CAR WARS! A Battle Royale: BMW M5 vs. Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG vs. Porsche Panamera Turbo S

In the showdown of sport sedans, right now there are THREE vehicles that are gunning for the number one spot: The BMW M5, Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, and Porsche Panamera Turbo S.

Thing is though, no one has actually put the M5 and Panamera Turbo S head-to-head. Until now.

BUT, it appears while the Panamera won the battle, it lost the war! The M5 walked away with first place honors with the Turbo S taking a respectable second and the Benz a distant third -- check out the Hockenheim lap time.

And there's an even more intriguing story coming out of this showdown. When Sport Auto dyno'd all three cars, it was clear that two out of the three were VERY underrated in their power claims.

The BMW produced an ASTONISHING 620 horsepower out of the gate. That's a full 60 EXTRA horsepower over the manufacturer claim.

Mercedes-Benz must be bashful too because the E63 AMG -- with the Performance Package -- came in with 610 horsepower. For the mathematically challenged, that's 53 extra ponies.

Clearly, Sport Auto made its choice but what about YOU: WHICH sport sedan would YOU want in your driveway?


Here are the results of Sport Auto's comparison test among the M5 F10, Panamera Turbo S, and E63 AMG Performance Package. The M5 doesn't come out on top in the raw number categories, but still gets the nod from Sport Auto for its handling and overall dynamic package.


1st place: BMW M5 - 620 hp on the dyno (claimed: 560)

Tires: Michelin Pilot Supersport
Weight: 1963 kg (4,327 lb)
0-100 km/h (62 mph): 4.3 s
0-200 km/h (124 mph): 13.0 s
Flexibility (80-120 km/h) (50-75 mph) in 5th/6th gear: 4.5 s/5.6 s
Flexibility (80-180 km/h) (50-75 mph) in 5th/6th gear: 12.2 s/15.3 s
18 m slalom: 66.3 km/h
Braking (100-0 km/h) (62-0 mph), warm: 37.5 m
Braking (200-0 km/h) (124-0 mph), warm: 150.0 m
Laptime (Kleiner Kurs Hockenheim): 1:13.6 min


2nd place: Porsche Panamera Turbo S - 555 hp on the dyno (claimed: 550)

Tires: Michelin Pilot Supersport N0
Weight: 2024 kg (4,462 lb)
0-100 km/h (62 mph): 3.7 s
0-200 km/h (124 mph): 12.4 s
Flexibility (80-120 km/h) (50-75 mph) in 5th/6th gear: 4.6 s/7.0 s
Flexibility (80-180 km/h) (50-75 mph) in 5th/6th gear: 11.9 s/16.8 s
18 m slalom: 65.0 km/h
Braking (100-0 km/h) (62-0 mph), warm: 34.9 m
Braking (200-0 km/h) (124-0 mph), warm: 144.2 m
Laptime (Kleiner Kurs Hockenheim): 1:12.1 min



3rd place: Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG PP - 610 hp on the dyno (claimed: 557)

Tires: Continental Sport Contact 5P
Weight: 1941 kg (4,279 lb)
0-100 km/h (62 mph): 4.4 s
0-200 km/h (124 mph): 13.2 s
Flexibility (80-120 km/h) (50-75 mph) in 5th/6th gear: 4.5 s/6.4 s
Flexibility (80-180 km/h) (50-75 mph) in 5th/6th gear: 12.0 s/16.2 s
18 m slalom: 64.9 km/h
Braking (100-0 km/h) (62-0 mph), warm: 37.5 m
Braking (200-0 km/h) (124-0 mph), warm: 151.8 m
Laptime (Kleiner Kurs Hockenheim): 1:14.6 min


Read Article

Agent00R - 4/23/2012 9:12:42 PM

-1 Boost

@Senorgato

While I WAS speaking about the the vehicle's places as handed out by Sport Auto, my reference to a "distant third" was about it's slow lap time around Hockenheim.

Note the aside after my remark?

commander104 - 4/23/2012 1:10:53 PM

+1 Boost

did anyone notice the banner ad for the %99 on the bottom of the page selling the Malibu?

