1st impressions vs. CLS55

[jkrutch]

My impressions and opinions....

1. Interior is up to par and in some ways better. Switch gear is better on BMW. The leather on my perf seats seams loose on the butt section...like it wasn't pulled tight enough. The seats are incredibly comfy though not as sporty as the CLS seats. They seem like they were made for people with larger butts since they don't wrap around as much I would have expected. iDrive will take a lot of getting used to. The whole concept is flawed as far as I am concerned. Everything takes extra steps and more time with your eyes off the road. For example, changing radio stations is no longer pressing "6" on the small keypad. I don't get it. The HUD is cool, but the delay on the tach is unacceptable. It is a gimmick because of the delay as opposed to a useful tool. I will use it in non-M mode or not at all. The sound system is 2nd to none for stock. Better than the MB Logic 7...strange, but true. Same system, but much better on the BMW.

In all fairness, I still have plenty to learn about how things work in this car. It requires a lot of time reading the manual which I hope to accomplish this weekend. I am sure once all the presets are done and the such, the iDrive will be less annoying. The door shut sound is perfect on the BMW...better than the MB. I was surprised the home link buttons don't light up. I think they did on the E39. They even do on my Lambo (which doesn't even have cruise control!). The Comfort Access is better than MB Keyless Go since there is no annoying reminder beep. The locking by simply touching the handle is WAAAAAY COOLER. The interior has no apologies to make. Fit and materials is great as is the leather everywhere on the dash etc. Very nice. The instrumentation on the M5 is beautiful and I like it much better than the CLS. The instrument cluster is awesome.

2. The M5 and CLS were parked side by side so I could transfer my stuff. The rear end is a hands down win for the M5. The CLS looked droopy. The front has the CLS looking a little sportier because of the headlamp housing and lower stance. Front is a toss up. The side is a hands down win for the MB because it looks much sportier due to the high beltline, sleek roof angle and short side windows. However, the M5 looks MUCH BETTER in person than any photos. The wheel gap is MUCH LESS than pictures would indicate. I was very happily surprised. The gap in some pictures was huge. The wheels are very sharp and look much larger then 19s. The M5 is not as sleek, but is still a great looking car.

3. Driving impressions. Simple comparison here. The CLS's torque wins hands down for "normal" driving. The M5 requires a lot more work from the driver (as expected) which isn't a bad thing. The SMG shifts are slower than I would have expected. Need S5 for decent time between shifts...anything else is too slow. The perceived time between gears over a manual gearbox is longer because the car is oprating the clutch, not the driver. This is a perception thing.

The handling is not much better (as I would have expected) over the CLS. That is a big surprise. I was expecting a big diff in handling. I think the higher ride height on the M5 is the problem here. We all know lower center of gravity wins for handling..that is MB's advantage here and over the E55 for that matter. The EDC settings do make a difference unlike the MB airmatic (which all setting feel pretty much the same). This engine needs revs for power and since I have not gone over 5500, the jury is still out. But like I said, the CLS is better for driving around town because of the low end grunt advantage. Until 1,200 miles comes, I will reserve final judgement.

I haven't really pushed...I took one turn that I normally hit everyday...the CLS seemed as good on this one turn, but I didn't check speed into the turn. I may have been going faster in the M5...not sure.

OK...long enough here. I will say that anyone who rags on the CLS for being "inferior technologically" is either stupid or hasn't spent time in one. It is a great car and definitely comparable to the M5 in every way.

They are both winners in different ways. I can honestly say I have no regrets at this point with the M5 and I need to get past break in to really render a fair opinion. With either car you can't go wrong. I am very lucky to have experienced both and look forward to knowing the M5 much better.

[absent]

Pretty much matches my impression of the car(coming from E55 and S600 Renntech).
For "sportier" fit,tighten up the seat bolsters,I also like the steering feel way better and the thickness of the wheel.
Once broken in,when you have it in higher revs,the acceleration in passing is incomparable to any sedan but just a few supercars.
Anyone complaining at the supposed "harsh ride" has no idea what he's talking about (maybe his service forgot to remove the blocks from suspension?) and belongs in a Lexus.
I-Drive ,which I had doubts about before,within a few days became my second nature and is really easy and quick to use with no problems whatsoever.(this from a guy who is computer illiterate and still has trouble with VCR programming).
I do miss the torque of the MB,I miss the immediate response of the car when challenged while just cruising.
I know,it is only a second to switch the Lamb into a Beast but in some situations that second feels like an hour.
I think it will take some time to get used to a different way of driving(definitely more involving) for anyone coming from a Benz but it's worth it and will definitely make one a better driver,more attuned to the sorroundings and the car itself.
i cannot imagine driving this car with the latte in one hand,scrolling through the radio stations with the other and steering with your knees.A Benz could do it and because of that,even with the magnificent torque it had,it bored me.....

