This is a tale of two cars costing $90,000 or so that only a true BMW fan would appreciate.
We had the powerful M5 and the luxurious 650i on back-to-back weeks for test drives.
Both are wonderful cars in their own right and BMW is very proud of them.
The M5 is a 500-horsepower beast that is supposed to put you back into your seat when you step on the gas. The 650i is a true luxury cruiser with questionable styling.
Both come with their own set of built-in quirks, mainly the damnable iDrive system … a mouse-controlled system mounted on the center console. You’re supposed to be able to adjust the navigation, audio, entertainment and climate controls with the silver mouse. But trying to do that while moving is taking your life in your hands, even if you can figure out how to make the desired adjustments.
Both also come with a tire pressure monitoring system, which is a great idea. However, both cars made a trip to Global Imports in Marietta when the warning light came on. With the M5, it was just a low pressure setting, possibly because of the cold weather overnight. The 650i spent a day in the shop having the run flat tire replaced because of a nail at a cost of $546 to BMW.
Both BMWs are wonderful machines but overly complicated in their operation and styling.
The M5 boasts a mighty 5.0-liter V10 engine that can be mated to a seven-speed auto/manual or true manual. Go for the true manual because the auto/manual is terrible. Whenever you shift, the car accelerates, then pauses as it shifts. Your head goes back and forth with every shift. You can adjust the pause, but never fully eliminate it.
The M5 comes with BMWs MDrive system that allows the driver to adjust the car in any number of 279 configurations. We got through about seven.
The 650i is a much easier driving car with a 4.8-liter V8 with 360 horsepower and a seven-speed auto/manual transmission that doesn’t come with the built-in lurches. The paddle shifters on the steering wheel change gears seamlessly.
Where the 650i suffers, according to some, is with the exterior styling. Available only either as a two-door coupe or convertible, the 650i is sleek and lean but the huge rear end just ruins the effect. In contrast, the Jaguar XK flows from stem to stern.
Both cars are immaculately put together with elegant interiors. The 650i doesn’t have a touch of wood, real or otherwise. Instead, touches of brushed chrome nicely compliment the two-tone interior.
The 650i is a four-seater, but the rear seating area is very tight and difficult to get into or out of. The M5, as a four-door, offers more room and easier access.
For some, either BMW would be a dream machine. But for $90,000, we’d prefer something a little less complicated.

Ryan’s Ride –
From the outside, the M5 looks like it could gobble up some scenery in a hurry. However, I don’t know how anyone could be pleased with the transmission. While having a tire attended to at the dealership, the service manager said that’s the way it’s supposed to operate.
By contract, the 650i was very smooth and the paddle shifters worked to perfection. Even though there’s a big difference in horsepower, the coupe is a nicer car, overall.
As is typical with BMW, the simplest things are turned into a chore. To start the car, you insert the key fob into a slot on the steering column, then push a button to start or stop. Why not eliminate the need for the key step altogether like Nissan and others do?
And, with the 650i, when you disengage the transmission from park, you have to push a button on the left side of the shifter. However, the car automatically goes into Drive. You have to push the button again and push forward into Reverse. To park, you push another button on top of the shifter.
At least the 650i has a Park setting. The M5 doesn’t. You have to put the car in a gear, then pull on the hand brake when parking.
There’s a price to pay for either engine. The 650i gets a reasonable 15 city and 23 highway, while the M5 only gets 11 and 17. Both require premium fuel. And, the M5 comes with a $3,000 gas guzzler tax on the sales sticker. Ouch.
Despite the excellent handling and ride, there are just too many gadgets and stupid systems to master to truly enjoy either one of these cars.

Marilyn’s Moment –
I drove the M5 for one day and that was enough. Even though it has that massive V10 under the hood, I never really felt like the car was that aggressive. And, as Ryan pointed out, the transmission really is a pain.
I liked the 650i much better. It’s slow slung and looks sexy on the outside. The interior is very nicely done and comfortable. But the iDrive system makes the simplest chores, like setting a radio station preset, a drawn out and frustrating experience.
There are some neat ideas in both cars. The heads up display is one of them. The 650i also comes with a lane departure warning system and cruise control that will automatically slow you down if you get too close to a vehicle in front of you.
And, BMW has never grasped the idea that Americans like cupholders. The M5 had two small holders that popped out of the dash on the passenger side. The 650i has one, massive chrome ring jutting out on the right side of the center console. But it’s not adjustable and limits what you can place there.
Give me the Jag XK. It’s prettier and much more user friendly.