[ksoze]

Singed up for the M-Town event near me and had spots to drive the M850 Convertible and the M5 Comp. Surprisingly, the drives were solo and simply asked to follow a 10-minute route around the dealership area, including some highway and curvy roads. Both cars had under 300 miles.

My comments, coming as a current 2018 M550ix owner:

M850 Convertible : A cramped version of the M550, but nice sports seats. The diamond shifter handle is out of place and as expected the visibility is minimal. The sound of the exhaust in Sport mode is unreal. This thing burbles and coughs like a track car on jet fuel. The new engine did not seem that much different than my Dinan Stage 1 car and actually felt heavier. Although a beautiful car, I left not unhappy to get into my car.

M5 Competition: I see where the M5 differs from the M550 - handling. The steering felt like a car much less its weight and felt much more precise than my car. The ride was definitely harsher, as expected. Once again, I did not find the acceleration that far from my car, aside from the nice sounds when in Sport Plus mode. Loved the seats and exterior body work, but once inside, felt much like my car. An incredible car that is at the top of its game, but neutered by the roads, speed limits and traffic.

Overall when I left the event, I felt better about my car. It felt fast enough, had more room and visibility then the M850 and was a lite version of the M5. I want that sound though - I assume the removal of one resonator effected the M850's killer aural symphony in Sport mode.

[hlothery]

I drove both these cars at COTA in Austin, at M Track Days. The M850 in the drag races, and the M5 Comp on the track in lead/follow. The M5 was astounding! So incredibly powerful and balanced, went through the corners on rails, the AWD pulling you out of corners at incredible speeds. Unlike the M4 we drove, which seemed wild and always on the edge, the M5 was always in control, faster (despite being bigger and heavier - it didn't feel like it was) and much more comfortable. It did (except for the two big M buttons) look very much like my M550 on the inside, but so much more powerful. And that V8 sound at 7Krpm was to die for! Loved it, but love my M550 for a DD on regular roads. Also like the 35K that is still in my bank account, since I opted for the M550!

[Mach550]

Just do a catback exhaust, my car in sport is basically straight piped with cracks and burbles. Go through one tunnel and a couple over passes to get home which are always fun with the windows cracked due to how quiet the interior is.

[gooselee]

I was actually deciding between these two for a half-day rental at the Welt. Although the M5 is similar to my '19 M550, I'm glad I reserved the M5 as it'll basically be like getting to play with a beefed up version of my own car but on different roads.

I may also get an M2 for an hour just to toss it around some corners.

[Old Boy]

Originally Posted by hlothery

Also like the 35K that is still in my bank account, since I opted for the M550!

That sentiment I fully subscribe to. I feel that even our M550 is a major performance overkill given all traffic congestions and limitations on the roads in our suburban area of Southern Ontario.

[gooselee]

Originally Posted by Old Boy

That sentiment I fully subscribe to. I feel that even our M550 is a major performance overkill given all traffic congestions and limitations on the roads in our suburban area of Southern Ontario.

Agree. I love getting mine out on an open highway or some twisty rural roads. But day-to-day city traffic I feel like my m550 is getting bored.

Re: earlier post about renting an M5. New availability opened up and I switched an i8. Will be nice to tool around in that for a day on public roads, and I suppose I'll just have to pick up a BMW event back home to get and M5 on the track.