2008 BMW M5 - Page 4 Review

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The M5’s EDC — with three selectable modes: Comfort, Normal, and Sport — steplessly adjusts damping to any level between softest and firmest according to road conditions and driver demand. The M Variable Differential Lock senses wheel speed (rather than torque) and drives a pump to pressure a viscous silicon fluid that transfers torque (through a multi-disc clutch) to the drive wheel with the better grip. The M5’s Servotronic vehicle speed-sensitive power steering (for the first time in a production BMW) offers two levels of assist: Comfort (typical BMW) and Sport (less assist for sportier feel). It does not have BMW Active Steering, which varies steering ratio with vehicle speed, but its steering ratio is variable: it becomes quicker as the wheel is turned further from center. And it is as good as power steering gets.

But wait, there’s more

Remember those 279 combinations? The M5’s Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) offers three modes: Normal, M Dynamic, and deactivated (though ABS always remains active), so those three x three power settings x three EDC modes x ten SMG programs (excluding the ultimate S6 program) = 270. SMG S6, which can be selected only with DSC deactivated, adds the other nine (three power settings x three EDC modes). Got it?

The power settings, EDC and DSC modes are selectable with buttons on the console, the SMG programs via the shift lever and a mode selector behind it, and all of these choices can be linked to an MDrive button on the steering wheel through the MDrive menu. Our advice? Forget the SMG and play with the 27 combos available with the conventional six-speed.

Get out that manual, study up, program away and (if there’s still time), hit the road!

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2008 BMW M5

Base price: $83,675

Engine: 5.0-liter V-10, 500 hp/383 lb-ft

Transmission: Seven-speed sequential manual; no-cost optional six-speed manual; rear-wheel drive

Length x width x height: 191.5 x 72.7 x 57.8 in
Wheelbase: 113.7 in
Curb weight: 4012 lb
Fuel economy (EPA city/hwy): 11/17 mpg
Safety features: Dual front, front side, and tubular head-protection airbags; Dynamic Stability Control with ABS, traction control, electronic brake proportioning, Dynamic Brake Control, Brake Standby and Brake Drying; BMW Assist services
Major standard features: Merino leather interior; special M Instrumentation (with 200-mph speedometer and 9000-rpm tachometer with variable warning segment); power tilt/telescoping M sport steering wheel; voice-command; automatic climate control; heated 18-way driver’s, 14-way passenger’s power M sport front seats with adjustable backrest width; DVD-based navigation with real-time traffic information; multi-function remote; power moonroof; Xenon adaptive headlamps with automatic headlamp control, level control and cleaning system; rain-sensing windshield wipers; ultrasonic Park Distance Control
Warranty: Four years/50,000 miles