{"id":231292,"date":"2019-02-19T14:43:13","date_gmt":"2019-02-19T13:43:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/?p=231292"},"modified":"2019-02-20T10:40:01","modified_gmt":"2019-02-20T09:40:01","slug":"special-report-the-bmw-m5-competition-is-the-ultimate-all-rounder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/2019\/02\/19\/special-report-the-bmw-m5-competition-is-the-ultimate-all-rounder\/","title":{"rendered":"Special Report: The BMW M5 Competition Is The Ultimate All Rounder"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>I have a confession &#8211; I\u2019ve driven this, the BMW M5 Competition, before in sunny Spain on a racetrack and a few magnificent ribbons of tarmac that snaked through valleys and up hillsides. The problem was that I barely remembered being in the 616 horsepower, 553 pounds feet super saloon.<\/p>\n<p>I blame this on BMW. On the same day they tossed me the keys to an M2 competition with a manual gearbox that demonstrated exactly why I think it is possibly the best car on sale today. On the track it showed supreme chassis balance and I was left physically shaking and sweating after an intense session of what I\u2019m going to call not driving, but love making, on the circuit. If that wasn\u2019t enough, a PR named Mr Santa offered to let me take an M3 CS on the same roads *insert Christmas coming early joke here*.<\/p>\n\r\n                <style type=\"text\/css\">\r\n                    \r\n                    #tdi_1  .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item1 {\r\n                        background: url(https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-12-80x60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;\r\n                    }\r\n                    #tdi_1  .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item2 {\r\n                        background: url(https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-2-80x60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;\r\n                    }\r\n                    #tdi_1  .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item3 {\r\n                        background: url(https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-3-80x60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;\r\n                    }\r\n                    #tdi_1  .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item4 {\r\n                        background: url(https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-Zaid-M5Comp-3-1-80x60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;\r\n                    }\r\n                    #tdi_1  .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item5 {\r\n                        background: url(https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-80x60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;\r\n                    }\r\n                    #tdi_1  .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item6 {\r\n                        background: url(https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-10-80x60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;\r\n                    }\r\n                    #tdi_1  .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item7 {\r\n                        background: url(https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-9-80x60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;\r\n                    }\r\n                    #tdi_1  .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item8 {\r\n                        background: url(https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-8-80x60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;\r\n                    }\r\n                <\/style>\r\n\r\n                <div id=\"tdi_1\" class=\"td-gallery td-slide-on-2-columns\">\r\n                    <div class=\"post_td_gallery\">\r\n                        <div class=\"td-gallery-slide-top\">\r\n                           <div class=\"td-gallery-title\">Zaid H - BMW M5 Competition London<\/div>\r\n\r\n                            <div class=\"td-gallery-controls-wrapper\">\r\n                                <div class=\"td-gallery-slide-count\"><span class=\"td-gallery-slide-item-focus\">1<\/span> of 8<\/div>\r\n                                <div class=\"td-gallery-slide-prev-next-but\">\r\n                                    <i class = \"td-icon-left doubleSliderPrevButton\"><\/i>\r\n                                    <i class = \"td-icon-right doubleSliderNextButton\"><\/i>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                        <\/div>\r\n\r\n                        <div class = \"td-doubleSlider-1 \">\r\n                            <div class = \"td-slider\">\r\n                                \r\n                    <div class = \"td-slide-item td-item1\">\r\n                        <figure class=\"td-slide-galery-figure td-slide-popup-gallery\">\r\n                            <a class=\"slide-gallery-image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-12.jpg\" title=\"GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-12\"  data-caption=\"\"  data-description=\"\">\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-12.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-12.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-12-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-12-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-12-696x465.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-12-1068x713.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <\/a>\r\n                            \r\n                        <\/figure>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-slide-item td-item2\">\r\n                        <figure class=\"td-slide-galery-figure td-slide-popup-gallery\">\r\n                            <a class=\"slide-gallery-image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-2.jpg\" title=\"GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-2\"  data-caption=\"\"  data-description=\"\">\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-2.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-2.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-2-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-2-696x465.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-2-1068x713.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <\/a>\r\n                            \r\n                        <\/figure>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-slide-item td-item3\">\r\n                        <figure class=\"td-slide-galery-figure td-slide-popup-gallery\">\r\n                            <a class=\"slide-gallery-image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-3.jpg\" title=\"GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-3\"  data-caption=\"\"  data-description=\"\">\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-3.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-3.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-3-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-3-696x465.