This BMW M5 Competition Edition was provided for testing by Gilmour Collection
I’m not one of those guys who would use a knife to undo a screw when in a pinch. The same way that I wouldn’t use a heater to dry my clothes, or a hairdryer to make toast. Yes, you can do all those things, but there are better tools for the job.
Similarly, I generally prefer cars that are more singular in their purpose. An SUV that tries to be a sportscar, is just going to be awful at being either. Likewise, a sportscar that tries to be luxurious, is probably not going to be very successful at either. However, unlike the screwdriver-knife scenario, every once in a while, a very special car comes along. A car that does everything. A Swiss Army Knife of cars. And that is a car that’s very difficult not to love.
Such is this 2016 BMW M5 Competition 200 Edition. It’s a car that can take the family on the school run during the week. Then drive the wife to a lovely dinner Friday night. Saturday morning breakfast run with the boys? Absolutely kills it! And if you feel like taking it to the racetrack on Sunday, it would still feel right at home.
this particular M5 is made even more special
Being the Competition Edition, this particular M5 is made even more special. Apart from the fact that there are only 200 of these in the world (6 in SA), there are a number of touches that make it stand out. The exterior is finished in a stunning pearlescent white. It’s a 5-Series, but with more aggressive sporty bumpers, wider arches and a subtle boot spoiler. Of course there is stunning exposed carbon fibre on the mirrors, splitters, the aforementioned spoiler and rear diffuser. The exterior is finished off with a set of big, open spoke alloy wheels. Perfectly round showcases for the enormous brakes and blue calipers.
In true M5 style, it’s an understated, but subtly aggressive look. Yes, it’s a 5-Series, but an angry looking one. The interior also gets the full M-Treatment.
The front seats have more adjustments than I can count. You can tailor everything about the driving position to suit your comfort and body. The bolsters hold you in place, but without being intrusive. And of course everything is finished in velvety soft Nappa leather. Contrasting white stitching makes for a lovely contrast against the black leather. The M5 logo embroidered on the headrests, a stylish reminder that this is not your granny’s 5-series.
this is one of only 200
The dashboard and other interior panels are covered in more carbon fibre than you can shake a stick at. Fit and finish is excellent and everything you touch has a satisfyingly expensive feel to it. On the passenger side of the dashboard, the carbon insert carries a reminder that this is one of only 200 Competition Editions. Also striking is just how soundproof the cabin is. As soon as you close the door, it feels like you are completely isolated from what is happening around you.
Fire up the 4.4L V8 and your ears are treated to the ever-familiar sound of V8 burble. Perhaps a little quieter than you might expect, but a deep and throaty sound. The engine is a masterpiece though. Torque is instantly available at any speed. Since we are on the topic of torques, did I mention the Competition Edition has 700 of them?
With the family in the car, you can cruise around effortlessly using those torques at minimal RPM’s. The ride is far more comfortable than I was expecting. It’s quiet, refined with only a hint of exhaust noise in the background. Covering great distances in this car should be an absolute pleasure.
Relax your right foot and all those Newton Meters hit you back into your seat with unrelenting force. The exhaust system opens up and the noise goes from “subtle statement of power” all the way up to “vulgar bellowing thunder”. As the surge increases, the car feels like it shrinks and gets smaller, lighter and more agile.
it feels like a much smaller and lighter car
The steering is telepathically good and precise, if perhaps a little lacking in feel. It is at least nicely weighted and the wheel itself feels great in your hands. When navigating corners it is very easy to accurately place the car on the road despite its size. Grip levels are biblical and cornering speeds can very easily reach silly levels. Generally, it feels like a much smaller and lighter car. I’m certain if you push harder the weight and size will become apparent, but you would really have to be pushing the limits before that becomes the case.
All of this in a package with a spacious cabin, 4/5 seats a massive boot and more cupholders than you could ever need. The M5 may not be the most luxurious car in the world, or the best race car ever constructed, but it strikes a very near perfect balance. It brings together 2 extremes of the scale in a way that very few cars manage successfully. It’s Ying and Yang, Jekyll and Hyde. A Gucci racing suit. One of the truly great Swiss Army Knives of the Car world.
If you like cars that do sophisticated cruising and ludicrous speed equally well, go have a look at this article from the archives – a review of my Jaguar XJR