I have yet to see a magazine that picked the M5 over the E55 in handling. On the other hand, Almost every mag had the M5 and the E55 almost equal up to 100mph and the M5 faster over 100mph. Of course the magazines said that while the E55 handled better almost everyone preferred the M5 for driving the twisties. I'm sure that the main reason was for the terrific 6speed manual.