PC Valkyrie

I regularly browse m5board.com to read about people's experiences.

I think we all agree here that the E60 M5 is an awesome performance machine.....fast in a straightline and outhandles its competitors too.

On the other hand, there have been more than the occasional owner on m5board.com that finds the M5 to be very hard to live with as a daily driver. The issues I keep reading about always pertain to 1) the jerkiness of SMGIII when driving in traffic (manual or auto mode), 2) horrible fuel consumption (and I've seen really bad numbers), and 3) the lack of "fun" when driving in P400 mode (car seems dead at low rpm's and at low speeds).

The biggest issue I think still is the SMGIII and its jerkiness when travelling at not so excessive speeds in the city and traffic. When the 6 speed manual transmission becomes available in N. America, I think we won't see as many people complain. Everyone knows what to expect from a stickshift, and the driver has no one but himself/herselft to blame for a jerky or missed shift.

The E60 M5 is a relatively big 4 door sedan, so many people probably don't consider it to be only a weekend toy for the track. Rather, I think many people buy an M5 thinking it can be used as a daily driver for the family and perform as a sports car on the weekends on a track. And it definitely can perform like a sports car......it just doesn't seem to do the daily driver thing as well for some people and their families.

This is different than the E46 M3. The small 2 door M3 coupe was meant to be a sports car for the road without many compromises. Harsh ride, loud engine, jerky shifts (SMGII) etc, etc are expected for a car like that. And with the sales success of the M3 over its competitors (C32/C55/S4), that's what many people want in the compact sports sedan/coupe segment.

On Mercedes/AMG forums, almost nobody complains about AMG cars as daily drivers. With automatic transmissions and relatively less jerky ride, most people are satisfied with their cars in traffic, while still being able to play around occasionally with blistering acceleration on the highway and on-ramps (and even on the track). The main complaints come from the C-AMG and SLK-AMG owners about the lack of a manual transmission for the smaller AMG cars. To this day, I still don't understand why AMG won't even offer a manual transmission as an OPTION for those who want it, especially for their smaller models.

Just_me

Of course its not for everyone, thats the beauty of it. However it is a car for me.
Manual tranny is coming for the mighty M5 and I love manuals, however I think SMG suit a big car like M5 rather than a manual. Tough choice!
Its certainly going to be intresting if most buyers going to choose SMG or manual tranny for the M5.

M5 with SMG should always be use in manual mode, the automatic mode is just for marketing purposes and dont suit the character of the car.

Matt

I think your on to something here about the M5. The M5 really isnt for the older crowd because the ride can be a bit harsh. Ive driven it and I honestly cant complain about the ride or the shifting but then again Im 18 and that stuff doesnt really bother me. In fact I thought the M5 was comfortable however I'm not a Mercedes buyer like many M5 buyers are. I think that those who complain come from driving Mercedes and Jaguars and tend to be older. Yet there are still many older people who love the M5 so..

PC Valkyrie

Well, I'm not that old, but I do have a family with 2 kids so I wanted 4 doors and acceptable comfort (which is the main reason I got the C55 over the M3). Can't afford the big boys like the E63 or M5 yet. When you have to carry your family around, you don't want a very jerky transmission or very harsh ride, especially in slow traffic.

If you're in the market for cars like the E63, M5 or S6, I bet you that your main priority is NOT taking it to the track (even though you could). If you want a fun track car, you get a smaller and lighter vehicle (like the M3/M coupe/M roadster). Rather, these mid size sedans (like most cars) are meant to be driven on the road and possibly carrying passengers. If not, why the big 4 door sedan? Unless you drive on the autobahn regularly where excess speeds are a norm, the M5's behaviour on everyday roads at less than excessive speeds does not seem to be ideal (according to some M5board members).

Not trying to flame the M5, but I think this is an interesting topic of discussion.

Just_me

There will always be people on m5board.com that dont like the M5 and obviosly there will be people loving the car. No biggie!
So far the sales havent been a let down.

The M5 is not for everyone, who ever said the M5 were for everyone?

PC Valkyrie

Hey Just-me, I recall you posting in another thread that your ideal car would be a car like the M3/C55/RS4. You thought the M5/E63/S6 cars are a bit big for your taste and not ideal for handling fun??

Just_me

I still stand by that and they would be my choice over M5/RS6/E63

Bruce

I can understand. When EVO pit it against the Quattroporte and CLS55 they said it was obviously brilliant but at times can be a handful, taking it to the limit requires thrashing it. They said the CLS55 was much more comfortable in that aspect and it's my choice too

The E60 M5 is still great though

Matt

I'm sorry i really dont understand. Kids dont need a soft riding car....why would they? Also the M5 has an adjustment on its dampers that stiffens and softens the suspesnsion. It really isnt that big of deal and if you haven't driven one you really can't complain. Remember its the ultimate driving machine, not the ultimate riding machine.

Honestly my only complant was the amount of gas that thing drank after a little fun...But on roads its fine and on the highway its comfortable. If people have a problem with the ride they should get a merc because thats what they're meant for.

Giannis

actually there are always some great alternatives. You can get a 550 or even an Alpina B5 with the same HP, but with great comfortability!