2021 BMW M5 Competition review - why it has one huge flaw

The BMW M5 Competition is all about big numbers. With 625hp and a six-figure price tag it's proof that super saloons are getting super silly. But all is not well with the latest M5 Comp, and I'll take you for a drive and a walkaround to show you why.

[@faisalleeds]

This is still the best German super saloon car. Good to see BMW back on form. Although their marketing kids are terrible!

[@TeoM]

No flaws, pure joy period.

[@mikerayner5938]

Always love your real world reviews Timothy. 👍

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

I appreciate that!

[@ibrahimalija1697]

Wow,great video 👍🏻👍🏻 I want to buy 2023 M5com but a need to now does all M5 comp from 2021to2024 have opf or????

[@MrSanjeevsan]

Hi Tim, awesome review. The part where you made that funny face after saying that the back monitors could be used to turn the traction control off? Pure gold. That's what made me subscribe. Lol. Keep up the awesome work. I also liked your E39 M5 review. Can you do an E39 530i review please? The 530i had a better feeling steering because its a traditional rack and pinion setup whereas the V8 540i and M5 had recirculating ball, which is why u felt the dull steering. Would love to know what u think of the 530i with the better steering but about half the power of the M5. Cheers!

[@kbmarines9989]

question tim? nice content btw but if you had a choice would you purchase the standard M5 or the Competition version and what about the Audi RS7s? In the market for a new ride and trying to decide.

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

I've not driven the standard M5, but by all accounts it's a bit comfier than the Comp. Not driven the RS7 but the RS6 doesn't do it for me really - it actually didn't feel as fast or dramatic as the previous generaion car. So I'd save a load of money and get the M5 non-comp, they're pretty affordable atm!

[@kbmarines9989]

@@TimRodieDrivesStuff appreciate your response Tim and that’s exactly what I was thinking about doing.. love the M5s and will definitely be choosing the basic one over the competition!! Have a great weekend ahead

[@TheOfficialWoof]

Quality review

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Thanks woofster

[@DontPanicDear]

My Dad took me for a ride in an E28 M5 in 1986. My young mind was blown 🤯 I’ve not been in ANY since and have always wondered ‘what if’ I’ve always lacked the gumption to buy one with my own money 🧐

[@ghettomist1575]

Do it man, life’s too short. Also it’ll probably be worth more when you decide to sell it.

[@mccartja]

Great review. Do you know what the colour is as it looks amazing?

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

It's been 2 years but I *think* It's Motegi red. Thanks for the kind words!

[@auchen888dolly8]

Been lucky enough to test drive an early 21 plate and a 22 plate competition and difference in comfort was significant also with fully optioned seats was able to adjust head piece

[@josephjoestar995]

What kind of MPG do you get for town driving? Also how much do you pay monthly for insurance? I can finally afford one of these but want to make sure I’m aware of the running costs!

[@auchen888dolly8]

@@josephjoestar995 in town is pretty rubbish around 16 -18 miles I have had 32 mpg on a motorway using cruise control but have not had for long enroulé for any meaningful time insurance is high around 2,600 for the year and that is think is because of fleet deal will be more expensive outside of that as an individual I am sure ☑️

[@medogabr9952]

You drove both the base and comp and prefer base comfort wise? I have base 2018 and thinking of upgrading i like the comfort in the base but i heard they made the comfort better for comp 2021+ because of the m8 dampers

[@auchen888dolly8]

@@medogabr9952 you are correct. Auto journalists are sometimes biased best to look at Joe Achilles’s rendition for the M5 he also explains the headrest moves

[@Tracertme]

At 5:25 you said Harman Kardon sound system, then showed us an infinitely superior Bower & Wilkins system no wonder its "bloody Brilliant" that cracked me up with laughter...

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

I think I pointed that mistake out!

[@PepsiCubes]

5:57 its a WHAT perfectly good interior?

[@pigeonpoo1823]

So it's limits are way to high? Maybe lobby BMW to do a M5- with 195/50/16 tires. Enjoyed this, thanks!

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

That would be cool! Or dangerous

[@robhore4090]

M5 vs RS6 vs E63 - if it was YOUR money which would it be? Was always a big M5 fan but compared to the Audi and Merc it just doesn't "look" as good - and I HATE the "sticky-up" screens!!

[@Ronburgundy75]

What car do you drive Tim?

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Skoda Superb

[@michaeleaton5053]

Nice car, but the CS is nicer so I want that. Now, why did you reference a plane taxiing? No one can remember what that’s like! Anyway, let’s get to the real question - what should the treble and bass be set to?! I start with 20% up on both and work from there. I’d like to know what kind of mad person goes to max on both!?

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

I usually end up putting the bass up a bit, but that's about it! I only listen to the shipping forecast anyway

[@ignacyk4585]

they arent head rests and they do move up and down

[@GameOverMan76]

Not gonna lie, I'd have had brown trousers with them squirms lol.

[@charlottehutchinson3725]

What is the one big flaw ?. Also, the firm suspension, is in the title of the car, Competition. The headrest does go up and down too.

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

I get that it's the Competition so will be more track focussed, but it's possible to have a broad range of damping that can go from firm to soft. The M5 Comp doesn't go soft enough, and that's a big flaw for a car that should be a continent crusher with the family onboard!

