So what's the verdict on the new M5?

Now that you've seen it, read about it and thought about it what do you think?

Is it great?

Is it what you expected?

Would you buy one?

Are there better alternatives?

What are dealers telling you?

The Spies and all our readers would like to know your opinions and would appreciate your insight.

Feel free to post your thoughts or questions...good, bad or indifferent in our blogs below ...

Aron - 7/7/2004 11:55:10 PM

+1 Boost

The new M5 is just another reason for arrogant BMW dealers to continue mistreating customers. As the buyer of Land Rover, Lexus, Porsche, BMW and other non-luxury brands over the last 5 years, I am never treated as horribly as when I visit a BMW dealer. It is truly an exercise in "great products sell themselves" because if it were up to the dealers, BMW NA would be out of business.

w211Benz - 7/8/2004 1:16:57 AM

+1 Boost

The exterior styling is nice, very aggressive but the interior is a dissapointment.

Engine power? Nice.

janos2769 - 7/9/2004 9:53:59 AM

+1 Boost

For the amount of money it costs I want this car to do everything perfect (except load up 20 bags of mulch for the weekend project). That includes better performance than the competition (not so ..comparable to RS6, RS6 Plus, and AMG) I want it to perform in any weather ... not so either (great on a perfect day but throuw in normal weather and all bets are off). I want easy/intelligent/practical controls ... don't even get me started here! I demand style without any compromises .. not so (front & rear are plain ugly, external surfaces may be different and original and setting the lead in design ... but I think this "lead" is headed the WRONG way ...towards UGLINESS!, Control Center ...a waste). Sure performance on a perfect day on a fixed track is excellent but my commute to work and drive on weekends is hardly perfect. I have two cars in mind which cover all of the above. (1) New Audi TT for commuter car , and (2) Upcoming Pikes Peak for the family. Other considerations: Maybe the upcoming M45 or MB-CLK for commuters.

janos2769 - 7/9/2004 9:56:19 AM

+1 Boost

No one should have to get used to the look of the car. People that can afford this car want things done right the first time. "The M5 ain't it".

Steve - 7/9/2004 3:36:13 PM

+1 Boost

I'm sure the V10 will help a number of people get over the 5's homeliness, inside and out, and the irksome iDrive, but for all its handling prowess and awe-inspiring power, I still can't get past the Ugly Factor.

On a similar note, I was recently at the Rochester NY airport where they have a Mercedes C220, Audi A4, Audi TT convertible, and a BMW 5 on display. I hung around for 45 minutes, and the 5 attracted only one person who was interested enough to take a close look. The Merc and Audi had nose-prints all over the windows. Putting them all side by side, it looks embarrassingly obvious that BMW is "odd man out" in styling.

BMW is overdue in changing their slogan from "BMW. The Ultimate Driving Machine" to "BMW. They're Ugly, But They're Good."

Steve - 7/9/2004 3:36:13 PM

+1 Boost

Dustbuster - 7/10/2004 1:14:35 AM

+1 Boost

Great car! I have driven both the 645i and the 545i and the 5 feels more balanced and not as bulky. The styling is great, too! I concede that the interior is not as well made as the E39 (especially the full leather M5's that had stitched leather dashes) but since so many people hate the new 5's exterior, it just means that the owner will less likely see the same car on the road.