Category: Exotic Sports 
Price Range: £68,495 to £68,495
Terrific performance, one of the world's great engines, decent agility, refinement and comfort.
Ride fidgety on some damper settings, SMG gearbox not as engaging as a manual, astonishing thirst.
Remarkable and usable executive supercar with a superb engine, but be prepared for high running costs.
The M5 comes with DSC+, an upgraded version of BMW's Dynamic Stability Control system. As well as traction control and an extremely advanced anti-lock braking system, it has extra features including an automatic application of the brake pads to rid the discs of water.
The rear differential is electronically controlled, too, to prevent the rear wheels locking if you shift down through the gears abruptly in low-grip conditions, where engine braking might otherwise cause a brief lock-up.
Options include Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go, which can not only keep the car a safe distance from other traffic but can if necessary bring the M5 to a complete halt, and Lane Departure Warning System, which will send a vibration through the steering wheel if you seem to be drifting off course.
Like its predecessor the M5 gets four out of five stars in the Euro NCAP test for adult crash protection, and four for child occupant protection, but a poor one out of four for pedestrian protection. Blame the conventional saloon shape, which won't cushion the blow as well as a more MPV-like nose.
Because it's eminently nickable, it has a Thatcham 1 alarm.
Latest Readers' Drives About the BMW 5-Series Touring
wrote on 02 10 2007
wrote on 30 09 2007
wrote on 27 03 2007