Here is your brand new 2012 BMW M5.

[I Rosputnik]

Here you go.

[Truckosaurus]

Originally Posted by I Rosputnik

Here you go.

The dark wheels ruin the Q-car looks. The M5 doesn't look too different from a 520d so why give it silly wheels?

[ROB IS THE STIG]

Because it looks like a 520d is exactly why it should have 'different' wheels.

I wouldn't want someone mistaking my M5 for a bloody diesel............

[SALEEN S7R]

Originally Posted by ROB IS THE STIG

Because it looks like a 520d is exactly why it should have 'different' wheels.

I wouldn't want someone mistaking my M5 for a bloody diesel............

They still could very easily, remove the badge off the back of the diesel and change the wheels. Not exactly difficult. Anyway, the BMW diesels these days are extremely good IMO, im somewhat biased being a BMW diesel owner myself but a top of the range 535d is nudging 300bhp these days and hits 60mph in well under 6 seconds.

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by SALEEN S7R

... being a BMW diesel owner myself ...

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. I'm sure your luck will change soon.

[SALEEN S7R]

Oh thats ok Adam, im not sorry at all. The car is fantastic, fast by most peoples standards except for your really top end stuff and economical and comfortable to boot, plus in my opinion a good looking machine. As much as I would love to own a performance petrol car again it simply doesent make sense anymore, particularly when you are racking up anything from 300-800 miles a week like I am. What is it you drive again by the way Adam?

[Adam43]

Only teasing. You're right they are decent engines. Oddly, I've only driven the petrol version of the current 5 series.

[SALEEN S7R]

No problem Adam, sorry you know me I just tend to bite. Not too good at distinguishing what is humor and what isnt on here sometimes! With regards to the engine side of things though I would strongly recommend trying a diesel, particularly one of the BMW range. I've got a 57 plate 320d which has been re mapped, stock it produces 163bhp and re mapped around 210bhp. In my opinion it is as quick if not quicker than the MK3 Turbo Supra and 172 cup Clio I used to own, not as good in the corners as the clio but pretty damn close.

I do like the 5 series range, just a shame they are so much more expensive. For the money you may as well get a 3 series, there isnt a huge ammount of differnce apart from its a little higher off the ground and slightly wider and longer. That said, im sure the M5 will be a awesome car, but if I was going to be going for a BMW M sport range I think it would have to be the M3 at the moment, or possibly a Z4.

[JAG]

My next car I'm looking at a 3-series diesel or one of those 1-series saloons (not looked too closely yet).

I did own an Evo 8, no chance of running such a car with current costs.

[SALEEN S7R]

The 320d re mapped is the best of the 3 series for me JAG. Not a huge differnce between the performance of the 6 cylinder engines and 4 series, but a signifcant differnce in terms of fuel consumption from what i've heard. I've owned a few diesels over the years and I have to say I agree with you, getting a performance petrol car in this climate is out of the question unless you are reasonably well off. The great thing about the BMW diesel engines, and im sure other engines from Mercedes and Audi too, is that the engines these days do actually sound quite sporty too and not at all agricultural like. Ok they may never sound like a V6 or a V8 but they are pretty good.

Any idea what sort of 3 series you would be going for in terms of engine and body type? I've got the Saloon myself, but think I will be going for the coupe next time around.

[JAG]

I actually prefare the saloon, I would have looked at something like the 330d but again it's running costs plus you can rarely use the performance.

[SALEEN S7R]

I've got the 320d saloon myself. Personally id say its the best value for money, coupes are always more expensive and really the performance is the same. Get it re mapped and your talking 210bhp and 0-60 in about 6.0 seconds and 155mph+, i say just over because usually when they re map the engine they take off the restrictor too, i dont think it would do much more than 155 but im certain it would go past it a little bit which should be more than fast enough for most people.

The only thing I would say I dont like is that you need to run, run flat tyres as BMW dont provide a spare wheel, so unless your going to fork out for another its worth bearing in mind. That said, the run flats are generally a premium tyre and do provide pretty good grip.

[johnh875]

Trouble is the 5 series is a huge tank of a car nowadays, sharing its platform with the 7. Yes it will be an impressive technical exercise in overcoming the laws of physics but I wonder if it will be really as enjoyable to drive as a smaller car (eg M3)

[DAVID PATERSON]

Nice car, shame about the wheels.

[Amaroo Park]

what a boring looking car did BMW's designers spend 10 minutes on that then go for a drink

[SALEEN S7R]

Boring why exactly? It isnt supposed to be a supercar. Its a touring car of sorts, its practical for a family as well as a businessman. As for its looks, yes its conservative, but then so is the Jaguar XF etc. The car is merely continuing the evolution of the 5 series. Nothing wrong in that! If you want a more exciting looking car from BMW you are better off looking at the Z4 or M3. IMO.

[Amaroo Park]

No shouldnt it be an exciting new model in stead of a dull new model that looks exceedingly simular to the previous one. Why not push the boundries, BMW has become a very conservative manufacture in my opinion

[JHamilton]

My favorite part of this car? The wheels. I love black rims. These looks very similar (not going to say rip off, oh wait I just did) of an Audi design.

[1200Datto27]

Originally Posted by Amaroo Park

No shouldnt it be an exciting new model in stead of a dull new model that looks exceedingly simular to the previous one. Why not push the boundries, BMW has become a very conservative manufacture in my opinion

BMW did that with the Bangle designed cars, and look at the grief that the media writers gave them for doing so. It didn't hinder the sales for the cars however.