http://www.autocarmagazine.com/RoadTest_Summary.asp?RT=212071
I gotta got hit the bong for a few hours, then I'll be able to stomach the psychadelic "styling." What a disaster.
But as Ferrari people here should you appreciate the NA V10, vs the AMG Supercharged V8? The 10 throttle bodies and high redline? I'm betting throttle response is bewildering and the sound I'm sure is mountain moving. I'm thinking this is getting a few too many harsh words. It's still a four door with lots of nice pretty comfortable things stuffed inside, so it's not going to be F430 fast and I for one like the styling.
Tell you the truth, I would rather DRIVE it before I start commenting on it. The E-55 has good acceleration, but look what the E gots that the M5 don't. A Supercharger. The M5 has new technology that I like, heres some lines from a Article written in Car and Driver December 2004. "There is so much adjustability to the new M5 that there's a button for programming the driver's preferences into a single setting. Press the M button ton the steering wheel, and you get your favorite damper, steering, shift, power, and stability settings." "Since the shifts are governed by electronics, there are different settings that alter shift speed and clutch slip. There's also a fully automatic mode. On the other side of the spectrum is the entertaining laungh-control funtion that allows for maximum accleration with minimal effort. To trigger launch control, shut off stability control, set the gearbox for the fastest shifts, push the shifter forward, and floor the throttle. What's odd is that you don't need to hold down the brake pedal. When the engine revs rise to 4000 rpm, release the shifter and keep the accelerator pedal floored. Gearchanges are head-bangingly fast and the perfect rpm, as the program knows exactly when to shift. If there's enough space, the M5 will run to an indicated 168 MPH, although BMW claims the governor only allows for 155 MPH, still safely within the limits of the Y-rated Contental SportContract 2 tires." "What the M5 will cost the public has not yet been set, as this car is still a year away from our shores, but expect the price to start at about $90,000. That's expensive, but the next-cheapest four-seater that provides the M5's dynamic thrills is Ferrari's 612 Scaglietti, and it goes for $260,000. Like moonshine, the M5 provides the same kick for far less money." Again, I took these from the article written in Car and Driver, not my personal opinion. If you would like to see scans, let me know.
And all that gadgetry is suppose to lure me in to buy? No thank you. Since I'm not an automotive journalist (i.e., I don't make my living driving cars for a week, and then giving them back) I have to look at cars in every segment through the eyes of a perspective owner; and I'll tell you this now : I don't give a **** how it drives, if I've got to look at that face everytime I climb in the driver's door. Secondly, all that techno, gizmology is absoloutly worthless; a true car has: a gearbox, a limited slip differential and a motor worth of the cause. Every other piece of gizmo, is a nuisance that'll ultimatly melt down, and make the rest of my "driving experience" a trip through the ninth ring of electro gadgetry hell. More and more, I believe motorcycles are the last, pure motoring experience; and God willing, will be left alone from the vampirisitic computer crazy influnce that the automotive industry seems to be under lately. Pity really - beautiful motor bogged down by an absoloute disaster of a car.
