Let me tell you about my third BMW M5. A 5 litre 507 brake horsepower V10 that set me back 65 bigguns. The first (reviewed elsewhere on reviewcentre.com) was a lovely 2001 V8. We shared over 45,000 miles together as a daily work horse/out with clients/continental holiday etc etc partner. I think of her as a partner because we always felt as one. It's that kind of car. When I heard and read about the replacement model, the Bangle designed current shape, I was so dissapointed. I thought the looks were just too different and at first, there was no details about the proposed specifications of what we now know, is an amazing performance saloon that has become the benchmark for all performance cars that have more than 2 doors.

I was sad. The only possible saviour was that between the launch model and the release of the M5, they would repeat their previous trick of transforming the average 'cooking' model with numerous flares for wider wheels, sills for ground effect and spoilers for cooling - bigger boots and lower suspension - that would hopefully - SO hopefully transform this pretty ugly machine into the typical powerhouse M5 brute that we love.

Thank god that was exactly what happened.

In December 2005 I took delivery of the first M5 to the Broad Oak dealership in Canterbury, Kent UK. It was an emotional experience and within days, following endless circuits of the M25 driving within the strict run-in criteria that all M cars need to observe in their first 1200 miles, she had her first service and I was allowed to sample just a little bit of the awesome performance that this car was promising, but was not yet allowed to deliver if the run in was to be honoured. Who would not honour such a routine with the promise of a 4.3 second 0-60 if run in properly?.

Be Patient - it really s worth it. Oh so worth it.

But I'm not going to tell you yet about my opinion of this lovely piece of automotive viagra - why? because after writing it off in January 2007 following 22,000 miles of fabulous motoring, I have a March 2007 model that is - well, really, even better.

We all read the early reports of a tickover that was more like a diesel - the lumpiness of the 7 speed SMG - the 'annoying' I-Drive - the clanky gear selection - and a few other little niggles that were being traded as negatives in a car whose overall effect was in reality, simply fabulous.

Well, the 2007 model has, I can confirm, a tickover that purrs like a cat the got the cream once you have waited for short warm-up of the stainless exhaust - about 40 seconds, a revised map in the SMG that offers changes smoother than treacle pudding and yet it still retains enough of that raw hardcore quality that delivers a kick in the back every time the throttle is stroked and when that throttle is nailed, you genuinely have to ensure that the traffic and road conditions are satisfactory - you have way too much proper power in this car to treat it with casual contempt. You have real responsibility to use your right foot ONLY after taking those factors into account.

The old tosh about 'so many settings it'll take you 2 minutes just to pull off' is shallow and lightweight TV presenter sensationalism. All absolute tosh. I leave the car handling setting in normal mode with the top setting in gear change aggression set to 5, and this is how it starts, every time - and will continue to do so until I decide otherwise. Hence, you put the CAS key in the socket, push the start button, select a gear a GO. Simple and quick as that. You should never select power mode (all 507 horses) from cold anyway as that is mechanically disrespectful.

Anyway, if the car is already warmed up and you fancy a bit of instant sport, just press the M button on the wheel and you're off like a scalded Millenium Falcon.

Living with this car is a pleasure. It has absolute authority on the road and performs and handles with such poise and headroom of performance that day-to-day driving continually confirms that it's abilities are just in a different league to almost every other car around you.

Sometimes other drivers will flash you because in their world they have absolutely no perception of the abilities of your motor. Don't blame them. They know not what they do. Unless you have driven a car with the performance and abilities of the M5, you really cannot comprehend the difference. I kind of envy you if you have yet to experience this car as now, I just take it a little for granted - but when you drive this for the first time, you will be introduced to a whole new world of performance and ability.And remember - I had a M5 V8 beforehand and did'nt think that BMW could improve much on that!

I could tell you stories of Porsches that couldn't pull away, of Ferraris that disappeared in the rear view mirrors and allegedly 'sportier' cars that couldn't keep up on the straight OR in the corners, but that sounds like bragging and you don't have to (or need to) do that if you have an M5.

Whats the biggest downside? 15mpg with a small tank when nailing it - someone said to me that I could get 29 miles per gallon from my M5. I said "why on earth would I want to do that?" Touring the continent in July 07 we did just over 3000 miles across Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy and Luxembourg and returned an amazing 19.7 miles to the gallon. And we were having a bit of sport most of the time and continuously in SPORT mode. Hell, why not?

Those who respond to this review with contempt will definitely change their tune after a drive in one - go see then come back and tell us how you changed your mind - now that it has become expanded and educated to the awesome BMW M5.

You may have picked up that I think the BMW M5 E60 is a very good motor car..Actually, I believe it is probably the best 4 door saloon in the World.

Ever.

The BMW M5 E60 5.0 V10 507bhp is a devil on the road who looks like an angel. Amazing pick up and top speed with DMS is fabulous. Manual Transmission will better this car by 150%.

The new BMW M5 (e60) is a monster of a car with its V10 507 bhp engine. The acceleration is even quicker than it feels because the speed is partially masked by the stability of the car. The engine produces fantastic noises which grow in intensity as the speed rises.

The car I tested was in sapphire black with active seat bolsters. The sides of the seats move to grip you as the car senses cornering activity.

The SMG is now version three which is more refined than version 2 used on the current e46 M3. Although the shift changes on the highest settings are marginally slower, the changes are more refined, masking the diff clunk experienced on previous changes.