Review: F90 BMW M5 Driven On Sepang

If the BMW M3 is for the young executive, then the larger BMW M5 is designed for the successful family man who wishes to chauffeur his family quickly.

Now in its sixth iteration, the BMW M5 has grown up quite a lot, both physically and in terms of performance. The F90 BMW M5 is now roughly 300 kg heavier than the first generation E28 M5, though the former is also twice as powerful as its predecessor.

Also new to the BMW M5 lineage is the addition of AWD, in this case, M xDrive. In the past, all BMW M5 models had their power sent exclusively to the rear wheels. Now with the addition of AWD, all 600 hp and 750 Nm can be deployed efficiently to the ground, allowing for much superior performance.

During the recent launch of the F90 BMW M5, BMW Malaysia gave members of the media the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hoon, sorry, sample the F90 M5 on the Sepang Circuit. Naturally, we jumped at this opportunity to try the RM942,000 super saloon.

Being an M car, the F90 M5 features two bright red M shortcut buttons on the steering wheel that allows for a specific profile of the vehicle’s drive mode.

To keep things brief, for this quick review of the F90 M5, we’ll focus sorely on the mode that matters most – 4WD Sport.

Right after we switched from the mundane 4WD to 4WD Sport mode, we noticed that M5 transformed into a completely different beast altogether. Throttle response has been sharpened, while more rear end slip is allowed than in 4WD mode. This allows for a much more engaging drive than what we would have imagined, and lots of self-control is needed to ensure that we don’t smear Sepang’s barriers with the F90 M5’s Marina Bay Blue colour.

4WD Sport mode aside, we also noticed how nimble and agile the F90 M5 truly is, despite its massive 1.9-tonne weight. Turn in is precise for a saloon this huge, while traction from its Michelin PilotSport 4S rubbers never once gave up, even when giving it the beans through turn 3.

Then there’s the engine note. While the three-pointed star marque from Stuttgart offers their performance models with a similar V8 that roars muscularity, the F90 M5 does it with sheer elegance, while pulling you with all 750 Nm of torque. Thankfully the F90 M5 does without artificially creating the engine note through the car’s audio system.

Last but certainly not least are the massive 395 mm M Compound six-piston front brakes and 380 mm rear brakes. These brakes, which come as standard fitment, offer massive stopping power. We managed to hit slightly above the 200 km/h on the final straight of Sepang, before braking really hard for turn one. Despite repetitively braking hard on the track, the factory-standard brakes never once faded. However, if the M Compound brakes are by any means insufficient for your needs, you’ll be glad to know that BMW Malaysia offers M carbon ceramic brakes as a RM95,000 cost option.

In a nutshell, the BMW F90 M5 has got to be one of, if not the best car we have driven on Sepang to date, as this super saloon encompasses all that we love from Munich – great looks, massive performance and class-leading driving dynamics.

No wonder M remains as the world’s most powerful alphabet.

For a more in-depth review, check out Arvind's story here.