[MRichmond]

Originally Posted by jkrutch

iDrive will take a lot of getting used to. The whole concept is flawed as far as I am concerned. Everything takes extra steps and more time with your eyes off the road. For example, changing radio stations is no longer pressing "6" on the small keypad. I don't get it.

Once you program your presets, I think you will find that the system works very well and does not require you to take your eyes off the road at all. There are three ways to change stations:

(1) When you are in the preset mode in the Entertainment menu of iDrive, turning the iDrive controller changes from one preset to the next. One notch represents one station change. Moreover, once you become accustomed to which preset is which station, it is easy to switch several presets over with one spin -- e.g., three notches to the left from preset 4 to preset 1.

(2) Regardless of which menu is on the iDrive screen, use the up and down arrow buttons on the right steering wheel spoke. Again, one press equals one preset shift.

(3) Regardless of which menu is on the iDrive screen, use the voice control -- say "Preset 3" to get to preset 3.

If you shift frequently from different audio sources -- FM to AM or to CD or SAT, the easiest methods are: (1) program the star steering wheel button to switch between sources (this is easily done in the iDrive settings menu) or (2) use the voice command (e.g. say "FM menu" or, to go directly to the FM presets, say "FM presets"). My one gripe with the star button is that it cycles through all available audio sources. From FM to AM it works great because it is only one push. But to get from AM back to FM using this button, it has to cycle to the WB and CD (and, if you have Sirius, through SAT too). Therefore, voice control may be the best way to switch from AM to FM.

In sum, changing from one preset to another, I think, is very easy and much better than having to look down onto the dashboard to find the right preset button. I do wish there were a better toggle between AM and FM.

[Jessem]

BTW, you can also cycle thru the presets with the left/right arrows next to the CD slot.

[jkrutch]

As much as I think I am pretty astute with gadgets...I need "iDrive for Dummies". Seriously, I need to spend some time with the system and the manual....Haven't had a chance yet. Thanks for the advice!

[High Timbers]

J,
I was wondering how you liked the car. Your observations are spot on and the same as mine with my CLS55 side by side. As the others say, you will get more familiar with the I Drive in time, but it is not as simple for the radio as I pointed out previously. I drove my CLS55 this week and it is a fantastic car....and much easier to drive in town. I have stopped using the D function in town on the M5 and started using the shifter which is smoother...but restricted a bit due to the break in period.

I now have 700 miles on the M5 and love the car. I like sitting a litter higher and find the steering more precise in the mountains especially.

One more thing, I have a paint problem on the trunk lid of the CLS. Mercedes is replacing the car next month with a new CLS55. What to do...What to do!

Originally Posted by Jessem

BTW, you can also cycle thru the presets with the left/right arrows next to the CD slot.

[bavarian]

Glad you took the plunge. It takes a while to get used to this car in many ways: SMG, iDrive, all the settings. I am on week three, and finally getting comfortable with everything. This after owning an E66 for 3 years with iDrive. The key to using the radio, as others have said, is to use the shortcuts offered by the voice commands or miscellaneous buttons. (It's still faster to push a preset on any other car on the planet, but that's a small price to pay).
Enjoy!

[Reaper_e39M5]

jkrutchAfter coming from the same car background as myself, do you feel like im missing out on that much after driving them both? Still dont know if i want to trade my CLS for the M5, just love the car too much!

[Jamie140]

How about the exhaust note? When I was picking up my beast the owner of the store got on a cls55 very hard and it sounded very nice and aggressive - what's your take - especially from inside the car?

[Rezf]

Originally Posted by Reaper_e39M5

jkrutchStill dont know if i want to trade my CLS for the M5, just love the car too much!

I would never trade-in a car that I love too much. The catalyst, for me, has always been because I like the next car more, or I gotta have it

[Gustav]

Thanks for taking your time with htis review. Very nicely done of you.

[Rezf]

Originally Posted by jkrutch

My impressions and opinions....

They are both winners in different ways. I can honestly say I have no regrets at this point with the M5 and I need to get past break in to really render a fair opinion. With either car you can't go wrong. I am very lucky to have experienced both and look forward to knowing the M5 much better.

Sentiments of Automobile magazine, exactly! Actually their comparo involved the CLS 55 vs. M6