Section: //X5 M\\

BimmerCast #59: BMWNA M Head Matthew Russell Interviewed

Sections: //1M\\, //M5\\, //M\\, //X5 M\\, //X6 M\\, BimmerCast Jan 14th, 2012 5 Comments

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After a long day of interviews at the North American International Auto Show Todd and Matt caught up with BMWNA’s M Boss Matthew Russell with an impromptu interview that covered a range of topics. First up we talk 3 Series and the fact that the NAIAS this year is all about 3er. But then we quickly move onto the M5 and why Mr. Russell loves the X5M but thinks the M5 is hands-down the best car in the world.

What’s the Fastest M Car? Autobild Finds Out

Sections: //1M\\, //M3 CRT, //M3\\, //M5\\, //X5 M\\, //X6 M\\ Dec 29th, 2011 10 Comments

German publication Autobild took the entire current M range (including the ultra rare M3 CRT) to the Sachsenring. The winner? Perhaps unsurprisingly it was the über M3, the new CRT. But what of the standard production models? The F10 M5 bested the lot with a time of 1:38.90. Not bad for a heavy-weight. But it was the race for second that caught out attention.

M5 Going All Wheel Drive?

Sections: //M5\\, //M\\, //X5 M\\, //X6 M\\ May 3rd, 2011 1 Comment

With all the noise today on AWD M cars on the interwebs today, we thought it was worth mentioning our position again. As we’ve already said once this spring, nothing is set in stone. While M is working on new AWD technologies, we don’t expect anything in the near future outside of any new SAV based M car.

You can read our original AWD M report from last month here.

BMW M to Expand & Innovate

Sections: //1M\\, //M3 GTS, //M3\\, //M5\\, //M6\\, //M\\, //X5 M\\, //X6 M\\, Rumor May 1st, 2011 5 Comments

Through various sources it’s become clear that M has plans to expand it’s line-up from the traditional 3-4 products. Crucial to this are the X5 and X6 M twins. With the Chinese, Russian and Brazilian markets showing dramatic appetite for big M cars, it’s clear that there’s a lot of market share to gain and profit to be hand. For instance China’s M sales grew 355% alone last year. That kind of number doesn’t go unnoticed in Munich.

Because of this M is likely looking to add another M SAV to the mix. However whether that’s an X3, the forthcoming X4 and even a hot version of the X1 is still up in the air. There’s even talk of a X1 iS has to help bridge the gap. But the future story of M is also about getting back to its basics and not forgetting about the enthusiasts that they’ve traditionally relied on.

BMW M GmbH Sales Significantly Higher in 2010

Sections: //1M\\, //M3\\, //M\\, //X5 M\\, //X6 M\\, Official News Feb 2nd, 2011 6 Comments

Portions of the article below are taken from the official release.

BMW M GmbH is reporting some impressive figures for 2010 despite the M5 and M6 being discontinued for the year. Despite this, the number of BMW M car sales rose by 14.2 percent to 16,967 units. Overall, worldwide growth in demand for high-performance sports cars, M Sport packages, exclusive special options from BMW Individual as well as driving experience training courses contributed to this positive development. Considerable growth impulses are also anticipated for 2011 thanks to an extended M Sport package and BMW Individual product range and the launch of the BMW 1 Series M Coupé, which takes the company into a new vehicle segment. Beyond this, the development of special task and security vehicles based on current BMW production models will also fall within the remit of BMW M GmbH in future.

BimmerFile Review: 2010 X5 M

Sections: //X5 M\\, Review Jun 28th, 2010 10 Comments

Let’s get a few things straight; the sun was out and the pavement was as dry as could be. As I entered the corner I thought about that torque vectoring system I had read so much about (and felt in the X6 50i we tested last year). I knew what it was capable of and I knew very well the X5 M had moved the goal posts even further. Exactly where that limit was I didn’t quite know.

Yet here I was entering a 90 degree turn with substantial speed on a desolate rural road in the heart of Wisconsin. I simply turned in smoothly and began to feel the impossible. The 5,000 lbs BMW X5 M started to oversteer. And I’m not talking a little wiggle. The M Division’s first AWD vehicle actually drifted out of the corner and then elegantly got back in line (with appropriate correction) for the next 90 degree coming up in 300 feet.

This article was suppose to be a thrashing of the X5 M as an overweight impostor to the hallowed M brand. But that begs the question of how do you even measure what M is? While the answer is inevitably personal, there are a few core ingredients that we can all agree on. Power, balance and precision. However thanks to the X5 M, the scale of which we measure those attributes has just shifted. Is it a true M based on tradition? Can a vehicle with all wheel drive, turbos and an automatic transmission be mentioned in the same breath as the E30 M3 or the original M Coupe? After 1,000 miles in seven days the answer is a little complicated, but during those few seconds in that corner it was nothing but pure joy in the most raw “M” way.

Bimmercast #23: Munich Trip Wrap-up, X5 M, F10 5 Series, M5 and 1M Pricing & Launch Dates

Sections: //X5 M\\, BimmerCast, E70 X5, F10 5 Series Jun 7th, 2010 2 Comments

This week we start off talking about what we’re both driving and reviewing starting with the X5 M (hate the transmission, surprisingly love the car) and then moving onto the F10 550i (better in every way over the E60).

Another week means another couple stories worth of 1M rumors and many more details. So we touch on what we expect with the new baby M and when we expect it (hint; it’s looking pretty damn good). What about production? Will it be easy to get one? The easy answer is sort of.

We then take some time to recap my recent trip to Munich and BMW’s new environmental testing center and talk about what it means for BMW’s products and those plastic and swirl clad test cars we’ve grown to love.

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X5 M Safety Recall – The Real Story

Sections: //X5 M\\, Recalls/Bulletins Apr 27th, 2010 2 Comments

With several erroneous stories out there about the just announced X5 M recall, we thought it was our duty get a little clarity around the issue and answer some of your questions. So we spoke with with Matthew Russell (from BMW Product & Technology Communications department) about the recall and what exactly is behind it.

BimmerFile: First off what product is affected:

BMWNA: 2010 BMW X5 M SAVs produced between 7/1/09 and 1/25/10. Approximately 735.

BF: What’s the issue exactly?

BMWNA: The affected vehicles were not equipped with the power supply cables for the front side marker lamps (lamps are located in the outer corner of the headlight cluster).

BF: What can happen?

BMWNA: The front side marker lamps will not illuminate.

BF: Does this affect the ability to signal for turns?

BMWNA: No. Turn signal and hazard light operation are not affected.