Top Gear's Chris Harris Comparo GSF vs BMW M5
02-24-17, 09:51 PM
#1
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
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Stormryu (02-27-17)
02-27-17, 10:26 AM
#2
Props for the great link! Back in the 90's, when BMW won nearly every single comparison test against AMG and Audi and others, I bought the E36 M3 and then the E39 M5. Fantastic machines that were always underpowered and lack the luxury comapred to Audi's and Benz. But they were BALANCED. Yes, that word, balance.
Nowadays, we see BMW fanboys talking about how their M4 and M5 got more horses than others and how their turbo is so quick from 0-infinity and then we look at ISF, RCF, and GSF and we see who is clearly delivering cars that are well balanced. It's just a shame to see how BMW has, dare I say, lost the way.
To this day, I still have a Dakar Yellow E36 BMW M3 sedan with extremely low milage, parked in my garage because I believe that's the pinnacle of BMW when it still made cars with souls. Driving that and driving my new GSF, I can see a good lineage/connection between them. That's how good the GSF is. And to make it even better, I know my GSF will not have the dashboard light up like a Xmas trees like my BMW. I am really too old to deal with low coolant lights, check engine lights, and all others..LOL.
Nowadays, we see BMW fanboys talking about how their M4 and M5 got more horses than others and how their turbo is so quick from 0-infinity and then we look at ISF, RCF, and GSF and we see who is clearly delivering cars that are well balanced. It's just a shame to see how BMW has, dare I say, lost the way.
To this day, I still have a Dakar Yellow E36 BMW M3 sedan with extremely low milage, parked in my garage because I believe that's the pinnacle of BMW when it still made cars with souls. Driving that and driving my new GSF, I can see a good lineage/connection between them. That's how good the GSF is. And to make it even better, I know my GSF will not have the dashboard light up like a Xmas trees like my BMW. I am really too old to deal with low coolant lights, check engine lights, and all others..LOL.
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leahb16GSF (05-16-17)
02-27-17, 06:44 PM
#3
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Well said. He seemed to like the GSF chassis and engine more than those of the M5. Chris Harris is one of the most well respected car journalists so it is a big complement from him to prefer GSF over the M5 on the B-roads.
Props for the great link! Back in the 90's, when BMW won nearly every single comparison test against AMG and Audi and others, I bought the E36 M3 and then the E39 M5. Fantastic machines that were always underpowered and lack the luxury comapred to Audi's and Benz. But they were BALANCED. Yes, that word, balance.
Nowadays, we see BMW fanboys talking about how their M4 and M5 got more horses than others and how their turbo is so quick from 0-infinity and then we look at ISF, RCF, and GSF and we see who is clearly delivering cars that are well balanced. It's just a shame to see how BMW has, dare I say, lost the way.
To this day, I still have a Dakar Yellow E36 BMW M3 sedan with extremely low milage, parked in my garage because I believe that's the pinnacle of BMW when it still made cars with souls. Driving that and driving my new GSF, I can see a good lineage/connection between them. That's how good the GSF is. And to make it even better, I know my GSF will not have the dashboard light up like a Xmas trees like my BMW. I am really too old to deal with low coolant lights, check engine lights, and all others..LOL.
Nowadays, we see BMW fanboys talking about how their M4 and M5 got more horses than others and how their turbo is so quick from 0-infinity and then we look at ISF, RCF, and GSF and we see who is clearly delivering cars that are well balanced. It's just a shame to see how BMW has, dare I say, lost the way.
To this day, I still have a Dakar Yellow E36 BMW M3 sedan with extremely low milage, parked in my garage because I believe that's the pinnacle of BMW when it still made cars with souls. Driving that and driving my new GSF, I can see a good lineage/connection between them. That's how good the GSF is. And to make it even better, I know my GSF will not have the dashboard light up like a Xmas trees like my BMW. I am really too old to deal with low coolant lights, check engine lights, and all others..LOL.
Last edited by 05RollaXRS; 02-27-17 at 08:07 PM.
