The BMW brand has always been known to produce cars that
have a blend of both sport and luxury. Models that have the “M” designation,
such as the M3, M5, and M6, take the sport aspect to another level. Today I’m
going to talk to you about the E60 M5 and why it was one of the coolest cars to
ever be produced.
The E60 generation M5 was built from 2006-2010 designed for
the person that loves to drive, but can only have one car. Pair a 5.0-liter V10
Engine with over 500 horsepower in a 4-door sedan and you have a supercar you
can take your family in. Take off the electronic speed limiter and it’s capable
of over 200 mph. Not bad at all for something that looks like any other “family
car”.
While it is true there is a newer model M5 (codenamed the
F10 M5) with a smaller, more powerful, and more efficient twin-turbocharged V8
engine, I don’t feel that it provides the same exciting experience as the E60.
First is the sound it makes. The E60 has a formula one car-inspired V10 that
screams up to its 8300-rpm redline, producing one of the best sounds ever made
in a car. Due to the turbocharged nature of the F10, its redline has been
lowered to 7000 rpm, and it sounds like a diesel car in comparison. The
transmission of the cars also plays a huge part in the excitement. The E60 has
a 7-speed single clutch gearbox that slams you back in the seat with every
shift when put in its fastest setting. The new ones are quicker transmission,
but I just don’t care. The F10 M5 has a dual-clutch that shifts so quick you
don’t feel it at all, so where it wins in speed and performance, it loses in
excitement. The F10 feels more like a cruise ship with a jet engine strapped to
it than it does a sports car.
The E60 M5 was one of the last of a dying breed. Due to
government regulations on fuel economy, we will never see something as crazy as
sticking a giant naturally aspirated V10 engine in a 4-door family car. The
newer M5s are better in every performance category, but they lack in excitement
and drama, which is something car lovers value dearly. Couple that excitement
with the practicality of an everyday sedan and you get one of the coolest
“do-it-all” cars you’ll ever see on the road.
I do not know too much about cars, but your descriptions of the E60 M5 made me want to know more. I think BMW's have very nice, sleek and modern design in general, especially the M series.
ReplyDeleteMy neighbor growing up had one of these and my dad was obsessed with it. Now I know why! So interesting-sad that they stopped making it.
ReplyDeleteI am really interested at cars and I am so happy you wrote about BMW M series. A lot of my friends who love cars, they always get M3 and M4. One of my friends who had M5, he told me that he loves the engine as well. Hopefully you can write more about cars and I can read more:)
ReplyDeleteSo interesting! I really like BMW M series, and it is my dream car, especially M6. Even though I don't know too much about the cars, your writing helps me to understand well. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI have an 435i and the M4 is one of my absolute favorite cars. I am personally not a fan of the 3 series in general, but I believe BMW really did a great job with the 4 series.
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