AWESOME or AWFUL: Does It Matter If BMW Produces An All-Wheel Drive M5?

AWESOME or AWFUL: Does It Matter If BMW Produces An All-Wheel Drive M5?
Considering that the upcoming BMW M5 will be using the X5/6M's powertrain, this shouldn't come as too much of a surprise to you. Word on the street is suggesting that the next-gen M5 will be offered with an all-wheel drive option.

Even though it isn't a *shocker* it still is a bit jarring. It seems that the whole premise of what made an M car has been flushed down a toilet. But from another perspective, maybe rules don't matter anymore given technological advances in the automotive kingdom.

In addition, the competition is fiercer than ever and all-wheel drive provides better traction in all weather conditions. So what's there to hate?

I guess one could argue that BMW is turning away from what made it so BMW?

To be straightforward, I am torn on the matter. A part of me wants to say that an M car should only be naturally aspirated, rear-wheel drive and feature a manual gearbox.

But when you drive a stellar product like the X6M, you quickly forget about all of that nonsense.

What say you, Spies?


BMW has acknowledged that a four-wheel-drive version of its new M5 is being lined up.

BMW’s new rival to the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, revealed at the recent Shanghai show, uses a 552bhp twin-turbocharged V8 motor and features a typically conservative body kit with sinister-looking 20in wheels.

BMW is keen to hold back exact details about the car, but officials have confirmed that there are moves to eventually produce a four-wheel-drive version of the M5...

[Source: Autocar]


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giants10giants10 - 5/4/2011 12:08:42 AM
+4 Boost
Love my X5M, but will get the m5 with or without AWD does not really matter it will be an awesome car.


dumpstydumpsty - 5/4/2011 12:06:00 PM
+2 Boost
Agreed. I think with the advances in technology and absolute engine output in the M5, a AWD option would be welcomed as it would aid in overall traction, stability, and performance. It's a win-win if you check the box; no one will hate you if you don't.


BondMI6BondMI6 - 5/4/2011 1:32:27 AM
+1 Boost
Does it matter?

Only if there's a 5 inch gap between the tire and the fender.

Most x-drive Bimmers have that "hiked" up look- not attractive at all...


mclaren428mclaren428 - 5/4/2011 8:38:43 AM
+3 Boost
I’m Skeptical at best. Autocar is the publication that started the whole awd rumor in the first place by taking an interview with BMW’s M boss out of context.


iamdabest1iamdabest1 - 5/4/2011 9:43:03 AM
+3 Boost
i think it should be offered, i cant stand when " purists" hate options !! i have an m3, and living in nyc i wouldnt mind an awd option...
look at how awesome the GTR is, and i think a big part of it is the awd system and NO manual transmission..


LexSucksLexSucks - 5/4/2011 11:10:00 AM
-3 Boost
Options are always good. As long as they don't put the thing on stilts like the 3-series x-drive models. For some reason BMW hasn't quite yet figured out AWD. They need to get some advice from Audi, Subaru, or Mistu. All the brands that I've mentioned have better AWD systems than BMW.


bmwm6bmwm6 - 5/4/2011 11:28:33 AM
+4 Boost
BMW has one of the most advanced AWD systems on the market.


LexSucksLexSucks - 5/4/2011 1:44:55 PM
-2 Boost
bmwm6,

With all due respect. You know nothing about cars. Along with the folks who boosted you. Reminds me of my grade school days when other kids would say that "my father is the strongest man in the world".


cs4444cs4444 - 5/4/2011 2:57:09 PM
+3 Boost
How is BMW x-drive inferior care to elaborate?? Last time I checked it can send 100% of its power front to rear. X-drive can also send power exclusively to individual wheels left to right. Not just front to rear like some of the other systems you mentioned. BMW has also included torque vectoring on some models, which is the latest in awd. I’m not saying its the best system on the market, but I also don't think "They need to get some advice"..


bmwm6bmwm6 - 5/4/2011 3:00:45 PM
+4 Boost
@lexsucks

Go to youtube and type in x-drive vs quattro.


