2008 BMW M5 User Reviews

Pros

GPS IS GREAT

Cons

Rides great

I have purchase my m5 in Jan 2008. Its a very confortable car, one cannot ask for more. Never have a problem with this car. The styling is super nice.

Pros

Luxurious, craftmanship, value for the money

Cons

gas mileage

I bought the 2008 for 0.9% APR. No complaints after 1400 miles. If you are not a manual transmission driver, you will not like the SMG. I have been driving a manual since forvever and when I drove a SMG transmission, I thought it is a automatic. It was so jerky that I thought I made a mistake. It cant be like this, I know there is something wrong wiht the way I am driving it. Forget about an automatic. When you drive an SMG transmission, think of it as a manual, which it is really, then you will appreciate the SMG transmission. I will never go back to a manual stick shift.

Those who says who did not like a SMG transmision and liked the stick shift does not know what they are talking about. They should have bought a mercedes benz if they were looking for an automatic.
My wife cant believe after driving with me after Ive mastered it. Initially she was having a headache with the jerking, and me too. But know, its the smoothest transmission.

Master the SMG and you wont be sorry....read morehide

Pros

Engine conforms to whatever your liking

Cons

horrible gas mileage

I have 1500 miles on my m5 and everytime I get in it gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling. Depending on your mood you can set the driving style to coast through the city or hit the M button and this car takes on a different personality. The design is understated which
I like, most who are not car afficianados just think this is just another 5 series, but step on the gas peddle and it roars. I love it and put my name on the waiting list to get the future model. Gas mileage is the only drawback, which I knew going in, step on the gas peddle and you can watch the gas gauge drift towards empty...read morehide

Pros

very good

Cons

ride is very high

very comfortable car, FIT FOR LONG DRIVE. tHIS CAR IS PROVIDED WITH GPS IT IS VERY EASY FOR NEW PERSON WHO HAS TO VISIT FIRST TIME. iT HAS ALSO SMOOTH RIDE.

Pros

Great power and handling. Supercar that can take the family for a ride.

Cons

Weight makes it slower than you would expect at 500HP

We were looking for a complement to our 2007 Z06 that would be as thrilling to drive, but fit two in the back seat. I thought it would be the BMW 650 CiC, but the back seat wouldn't even fit our five year olds. We found a new 2008 M5 that blew both of us away. It has an understated look that hides the beast within. While the extra weight slows it down, it adds real road stability not found in the lighter Corvette....read morehide

Pros

rock solid handling, responsive, tight steering, fast acceleration, iDrive

Cons

small gas tank, upgrades add over $10K but make a difference

I did a lot of comparisons of the M5 and AMG E63. No losers in this bunch. The cars compare closely on a lot of specs (both have 500 HP). When it came down to choosing, the M5 is simply more fun to drive. The AMG is blistering fast but so quiet the racing fun was taken from the car. The M5 is 'throaty' - you can here the engine racing as it revs higher.

The M5 handles like its on rails. It's scary how well it grips the road. There is a setting that allows for 5 levels of shifting aggressiveness. On the highest, it's going to shift hard at high revs and press you back in your seat like a rocket taking off. On the gentlest setting, it starts in 2nd gear and shifts at low rpm to quickly get to 7th gear. You'll read a lot of complaints about the SMG transmission. I understand the issue and compared to the E63 - which is automatic and shifts smooth as silk - it might drive some to choose the E63 for that reason alone. But I think the complaint is misplaced. This is a manual transmission car that frees from dealing with a clutch. It shifts like a professional driver is doing the job and shifts gears faster and smoother than I ever could. In truth this car is a lot more fun if you do the shifting. You get a bit of a lurch like you would on any manual transmission but it's quick and much smoother than I'd do so to me it was a plus. I tried the 6-speed manual and shifting from 1 to 2 I was like a guy with a learners permit. With SMG I was a pro shifter. The AMG is smooth but that's because its automatic. My Ford Explorer shifts smooth too. But they're boring. All the paddles in the AMG do is permit you to choose a gear really - it just doesn't have that racey feel. As mentioned, in the 'automatic mode' the M5 shifting takes some getting used to, but it's nice to know you don't HAVE to shift if you don't want to. There are times it feels like you expect it should upshift and it hasn't yet, but you can always customize the shift points or simply choose a less aggressive automatic setting. Overall, I view the auto-shifting as a bonus since I really like manual transmissions and prefer to shift gears on my own anyway, so I'm not going to nit-pick on the auto-mode.

