My sense is that the differences will continue, ie the MB will be faster than the BMW on a 0-60 run but will be less of a driver's car from a handling perspective.
Between the two, I prefer handling over straight line acceleration.
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2006 M5 Black Sapphire Metallic / Silverstone
My only concern with this is the speed factor. Granted you can buy a lambo or other car that would be quicker, but we're talking about a 4 door sedan (similar to our beloved M5) which has much more appeal to those looking for the sports car/responsible sedan combo... which many times means they have a family.
With that in mind, at what point will we reach enough speed and hp on this type of car? I'm not trying to imply that I'd rather have some guy die alone in a ferarri... but imagine when we start seeing whole families go that way because dad wanted to show off to his kids and lost control.
Of course many of you will say it's all about experience and knowing how to drive these cars, but let's be real... the majority of us have no real track time, etc... even I'm sometimes frightened by the power of my M5 (even if it comes with a big smile).
On a lighter note, I will say that I don't like the styling cues they've added to differentiate the car from the E55... especially those things that look like fish gills on the lower side part of the front bumper, near the wheel well. What can I say, even with my own SL55 in the garage, I'm still a BMW man 100%
I agree. I think we all buy this car because of the driver-connectedness. Most people I have spoken to who own AMG are bored rather quickly by the car. Most BMW owners (myself included), are constantly and regularly surprised by the car's capabilities (recurrent grin factor)
Those "fish gills" are rather unappealing imho. Personally, I think the E63 looks better than the M5 but probably more because the M5 simply still looks a few years ahead of its time. The E63 is more today, albeit starting to look a little dated now.
At least in my case, I drive my M5 very differently when my wife and son are in the car with me versus when I am driving alone to a meeting. I almost never use the M button when my family is in the car with me. I run P500, EDC0 and S5. But when I am driving alone, I run P500S, EDC2 and S5.
My sense is that the M5 and E63 are dual purpose for successful working people which probably explains why BMW offers so many choices for power, suspension and response settings.
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2006 M5 Black Sapphire Metallic / Silverstone
Looks like BMW had it right to begin with on the new M5. High revving, lower torque engine with a 7 speed tranny. Looks like MB is following right in line.
I'll guess the E63 could be a bit quicker in a straight line, and they'll improve the handling and the feel quite a bit over the E55. Sounds like they're upping the ante - what will BMW do to respond??
This is nothing but good news for us car enthusiasts!
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Mike
2006 E60 M5 Silverstone II/Silverstone/Aluminum, All Options, 35% tint, Aluminum Pedals, Valentine V1 and Passport 9500i Hardwired, Blinder Xtreme M40, Michelin PS2's on 20 inch BBS RS-GT's, Winter Pirelli Sottozeros on OEM 19 inch wheels, Resonator Delete, Charcoal Filters Removed, Eibach Springs and Spacers, Active Autowerks ECU, BMC Filters, RPI Air Intakes, Evosport Pulley. Retired from track duty 10/08. Dinan diff replaced with OEM at my cost due to failure at 56,000 miles.
06 M5 (Silver Gray/Walnut Madeira/Black Perf/all options/V1 hardwired/M40 enabled/Reus Audio upgrade package III) 
03 M5 (Carbon Black/Black/all options/80 Gig Phatbox/V1 Hardwired) - gone but not forgotten!
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