Lexus does this with the LFA also - in cooperation with Yamaha.

 

barf

 

The issue isn't the car, the issue is the driver's expectations.

We as drivers expect the new M5 to sound as dramatic as its numbers would suggest. This expectation is unreasonable given the car's inherent status as turbocharged and a big, soft, multi-ton sedan.

We have great acceleration, good comfort, and good maneuverability in a nicely-styled package. I don't care that it tries to fool me into thinking it sounds different than it actually does. And if I did care, I'd unplug the part of the stereo amplifier (as documented in some blog post a few days ago) so it wouldn't make those sounds.

 

I don't think they would have had any trouble selling the new M5 with a less-powerful yet equally efficient naturally-aspirate V8...

The "power war" between BMW and Mercedes and rediculous. Case in point...record sales and increases at Audi (not to mention they dominate China and Spain to name but two markets) with much more modest power levels.

People will respond to an experience rather than chest-pounding if you give them a chance. JMHO of course...

 

No way. This is like having your gf tell you "sex has been nice, but lets just cuddle from now on..."

 

I have owned an e39 M5 and drive my buddy's e60 M5 frequently, and we both like the drivetrain in the e39 better. Better powerband - much more useable on a daily basis.

I think a turbo engine with gobs of low-end torque is just right for this car. Following along the lines of EVERY other fast luxury car on the market.

 

I know deep down that you're right but...I prefer the one with the 4.0 V8 over any turbo I've ever driven...two generations back? I guess that's the one you're referring to (sorry not up on BMW chassis nomenclature) What a motor!

 

Buy the newest one you can afford just like Porsche... i love the 2012. nice job bmw.

 

I think you are taling about the E39 with the 5 liter v8 (S62 motor)

the block dinan uses for the DP cars..

wonderful car - I had a dinan modded one that was fantastic.

 

Five litre it is. One of the best resolved cars I've ever driven and I've driven just about all of them. Heck...they're probably $15K....winter beater?

 

Maintenance not bad
Repairs are bad

Carbon build up
Vanos
Etc

M5board.com is a good resource for info and cars/parts for sale

 

I have a one owner E39 M5. Now that is an engine. That engine came out in 1999 (in Europe), and makes 400 hp. Surely BMW could have extracted another 75 hp from it after 12 years, and made it good for 475 hp. But, that is a very expensive engine to manufacture, and that is the reason it was used only in the M5 and Z8.

The new twin turbo 4.4 is essentially the same engine on the 550i, with bigger turbos and IC's. The new M5 should be called the 550is. It is sad to see BMW M resorting (being forced to) to this nonsense.

 

$18K to $20K will buy you a pristine car. It is NOT a great winter car due to RWD, wide tires, and gobs of low end torque.

 

My first car was a 1993 Mustang 5.0 LX which I drove through the winter with BFG VR4s ;-)

 

What in the hell are you talking about? It plumbs intake noise into the cabin. What is wrong with that. You get some nice noise in the cabin without all the noise on the outside.

As for performance the Boss 302 puts down lap times that are very very very close to the base Carrera on a number of tracks. If thats not go, I'm not sure I understand what "go" is.

oh god yawn. I had an E39 M5. What a snoozer. Engine had decent power, but what a boring car to drive. terrible understeer, terrible clutch, merely adequate brakes, not terribly quick, etc. Sold that thing in about a year. Really unimpressive car.