BMW M5 saloon

Drive

The car features a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine that produces 552bhp and 680Nm of torque. Put simply, that's enough to propel the big saloon from 0-62mph in only 4.4 seconds... And if you chose to specify the M Driver's "Tuning package" it will have enough power to hit 190mph. "Fast" isn't a word that does this car justice. From steering response to gearbox shift times, almost everything can be electronically fine-tuned to suit the driver. But however you choose to set this car's handling balance, rest assured that the M5 is never less than thrilling to drive. With the car in third gear, thrust from the engine is simply mind blowing. There is a vast amount of grip on offer from the big tyres

Comfort

But the big surprise is this car's ability to match the comfort of a luxury limousine. Switch the electronically controlled suspension to its softest setting and the new M5 will float over bumps in the road as well as any other 5 Series. At cruising speeds, the engine is hushed, and thanks to thick "double glazed" windows, road and wind noise non-existent.

Reliability

There's no doubt that the new M5 is extremely well built, but it's likley to be bought by the kind of people who are going to wring every last drop of performance out of it. If you plan to spend your time driving on track, doing massive wheelspins, the high tech gearbox, and advanced suspension will need lots of maintenance to ensure they work properly.

Practicality

The cabin is spacious and the boot is enormous. Frankly, the New BMW M5 is every bit as practical as the standard 5 Series on which it is based. There's a generously sized glovebox, plus deep doorpockets too. In short, it's the ultimate executive car.

Value for money

At more than £70,000, BMW's M5 looks seriously expensive, particularly if you compare it to a similarly equipped 5 Series. Exclusivity is guaranteed however, as sales numbers will remain in the hundreds, and if you love driving, and want the ultimate in driver oriented gadgets, the M5 really is the best on offer. It's well equipped too with standard fit sports leather seats, climate control, keyless entry and 19 inch wheels.

Running costs

BMW promises that the new M5 produces 10 per cent more power, 30 per cent more torque and is 30 per cent more efficient than the one it replaces. That sounds very impressive, until you realise the old car was powered by a 5.0-litre V10. Combined fuel economy is a claimed 28.5mpg, but we found it was quite easy to push that figure down to 15mpg with brisk driving.  This car's high tech gearbox and suspension systems will also require the very best servicing. Currently, used car experts CAP reckon that this car retain 51percent of its value over three years of ownership.