02-27-17, 09:44 PM
#4
If you take into account cost of ownership. the GS-F comes out miles ahead of the M5. Both of these cars are old though. They look dated in the video. A re-design is badly needed for the GS and it better be a good one because the new 5 series is sweet.
03-07-17, 05:10 PM
#5
Looks to me like besides the LFA, this is the best performance car Lexus will ever make since the future lies with Turbo. Still contemplating if i should get this or an RCF in 2 years time.
03-07-17, 05:50 PM
#6
I happened to own both brand new, first the RCF, then the GSF. From what I know, GSF handles much better and feels much more nimble than the RCF. Response in all aspect is just much, much sharper Hope this helps.
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EXE46 (05-10-17)
03-22-17, 10:38 PM
#7
Having owned an F10 M5 and now the GSF, I can say Harris hit the nail on the head here. The M5 is a numbers car but its just not as fun as the GSF. It really cannot put even 50% of its power to the ground 90% of the time unless its 80 degrees and perfect clean roads. Also those turbos spool so hard that it can be scary to drive at times. I had a few white knuckle moments just at half throttle in 2nd gear on a dry road with a bit of cinders leftover from the winter. Its not a smooth transition to sideways. Its literally pulling hard then pitches sideways. Otherwise the traction control is just on constantly. Its irritating to not be able to put power down and that's where the GSF excels. Its one of those rare RWD cars you can drive hard on a wet road and it tracks perfectly straight and does nothing without warning. Aside from that, the rear seats have quite a bit more room and its more comfortable. I'm still loving mine! Its a beast in the snow as well with winter tires. No issues at all here in the snow belt. I tried the M5 in the winter and gave up. Too much torque and too low. It sat in my garage for 6 months because it was awful in the cold season.
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05-08-17, 06:39 PM
#8
Having owned an F10 M5 and now the GSF, I can say Harris hit the nail on the head here. The M5 is a numbers car but its just not as fun as the GSF. It really cannot put even 50% of its power to the ground 90% of the time unless its 80 degrees and perfect clean roads. Also those turbos spool so hard that it can be scary to drive at times. I had a few white knuckle moments just at half throttle in 2nd gear on a dry road with a bit of cinders leftover from the winter. Its not a smooth transition to sideways. Its literally pulling hard then pitches sideways. Otherwise the traction control is just on constantly. Its irritating to not be able to put power down and that's where the GSF excels. Its one of those rare RWD cars you can drive hard on a wet road and it tracks perfectly straight and does nothing without warning. Aside from that, the rear seats have quite a bit more room and its more comfortable. I'm still loving mine! Its a beast in the snow as well with winter tires. No issues at all here in the snow belt. I tried the M5 in the winter and gave up. Too much torque and too low. It sat in my garage for 6 months because it was awful in the cold season.
05-16-17, 08:39 AM
#12
Driver School Candidate
Great link and comparison. It's nice to have someone so well respected bring light to what a great car the GSF is, especially when compared to a car that has for so many years been one of the top.
05-16-17, 06:18 PM
#13
Driver School Candidate
I've actually owned both and even if money was not considered in the decision, I would prefer the GSF to the F10 M5.
It really boils down to what you are looking for. If you want to destroy highway roll races, the M5 is nearly unbeatable but it has no traction from a stop and the rear can be unpredictable during cornering. The M5 is no doubt a great all-around car but the GSF feels much more nimble and as much of a cliche as it is to say, the "old-school" feel wins it over for me. That being said...I'd take a E60 M5 over a GSF...
It really boils down to what you are looking for. If you want to destroy highway roll races, the M5 is nearly unbeatable but it has no traction from a stop and the rear can be unpredictable during cornering. The M5 is no doubt a great all-around car but the GSF feels much more nimble and as much of a cliche as it is to say, the "old-school" feel wins it over for me. That being said...I'd take a E60 M5 over a GSF...
06-09-17, 05:08 AM
#14
Lexus GS F vs BMW M5 - Chris Harris Drives - Top Gear
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