LexSucksLexSucks - 5/4/2011 3:15:19 PM
+1 Boost
I'm not talking about comparisons to Audi. I'm talking about comparisons to Mitsubishi or Subaru's AWD systems. The EVO'x has three differentials (front,rear,center). So it can send power to each wheel independently. How many diffs do the X-Drive systems have?

Then there's stuff like Active Yaw Control (AYC) that BMW doesn't have. The stuff that BMW is praising has already been used for years in other makes' vehicles. Stuff Like torque vectoring. Mistu released vehicles with that back in 2008. BMW is behind the ball when it comes to AWD and I’m glad that you admitted that they aren’t the best.



cs4444cs4444 - 5/4/2011 3:34:03 PM
+3 Boost
BMW has active yaw control..

And that’s one car they produce with 3 differentials, that may be useful for rally but not necessarily something required for everyday driving in a luxury car.


LexSucksLexSucks - 5/4/2011 4:04:22 PM
+1 Boost
3 differentials are quite useful in the snow. And Luxury is overrated IMO.

In other words Luxury isn’t going to keep a car planted in a turn, or make a car brake and handle better. For the most part Luxury works against those things in search a cushy ride. BMW is about the only company that strikes that perfect balance. But at the same time striking that perfect balance prevents them from having the best luxury cars and the best sports car. BMW’s are compromise cars (with the exception of certain “M” models).

If I wanted 100% luxury I wouldn’t get a BMW. If I wanted 100% sports I wouldn’t get a BMW. If I wanted a good mix of both? I’d get an M5.



MeanVulcanMeanVulcan - 5/4/2011 11:23:24 AM
+1 Boost
It seems everyone is finally opening their eyes to the best performance platform. Once the weight distribution issues were mostly figured out there is no disadvantage of AWD to RWD. New Audis have similar weight to BMWs and MBs. There is no more front hangover and Audi quattros with torque vectoring act better than RWD without compromising traction. Luxury manufacturer's increased AWD push and sales speak for themselves.


bmwm6bmwm6 - 5/4/2011 11:45:46 AM
+3 Boost
"Once the weight distribution issues were mostly figured out there is no disadvantage of AWD to RWD. New Audis have similar weight to BMWs and MBs. There is no more front hangover and Audi quattros with torque vectoring act better than RWD without compromising traction"


Have you seen the Top Gear video between the RS5 and M3? LOL, You should probably check that out...


MeanVulcanMeanVulcan - 5/4/2011 11:29:31 AM
-4 Boost
What used to make BMWs unique (yet heading the wrong direction IMO)was their stand against anything other than RWD and their so-called independence. Yet here we are, with more and more non-RWD models coming out. First, FWD compact cars made under the BMW group (branding it differently makes no difference- why sell something you don't believe in?), now a push for more AWD high-end sedans. Not to mention BMWs push to obtain the same mass production or platform sharing benefits as its competitors. All this tells me is that they were headed in the wrong direction with purely RWD, and now they have to play catch up to many who have already realized AWD is the way to go. Even Ferrari has folded to the pressure of Audi's R8 and Nissan's GT-R!


bmwm6bmwm6 - 5/4/2011 11:39:28 AM
+3 Boost
Awd has disadvantages in terms of weight(yes the new audis are getting lighter, but once BMW begins using more aluminum like Audi the BMW's with rwd will once agian be considerably lighter), fuel consumption, high-speed acceleration, and high-speed cornering.It does have advantages in low speed cornerign/acceleration, and acceleration in wet conditions. I think the main reason BMW would potentially offer AWD on the M5 to increase its already strong market share in the segment.


LexSucksLexSucks - 5/4/2011 1:58:48 PM
+2 Boost
AWD is great but nowhere near as much fun as a balanced RWD car.


quizzquizz - 5/5/2011 8:07:48 AM
+1 Boost
Porsche has proven over and over in all its model line ups that the AWD version ALWAYS has better traction, handling and acceleration. The extra weight is more than made up for in the advantages AWD offers.


M5twinturboM5twinturbo - 5/5/2011 9:02:30 AM
+3 Boost
Is that why the GT3, and GT2 are RWD?
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