Litchfield BMW M5 (F90) | Spotted
A four-wheel drive M5 is already pretty rapid with 600hp; imagine it with 720...
The launch of a new BMW M5 is undoubtedly big news for PHey types; not only does it suggest that the super-saloon segment probably has a new benchmark, it means that the previous version is likely to get even cheaper still. M5s have always depreciated about as fast as they've accelerated, a trend that's only likely to continue with the recently revised car. Which, given that they can be very easily specified to within a whisker of £120,000, might be a fairly terrifying prospect. With the first F90 having impressed so highly, and with the latest car described by Sam on these pages as "very familiar to anyone accustomed to the current M5 Competition's way of doing things", there's surely no better time to consider one of those original four-wheel cars. They're already available for less than £60,000, believe it or not...
However, as the title has alluded to, this is not just any old F90 BMW M5 - it's a Litchfield tuned BMW M5. And although the Tewkesbury company is perhaps best known for its work with Japanese metal, recent products like the M2 Competition and Toyota Supra (excuse a little poetic licence) have proven that their expertise can be applied elsewhere, too. Furthermore, this most recent M5 makes an intriguing tuning base thanks to the four-wheel drive; it's hard to imagine many actively coveting more than 600hp, but for those who do the car is now capable of containing it rather than squandering it through one driven axle. With the current M5 using an evolution of the 4.4-litre twin turbo V8 used in the previous F10, knowledge is most certainly there now about how to get the best from the engine, too.
Therefore, what you're looking at here is an M5 with nothing more than Litchfield entry level map. But it's one that yields 720hp and 645lb ft. Bear in mind that as standard the M5 was able to complete the standing quarter mile in 11.5 seconds and then consider than this car has another 120hp and 92lb ft. You can quite rightly make all the accusations in the world about how relevant and usable that power might be, because it does seem absurd. But you're also kind of curious about what a 720hp 5 Series might be like, aren't you?
As Litchfield's demonstrator car, the M5 is an early 2018 model - yet has only covered 6,400 miles. On offer at £58,995, it looks decent value against those standard cars at similar money with twice or three times the mileage. Naturally, this being an M5 it will continue to lose money, but the severity of the depreciation will ease off from now on.
Moreover, those concerned about the additional power should hopefully be reassured, not only by Litchfield's reputation, but the also the fact that it's being sold with a 12-month engine warranty. Otherwise, to all intents and purposes, it's just a well-specced M5 to the passer-by: Frozen Arctic Grey paint, Premium Package, Comfort Package, heated and cooled seats... and as much power as a Ferrari F8 Tributo.
Some will always remain averse to extracting more power from flagship performance cars, and that's just fine - the M5 is a great car as standard, and there are plenty around. On the other hand, this Litchfield car looks as close to cake-and-eat-it tuning as is possible to find. A reputable tuner has done little (in the grand scheme of things) to yield substantial power gains, all available for less than the price of a standard car and with a year's warranty. Of course, most people will be more than content with a 600hp M5; for those that aren't however, this Litchfield car might prove pretty difficult to resist...
SPECIFICATION | BMW M5 (F90)
Engine: 4,395cc, twin-turbocharged V8
Transmission: 8-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Power (hp): 600@5,600-6,700rpm (standard)
Torque (lb ft): 553@1,800-5,600rpm (standard)
MPG: 27 (NEDC)
CO2: 241g/km
First registered: 2018
Recorded mileage: 6,400
Price new: £89,640 (before options)
Yours for: £58,995
I've had some of my cars remapped to various degrees in the past, but none of them ever had the kind of power a standard M5 has. I guess it's a case of getting used to what you have, then wanting more?
Sad or deluded? Probably both...
Sad or deluded? Probably both...
https://youtu.be/zv5JlYb5yrU?t=40
https://youtu.be/zv5JlYb5yrU?t=40
Sad or deluded? Probably both...
As someone else said, just bring out the Touring version. Any chance of a manual gearbox as well, or is that pushing my luck?
https://youtu.be/zv5JlYb5yrU?t=40
TX.
Still think I'd prefer a 550i (as you can get as a touring) with a remap for full sleeper appeal but this is still a lovely machine for the money.
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