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Road Test

BMW M5

Test Date 02 November 2004  Price When New £65,890

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Verdict

It’s not often a car comes along so capable that it raises the standard way beyond that of its rivals. But the M5 does just that. Unlike its one-dimensional AMG and Audi counterparts it has such depth of character that you could drive one for months without fully experiencing all its qualities. Despite a power output that would have been considered absurd in a saloon a few years back, it demands no special skills from its driver, although it amply rewards those who have them.
The fact that it provides so much to discover on both the performance and dynamic front — you won’t often be able to deploy full throttle, or push its chassis to the limits or beyond — and among its sometimes incomprehensible sub-systems, means that there will be much to enjoy months after you have driven it from the showroom. It can, of course, play the family hauler, the business express and the supercar to a level that it was almost impossible to imagine before it arrived. And just the noise of the engine will make you smile.
It does have flaws — depreciation fears, and its guzzling consumption — but otherwise it’s such a complete, beguiling car that it might just be the best car in the world. Which is why we award a rare five stars. And on that basis, its £62,000 price looks good value.

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