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-3-1068x713.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <\/a>\r\n                            \r\n                        <\/figure>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-slide-item td-item4\">\r\n                        <figure class=\"td-slide-galery-figure td-slide-popup-gallery\">\r\n                            <a class=\"slide-gallery-image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-Zaid-M5Comp-3-1.jpg\" title=\"GTspirit-Zaid-M5Comp-3-1\"  data-caption=\"\"  data-description=\"\">\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-Zaid-M5Comp-3-1.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-Zaid-M5Comp-3-1.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-Zaid-M5Comp-3-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-Zaid-M5Comp-3-1-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-Zaid-M5Comp-3-1-696x465.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-Zaid-M5Comp-3-1-1068x713.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <\/a>\r\n                            \r\n                        <\/figure>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-slide-item td-item5\">\r\n                        <figure class=\"td-slide-galery-figure td-slide-popup-gallery\">\r\n                            <a class=\"slide-gallery-image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6.jpg\" title=\"GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6\"  data-caption=\"\"  data-description=\"\">\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-696x465.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-1068x713.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <\/a>\r\n                            \r\n                        <\/figure>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-slide-item td-item6\">\r\n                        <figure class=\"td-slide-galery-figure td-slide-popup-gallery\">\r\n                            <a class=\"slide-gallery-image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-10.jpg\" title=\"GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-10\"  data-caption=\"\"  data-description=\"\">\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-10.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-10.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-10-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-10-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-10-696x465.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-10-1068x713.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <\/a>\r\n                            \r\n                        <\/figure>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-slide-item td-item7\">\r\n                        <figure class=\"td-slide-galery-figure td-slide-popup-gallery\">\r\n                            <a class=\"slide-gallery-image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-9.jpg\" title=\"GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-9\"  data-caption=\"\"  data-description=\"\">\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-9.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-9.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-9-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-9-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-9-696x465.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-9-1068x713.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <\/a>\r\n                            \r\n                        <\/figure>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-slide-item td-item8\">\r\n                        <figure class=\"td-slide-galery-figure td-slide-popup-gallery\">\r\n                            <a class=\"slide-gallery-image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-8.jpg\" title=\"GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-8\"  data-caption=\"\"  data-description=\"\">\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-8.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-8.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-8-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-8-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-8-696x465.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-8-1068x713.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <\/a>\r\n                            \r\n                        <\/figure>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                        <\/div>\r\n\r\n                        <div class = \"td-doubleSlider-2\">\r\n                            <div class = \"td-slider\">\r\n                                \r\n                    <div class = \"td-button td-item1\">\r\n                        <div class = \"td-border\"><\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-button td-item2\">\r\n                        <div class = \"td-border\"><\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-button td-item3\">\r\n                        <div class = \"td-border\"><\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-button td-item4\">\r\n                        <div class = \"td-border\"><\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-button td-item5\">\r\n                        <div class = \"td-border\"><\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-button td-item6\">\r\n                        <div class = \"td-border\"><\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-button td-item7\">\r\n                        <div class = \"td-border\"><\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-button td-item8\">\r\n                        <div class = \"td-border\"><\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                        <\/div>\r\n\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n\r\n                <\/div>\r\n                \n<p>The problem was, the M5 Competition did not have my heart pumping adrenaline on the tremendously testing corners of Ascari, nor did it really come into its own on narrow mountain squiggles. It felt good, effortless, capable &#8211; but I felt that BMW hadn\u2019t given the car a chance to shine, particularly not in the company of the M2 Competition and M3 CS which I won\u2019t stop shouting about and forcing my friends to buy (Jay, please buy one).<\/p>\n<p>Fortunately the lovely people at BMW UK called and offered me an opportunity to have an M5 Competition to do whatever I liked with for seven days. In seven days I covered 800 miles and discovered why this, like the M2 and M3 CS, is a class leader and a car I fell head over heels for.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-231310\" src=\"https:\/\/gtspiritmedia.com\/gtspirit\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-10-696x465.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"428\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-10-696x465.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-10-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-10-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-10-1068x713.