Manual 2012 F10 M5 versus manual 2012 CTS-V Road and Track comparison - DCT M5 3 MPH and 4/10's faster than manual

Interesting they used the stick version of the M5. Makes things more even. Finally beats the CTS-V, but I'm sure Cadillac will be releasing a more powerful version soon. Something using a lot of the tech in the Camaro ZL1, at which point the M5 will have no chance again for another 6-7 years.

Thats a great review and frankly despite the win effectively shows some of the potential pitfalls of the new M5. Namely its a bit soft and somewhat monotone in its sound & feel, still blazingly fast but a bit bland. The V seems to be the more exciting of the two cars albeit the slower one in all tests the showed. I wouldn't buy the M without the DCT but I would buy the V in Wagon form with a 6spd. I can't even quantify why that is LOL.

All I need is some sort of DCT, the new cadillac CUE infotainment system, and some a little bit more of a power bump and im happy...whats a cts-v again?.....last one i saw was at a shop about a month ago

I have to say that's one of the cheesiest videos ever. The guy keeps flipping his shield down for the hot laps, while inside a fully enclosed car.

I do agree with their assessment of the V being a 4-door Corvette. I drove them back to back in Las Vegas at the GM auto cross thingy, and it was amazing how close the V came to the feel of the 'vette. Very impressive.

Here is a comparison many of us have been waiting for, seeing the manual CTS-V go head to head with the new F10 M5 also with a manual transmission. Road and Track picks the M5 in first place and it is difficult to disagree. The M5 is the better car here offering a performance advantage as it should considering it is the car to come to market later. The M5 outlaps the CTS-V by almost 1 and half seconds (1:21.01 to 1:22.44). Handling clearly being in the M5's favor with lap times, skidpad, and slalom numbers all surpassing the CTS-V.

Acceleration also is in the M5's favor but it is fairly close with the manual trans. The manual CTS-V runs a 12.5@115.3 and the manual M5 runs a 12.3@116.7. Close, but the M5 has the edge. What is interesting is that the DCT version of the M5 (which we are very glad Road and Track included the numbers for) beats both significantly running an 11.9@119.7. The dual clutch transmission gives the M5 three miles per hour of trap speed and 4/10's in the 1/4 mile. Those wanting the absolute fastest acceleration will want to get the dual clutch transmission.

Originally Posted by Road and Track

We’re ignoring the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission in our analysis. It’s a no-cost option and only makes the M5 better. As much as we like manual transmissions, it’s hard to argue with the MDCT and its blistering acceleration numbers. We can only theorize how much quicker it would make the M5 on the track, maybe a half-second or more.

Both of these cars are great options. The CTS-V's considerably lower price point is very appealing considering it does not give up too much for the M5 and having been out longer it will be far easier to wheel and deal on a new purchase making the disparity even greater. Those buying used will find an even greater value. This is the CTS-V's strong point. That, and easy upgrades for more power to the supercharged LSA V8.

Road and Track says the M5 is not what it used to be as it is longer and heavier. The M5 is heavier than the CTS-V although they are fairly comparable in this regard (50 pound difference). If the M5 was lighter it would be a much better performer. For its size and weight though, it does an incredible job. The limits are high but unfortunately the communication isn't there. Road and Track complains there is a degree of isolation. So although the performance is better than previos generations as it should be, the driver communication and interaction is not. Is it really a better car because it marginally improves the performance numbers over the previous generation namely when using the dual clutch gearbox?

Originally Posted by Road and Track

To drive the M5 fast requires trust in the electronics and being sensitive to the gentlest of feedback in the steering wheel and chassis. Where the CTS-V does little to hide its performance-car roots, the M5 buries them under a mound of opulent isolation. We didn’t know it was possible to do that!

That is up to you to decide.

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It's very impressive that the 0-120 MPH time of the car drops by a full second with DCT. At 120 MPH - that's about 180 feet of difference - or about 11 car lengths.

Originally Posted by inlineS54B32

It's very impressive that the 0-120 MPH time of the car drops by a full second with DCT. At 120 MPH - that's about 180 feet of difference - or about 11 car lengths.

People will eventually get it.

How about that.

Originally Posted by Sorena

The F10 M5 is a car that some love it and some hate it and you can see it from the reviews. I realized this after 5 minutes driving this car in Spain. It's a BMW but it's not. It's hard to put in words. Something is missing in that car which attracted me to BMW years ago, something that most new BMW's lack which makes me sad.

it's unfortunately not only for the m5 but even the f30 that I drove not too long ago...I know that enthusiasts have been saying it for a long time coming but bmw has finally forgotten about the enthusiasts, but hopefully, like subaru, just hopefully, the new m3 will be bmw's br-z

Frankly, even though it is slower and objectively worse, i would have the m5 with the manual. There are few sweeter things in this world than a bmw manual transmission.