You simply can’t compare the drama of the old E60 BMW M5, with its V10 scream and different looks, with the muted engine note and subdued styling of its replacement, based on the F10 5-Series, even with a Hamann tuning pack.
There is a huge difference between the two cars, and if you were to ask some people in the know, they would wholeheartedly tell you they think the F10 M5 is a step back and can’t really be called progress just because it’s more powerful and slightly more efficient – an M5 isn’t about that.
The 4.4-liter V8 in the F10 sounds rather dull, even after Hamann has had a go at making it more exciting. It would appear as if whatever you do to its exhaust, it just sounds flat and artificial. How can other manufacturers make twin-turbo V8s sound good (or at least better) and BMW can’t – Audi’s new engine, which can also be found in the base Bentley Continental GT is a good example to back that up.
I’m really curious to see if I’m alone in not being a fan the F10 M5, due to its utter lack of panache, when it comes both to the way it looks and the noise it makes… or doesn’t make. I won’t call it boring, but it is not as worthy of the M badge as its predecessor, that’s for sure. Check out this video by Marchettino to get an idea if you don’t already know what I’m on about here.
By Andrei Nedelea
Video Credits: Marchettino / YouTube
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