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-10.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>What are the headlines &#8211; obviously, the M5 Competition is based on the M5 which is, obviously, based on a 5 Series. The 5 Series is a car that faces pressure like no other in the industry. Much like a Porsche 911 or Mini Cooper, the 5 Series is a staple go to car for enthusiasts and Joe Bloggs alike. It must demonstrate characteristics that have made it the icon that it is and always has been. In this instance, it means the 5er has to be comfortable, spacious and powerful enough to waft around with ease. Being a BMW, even the entry level four cylinder cars communicate a slightly sporty edge if you want to take the long windy route home after dropping your little munchkins to play school &#8211; this, however, is not in any way a priority.<\/p>\n<p>Transforming a bog standard 530d into a fire cracking 1,950 kilogram rocket is the M divisions challenge and I feel so terribly sorry for them. This isn\u2019t cosmetic surgery, this change could be likened to gender reassignment coupled with transplants of every organ in the body and a touch of botulinum toxin (botox) to complete the job. What you\u2019re left with is someone different, but still the same. That\u2019s what BMW have done with the M5 Competition.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-231294\" src=\"https:\/\/gtspiritmedia.com\/gtspirit\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-4-1-696x465.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"428\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-4-1-696x465.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-4-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-4-1-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-4-1-1068x713.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-4-1.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Why? Well make no mistake, this is still a 5 series &#8211; it wafts, it\u2019s massages your bottom whilst ventilating and cooling it all at the same time. It has 360\u00b0 cameras and you can adjust the volume by wiggling your finger and answer a telephone call by making a gesture that I\u2019ve only ever used before to poke a bully in the eye. It\u2019s a tech fest and my gosh is it comfortable &#8211; what I couldn\u2019t do in sunny Spain was drive an hour to my office from my home and get stuck in traffic. A racetrack is irrelevant in any purpose other that to showcase the new all-wheel-drive systems and to highlight the different traction control levels in extreme track circumstances.<\/p>\n<p>In my mind, that\u2019s not what the M5 is for. It\u2019s there to be all things to all people that use cars everyday and on the occasional long drive to visit the countryside or the beach with two kids in the back &#8211; things people really do.\u00a0To prove it, that\u2019s exactly what I did with it and in every possible scenario the Beemer beamed with character and showed off its mega ability in so many varying environments (minus the non-existent kids).<\/p>\n\r\n                <style type=\"text\/css\">\r\n                    \r\n                    #tdi_2  .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item1 {\r\n                        background: url(https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-6-80x60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;\r\n                    }\r\n                    #tdi_2  .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item2 {\r\n                        background: url(https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-14-80x60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;\r\n                    }\r\n                    #tdi_2  .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item3 {\r\n                        background: url(https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-5-80x60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;\r\n                    }\r\n                    #tdi_2  .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item4 {\r\n                        background: url(https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-10-80x60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;\r\n                    }\r\n                    #tdi_2  .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item5 {\r\n                        background: url(https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-11-80x60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;\r\n                    }\r\n                    #tdi_2  .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item6 {\r\n                        background: url(https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-17-80x60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;\r\n                    }\r\n                <\/style>\r\n\r\n                <div id=\"tdi_2\" class=\"td-gallery td-slide-on-2-columns\">\r\n                    <div class=\"post_td_gallery\">\r\n                        <div class=\"td-gallery-slide-top\">\r\n                           <div class=\"td-gallery-title\"><\/div>\r\n\r\n                            <div class=\"td-gallery-controls-wrapper\">\r\n                                <div class=\"td-gallery-slide-count\"><span class=\"td-gallery-slide-item-focus\">1<\/span> of 6<\/div>\r\n                                <div class=\"td-gallery-slide-prev-next-but\">\r\n                                    <i class = \"td-icon-left doubleSliderPrevButton\"><\/i>\r\n                                    <i class = \"td-icon-right doubleSliderNextButton\"><\/i>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                        <\/div>\r\n\r\n                        <div class = \"td-doubleSlider-1 \">\r\n                            <div class = \"td-slider\">\r\n                                \r\n                    <div class = \"td-slide-item td-item1\">\r\n                        <figure class=\"td-slide-galery-figure td-slide-popup-gallery\">\r\n                            <a class=\"slide-gallery-image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-6.jpg\" title=\"GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-6\"  data-caption=\"\"  data-description=\"\">\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-6.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-6.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-6-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-6-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-6-696x465.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-6-1068x713.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <\/a>\r\n                            \r\n                        <\/figure>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-slide-item td-item2\">\r\n                        <figure class=\"td-slide-galery-figure td-slide-popup-gallery\">\r\n                            <a class=\"slide-gallery-image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-14.jpg\" title=\"GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-14\"  data-caption=\"\"  data-description=\"\">\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-14.