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Shoot out: BMW M5 vs Alpina B5 |
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Page 4 of 5 Hold on tight and we're off. There's
a bit of a chirp from the Contis and a wonderful bellow from the fantastic V10
accompanied by the click click from the paddles as I upshift as the head-up display
flashes that I need to select the next cog. But something's not right. Instead
of seeing the B5 gradually disappear in my mirrors it's actually pulling away.
How can that be? Holtam's put no effort into it at all - he's not had to press
switches and fiddle with the iDrive to get the perfect settings, he's simply planted
his size ten firmly into the Alpina carpet and blown the M5 into the weeds. Well,
that's a bit of an exaggeration, but I think you get the picture - the M5's not
going to have it all its own way.
We slow down and pull in further up the road
and while snapper Fraser fiddles around with his
gadgets and gizmos it gives Holtam and I a chance
to discuss the differences in these two cars' power
characteristics and to closely examine their styling.
We've both spent a serious amount of wheel time in the M5 and despite some pundits
arguing that it looks too similar to the E60 Sport model we're both now aware
that simply isn't true. It may be because of its colour, but as you're driving
you can see the most unlikely-looking pedestrians swivelling their heads to get
a closer look at BMW's ultimate 5 Series. With its aggressive stance, unique multispoke
alloys, bespoke mirrors and front wing slats and meaty quad exhausts it shouts
M5 to all and sundry - this is not a machine for shrinking violets or those who
want to make discreet progress. The Alpina on the other hand looks far more normal,
if a 500bhp saloon can ever be described as such. The trademark 19-inch alloys
are available on any E60, while the front lip spoiler goes almost un-noticed,
especially in Sapphire Black. The boot-lid spoiler and unfeasibly large pair of
exhausts does single it out as something different, but most casual observers
will probably have turned away before they've clocked them. If you prefer your
über-saloon to be on the subtle side (and I do) then the Alpina is for you.
If they look different then the way they go about delivering their combined 1000bhp
is even more pronounced. The M5's maximum torque of 520Nm (384lb ft) is quite
simply shattered by the B5's supercharged V8. Not only does the B5 have 179Nm
(132lb ft) more than the M5, but it's delivered at a real world useable 4250rpm.
Want to go fast? Just plant it. In the M5 you need to have prepared for banzai
acceleration and unless you've got over 6000rpm dialled in the B5 literally leaves
it standing. BMW M have certainly made a pretty good fist of making the M5 hugely
more flexible than the on-paper stats would suggest, but it'll never have the
sheer usability of the B5.
When it comes to aural stimulation both power units
sound absolutely glorious, but despite the M5
genuinely sounding like an F1 car when it's at full
chat I'd go for the B5's V8 as being the more
melodic unit. I'm afraid I'm just a sucker for a V8.
Holtam reckoned he couldn't hear the supercharger
in the B5, but if you turn off the radio and listen
closely you can hear it as it builds up boost, but
once you've hit 2000rpm it's all but inaudible.
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