BMW M5

The M5 is a stunning super saloon that is fast, practical and, considering its talents, relatively affordable.

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Rating:
On the road price: £29,060 - £65,330
For : Amazing V10 engine, agility and body control, build quality, driver involvement
Against : Styling is relatively anonymous, ride rather firm, fiddly iDrive system, cabin stowage

Driving:
The M5's 5.0-litre V10 is one of the all-time greats. Capable of revving to 8,250rpm, it sounds sensational, barking and howling at the top end and reacting instantly to throttle inputs. Acceleration is immense. But the sequential gearbox, while a technological masterpiece, is still not perfect and has one ratio too many. Auto mode is poor, yet drivers will appreciate the launch control - helping blast the M5 to 60mph in 4.6 seconds! Follow its progress via the head-up display that's projected onto the windscreen. Luckily, the brakes are resistant to fade, but you never forget the BMW is a heavy saloon. It isn't as rewarding as a sports car, but still incredible agile and involving all the same. The steering is lovely to use, there's minimal roll and the chassis copes well with all the power. The ride has suffered though, quickly becoming bumpy on British B-roads, especially if you firm up the dampers. But it never feels never less than stunningly stable, and is a capable companion on motorways.

Marketplace:
Subtlety is the name of the game for the M5. It's hard to distinguish from a run-of-the-mill 5-Series Sport, but if you know what you're looking for, you'll soon spot the large wheelarches, M badging, unique mirrors and quad exhausts. It's the car's hi-tech electronics, lightweight components and Formula One experience engine that really set it apart. Currently buyers can only choose colour and trim, for there's just a single saloon bodystyle, mated to a seven-speed paddle-shift semi-auto gearbox. There are rumours that an estate model will arrive, as well as a version with a manual gearbox. The BMW's chief rivals are Audi's S6, the Mercedes E 55 AMG and Maserati Quattroporte, though Mercedes will also argue the CLS 55 AMG is an able competitor.

Owning:
The M5 is as understated inside as it is from the outside. You have to look carefully to notice the changes and the basics - storage space, iDrive - are flawed. However, build quality, equipment, seats and driving position can't be faulted. Saloon styling also means large rear doors, generous headroom and a big boot. And despite a sense of occasion, it doesn't want for technology. Several buttons around the gearlever alter the driving experience. You can firm up the three-stage electronic dampers, disengage the stability system, alter the engine mapping to delver 507bhp rather than 400bhp, and choose from 11 gearbox settings. Luckily, there is a shortcut through this complexity! The M button on the steering wheel can be programmed to your preferred set-up. Elsewhere, dials are clear but watch the fuel gauge - a 70-litre tank and 19mpg economy means frequent fill-ups. Servicing will be expensive (BMW's fixed price pack is unavailable here) and insurance prohibitive, while expensive executive super saloons traditionally depreciate heavily.