[@charlottehutchinson3725]

@@TimRodieDrivesStuff I think it comes down to your definition of stiff. Have a try of the pre LCI M5 Comp, and you will think its bone jarring. I drove the LCI last week, to see how the new new car drives, and i thought comfort was spot on, compared to the previous car. When you start to push on, and use sport suspension, the car starts to really flow, and work as designed. Sport + is just useless really, unless on a bowling green. You can have firm suspension, but it needs to be compliant too, to absorb the bumps, and not be knocked off line . The LCI M5 Competition does this to great effect imho.

[@imhsn]

The headrests are electrically adjustable.

[@Ronburgundy75]

Cross a continent and it is comfortable. Drive it in the UK only and it isn’t as comfortable.

[@ericmutnan6358]

This is the best super sedan on the market and its not even close. I couldnt afford it though so I have the poor mans super sedan, an LT4 CTS-V.

[@Gdank72]

Gone are the days where an M5 cost £60k. Never liked BMW's... But if people will pay that price, then a company will sell it at that price.

[@JohnGuidetti751]

@John S Nobody pays list price for M cars or RS audi. There is always manufactures finance contributions bmw offering about 25k off before your deposit.

[@intelligentcarreviews8592]

They're worth every penny, beat a lambo then get groceries with way more luxury!!!! Why fucking complain!!! Best car in the world!!!

[@albertlira7443]

Will Tim be a prime minister, a king, or emperor?

[@CarlosCostaX]

The flaw is that it's not priced like a Dacia Sandero.

[@mrmarrow8918]

Depreciation, is what you get for £120k ! Nice review BTW.

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Absolutely huge depreciation! I've just done some googling and you can buy a brand-new M5 Competition for £80k. A £22500 saving. That's going to murder residuals!

[@ertugrulbae46]

Tbf it's the same for Audi and Mercedes too

[@intelligentcarreviews8592]

Every fucking car depreciate!!!!

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

@@ertugrulbae46 Absolutely. Any car in this class will take a hammering

[@jeffreymorris6930]

@@TimRodieDrivesStuff yeah good luck finding a new one in the USA for anything under sticker. Even a low mileage 2021 is close to sticker. Every person citing this immediate catastrophic depreciation simply hasn't done his homework.

[@danielwilson1105]

The fact kids can control the traction settings is stupid. Just got an f10 myself. I feel like the new car is a different thing entirely.

[@danielwilson1105]

Last car was a VW lupo. So you saying that comfort mode isn't comfortable went completely over my head.

[@danielwilson1105]

Watched it all the way through. Funny you mention covid at the end there... got it 15months ago. Pretty much disabled now as a result. Vasculitis everywhere and organ damage too. Previously healthy 29yo male. Bought the beamer because life's evidently short and the unexpected can occur. Be safe. The covid is v dangerous and probably a lot more complicated and nasty than u realise.

[@markscars1069]

I’ve had two M5s in the past, but the latest one for me is a little too much. Prefer the M550i. 95% of the capability without the attitude.

[@streetcat666]

The head rests do move up and down chap

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Yeah, I think I worked it out after filming… it just wasn't obvious enough

[@fremue9312]

The m550i is probably the better option, because it’s cheaper and more suitable for everyday use because it’s more comfortable. And it’s still pretty much as fast as the real M5.

[@bradulovic82]

Yeah, M550i is an overlooked gem. Only better option for everyday family car is the Alpina B5, just because you can get it in Touring if you like that version more.

[@fremue9312]

@@bradulovic82 I really liked the M550d Touring because it was diesel but I think they discontinued it...

[@bradulovic82]

@@fremue9312 Well, if you want fast diesel touring, this is always Alpina's D5S. :) I think this LCI model of D5S makes over 400 hp, that is more than enough for everyday use.

[@ertugrulbae46]

It's nowhere near as fast tbh. Also these cars aren't meant to be a limo. It's meant to be supercar-like. Sportscar-like.

[@intelligentcarreviews8592]

Not as fast man don't listen to that loser who rents his BMWs @joe achilles

[@roedevilla]

Please get better microphones. Please please please.

[@janpruijser8649]

I don’t think it’s the actual microphone. Might be an issue with connectivity or levels?

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Yeah it's a dodgy connection somewhere in my old Sennheiser G3s. Just replaced them, so hopefully the sound will be good from now on…

[@mugdays]

120 grand for an M5??? That's a bit dear innit

[@janpruijser8649]

Taycan surely is a much better choice. Also that headrest screams whiplash.

[@christmasisawesome9348]

Nope They aren't in the same class. Ever sat in the rear seat? Ever seen its trunk space? The Torque maybe incredibly fun but it can't beat the pleasure from the Noise, Vibration of the V8. Taycan is better compared with the model s

[@wErikwSusan]

tou are not a good driver

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

better than you at spelling though

[@TheM5Dog]

BallerGaming24, what is your experience? Xbox doesn't count. You uncultured mouldy tomato.

[@aboileau3]

Is there a reason people complain about an m5 COMPETITION not being comfortable. 🤔🤔

[@wErikwSusan]

@@TimRodieDrivesStuff never went to school was busy driving m cars since 16 y o

[@AkramJamlAlLailJ87]

The head rest doesn’t move up? Well they do. And your review is boring and useless

[@timrodierides]

So is your life?

[@AkramJamlAlLailJ87]

@@timrodierides is that a question directed for him or yourself?

[@timrodierides]

@@AkramJamlAlLailJ87 At you, numpty