine is BMW’s most potent powerplant with 412kW of power between 6000rpm and 7000rpm and 680Nm of torque between 1500rpm and 5750rpm (10 per-cent more power and 30 per-cent more torque than the previous V10-powered BMW M5). Obviously this remarkable engine loves to rev, but its low-range performance is simply startling – zero to 100km/h in only 4.3 seconds.
It’s a superb design with the 90-degree V8 housing the twin-scroll turbocharges and catalytic converters within the ‘V’.
But this is 2012 and BMW has delivered the latest M5 with Drivelogic for the seven-speed dual clutch transmission and EfficientDynamics technology - including auto start/stop and Brake Energy Regeneration - so fuel consumption drops by 30 per cent over the previous generation to 9.9l/100kms.
Included in the technology are three programs within both manual and fully automatic modes for the transmission with a low-speed assistance system to aid smooth going on light throttle in city traffic plus another switch for ‘Efficient’, ‘Sport’ or ‘Sport Plus’ just for the engine.
But high performance fans will be buoyed by the news of ‘Launch Control’ for optimum standing start getaways.
2012 BMW M5 The Interior
We reckon the BMW M5 boasts BMW’s best-ever interior. The M5 badges on the sills, M Sport seats in Merino leather and an Alcantara Anthracite roof liner immediately show this is the M5 and not a 520i.
To the left of the driver is the 10.2-inch Control Display for the BMW iDrive, satellite navigation etc plus the two M Drive buttons for chassis and engine configurations. The beautiful M leather-wrapped steering wheel has further switches for cruise control, audio and radio.
Instrumentation is black-panel technology with the hallmark BMW M white illuminated gauges with red needles.
Of course the BMW M5 is fully equipped with BMW’s standout inclusions such as a 16-speaker, 600-watt Dolby audio system, head-up display Surround View and rear-view cameras, Park Distance Control and the rest. A bit of surprise is Lane Change and Lane Departure warning systems are on the options list.
Rear seat passengers are well catered for with beautifully sculptured seats and reasonable legroom. The boot features automatic opening/closing and 520-litres of luggage space (it passed our golf club test).
2012 BMW M5 Exterior & Styling
As usual the BMW M exterior styling enhancements while subtle, leave no doubt the BMW M5 is the performance flagship of the BMW lineup. Of course starting with the superb looks of the latest 5 Series is no handicap.
The BMW M5 sits low on its M sport suspension, the massive 20-inch alloy wheels fill the wheel arches and provide a clear view of the massive disc brakes.
At the front is the M black kidney grille and substantial extra air intakes to cool the twin-turbo V8 plus lower edge flaps which are part of the aerodynamic package (a subtle gurney flap wing on the bootlid is also part of that story).
The profile view is highlighted by the bulging side skirts and M-specific fender gills. And the rear runs a massive air diffuser under the bumper plus twin tailpipes.
At night the BMW M5 puts on a real show with the L-shaped rear lights, bi-xenon headlights and LED accent lights asserting the on-road presence of this high-performance sedan.
2012 BMW M5 On The Road
Driving both the BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 within six months is a rare treat. Like the ‘Benz, the BMW M5 was scintillating over our high-speed mountain roads test loop as we experienced automotive technology at the cutting edge – all honed in countless hours of testing at the Nurburgring race circuit .
New for the seventh-generation BMW M5 is the Active M electronically controlled multi-plate limited slip differential which talks to Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system via FlexRay high speed data transfer to vary the required locking force between zero and 100 per cent. And of course it’s no ordinary DSC – you can switch it off or a smart move is to select M Dynamic Mode which raises the threshold of DSC intervention.
Shock absorbers too are adjustable through three settings ‘Comfort’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Sport Plus’ (the latter very firm and best for race circuit use). Same for the M Servotronic steering.
Also debuting on the latest BMW M5 are two individually configured M Drive buttons which allow the driver to individually program set-ups for the transmission, DSC, Dynamic Damper Control and Head-Up Display. You comprise your individual set-up all-inclusive.
A lot to take-in and manage, but if you’ve seen the multi-engine and chassis adjustments available to F1 drivers via their steering wheels, you know this adjustability is the key to ultimate performance driving in varying conditions.
We tried various combinations during several runs over our mountain roads loop. The changes are discernible, but the bottom line is the BMW M5 is supremely fast, balanced and precise – making a mockery of its substantial 1870kgs weight.
Rocketing down a hill into a tight hairpin, the massive M brakes provide astonishing stopping power as you flick down the gears via the steering wheel paddle shifters. Steering response is instantaneous as the M5 points its nose into the apex and all that electronic mastery allows you to simply nail the throttle as you accelerate away with just the right amount of yaw movement you programmed in.
And if you think all this technology is overkill, just a couple of corners in wet conditions with the DSC turned off will convince you just how smart the BMW team is.
It’s unlikely any other car we’ll drive this year will come close to the BMW M5 for precise high-performance motoring. And all of this in a four-door sedan.
2012 BMW M5 Challenges
That would be zero. Although we must confess we did need the Owners’ Manual to first operate the parking brake and lock the M5 (it doesn’t let you lock the doors on exit unless it’s engaged and to do that you select neutral, take your foot off the brake, hit the starter button twice and pull the park brake switch…do it once and you understand).
2012 BMW M5 Verdict
Yes folks, this is as good as it gets for high-performance four-door sedans. And this is the current ‘best-of-the-best’ for automotive technology (well along with the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG).
With the seventh-generation M5, BMW has brilliantly blended ground-shattering twin-turbo V8 performance with driver aids such as the programmable M Drive system, Active M differential and Drivelogic for the seven-speed double-clutch transmission to truly deliver ultimate performance with everyday driveability.
All cosseted in the elegant design of the latest 5 Series sedan with a glorious interior which must rank as BMW’s best-ever.
This will be the best $230,000 you’ll ever spend.
2012 BMW M5 The Competition
Naturally it’s the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG and both are contenders to be the world’s best high-performance sedan. The ‘Benz is a bit pricier at $240,985 and its standard 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 delivers 386kW/700Nm to 412kW/680Nm for the BMW M5 (410kW/800Nm in the $258,885 E63 AMG with ‘Performance Pack’).
Unusually, the BMW M5 looks a bit more conservative than the AMG-enhanced E-Class.
The Porsche Panamera is in the mix but, comparing dollars, the $284,700 Panamera S provides a comparatively lethargic 294kW/500Nm. You’ll need $379,600 for the twin-turbo V8 Panamera Turbo with 368kW/700Nm on-tap.
