M5 Estate

[Wolverine]

New M5 Estate out ..... looks nice to me .... more pics on pistonheads.

[ChipHazzard]

Now there's a lardy barge if ever i saw one

[PhilT]

Not my cup of tea....

[W8PMC]

Not my cup of tea....

To$$er

Agree though the 5 Series Touring in M5 guise does not look as sweet as say the B7 RS4 Avant. However we still don't know what the new RS6 will look like or when it's coming, so with Bimmer launching the M5 touring in March, they'll be getting the jump on the bonkers stealth wagon market over Audi.

[quattrokid1]

thats fine... Audi can "see their hand" then, bet the next RS6 will boast 550bhp plus maybe nearer 600? V10 twin turbo as seen on the Nuvolari concept which had 610 bhp.

BMW have made this because Audi rules the roost here and with their M3 getting stuffed by the new RS4 they have a bloody nose and want a punch back, fine 500 bhp will be fun in the wet and snow wheras the quattro will carry on as normal. Same with Merc's AMG models which are heavily electronically reined in because the gearbox cant take full whack so its tethered.

[W8PMC]

thats fine... Audi can "see their hand" then, bet the next RS6 will boast 550bhp plus maybe nearer 600? V10 twin turbo as seen on the Nuvolari concept which had 610 bhp.

BMW have made this because Audi rules the roost here and with their M3 getting stuffed by the new RS4 they have a bloody nose and want a punch back, fine 500 bhp will be fun in the wet and snow wheras the quattro will carry on as normal. Same with Merc's AMG models which are heavily electronically reined in because the gearbox cant take full whack so its tethered.

A big Audi fan are you??

Where exactly is the M3 getting stuffed by the RS4?? Round any track you pretty much care to mention the M3 wins & is still seen as the benchmark in that class (& that's with 65BHP less). Sure the RS4 has some advantage in the traction dept. & between the 2 i'd rather have the B7 RS4, but the new M3 due mid 2007 will no doubt raise the bar again & very much spank the RS4 with similar power, but far better chassis, poise & dynamics.

Audi without doubt own the ubber wagon space & have done for many years, so i don't see BMW feeling threatened as the M5 Touring is no doubt just to satisfy the BMW lovers & not being launched to really try & steal from the Audi, however with NO new RS6 being announced (only rumours) & the new M5 Touring coming in March, BMW will get the jump for those buyers who require more pace & space than the current B7 RS4 provides.

The new RS6 if/when it's launched will need a minimum of 550BHP to scare M5 owners (fact), but given it will no doubt have Tiptronic Auto as Audi have not yet designed a Manual or Sequential Manual that can handle over 450BHP (unless they're hiding one somewhere), so will again appeal to a different type of driver.

My previous car was a 550+BHP RS6 Saloon & i loved it, but they're very different cars to drive/own & i now enjoy the fact i'm NOT driving a Quattro & am driving a Sequential Manual. I'm 1st on the pre-list for the new RS6 assuming it makes production, as it COULD be a fantastic piece of kit, assuming Audi have learnt a few lessons from their competition.

Finally, i'd be very surprised if Audi launch an RS6 with 600BHP, you can be sure whatever they launch it will NOT be quicker or more powerful than the Gallardo. My guess is 530BHP & the same level of torque (assuming they use forced induction). Just a tad higher than the M5 & AMG equivalents. Of course if they do opt for Turbos then tuning options should see the high 500's within easy grasp, as long as whatever gearbox they use can handle it.

[Alps]

I'm going to put my neck out on this one and say the M5 estate actually looks better than the RS4 Avant. The RS4 Avant looks... ... ... lob sided - the front looks to small compared to the rear

BUT BUT BUT the RS4 saloon beats the M5 saloon on looks - hands down My mate has the new M5 and it looks sh1te

[W8PMC]

BUT BUT BUT the RS4 saloon beats the M5 saloon on looks - hands down My mate has the new M5 and it looks sh1te

Of course it does

[bobjebb]

I actually like it. But I feel I'm an Audi man now somehow. Although both cars look way better from the back than from the front. Lights being the problem on the BM, and the new Audi grille and pointyness of it's nose is taking too long to grow on me.

Also I think the RS6 is more than a rumour, I'd be amazed if that doesn't appear.

[bbigman2000]

Customer service lets BMW down every time.

[Golfather]

BUT BUT BUT the RS4 saloon beats the M5 saloon on looks - hands down My mate has the new M5 and it looks sh1te

Of course it does

Some truth in that I suppose in that the M5 saloon looks very much like any other 535d sport etc.
Theres not enough to distinguish it from the lesser models.
Whereas the RS models always have the wider arches to make them stand out.
The interior of the E60 is also a debatable point, I'm not too much of fan of its flat contemporary styling, but I suppose it would grow on you eventually. The current A6 dash is nice and curved, driver orientated with quality switchgear.

[Brooner]

Also I think the RS6 is more than a rumour, I'd be amazed if that doesn't appear

My boss is off to the Geneva motor show in march and he has been informed that the RS6 ill be unvailed there but i have not seen any other info confirming this

[W8PMC]

BUT BUT BUT the RS4 saloon beats the M5 saloon on looks - hands down My mate has the new M5 and it looks sh1te

Of course it does

Some truth in that I suppose in that the M5 saloon looks very much like any other 535d sport etc.
Theres not enough to distinguish it from the lesser models.
Whereas the RS models always have the wider arches to make them stand out.
The interior of the E60 is also a debatable point, I'm not too much of fan of its flat contemporary styling, but I suppose it would grow on you eventually. The current A6 dash is nice and curved, driver orientated with quality switchgear.

The wonderful thing is the M brand does not need to be shouty, just provide the subtle differences that the discerning car fan can recognise from any distance (front, sides & rear are different).

Funnily enough, it's interiors that rated highly on my scoresheet when switching from Audi to BMW. The Audi interior looks so very dated, although it does have some style, but i feel too basic looking for the brand. In the BMW it just shouts modern, functional & bang up to date. However the i-drive does take some mastering so that fairs better in the Audi. The Quality is about equal, however touches like a full leather dash on the M5 outclass the Audi rivals.

[W8PMC]

I actually like it. But I feel I'm an Audi man now somehow. Although both cars look way better from the back than from the front. Lights being the problem on the BM, and the new Audi grille and pointyness of it's nose is taking too long to grow on me.

Also I think the RS6 is more than a rumour, I'd be amazed if that doesn't appear.

So do i, as I've been at the front of the pre-queue for nearly 18mths now so i hope something happens. I fully expect the new RS6 to be a great car, as my only real gripe at the time with the outgoing RS6 is that it's based on a 10+yr old car as the C6 1st hit the UK on the old R Plate so always felt a little dated up against the latter Mercs & BMW's.

[W8PMC]

Customer service lets BMW down every time.

Quite the opposite. I've nothing but praise for both the Dealers i've used & BMW UK Customer Service. Runs rings (cute pun ) round the service i used to receive from Audi Customer Service & also from the dealers until i kicked up a royal stink (several times) & started getting excellent service from Preston Audi.