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-14.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-14-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-14-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-14-696x465.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-14-1068x713.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <\/a>\r\n                            \r\n                        <\/figure>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-slide-item td-item3\">\r\n                        <figure class=\"td-slide-galery-figure td-slide-popup-gallery\">\r\n                            <a class=\"slide-gallery-image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-5.jpg\" title=\"GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-5\"  data-caption=\"\"  data-description=\"\">\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-5.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-5.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-5-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-5-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-5-696x465.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-5-1068x713.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <\/a>\r\n                            \r\n                        <\/figure>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-slide-item td-item4\">\r\n                        <figure class=\"td-slide-galery-figure td-slide-popup-gallery\">\r\n                            <a class=\"slide-gallery-image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-10.jpg\" title=\"GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-10\"  data-caption=\"\"  data-description=\"\">\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-10.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-10.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-10-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-10-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-10-696x465.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-10-1068x713.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <\/a>\r\n                            \r\n                        <\/figure>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-slide-item td-item5\">\r\n                        <figure class=\"td-slide-galery-figure td-slide-popup-gallery\">\r\n                            <a class=\"slide-gallery-image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-11.jpg\" title=\"GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-11\"  data-caption=\"\"  data-description=\"\">\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-11.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-11.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-11-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-11-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-11-696x465.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-11-1068x713.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <\/a>\r\n                            \r\n                        <\/figure>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-slide-item td-item6\">\r\n                        <figure class=\"td-slide-galery-figure td-slide-popup-gallery\">\r\n                            <a class=\"slide-gallery-image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-17.jpg\" title=\"Zaid H - BMW M5 Competition Hayling\"  data-caption=\"\"  data-description=\"\">\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-17.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-17.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-17-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-17-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-17-696x465.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-17-1068x713.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <\/a>\r\n                            \r\n                        <\/figure>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                        <\/div>\r\n\r\n                        <div class = \"td-doubleSlider-2\">\r\n                            <div class = \"td-slider\">\r\n                                \r\n                    <div class = \"td-button td-item1\">\r\n                        <div class = \"td-border\"><\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-button td-item2\">\r\n                        <div class = \"td-border\"><\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-button td-item3\">\r\n                        <div class = \"td-border\"><\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-button td-item4\">\r\n                        <div class = \"td-border\"><\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-button td-item5\">\r\n                        <div class = \"td-border\"><\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-button td-item6\">\r\n                        <div class = \"td-border\"><\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                        <\/div>\r\n\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n\r\n                <\/div>\r\n                \n<p>The commute to work was the best since I was sat in the back of a Rolls-Royce Phantom. It proved to be an extremely relaxing place to drive, the seats are terrific, more like sofas than a car seats &#8211; they are huge. The loungers even kept me calm and comfortable whilst stuck for in London\u2019s famous parliament square for an hour as protestors complained about the free worlds cheese coloured leader and the shambolic chronicles of brexit.<\/p>\n<p>Then the same seats, with tightened bolsters, hugged me on a early morning A-road blast down to the south coast. A friend joined me in a McLaren 570S and my mind boggles just thinking back to how the M5 was so closely matched to the pace of the bonafide supercar when putting the hammer down at motorway cruising speeds. The juxtaposition from the soothing comfort the day before on my ride into work was profound. Just prod the angry red M1 or M2 Shrek ears protruding from the steering wheel (configure them each as you like) and the character of the car is night and day. The brute torque and power had the M5 booming toward the horizon and a lengthy prison sentence. Then there\u2019s the utterly bonkers exhaust that the Competition cars come with. With the engine in Sport Plus every time you release the throttle pedal the pops, bangs and crackles will turn heads streets away. Bystanders would expect to see something like a Lamborghini Huracan, but double take at the site of a family saloon with two child seats in the back. It\u2019s comical, artificial and rather silly, but very amusing. Another hilarious juxtaposition.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-231303\" src=\"https:\/\/gtspiritmedia.com\/gtspirit\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-10-696x465.