The interior is nicely appointed and really is improved with the upgraded perforated leather package. Also the Head-up display option is well worth $1200 - it keeps your eyes more focused on the road and it's easier to watch and maintain your speed. You'll hit 100 mph and think you're going 50 if you're not careful.

iDrive. I read so many complaints from automotive reviewers I was quite worried. After a 20 min demo from the salesman, I got it. No issues. It's not complicated. The hands-free bluetooth works PERFECTLY. My Blackberry paired easily and the clarity is amazing. My phone lists import with no issues. The AMG salesman admitted that MB is not great at the pairing and phone list importing but 'they eventually get it to work'. The sound is excellent. There's an up and down arrow on the steering wheel that you can use to zip through your radio/satellite presets easily. New for 2008 is a set of buttons that you can program to jump/perform your favorite iDrive functions (eg. dial home, set navigation to bring you home, bring up FM presets, etc.)....read morehide

Pros

Excellent Engine. Better performance that all other sport sedans and many true sport cars of same $.

Cons

Is a Gas Guzzler but this car is not about saving money !!!

I had previously an M3 (E36), and I loved it. Better handling for the smaller car but this Engine has no equal. Audi RS4 and R8 (V8) are nice but somehow behind. Mercedes Benz E63 great car with very good ride but also below this monster. M5 remains the KING of the sport sedans. Does not have the appearance of Ferrari 430 or Aston Martin Vanquish but still very nice....read morehide

Pros

A Diamond in the Rough! A total sleeper no one sees it coming.... Just amazing for what it is.

Cons

I need to buy a gas station now to keep the tank full. But oh well!

You may need to buy a gas station for this beast as it has wings, it really flies. The ability to customize almost every feature to great extents makes this car drivable for anyones taste. As you break in the M5 properly! You feel more power and more, where does it stop hopefully never. I have about 2500mi on mine, so I’m still learning everything about the M5. This car is definitely Formula One inspired. It is very stable at high speeds, at 140mph you feel like you’re going 100mph. Most people mistake it for a regular 5-series which is great because you can speed around more often without really getting noticed, IE a Ferrari which would get an instant ticket. The ultimate Street Car and Highway Car you can’t miss with this one. The overall value is incredible, you feel it in your pocket but just think what a super duper car would cost, usually uncomfortable and extremely loud, all in the all an M5 meets all those expectations without the entire headache. The warranty is also unbeatable with BMW's 4 year warranty that covers everything but the tires and you know how much those cross drilled rotors cost to replace at almost every brake job, DONT ASK. This car is the best for your everyday screamer, with everything top notch including the FULL leather interior and Swede Headliner. The HUD is just ridiculous, I can’t live without it as it keeps you safe under performance driving conditions as well as when you just bring it home because you really don’t realize how fast your going till you look at the Head up Display, moreover the live traffic feature is just incredible I can’t live without that either. I can go on forever about this ride…. My M5 is Silverstone w/ Full Blk Perforated Leather/ it is a blast you'll want to wake up in the morning just to drive it , skip your coffee as you won't need it M mode and get to work on time every day. Here is a link on Youtube of BMW M5 enthusiasts taking the car for evaluation, you need to watch this video, except it and move on so you don’t end up like one of the other reviews where the gentlemen was unhappy because he wanted somthing else and got an M5, it is far better than anything else for everyday so enjoy while it’s here.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ak1zgx2oLaA
and of course this one to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPYUQp2EO4o
If these videos don't help you decide nothing will....read morehide

Pros

This is the car I've been waiting for my whole life!

Cons

Drinks gas like water

As a 26 year old female it's kind of strange to see the looks I get when I drive my car. People usually think it's my husbands...then they notice I'm not married! I always get a chuckle out of that. Hey, good credit is the same as being wealthy! Anyways I love this car. It's so classy and sophisticated one minute...and then with the push of a button turns manic! It took me a while to adjust to it but it's one heck of a car! I love the M5!...read morehide

Pros

I HAVE EVERY OPTION M5 COMES WITH, CAR IS AWESOME

Cons

LOUDER EXHAUST WOULD BE NICE

NICE CAR, SMOOTH RIDE, WITH THE PRESS OF THE BUTTON CAR TAKES OFF LIKE A ROCKET, RACED A FERRARI F430 THAT COSTS 100 GRAND MORE AND SMOKED HIM