2006 BMW M5 Vs. Mercedes-Benz CLS55 AMG Suspension & Handling Review

On the highway, both cars' three-way button-adjustable suspensions offer an equally useful range of comfort or sportiness. They can soak up miles of Interstate or slash through mountain passes with the facility of a car having a multiple-personality disorder. However, the Mercedes was less able to isolate tire thrum and vibration, especially on aggregate surfaces. Both feature suitably aggressive seating that also works on a long haul.

Fundamentally, the M5 is sobering and intoxicating. It sounds the way you might imagine a smaller-displacement, freer-revving Dodge Viper V-10 would, and yet the M5's 5.0-liter engine matches the Viper's output with 3.3-liters less (or the size of a typical V-6) displacement. Rev it up, and the M5 barks a 10-part harmony a Viper never has or ever will. Operating this car is an exercise in restraint; that "M" button taunts you. The way the M5 involves, entices, and rewards is uncanny despite its size--especially for its size. While 279 combinations of button-pushing seem like a "because we can" statement, or because BMW couldn't decide on what vehicle settings to make standard, the flexibility is useful.

1st Place: 2006 BMW M5
Dial M for magnificent. An iron fist in a titanium glove with a computerized conscience to keep you from getting in trouble every time you start it up.

The CLS55 is like Hulk Hogan dressed for a cocktail party: Its elegant exterior belies the muscle-bound tough guy within. With all its effortless power, it feels as if it's being drawn faster to the horizon by an electromagnet. The ultra-smooth transmission only enhances the CLS's (Corporate Luxury Shuttle's) AMG (All Mighty Grunt) power. The fact that it's just as fast as the M5 but requires less driver involvement for less handling prowess will no doubt appeal to many, more often.

2nd Place: 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS55 AMG
Point it and plant it. Elegantly languid looks belie headbanging straight-line grunt, but it feels more one-dimensional.

This battle boils down to a choice between a fighter jet or luxury jet. Do you want to configure your cockpit for battle or rest easy as the scenery blurs by? We still enjoy a driver's car over a luxury car--although both are both here. The M5's delinquent demeanor and Adrenalin-junky attitude got into our veins and intoxicated us in a way the more subtle CLS55's didn't. One blast in the CLS55, and you'll feel like you've been there, done that. One sortie in the M5, and you'll want more.