Thursday 8th July 2010

End Of The Line For BMW M5

RIP M5 - at least until the next one

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The current BMW M5 has ceased production after five years and 20,548 units.

Now, the only fast 5-series is the new Alpina B5 Biturbo - at least until the new F10-based M5 arrives in 2011 with a twin-turbo V8.

The death of the E60 M5 also means time is nearly up for the car's naturally aspirated V10 engine. The 500bhp, 384lb ft motor is now only available in the M6 coupe (good thing we've got an M6 on the PH fleet, then).

In overall sales terms the E60 M5 has become the most successful M5 to date, beating even the iconic E39 version, despite being on sale for a year less.

The vast majority of the E60 M5s were saloons - only 1025 M5 Tourings were built, and the new car is unlikely to be offered as an estate.

During its life, the outgoing M5 has been most popular in the US, where BMW shifted 8800 examples, while the UK and Ireland found homes for 1776 cars - making it the second biggest M5 market - while Germany took the third most cars at 1647 units.

[melvster]

One of the best cars of the last 10 years, awesome machine.

[j_s14a]

Odd that so few estates were sold. Better looking than the saloon IMO, and certainly more practical.

A fond farewell to another great BMW M car.

[al1991]

UK the second biggest market...plenty of second hand examples when I can afford the insurance *rubs hands together*

[hornetrider]

Also odd that we bought more than ze Germans.

[Brian McGee]

RIP in the high revving V10.

Awesome machine.

When I have kids, thats going to be on my drive....

[krallicious]

Just a shame they never offered the manual version in Europe........

[Luca Brasi]

The last of the proper M5's. It's a damn shame And actually it still looks and is very modern.

Edited by Luca Brasi on Thursday 8th July 11:44

[S3_Graham]

thing is... How do you think it will age?

Its got so much tech and is fairly complicated machine. Will this go the way of the E39 M5 and become a bargain barge that everyone wants OR the way of the E34 M5 that everyone wants but no one can afford due to ridiculous prices of everything spare parts wise?

I think it may have a bit of E34 syndrom

[neil_bolton]

In touring guise, a stunner. However, the electronics worry me to death. I can see either an emerging market for geeks who know how to service the electronics, or large swathes of 5's/6's/and 7's being written off when they start to fail catastrophically, and insolently sit there not moving because the main comms unit has died.

[abarber]

A real shame we never got the manual version version here.

[Rusty-C]

Mourn the loss of naturally aspirated M-power

[The Milfman]

hornetrider said:

Also odd that we bought more than ze Germans.

I thought this also.

[nonuts]

I will own a car with that engine in one day, just wish it was a manual.

[10JH]

One of the coolest cars I've ever seen was a debadged M5 estate in London. Amazing!

[Adz The Rat]

I would love one, that Touring looks so good in black.

[TotalControl]

Touring does look good. This means that they possibly become more affordable later on. Hmmm...

[Robatr0n]

One of the most memorable passenger rides I've ever had was in an E60 M5 Touring being chucked around the Pro Drive track.

Certainly a car I'd love to own at some point in my life, although I think I'd have to buy an E39 M5 first.

[soad]

Rusty-C said:

Mourn the loss of naturally aspirated M-power

[anonymous-user]

soad said:

Rusty-C said:

Mourn the loss of naturally aspirated M-power

+1

Here's to muted exhaust notes and one less V10 on the market

[Nickellarse]

Arguably one of the best estates ever.