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"428\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-10-696x465.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-10-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-10-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-10-1068x713.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-10.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Following a day at the beach a visit to the country was in order to see if undulating, broken, hedge lined British B roads could unstick the M5 Competition. Remember Shrek\u2019s angry red ears? I had set the left ear to put the engine and transmission in maximum attack Sport Plus, suspension and dampers in Comfort, Steering in Sport (Sport Plus just makes it overly heavy without any real benefit) and the traction and stability control in M Dynamic Mode (MDM). In this configuration the car, once more, blew my socks off. The all wheel drive traction was supreme, the 4.4-litre V8 engine was instantly jaw-dropping with no hint of lag and the soft forgiving suspension and damping took the bounciest most broken roads with ease.<\/p>\n<p>Ahh yes, that all wheel drive traction. I\u2019m the first person in the queue to scoff at the thought of performance cars going 4WD, but the M5 has made a case for just how much more useable a car can be with all four wheels tussling for traction. Yes, I would still prefer that we lived in an age with 500 horsepower rear wheel drive cars as opposed to 600 horsepower all wheel drive ones, but as the power battle heats up quicker than North Korea and Iran\u2019s nuclear plans, it is inevitable to we will have to compromise on fun for outright, face bending speed.<\/p>\n\r\n                <style type=\"text\/css\">\r\n                    \r\n                    #tdi_3  .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item1 {\r\n                        background: url(https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-15-80x60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;\r\n                    }\r\n                    #tdi_3  .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item2 {\r\n                        background: url(https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-5-80x60.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat;\r\n                    }\r\n                    #tdi_3  .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item3 {\r\n                        background: 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class=\"post_td_gallery\">\r\n                        <div class=\"td-gallery-slide-top\">\r\n                           <div class=\"td-gallery-title\"><\/div>\r\n\r\n                            <div class=\"td-gallery-controls-wrapper\">\r\n                                <div class=\"td-gallery-slide-count\"><span class=\"td-gallery-slide-item-focus\">1<\/span> of 6<\/div>\r\n                                <div class=\"td-gallery-slide-prev-next-but\">\r\n                                    <i class = \"td-icon-left doubleSliderPrevButton\"><\/i>\r\n                                    <i class = \"td-icon-right doubleSliderNextButton\"><\/i>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                        <\/div>\r\n\r\n                        <div class = \"td-doubleSlider-1 \">\r\n                            <div class = \"td-slider\">\r\n                                \r\n                    <div class = \"td-slide-item td-item1\">\r\n                        <figure class=\"td-slide-galery-figure td-slide-popup-gallery\">\r\n                            <a class=\"slide-gallery-image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-15.jpg\" title=\"GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-15\"  data-caption=\"\"  data-description=\"\">\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-15.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-15.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-15-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-15-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-15-696x465.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-15-1068x713.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <\/a>\r\n                            \r\n                        <\/figure>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-slide-item td-item2\">\r\n                        <figure class=\"td-slide-galery-figure td-slide-popup-gallery\">\r\n                            <a class=\"slide-gallery-image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-5.jpg\" title=\"GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-5\"  data-caption=\"\"  data-description=\"\">\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-5.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-5.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-5-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-5-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-5-696x465.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-5-1068x713.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <\/a>\r\n                            \r\n                        <\/figure>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-slide-item td-item3\">\r\n                        <figure class=\"td-slide-galery-figure td-slide-popup-gallery\">\r\n                            <a class=\"slide-gallery-image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-1.jpg\" title=\"GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-1\"  data-caption=\"\"  data-description=\"\">\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-1.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-1.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-1-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-1-696x465.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-1-1068x713.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <\/a>\r\n                            \r\n                        <\/figure>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-slide-item td-item4\">\r\n                        <figure class=\"td-slide-galery-figure td-slide-popup-gallery\">\r\n                            <a class=\"slide-gallery-image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-7.jpg\" title=\"GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-7\"  data-caption=\"\"  data-description=\"\">\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-7.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-7.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-7-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-7-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-7-696x465.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-6-7-1068x713.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <\/a>\r\n                            \r\n                        <\/figure>\r\n                    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https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-4-1-1068x713.