BMW: 5-Series News
02-22-2005, 12:21 PM
#842
Race Director
Originally Posted by ClutchPerformer
They don't get V8s in germany?
02-24-2005, 01:59 AM
#843
woooo!!
Originally Posted by ashran2
02-27-2005, 10:59 PM
#844
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The numbers: BMW sold 32,617 5-series cars through the first three quarters of 2004, down from 35,867 for the same period last year. That's well below what the automaker would have hoped for with the technically sophisticated all-new model that went on sale about a year ago.
The number they report is lower, but I see they left out the fact that the 2003 numbers included the M5 and sport wagons. All that sold in 2004 was the 525, 530, and 545.
Bottom line: The 5-series has stumbled in a way uncharacteristic for a new BMW. Several factors might have contributed to its slow sales, including the new model's radical styling, its complicated iDrive control system and a parts problem that stalled shipments from the factory in Germany this summer.
The 5-series is far short of the kind of roaring success BMW expected when it replaced the car that was widely considered the best sport sedan in the world.
The 5-series is far short of the kind of roaring success BMW expected when it replaced the car that was widely considered the best sport sedan in the world.
I wonder if BMW laughs at little articles like these, which would have casual readers believing the 5 and the 7 are failures (even though they're both more successful than their predecessors that people are mourning).
02-28-2005, 05:56 AM
#845
Race Director
What BMW would have hoped for is to match the E class in sales. That didn't happen. And with the new E350, GS, M, RL and A6 to worry about, BMW 5 sales could sour.
02-28-2005, 12:36 PM
#846
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Originally Posted by biker
What BMW would have hoped for is to match the E class in sales. That didn't happen.
And with the new E350, GS, M, RL and A6 to worry about, BMW 5 sales could sour.
02-28-2005, 02:11 PM
#847
Race Director
Originally Posted by machination
How nice. ANOTHER source aware of BMW's sales intentions.
Right. Just like the 3 series did when the C, IS, G35, TL, and A4 were released.
Right. Just like the 3 series did when the C, IS, G35, TL, and A4 were released.
Of course they won't publish expected sales volume - that's like the US predicting a certain exit date from Iraq - sure way to set up for failure.
The only number that really counts is the bottom line. Are they making money? For now the answer is certainly YES.
02-28-2005, 02:21 PM
#848
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Originally Posted by biker
Do think BMW's strategy is "Let's stay in second place"?
The only number that really counts is the bottom line. Are they making money? For now the answer is certainly YES.
05-05-2005, 10:28 AM
#849
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M5 Carrier Bagged - - By Chris Thorpe - Source: Autoexpress
It's the fastest estate car in the world! The mag's spy photographers could hardly believe their eyes when they saw the trademark quad exhaust pipes and deep front splitter which point to only one thing - an M5 Touring.
Although never officially imported into the UK, estate versions of BMW's flagship 5-Series have been built before, and engineers are known to be experimenting with the current load-lugger. Powered by the same mighty 507bhp 5.0-litre V10 as its saloon sibling, the Touring promises to be one of the most thrilling and capable family cars ever.
The rear-wheel-drive model is likely to sprint from 0-60mph in less than five seconds, and go on to an unrestricted top speed in excess of 200mph. That kind of pace would be enough to tempt buyers away from Mercedes' E55 AMG estate and Audi's forthcoming S6 Avant. Despite the advanced state of its development programme, BMW claims that if the M5 Touring is given the green light for the UK, it won't appear in right-hand-drive form before 2007. Prices would be a little higher than for the saloon, at around £65,000.
Although never officially imported into the UK, estate versions of BMW's flagship 5-Series have been built before, and engineers are known to be experimenting with the current load-lugger. Powered by the same mighty 507bhp 5.0-litre V10 as its saloon sibling, the Touring promises to be one of the most thrilling and capable family cars ever.
The rear-wheel-drive model is likely to sprint from 0-60mph in less than five seconds, and go on to an unrestricted top speed in excess of 200mph. That kind of pace would be enough to tempt buyers away from Mercedes' E55 AMG estate and Audi's forthcoming S6 Avant. Despite the advanced state of its development programme, BMW claims that if the M5 Touring is given the green light for the UK, it won't appear in right-hand-drive form before 2007. Prices would be a little higher than for the saloon, at around £65,000.
