I would like to start this thread with saying that I'm a Beemer guy. Most cars which I bought during my lifetime are beemers, from E46 M3, M Coupe, E60 M5, E65 745, rarely did I not buy a BMW was when I acquired my GT3. Each and every BMW wowed me, which gets better and better every time. The magical equation is not revealed, but the feelings you get driving M cars is why I and many other enthusiast love BMW, and come back every time.
It was a sad day to let the M5 go. I have thought about it many times, hestitated, lots of head scraching, and finally I ended up with the a beautiful Audi S8.
I bought the M5 from the very first batch August 2005, part of the reason is that I couldn't wait, and like many of you, couldn't actually beleive that it is actually finally being released (& every M product btw, but somehow the feelings didn't emerge with the new M3). The M5 didn't dissapoint, a car that derves the title "uber saloon" that goes head to head with the E55 which has been raved by magazines. I am not against AMG in any way, I love AMG's as much as I love all makes & brands, but its always BMW when it comes to my money.
I had a few breakdowns during the ownership, some tranny problems, however I always had some kind of fear that the car would breakdown during the worst of times, which didn't happen.
The M5 is an epic car, head butting the rev limiter is something I enjoy, I have also tested the speed limiter a dozen times, drifting is its middle name, the gearbox is best suited for this car which is debatable, but I am in favor of the technology, I usually drive M mode P500 sport, but mix & match depending on my mood between P500 / P400 not mentioning between autmoatic or sequential, this car has many settings to accomdate most moods. I salute the guys behind the curtains, the technology and the effort that had gone in devoloping the M5 amazes me, and ultimately has won me over, BMW deserves the title of the ultimate driving machine. I had the Eisenmann race for a couple of weeks which magnifies your feelings towards the car, but part of the reason which I took it off was that it beacame irritating after a while. I hate the regular 5 series, but love the mean look of the M5. It could hold on with cars double the price tag, even on tracks. In the hand of a professional, the car shines.
Comparisions of certain magazines / friends are quite misleading. There always is bragging rights, horsepower, 0-60, lap times ... where the winner of these tests sacrifices on road manners, which in real life is the most important aspect of the car.
To me, the M5 is a great car, but is always edgey, I mean if you drive the car fast, the M5 is the perfect tool, however when not in the mood, its not the best car to drive in, which is what happens most the time, and it becomes a problem when I'm out with my family. The gearbox becomes clunky, the suspensions are hard and intolerable, the fear of the car breaking down. Note: I am not putting the M5 down, I still think its an uber saloon.
It is very difficult to not hammer the car, I feel the car begging to rev.
Every time I think of buying a car, the idea always concludes the proposition that theres no car that puts the power down like the M5 does. The power, precision, handling, brakes, technology, is the petrol heads dream car (as a family car atleast).
Then I laid my eyes on the S8, and I can say that this car is a sleeper. Audi's have the best interiors, amazing craftsmanship, & very elegant. The car also came in with two tone interior, deviating stitching, carbon fibre trim, which is Audi exclusive to BMW's individual. It is a step up from the beemer.
The total package of the Audi is what won me over, its not the fastest, its not the most powerful, you're not going to fight the debate with your friends. The car is very comfortable, very luxurious, its slower than an M5 but its still is a fast car (450hp), wonderful sounds emerge although muted but fits the car perfectly, I find myself not going fast to enjoy the car, the quatro has its advantages too and although they do rob you from power, but this car is not all about speed, its the total package.
My only complain at this time after 3 days of ownership, are the brakes, which is a clear downgrade from the M5, but I guess I wouldn't be needing them as much as I do in the M5, mainly because I won't be achieving the speeds in the M5 (or attempt to achieve for that matter). I got used to suberp brakes, and this a problem which becomes the norm to the M5 user, and when driving other cars, always misses the M5 strong attributes.
I could sware that Audis gearbox is DSG, very very fast, not M5 break your neck fast, but one of the fastest auto gearboxes I tried.
I have test driven many cars, if money was no problem I might have ended with a S65, but most cars were either unsatisfying, or just silly asking prices. I was pretty much open, and with nothing intresting enough from BMW after the M5, I was ready to try another brand, to feel the difference between i-drive and other innovative offerings from other car manufacturers. The CL is a very nice car, but with 2 kids I thought its not the best car suited for me & my needs. I need a saloon, an uber saloon. The Audi was just the car I was asking for, as if tailored for me.
The M5 is a depreciating disaster, purchase price $117k, selling price $63k, I lost $55k, which is unacceptable.
I have never thoght of saying this, but for the time being I am happy with my decision. I am not an old grandpa, Im 28 years old. The M5 served me well, I had my ups & downs with it, probably the best M I have ever owned, but after 20,000 miles, I have moved the game on, and its time to taste the fruits of life.
Good report.....
See you all at the:
? How can the M5 outbrake that with a single side dual piston slider?
Linear Mode
