BMW M5 Competition Tenerife Driving Review

Tenerife is an island of dramatic contrasts, offering a driving environment that tests both car and driver. We brought the BMW M5 Competition here to see exactly how a high performance saloon handles this volcanic landscape. Far from a simple cruise along the coast, a proper drive on this island involves navigating heavy traffic, climbing above the clouds, and squeezing through ancient villages. The varied terrain provides the perfect proving ground for a car that promises track capabilities wrapped in luxury packaging.

Our goal was to experience the reality of piloting a large, powerful vehicle on roads that range from wide motorways to impossibly narrow mountain passes. We wanted to know if the immense horsepower is simply too much for an island environment, or if the sophisticated chassis of the M5 Competition can adapt and make it a genuinely rewarding experience. Here is what we discovered after putting it through its paces across the varied microclimates of Tenerife.

How it drives on Tenerife roads

Our journey began on the TF-1 motorway along the south coast. This road is characterised by long fast sweepers and generally smooth tarmac, though traffic can be dense near the major resorts. Here, the M5 Competition feels entirely in its element. The suspension, even in its most comfortable setting, keeps the heavy body completely flat through the sweeping bends. Overtaking is effortless, requiring only a gentle squeeze of the throttle to clear slower traffic safely. The cabin remains remarkably quiet, isolating you from the wind and road noise that usually plagues coastal highways.

Turning away from the coast, we took the TF-21 climbing to Mount Teide. This road is a spectacular ascent, rising to over 2,100 m in altitude. As you climb, the air gets noticeably thinner and there is a big temperature drop. Many naturally aspirated cars feel breathless up here, but the twin turbocharged V8 in the M5 Competition barely registers the altitude change. Power delivery remains brutal and immediate. The all wheel drive system provides astonishing grip as you power out of the tight hairpins, pulling the heavy saloon up the mountain with terrifying ease. However, you do feel the weight of the car under heavy braking on the downhill sections, reminding you that this is still a substantial luxury vehicle.

The real test of the car’s dimensions came on the TF-436 descending into Masca. This road is famous for its extremely narrow cliff hairpins and blind corners. Small cars definitely have the advantage here, and driving the M5 Competition on this route requires intense concentration. You are constantly aware of the vehicle’s width. The steering is precise, which helps immensely when placing the front wheels inches from the rock face, but you will find yourself breathing in as oncoming coaches squeeze past. It is an adrenaline filled experience, though perhaps not for the reasons BMW intended.

Finally, we headed to the Anaga forest roads in the north. These roads are frequently damp, extremely twisty, and often misty. The contrast with the sunny south could not be sharper. The intelligent all wheel drive system proved its worth here, finding traction on the slippery, leaf covered tarmac where a pure rear wheel drive car would struggle. The precise throttle response allowed us to feed the power in gently, maintaining momentum through the dense, atmospheric forest without upsetting the balance of the car.

Where this car shines (and where it does not)

The BMW M5 Competition shines brightest when the road opens up and you can use its phenomenal power and grip. It is a masterpiece of engineering that manages to combine the comfort of a luxury cruiser with the acceleration of a supercar. The interior is a fantastic place to spend time, with superb seats that hold you firmly in place during aggressive cornering while remaining comfortable for hours on end. The technology and infotainment systems are intuitive and genuinely enhance the driving experience rather than distracting from it.

However, we must be honest about its drawbacks in a place like Tenerife. The primary issue is simply its physical size. This is a wide and long car, and on the older, rural roads of the island, it can feel massive. You will often find yourself backing up to let oncoming traffic pass on single track mountain roads. Furthermore, the stiff suspension setup that gives it such incredible body control on smooth roads can feel overly harsh on broken urban tarmac. The low profile tyres also mean you must be hyper vigilant for potholes and sharp rocks that have fallen onto the mountain passes.

Practical notes

Driving a car of this calibre requires some practical considerations, especially in the busy tourist hubs. Navigating the resort streets in Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje, and Playa de las Americas requires patience. Tight parking spaces are the norm, and the wide doors of the M5 make getting in and out a challenge in standard bays. You must also be very careful to look for the blue-line meters when parking on the street, as wardens are quick to issue fines. The parking cameras and sensors are absolute lifesavers in these environments, providing a clear view of the low kerbs that threaten those expensive alloy wheels.

Fuel consumption is exactly what you would expect from a heavy, powerful V8. If you enjoy the performance on the mountain climbs, you will drain the tank very quickly. Fortunately, petrol stations are plentiful along the main motorways, though less common in the remote mountain regions, so it is wise to fill up before tackling Teide or Masca. If you are travelling with luggage, the boot is cavernous and easily swallows suitcases for a family of four. For those seeking this specific driving experience, getting behind the wheel of an Automatic, 4.4 L, 5 seats variant offers a unique way to explore the island.

Verdict

The BMW M5 Competition is a spectacular machine that offers a deeply impressive driving experience on the roads of Tenerife. It devours the fast coastal motorways and climbs the steep volcanic gradients with a level of competence that borders on the absurd. The grip, the power, and the noise make every journey memorable.

It is not the perfect island car for every situation. Its size makes the narrowest mountain routes more stressful than enjoyable, and parking in the busy resorts requires careful planning. But if you value world class engineering and want a vehicle that can transform from a silent luxury cruiser into a roaring performance machine at the touch of a button, it is a magnificent companion for a Tenerife road trip. It demands respect and attention, but it rewards you with an unforgettable drive.

Where to book the BMW M5 Competition in Tenerife

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