ABMIZR78 - 4/23/2012 3:31:54 PM

+2 Boost

What if you put the price in the picture?

E63 AMG with AMG performance Pkg = $99,105
M5 with 20” wheels, HUD, B&O Sound = $97,075 (approx.)
Panamera Turbo S = $173,200

Any thoughts?

bigheadmazda - 4/23/2012 4:25:31 PM

+1 Boost

What about the CTS-V? I love BMW's, but you can't go calling the M5 the king until you beat the CTS-V. That's the reason Cadillac built it; To compete with BMW, Mercedes and the occasional Audi super sedan. The Panamera Turbo S shouldn't even be in this competition.

Agent00R - 4/23/2012 9:19:18 PM

+1 Boost

@BigHeadMazda

While I hate to agree with @BlazinBoy, he has a point. The CTS-V is on the way out while the M5 is all new, the Turbo S is a new variant and the E63 AMG was updated for 2012.

The CTS-V still is a contender though, regardless of what our elitist friend says here.

A GM driver nailed a 07:59 around the green hell in 2009 and an unofficial BMW time for the new F10 supposedly clocked in at 07:55 in 2011.

pcar4evr - 4/23/2012 4:59:33 PM

+1 Boost

Interesting - the only reason the M5 "won" over the Porsche was the very last row in the summary- the price/hp. Both the Mercedes and the BMW picked up big points over the Porsche. Bottom line - price was factored into who is the "winner"

BMW4me4ever - 4/23/2012 5:12:27 PM

+2 Boost

make up your mind. When the M5 was compared to the regular panamera, then you thought it wasnt a fair match up even though the price is similar. Now you are saying that arent able to use price as a judging factor. Really? You cant have it both way. Plus the Panamera Turbo s is a cool $70,000 more in cost. That is alot. Imagine what else you could do to a M5 for another $70k.

Agent00R - 4/23/2012 9:21:04 PM

-1 Boost

These tests have to knock off the BS already.

If it's a performance test stick to performance and power figures. IMHO price shouldn't be in a hardcore performance vehicle's test.

NOW if we're talking practicality and everyday usability, that's a different story.

bmwcs - 4/23/2012 10:05:40 PM

+2 Boost

So BMW being able to bring a car to the market for 70K less with virtually the same performance should not matter? haha. The M5 also has a larger trunk, and can offer a more comfortable ride than the Panamera.

Yes, the Porsche has quicker acceleration from a stop due to awd, but if you look at in gear acceleration the M5 is faster.. Also the Kleiner Kurs Hockenheim track is a very tight track inside the Hockenheim GP circuit, and its not surprising the AWD car would accel there, but I bet if they did laps on the GP track it would be much closer...in fact the M5 lapped the ring a second faster than the standard turbo.

The M5 had a faster slalom speed, while the Porsche can stop shorter(with ceramic brakes), so they both edge each other in certain areas..But in the end I think its a legit win for the M5, especially when price is considered.

HueBond - 4/23/2012 10:28:29 PM

+1 Boost

BLAZINBOY the M5 is an amazing vehicle but its power will never be used state side. Hell look at the news there arresting drivers for going 103 mph on interstates. I use to hit that in my 98 civic stock...with all that being said, becareful on the technology, thats what created I-drive and alot of reliability problems. Myself the CTS-V is conquerable for the money and with upgrades is still cheaper. I dont care about magazine numbers just look at youtube with actual drivers , the CTS V is right there with the F10. Under 3.5 second to 60 will be the new reach but there it will stop if it doesnt stop now. ITS ALL ABOUT PREFERENCE NOW, and if you wish to follow the crowd and the euro I am better than you modo go ahead. But america has caught up and beat you at your own game.

Car4Life - 4/24/2012 11:05:10 AM

+1 Boost

Still will take the E63, has the best sound and overall package.

If it was possible to drive the M5 without having to stomach the interior,I may reconsider.

If it was possible to get in the Porsche without looking at an exterior that appears as if the budget ran out for the rear of the vehicle, I may reconsider.