2009 BMW M5

Review

As you might expect, driving one of the world’s fastest production sedans is a thrill you won’t soon forget. The V10-powered 2009 BMW M5 speeds off the line faster than most two-door muscle cars while providing all the creature comforts you’d expect from Bimmer luxury. On the down side, the 2009 M5 doesn’t steer quite as well as other BMWs, and the Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG) is a bit clunky for a car of the M5’s caliber. Read our review to find out how the BMW M5 fared in our road test.

Improvements from the 2008 BMW M5

The 2009 M5 is a carryover from 2008, although an updated iDrive system appeared midway through the 2009 model year.

Performance

Auto reviews universally praise the 5.0-liter, 500-hp BMW M5 for its performance on the track, but the vehicle’s on-road handling is not up to snuff. Specifically, drivers complain that the M5’s steering is not quite as responsive and dynamic as one would expect from a BMW. Enthusiasts are also disappointed by the Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG), but that shortcoming is easily corrected by opting for the free six-speed manual transmission instead. BMW claims the car blasts from 0-60 mph in about 4.5 seconds, although this time will vary depending on the transmission chosen. Equipped with anti-lock brakes and Brake Assist technology, the 2009 M5’s stopping power is excellent.

Exterior Features

The 2009 BMW M5 is a distinguished and handsome vehicle, but it’s hard to differentiate the M5 from the rest of BMW’s 5-Series sedans in photos. Although the 2009 M5 only comes in one trim level, that lone model is packed with appealing standard equipment, including 19-inch wheels, high-performance tires, front and rear parking sensors, auto-dimming mirrors, adaptive xenon headlights, M sport settings (allows the driver to tune the suspension according to road and driving demands), and a sunroof.

Interior Features

Typically, high-performance sports cars aren’t exactly easy to deal with for day-to-day driving, often because of space constraints. The 2009 BMW M5 is an exception to this rule. The comfort and support of the front seats are outstanding, while the backseat has ample space. The only fault car reviews consistently find with the M5’s cabin is the cumbersome and frustrating iDrive electronics interface. Although M5s produced after mid-year 2009 will have an updated and improved iDrive system, the models from early 2009 still have the counterintuitive older system. Standard interior features of the 2009 M5 include heated front seats, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, power sports seats, 16-way adjustable front seats with memory, leather upholstery, and a 13-speaker surround-sound system.

Safety and Specifications

The car insurance industry and the federal government have not performed any car safety crash tests on the M5 because of its high price and limited production numbers, so no specific data exist for the 2009 model. However, the M5 is the performance version of the BMW 5-Series, so the vehicle would probably perform similarly in crash tests. In tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the 5-Series earned a rating of “good” in front-impact tests but a “marginal” rating (the second-worst rating) on side-impact crash tests. Available safety equipment includes electronic stability control, side airbags in the front and rear, a lane-departure warning system, and a night-vision system to help the driver see dangers that are outside the range of the headlights. A summary of the 2009 M5’s specs is provided below.

• Car pricing: $85,500 MSRP; $78,840 invoice
• Engine: 5.0-liter V10 engine with 500 horsepower
• Transmission: seven-speed Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG) with Drivelogic and paddle shifters comes standard; six-speed manual transmission optional at no extra cost
• Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds

Upgrade Options

Available options on the 2009 BMW M5 include keyless entry and ignition, soft-close automatic doors, fold-down rear seats, power rear sunshade, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, extended leather trim, premium sound system, HD radio, satellite radio, iPod interface, and a heated steering wheel.

How the M5 Compares to Other Super Luxury Sports Cars

The 2009 BMW M5 can out-accelerate, out-maneuver, and out-brake just about any car on the road, but it still has its flaws. Some of the M5’s competitors offer more responsive steering and a more capable manual transmission. Unlike many of its super-powered competitors, however, the M5 is completely viable as a daily driver as long as you don’t mind the fuel expenses. The 2009 M5 gets 11 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway.

New car guide information quotes the Intellichoice 5 year cost of ownership for the 2009 BMW M5 at $103,197, which is extraordinarily high. The anticipated cost of ownership is based on expenses like cheap auto insurance rates, fuel costs, maintenance and repair, etc. Although no specific J.D. Power Quality Ratings exist for the predicted reliability of the 2009 M5, the very similar 5-Series earned a score of 8.0 out of ten. That bodes well for the expected reliability of the M5. Owners can expect a class-leading warranty with the BMW M5. The basic warranty covers the car for four years or 50,000 miles, and all M5s receive unlimited roadside assistance for four years. In addition, BMW will pay for all scheduled maintenance to the M5 for the first four years or 50,000 miles of ownership.

Conclusion: Is the 2009 M5 a Smart Buy?

For buyers looking for a very practical and very comfortable high-powered sedan, the 2009 BMW M5 is the vehicle to pick. There’s a certain satisfaction in knowing that your vehicle can out-perform almost any other car on the road, and BMW M5 owners have that distinct pleasure. Of course, the M5’s steering doesn’t feel quite like it should, and some of its safety scores aren’t where they should be. On the whole, though, the 2009 M5 is a fast, well-made, and downright fun car.