05-16-2005, 03:55 PM
#851
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Shifting Gears: BMW now says new M5 will get manual gearbox in North America
JENS MEINERS | Automotive News Europe
Posted Date: 5/16/05
MUNICH, Germany -- BMW has changed its plans and will add a true manual transmission to its new M5 high-performance sedan.
The six-speed transmission will be offered in North America because customers asked for an alternative to the seven-speed SMG transmission.
The M5 went on sale in Europe in April. It arrives in North American showrooms this fall with the SMG gearbox only. The manual will join the lineup in late 2006 or early 2007.
Last fall, BMW executives told journalists the company would offer just the SMG gearbox on the M5 because it was "sportier" than a manual transmission.
But Ulrich Bruhnke, the executive in charge of BMW's M-class models, said a "hard-core community" of buyers in North America prefer a manual transmission.
Bruhnke said no decision had been made on whether the M5 will get a manual transmission in Europe.
"The U.S. is our largest single market, where about 50 percent of our production goes," he said. "If we see the opportunity to generate additional sales, we will respond."
JENS MEINERS | Automotive News Europe
Posted Date: 5/16/05
MUNICH, Germany -- BMW has changed its plans and will add a true manual transmission to its new M5 high-performance sedan.
The six-speed transmission will be offered in North America because customers asked for an alternative to the seven-speed SMG transmission.
The M5 went on sale in Europe in April. It arrives in North American showrooms this fall with the SMG gearbox only. The manual will join the lineup in late 2006 or early 2007.
Last fall, BMW executives told journalists the company would offer just the SMG gearbox on the M5 because it was "sportier" than a manual transmission.
But Ulrich Bruhnke, the executive in charge of BMW's M-class models, said a "hard-core community" of buyers in North America prefer a manual transmission.
Bruhnke said no decision had been made on whether the M5 will get a manual transmission in Europe.
"The U.S. is our largest single market, where about 50 percent of our production goes," he said. "If we see the opportunity to generate additional sales, we will respond."
05-16-2005, 04:56 PM
#852
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Originally Posted by dom
Shifting Gears: BMW now says new M5 will get manual gearbox in North America
JENS MEINERS | Automotive News Europe
Posted Date: 5/16/05
MUNICH, Germany -- BMW has changed its plans and will add a true manual transmission to its new M5 high-performance sedan.
JENS MEINERS | Automotive News Europe
Posted Date: 5/16/05
MUNICH, Germany -- BMW has changed its plans and will add a true manual transmission to its new M5 high-performance sedan.
It first appeared in page 19
05-28-2005, 12:25 PM
#853
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BMW M5 Launched With Good and Bad News
Originally Posted by http://www.worldcarfans.com/
http://www.worldcarfans.com/features...id/1050527.001
BMW M5 Launched With Good and Bad News
Text by David Miles, photos courtesy of BMW AG
05-27-2005
advertisement
40 cars so far ordered with bullet proof windows
After nearly three years of waiting since the previous M5 ceased production the good news is that deliveries of the all-new £61,760 BMW M5 started to UK dealers on 19 May. The bad news is that all are sold or spoken for the next two years.
No doubt profiteers will be offering M5s in the small ads of the various motoring magazines and quality Sunday papers so it will be possible to buy a new M5 – at a price.
580 of the eagerly awaited M5s will be available to the UK market this year and BMW GB expect demand to even out to between 450 and 500 units a year. These figures are not written in stone and Lee Connolly, product manager 5/6 series for BMW GB, expects to be able to negotiate with BMW ‘s M Division to increase their allocation. He said it would take around 18 months before they will know the full sales potential of the M5 and the soon to be launched M6.
He added, “40 of the new M5s ordered so far by UK customers have been requested with the bullet proof glass £1,135 option”. Heads of industry and football club executives (not players) are the rumoured customers.
