We at BimmerFile love the E60 M5. In fact today we’re officially christening as E60 M5 day on MF. Yes there are many out there that firmly believe the E39 V8 powered M5 is the ultimate M sedan. However there is something exotic about the E60 M5 with it’s high revving V10 engine. Conceived, designed and engineered when BMW was powering Williams F1 cars with V10 engines, the S85 (as it’s internally known) will likely be the last of a breed of high cylinder count high-revving engines. From here on out it’s all turbos and low-end torque.
And that’s not to even mention the car as a whole. From the first one off the line to the one-off CSL shown last year, the car has been nothing short of a huge success from BMW. In fact it’s officially the most successful M5 ever with a record 20,548 sold worldwide despite only being on sale for five years (as compared to the E39 which was sold for six). Perhaps unsurprisingly more than 40% were sold in the US (the only country to get the optional manual transmission version). Another interesting sales figure fact, BMW only sold 1025 of the wagon variant (our favorite) that was launched in 2007.
We will miss you E60 M5. For more on this soon to be legendary car be sure to check out out M5 section.
Official Release on the End of Production
After being on sale on the global automotive market for five successful years, the BMW M5 has ended its production lifespan with a new record high. The BMW M GmbH produced a total of 20,548 of the charismatic high-performance sports car featuring a V 10-cylinder power unit. The BMW M5 Saloon is accountable for 19,523 of these, with the BMW M5 Touring, which was first launched in 2007, contributing a further 1025 units towards the overall result. This means that even the production figures of the predecessor model, which was manufactured for a period of six years, have been surpassed. The BMW M GmbH sees this record result as a further chapter in the success story of a remarkable automobile, which reaches back as far as the year 1984. 26 years ago we saw the launch of the first BMW M5 – this also marking the birth of the high-performance saloon segment.
570+ hp. Torque vectoring rear axel. Four doors. That is the new M5. Today (courtesy of caradvice) we get our best look (and listen) of the next generation M5 in its natural habitat: the Nurburgring Nordschleife.
It seems like spy photos of the next generation M5 are popping up everywhere these days. The twin turbo powered V8 is in the final stretch of drivetrain and suspension tuning in and around Germany and we expect it to debut sometime this fall in lightly disguised concept form. Then in early 2011 look for a final production M5 to show-up. But in the meantime you can see test mules attacking German roads below.
As you may have picked up from our recently posts, BMW is being very aggressive with changing to relatively new models across the range this spring. So aggressive in fact that they’ve decided to begin 2011 model year starting with Spring production of most models. Some highlights:
The M3 Competition Package is real and includes 10 mm lower suspension, 19” M3 GTS wheels, remapped Electronic Damping Control and Dynamic Stability Control systems.
X5 now comes with the N55 single turbo inline six
BMW has introduced value packages to the aging 1 and 3 series models
Most models equipped with the twin turbo N54 inline six will be transitioning to the N55 single turbo for 2011.
Most vehicles receive minor changes for MY2011 in the form of options and new or revised packages, but some models are either all-new (for example, the new BMW 5 Series sedan and BMW ALPINA B7) or substantially updated (3 Series Coupe and Convertible). For existing models, what will not change for the start of the MY2011 are base Manufacturer Suggested Retail Prices. You can get all the details for the entire range in the official release below:
Image courtesy of Car Magazine/ Edited by BimmerFile
Through a collection of sources (one of which is the always interesting Scott27) we’ve been able to piece together a good idea of what the next generation (F10) M5 will offer. For starters the engine will be similar (but not identical) to the twin turbo V8 in the X5 and X6 M SAVs. We expect an output around 570 bhp with dramatically more torque (well over 500ft lbs) than the current E60 M5 thanks to those two turbos. BMW has gone to great lengths to make the F10 M5 have more usable power (think E39 rather than E60). With the help of those turbos, the M engineers have created an engine that is less about a high strung shriek at 8000 rpm and more about everyday power (and lots of it).
But what about the perceived softening of the M brand? Reportedly the M Division will be doing something about that with the F10. With carbon fiber used for some body panels and an optional carbon fiber roof, their aim is to bring weight down as much as possible. Further we’ve now heard from two sources that M is planning to recreate the entire platform in aluminum to dramatically reduce the weight of the structure. Reportedly the E60 M5 CSL one-off was a proof of concept engineering test mule that helped engineers vet out much of these ideas.
BimmerFile is dedicated to bringing you the most interesting news, links and reviews related to the BMW brand and it's vehicles.
We believe in the old school BMW ownership experience. We believe in garage nights with a six pack and some friends. We believe in 2002s, in E30 M3s and E34 540s with the 6 speed. We believe in progress in both design and engineering but we haven't lost sight of what made the brand and its products great all those years ago. And yes, we believe in the manual transmission.
We long for the days of the wave and for the days of roll-up windows. Yet we love the gadgets on the inside and the xenons on the outside.
In short, we can't get enough of BMWs. This is BimmerFile.
Sections: //M5\\, E60 5 Series Jul 7th, 2010 4 Comments 
