Is BMW Still The Ultimate Driving Machine? The Data Doesn't Lie

For fifty years, BMW has called itself the Ultimate Driving Machine. But the data tells a more complicated story: the current M5 weighs nearly two and a half tons, hydraulic steering disappeared from most of the lineup over a decade ago, and SUVs now dominate sales over sedans. In this video we break down the actual engineering evidence — weight figures, steering technology, and rear-wheel-drive availability — to determine whether BMW's most famous promise still holds up, or whether one model is the only thing keeping it alive. 🔔 Subscribe to Grand Throttle for weekly luxury and performance automotive content. CHAPTERS 00:00 — Introduction: Is The Ultimate Driving Machine A Lie? 00:25 — BMW's Origin: Aircraft Engines, Not Cars 01:00 — The Financial Crisis That Almost Ended BMW 01:30 — The Neue Klasse: The Car That Saved The Company 01:55 — Where The Slogan Actually Came From 02:20 — The Engineering Case: 50/50 Weight Distribution 02:55 — Rear-Wheel Drive: The Disappearing Pillar 03:30 — The Steering Feel Problem: Hydraulic vs Electric 04:15 — E39 M5 vs G90 M5: The Weight Gain Nobody Talks About 05:00 — And Yet: The BMW M2 Counterargument 05:45 — The Verdict: Promise Kept Or Promise Broken? 06:15 — Final Question For The Comments Music: Uprising By: Scot Buckley YouTube Audio Library HASHTAGS #BMW #UltimateDrivingMachine #BMWM #BMWM2 #BMWM5 #BMWM3 #E46M3 #E39M5 #BMWNeueKlasse #BMWHistory #PerformanceSedan #DrivingDynamics #BMWReview #CarCulture #GrandThrottle #AutomotiveReview #BMWEnthusiast #ManualTransmission #RearWheelDrive #CarReview2026 KEYWORDS BMW Ultimate Driving Machine, is BMW still good, BMW M2 review, BMW M5 weight, BMW E46 M3 vs G80 M3, BMW steering feel hydraulic electric, BMW Neue Klasse history, BMW M Division history, E39 M5 vs G90 M5, BMW driving dynamics 2026, BMW rear wheel drive, BMW manual transmission 2026, BMW M2 manual, BMW slogan history, BMW brand identity crisis, performance sedan comparison, BMW enthusiast criticism, BMW weight gain over time, ultimate driving machine true or false, BMW M car history TAGS/MENTIONS BMW, BMW M Division, BMW M2, BMW M3, BMW M5, BMW E46, BMW E39, BMW G80, BMW G90, BMW Neue Klasse, BMW 3 Series, BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-AMG, Audi RS, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche 911, performance sedan comparison, hydraulic steering vs electric steering, rear wheel drive sports sedan, manual transmission sports car, BMW driving dynamics, BMW M history, ultimate driving machine slogan, BMW brand identity, German performance cars, sports sedan engineering, BMW weight gain history, enthusiast car culture, used BMW market value, BMW M2 manual transmission, Grand Throttle automotive ⚠️ ASSETS & COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER All video footage, images, and media used in this production are sourced from copyright-free and royalty-free platforms including but not limited to Pexels, Pixabay, Coverr, and Mixkit, and are used strictly in accordance with their respective free-use licenses. All manufacturer names, model names, brand names, and trademarks referenced in this video — including BMW, M Division, and all associated marks — are the intellectual property of their respective owners. Grand Throttle is an independent automotive commentary channel and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected to BMW AG or any other manufacturer referenced herein. All opinions expressed are solely those of the channel for editorial and entertainment purposes. This video is produced under principles of fair use for commentary and criticism.