My how things change! BMW M5 falls to third place in comparo!

Back in 2000 when I bought my first BMW M5 (I had four between 2000 and 2003) there was NOTHING that even came close.

In my opinion it was the best modern day BMW in history.

It looked great, it drove great and it was made like a BMW should be made inside.

But times have changed...

The new exterior looks a little odd (especiallly the rear three quarter view), the tranny is ok at best, the interior is stark, it's also an ergonomic nightmare and the quality is just ok.

So we weren't surprised when we saw it fall to third place in the latest Automobile magazine review against the Mercedes-Benz E63 and Audi S6.

Here's a brief snippet of what they said...

"The fact that the M5 has fallen so fast tells you three things: That this is an extremely fast moving business. That even a well-founded status quo can be eroded evolution. And the big-engine-in-a-mid-size-car game is more competitive than ever."

chewychewy - 6/16/2006 1:48:02 PM
+1 Boost
The times for all of the cars in the comparison seem to be very slow. Car & Driver clocked the M5 0-60 in 4.2 seconds, not 4.7 like in this Automobile article. The E63 also seems a little slow, the previous E55 has been measured as 0-60 in as little as 4.1, in the Automobile article it is quoted as 4.3. The Audi S6 should also go 0-60 in about 4.6-4.8. Don't look at the acceleration times and say that the cars suck, they don't suck, Automobile doesn't know how to launch cars. Here is a link to the numbers.

http://www.germancarzone.com/showthread.php?t=4669&page=10

go about half way down



MercBasherMercBasher - 6/16/2006 1:59:55 PM
+1 Boost
I have an habitual need to bash Mercedes, but out of the three vehicles I'd take the Mercedes E63 over the Audi or the BMW - and just hope I got a good one with decent electronics.

The BMW is too much work - I'm lazy; and I'd be worried about residual values on the Audi S6.

If leasing and all vehicles cost the same, and I didn't have to worry about depreciation then I might try the Audi S6


ContiRoaneContiRoane - 6/16/2006 2:06:50 PM
+1 Boost
I know this has been said before but......these are 3 very different cars with 3 very different motives.

The BMW: To perform like a racecar on the streets

The BENZ: To coddle you at extreme digit speeds

The AUDI: To grip the road like a leech all year round
.
Yes...they all have giant engines and giant prices...but I doubt someone interested in the M5 would be happy with the Benz or Audi and vice versa. They go about their mission entirely different. It depends on the person who's buying it.

But they are certainly all FANTASTIC cars in any area and you cant go wrong with whatever you choose.



dblo7dblo7 - 6/16/2006 2:18:02 PM
+1 Boost
Exactly Nate. The new AMG 63 is a friggin beast and its boils down to apples and oranges. The times Chewy mentioned do seem a little slow, could be the difference between C & D drivers and Automobile drivers. I personally would get the MB AMG, but you can't go wrong with any of these choices.


phantom330phantom330 - 6/16/2006 2:30:37 PM
+1 Boost
I'll still take the M5 without question.


PlanoA4PlanoA4 - 6/16/2006 2:41:12 PM
+1 Boost
Bang on, you are right.


Anim8orAnim8or - 6/16/2006 4:10:49 PM
+1 Boost
RS6

... actually, the S6 is slotted by Audi to fall below the M5 and E63.

The forthcoming RS6, with its 550hp high-revving 5.2L FSI will actually compete directly with the above BMW and Merc models.

So it's even more impressive impressive that the S6 fairs so well.


phantom330phantom330 - 6/16/2006 6:06:52 PM
+1 Boost
how is BMW vulnerable? They are leading the market right now.


ContiRoaneContiRoane - 6/16/2006 6:45:54 PM
+1 Boost
" I keep telling people... one of these days, Toyota will buy out BMW!"

THAT MAY BE THE MOST STUPID THING IVE READ ALL YEAR


CarNutCarNut - 6/16/2006 7:38:03 PM
+1 Boost
and I can say I prefer it to the M5, although its not as fast.

Another review from Autobild found the S6 better than the M5.

I would have the Audi, MB is kinda overlooked (I have never seen an AMG E-class in my life---and who would want that if u can have the CLS for almost the same price???), but I think M5 is still the king of the segment----for now.

When the RS6 comes we'll talk business!!!!


CarNutCarNut - 6/16/2006 7:44:04 PM
+1 Boost
Is that how stupid rumors get started....

BTW: I heard VW is buying out toyota. ;P haha


wwwwwwww - 6/17/2006 3:57:09 PM
+1 Boost
On Top Gear's extensive review of the M5, it is just a mundane car to drive in the city. Except after u pressed the M button, then it becomes another story.


dblo7dblo7 - 6/19/2006 1:42:58 AM
+1 Boost
Be nice to see this comparo again when the M5 and M6 get fully manual 6 speeds next model year...yummay!! Unfortunately Audi needs to produce even more HP to compete. Wish Audi would impliment more weight saving technology and they would be even more impressive!


PlanoA4PlanoA4 - 6/19/2006 10:44:03 AM
+1 Boost
You are entitled to your opinion, however your ignorance is readily apparent.

Why compare an A8 against a M5? not the same segment. It is like comparing a RS4 vs a 325i. Yep they have 4 wheels but the comparison stops there.

Since the A8 has received numerous awards for the interior and is an established class leader, just what did you find so appalling?



chewychewy - 6/21/2006 7:24:02 PM
+1 Boost
Audi already has much better interior than basically anyone else. BMW included. It now also has the performance.




SteveSteve - 6/23/2006 4:39:29 PM
+1 Boost
People fall in love with a "package". The previous-generation M5 was arguably a perfect package. Attractive inside and out. Functional. Ergonomically sound. The criticism that was leveled at the previous M5 was typically along the lines of conservative styling.

Today, BMW needs to make no apologies for conservative styling, but the "perfect package" is gone. While the engine is a demon, you must forgive the confounding iDrive, stupid auto-only-cancel turn signals, a transmission and ride that has been called "rubbish" more than once, gadgetry in abundance, polarizing styling, and BMW's "Launch Control", which will likely break your transmission or differential if used exactly as intended. But hey, that's some engine, isn't it?


SteveSteve - 6/23/2006 4:39:29 PM
+1 Boost
People fall in love with a "package". The previous-generation M5 was arguably a perfect package. Attractive inside and out. Functional. Ergonomically sound. The criticism that was leveled at the previous M5 was typically along the lines of conservative styling.

Today, BMW needs to make no apologies for conservative styling, but the "perfect package" is gone. While the engine is a demon, you must forgive the confounding iDrive, stupid auto-only-cancel turn signals, a transmission and ride that has been called "rubbish" more than once, gadgetry in abundance, polarizing styling, and BMW's "Launch Control", which will likely break your transmission or differential if used exactly as intended. But hey, that's some engine, isn't it?
Copyright 2026 AutoSpies.com, LLC