2009 BMW 5-Series

Regarding the cabin, the 2009 BMW M5 gets "special brushed aluminum trim" says MyRide.com, "but you can choose from two different wood tones if you want a warmer cabin atmosphere." Edmunds feels the interior "looks unchanged," though "a few key updates" have been made for the current model, including a "simple, modernistic dashboard" with an attempt at simpler controls for iDrive. Kelley Blue Book notices several changes right away from previous M5 BMWs, including the "power window switches relocated to the armrests" and the "leather-wrapped center console and passenger door handles."

Braking performance also draws compliments from a range of reviewers. Kelley Blue Book claims the "braking might leave you feeling as if it has hooked an aircraft carrier arresting cable." On most high-performance cars, such incredible handling would come at the expense of everyday comfort, but that is not the case on the 2009 BMW M5. "Thanks to its Electronic Damping Control," Edmunds says, the BMW M5 "is actually quite compliant, with the suspension swallowing all but the harshest bumps."

The engine, which is one of the most powerful on the road today, gets high marks in reviews read by TheCarConnection.com. According to Edmunds, the M5 BMW "boasts a 5.0-liter V-10 that generates a maximum 500 hp at 7,750 rpm and 383 pound-feet of torque at 6,100 rpm." MyRide.com loves how "the V-10 gurgles and gently shakes like a 1950 International Harvester," noting how it "ominously" shows off its "tremendous power and latent energy." Cars.com reports that the V-10's power is enough to move the BMW M5 "from a standstill to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds" and "120 mph in 15 seconds," both spectacular numbers for a four-door sedan. Kelley Blue Book is equally impressed, calling the 2009 BMW M5 "the fastest, most muscular" sedan on the market.

There are two transmissions available on the 2009 M5, a "conventional six-speed manual transmission" and a "seven-speed sequential manual transmission with steering-wheel paddles or a conventional six-speed manual gearbox,” notes Cars.com. According to Edmunds, the seven-speed sequential manual gearbox, or SMG, "includes 11 shift programs selected via MDrive, as well as a launch control mode that primes the M5 for aggressive acceleration.” Kelley Blue Book observes that the SMG "can shift automatically or manually with the console lever or steering wheel paddles," but "in normal driving, and with a skilled driver, it is actually slower and less smooth than the conventional manual transmission." Because of the occasional reluctance of the SMG, most reviews read by TheCarConnection.com recommend the traditional six-speed manual on the BMW M5, which Kelley Blue Book contends will offer "crisp throws, well-arranged pedals and smooth clutch engagement."

With either transmission, the EPA estimates that the BMW M5 will get 11 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the open highway. As a result, ConsumerGuide reviewers list fuel economy as one of the details they dislike about the M5 BMW, noting in addition that "all models require premium-grade gas." The 2009 BMW M5 is capable of giving you more power than you know what to do with, but that power comes at a high fuel cost.

The M5’s cargo room, which ConsumerGuide says is marginal, is one of the few complaints in this category. "The trunk isn't very wide or deep" and "interior storage is disappointingly meager,” comments ConsumerGuide. MyRide.com notes that the maximum cargo volume inside the BMW M5's trunk is 14 cubic feet, which is a bit of a disappointment.

Reviewers almost unanimously point to the impeccable build quality of the M5. Exterior noises are kept from intruding into the cabin. ConsumerGuide reviewers report, "wind rush is minimal at highway speeds." However, Edmunds raises one issue with sound on the BMW M5, citing "a tinny exhaust note" coming from the engine that they feel is inappropriate for a car as capable as the M5 BMW. Edmunds reviewers attest that "build quality and materials inside the M5 are outstanding," and Kelley Blue Book says that the "brushed-aluminum interior trim can be replaced by either of two no-cost optional woods, and its high-end Merino leather can be optioned up to perforated leather and to cover the entire dash."

Car and Driver adds that "leather covers nearly every part of the M5's lavish interior," and they proclaim the cabin is "a huge improvement over the regular 5-series interior and make[s] you feel as if you were in a four-door Ferrari." MyRide.com reviewers are also impressed by the "signature M Series logos and tri-color stitching on the seat backs and leather-wrapped steering wheel," all of which increase the luxurious ambiance.

Regarding safety features, Cars.com reports that the BMW M5 has "side-impact airbags for the front seats, side curtain airbags and Dynamic Stability Control" as standard, as well as "traction control," according to Edmunds. Kelley Blue Book also notes the "sophisticated set of electronic stability, traction and brake controls" included on the M5 BMW. In terms of optional safety features, the BMW M5 offers two. Edmunds lists these M5 BMW safety add-ons as "rear seat side airbags and active head restraints," which move forward to help prevent whiplash in the event of a collision. Cars.com notes a "Park Distance Control" system comes standard to help with close parking maneuvers.

If the list of standard features on the BMW M5 isn’t enough, BMW provides a decent selection of options. According to Edmunds, some of the "stand-alone options include 20-way multifunction seats with active backrest width" and "heated rear seats." Kelley Blue Book also reports "the M5 offers an enticing array of options" that include "Comfort Access keyless unlock and start, M Head-Up Display," and "heated steering wheel."

ForbesAutos voices frustration at the car's "blithering adjustability," calling the M5 BMW a "technologically overloaded sport sedan." One of the major drawbacks to all the adjustability on the 2009 BMW M5 is that it calls for a lot of buttons and controls, which MyRide.com notes number "nearly 50-some." ForbesAutos also laments the BMW iDrive system, which they feel resembles a "fearsome cave of menus, settings and choices."[Proofreader's note: This last part is repeated below, so I deleted it.]

Articles read by TheCarConnection.com generally give the 2009 BMW M5 positive reviews except for the iDrive and MDrive systems. The iDrive system in particular still gets a lot of flack from reviewers. It operates "climate control, entertainment, navigation [and] telephone," says MyRide.com, but according to ForbesAutos, you need to "spend a Saturday navigating the deep recess of the cave" of iDrive menus and instructions in order to operate it. For 2009, BMW includes a new Smartphone Integration option that improves phone reception and allows access to music stored on the mobile, all while charging the handset.

However, the BMW M5's MDrive system—not to be confused with the iDrive interface—is much better and "lets the driver select preferred performance and handling settings for instant recall later," attests Cars.com. However, Edmunds notes that with the MDrive system "BMW added up all these possible combinations and came up with 279," which many drivers might find intimidating.

Luxury European manufacturers seem to be battling for the title of most silicon-dependent vehicles, and the head-up display on the BMW M5 is one of these technological bragging points. The system receives a lot of positive press in reviews read by TheCarConnection.com, with MyRide.com reporting that "the $1,000 system projects a color image onto a six- by three-inch field above the dash on the windshield, so you don't need to take your eyes off the road." They add "it can be programmed to show speed, navigation instructions, or cruise controls settings," and are impressed that "it's clear even in the brightest sunlight."