N13LXC wrote:Think you've hit the nail on the head with that one.
If its flat out performance you're after (in a reasonable package) then GT-R is for you. but if its a car you can use everyday then the M cars, RS's and AMG mercs take a lot of beating.
Just got to wait a bit longer till the B8 RS4 arrives for me...
Sorry to raise this thread from November, but thought it apt as now the car has covered nearly 3000 miles & is fully run in i thought i'd add further comment.
It's fair to say i've pretty much fallen in love with the car now, even though it's had a few off the road days at my local BMW dealer with a faulty fuel injector & a couple of minor oil leaks (the latter spotted by Bowker BMW during a free health check last week & rectified quickly).
Now i've started to exploit the power more & engage the more hardcore settings of the car, i'm constantly in amazement at how well it does everything. The tech inside would keep any geek engaged for any length of journey & the levels of comfort, trim & luxury are second to none. What really engages me though is how it can transform from luxury saloon into a full attack sports car so quickly & effortlessly & just how good it is at both.
A couple of crude timed launches (not engaging launch control) & the car is hitting 62 in around 4 secs with little effort but it's the pull from 30mph up to warp speed that amazes the most as it's relentless. Although fairly predictable, you have to keep your wits about you when pushing on at this time of year as the rears will still break traction under load in 3rd & even 4th gear so in lower gears it can be a bit of a handful when damp on the road & i'm sure this won't help the rather tame running costs when it comes to how often the rear tyres need replacing. That said, i'm enjoying the adaptation to a different driving style & the general grip when approaching & in a corner is staggering, you just have to be a little later on the loud pedal when exiting a corner.
Overall i'm extremely happy with my new M5 & although it would never match a GT-R in a 0-62 drag race & would struggle a little to lap most tracks quite as quickly, i'm hearing they're more than a match in gear from 50-150 & the overall package for me is preferred as sometimes it's nice to sit back & have a more relaxing driving experience & the GT-R never offered me that. One last point, nobody really looks, stares or appreciates my M5 in the same way they did the GT-R as apart from close up the M5 isn't overly different externally to a 520d M Sport.