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <\/a>\r\n                            \r\n                        <\/figure>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-slide-item td-item6\">\r\n                        <figure class=\"td-slide-galery-figure td-slide-popup-gallery\">\r\n                            <a class=\"slide-gallery-image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-4-2.jpg\" title=\"GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-4-2\"  data-caption=\"\"  data-description=\"\">\r\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-4-2.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-4-2.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-4-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-4-2-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-4-2-696x465.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-4-2-1068x713.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" alt=\"\">\r\n                            <\/a>\r\n                            \r\n                        <\/figure>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                        <\/div>\r\n\r\n                        <div class = \"td-doubleSlider-2\">\r\n                            <div class = \"td-slider\">\r\n                                \r\n                    <div class = \"td-button td-item1\">\r\n                        <div class = \"td-border\"><\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-button td-item2\">\r\n                        <div class = \"td-border\"><\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-button td-item3\">\r\n                        <div class = \"td-border\"><\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-button td-item4\">\r\n                        <div class = \"td-border\"><\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-button td-item5\">\r\n                        <div class = \"td-border\"><\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <div class = \"td-button td-item6\">\r\n                        <div class = \"td-border\"><\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                        <\/div>\r\n\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n\r\n                <\/div>\r\n                \n<p>The M5 and it\u2019s competitors have the ability to go rear wheel drive, but engaging such lunacy requires the systems to be off and for the driver to dye their hair green, don a purple suite and move into an asylum. In the moist British winter you would have to be madder than a box of frogs or have the surname Senna to dare play with all of that power with none of those aids. I imagine the adrenaline rush could be likened to texting your ex girlfriend saying you want to get back together and then seeing the word \u201ctyping\u201d on the screen as she responds.<\/p>\n<p>The M5 Competition is charming, flattering and is possibly the best all rounder I\u2019ve ever driven. The Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4Matic+ (catchy) is the natural rival to the M5. Having spent time in both cars I can comfortably *turns massage on* say that the M5 would be the choice for me.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Bt6iENClIL_\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"12\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\">\n<div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Bt6iENClIL_\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <\/p>\n<div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\">\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\">\n<div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\"> View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\">\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto;\">\n<div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a> <\/p>\n<p style=\" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Bt6iENClIL_\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading\" style=\" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#x1f509; How MAD does the M5 Competition sound!? Hilarious pops and bangs &#x1f4a5; By @TheZaidChronicles #BMWM5Competition #M5Competition @BMWUK<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\">A post shared by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/gtspirit\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Official GTspirit<\/a> (@gtspirit) on <time style=\" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;\" datetime=\"2019-02-15T19:44:36+00:00\">Feb 15, 2019 at 11:44am PST<\/time><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p> <script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>A lot of it is personal preference, but the M5 is better at doing the whole comfort thing which is what these cars spend most of their lives doing before doing 0-100 in 2.9 seconds (magazine tests) at the traffic lights.<\/p>\n<p>I relished the opportunity to drive the M5 Competition as far as I could as often as I could with every mode in comfort listening to the phenomenal Bowers &amp; Wilkins speakers and being bathed in soft satisfying ambient light before finding a motorway slip road and unleashing that supercar embarrassing power and those mad exhaust noises.<\/p>\n<p>Take a bow BMW &#8211; the M5 Competition is as thrilling, talented and just better than it has ever been before &#8211; an absolute delight.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-231299\" src=\"https:\/\/gtspiritmedia.com\/gtspirit\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-22-696x465.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"428\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-22-696x465.jpg 696w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-22-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-22-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-22-1068x713.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/GTspirit-ZHamid-M5C-5-22.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I have a confession &#8211; I\u2019ve driven this, the BMW M5 Competition, before in sunny Spain on a racetrack and a few magnificent ribbons of tarmac that snaked through valleys and up hillsides. The problem was that I barely remembered being in the 616 horsepower, 553 pounds feet super saloon. I blame this on BMW. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":204,"featured_media":231301,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27364],"tags":[973,37151],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/231292"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/204"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=231292"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/231292\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/231301"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=231292"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=231292"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=231292"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}