Connolly said, “As advance orders for the M5 suggests they are all sold until mid 2007 the challenge we have is to keep the customers interested. Part of this process will be the Rockingham Driving experience where customers and potential buyers will undergo driver-training programmes and these are being organised directly with the clients by BMW’s UK dealers. We have been training our dealers to handle customer expectations knowing that demand has outstripped supply. Our dealers are also filtering out speculative customers. I would like to think this is non-existent but to some people dealing in rare cars is a business”
He added, “We might also find some initial customers who have placed orders for the M5 might change their minds and opt for the new equally sophisticated and fast M6 Coupe which goes on sale in the UK in September but it is £18,000 more expensive at £79,995. This model has the same engine, transmission but with a lightweight bodyshell, which includes a Kevlar roof, it’s more sports car that sports saloon ands it looks more aggressive than the M5. With the M6 we are starting to see more interest from female buyers.”
The UK is the third largest BMW M product market in the world behind the US and Germany. Connelly said, “Customers for the M5 are made up of existing owners of the previous model who have kept their cars longer waiting for the new model, some have bought the 5-Series Sport models and are now changing up and there are a fair number of conquest customers from Mercedes, Audi, Porsche and Jaguar. Predominately these customers are male aged between 40 and 55 years of age, run two to three cars in the family and predominately it is company money buying the car. Forty-five per cent of customers to date are specifying the full interior leather option for the car, it’s the first time we’ve offered a leather dashboard on any 5-Series. Because the new M5 is so fully equipped there is not much customers can add to the specification so over and above the leather facia upgrade customers are ordering heated rear seats, rear headphones for passengers and not forgetting the bullet proof glass”.
With 507bhp of power, 520Nm of torque, a top speed limited to 155mph and a 0-62mph time of 4.7 seconds, much of the media talk has been about the option to de-restrict the top speed of the M5. BMW say their top management in Germany has taken the responsible ‘high ground’ and stuck to the general industry agreement that 155mph should be the top speed available. However other manufacturers have broken away from this agreement and BMW say they have no power over any customer wishing to have their car de-restricted to achieve the 204mph of which it is capable. BMW confirmed that by de-restricting the car it would not invalidate the car’s warranty. Lee Connolly said, “In reality having a de-restricted car is all about customer talk, fashion and a ‘mine’s de-restricted’ attitude – it is an emotional thing to have it. If the car is being used for track days or motorsport that is a different issue but outside Germany where can you use a car at that speed”
The new BMW M5 is the first volume production car to offer a high revving V10 engine and a seven speed sequential gearbox
The 5.0-litre, aluminium engine produces its maximum power at 7,750rom but it is redlined at 8,250rpm. Power output is 25 per cent more than its predecessor. Although the new engine shares the same V10 configuration with the BMW F1 engine it is not directly related. The F1 engine is of 3.0-litres, not 5.0-litre. However BMW say the inspiration for the electronics and engine design was drawn from their F1 experience. The engine management system derived from F1 can perform more than 200 million individual calculations per second. Continuing with the FI heritage the lightweight block and cylinder heads are cast at the same BMW foundry as the F1 engine.
The new engine delivers two levels of power output. Each time it is started it is in power 400 mode delivering 400bhp. This is to suit normal; urban traffic conditions when 507bhp is of no use and not required. By operating the MDrive button on the steering wheel the power is increased to 507bhp. Eleven bespoke gearchange programmes, throttle response times and suspension settings are all features included in the MDrive Manager programme. A head-up display with information, including the navigation system, is shown in the lower edge of the windscreen.
BMW M5 Launched With Good and Bad News
Text by David Miles, photos courtesy of BMW AG
05-27-2005
advertisement
40 cars so far ordered with bullet proof windows
After nearly three years of waiting since the previous M5 ceased production the good news is that deliveries of the all-new £61,760 BMW M5 started to UK dealers on 19 May. The bad news is that all are sold or spoken for the next two years.
No doubt profiteers will be offering M5s in the small ads of the various motoring magazines and quality Sunday papers so it will be possible to buy a new M5 – at a price.
580 of the eagerly awaited M5s will be available to the UK market this year and BMW GB expect demand to even out to between 450 and 500 units a year. These figures are not written in stone and Lee Connolly, product manager 5/6 series for BMW GB, expects to be able to negotiate with BMW ‘s M Division to increase their allocation. He said it would take around 18 months before they will know the full sales potential of the M5 and the soon to be launched M6.
He added, “40 of the new M5s ordered so far by UK customers have been requested with the bullet proof glass £1,135 option”. Heads of industry and football club executives (not players) are the rumoured customers.
Connolly said, “As advance orders for the M5 suggests they are all sold until mid 2007 the challenge we have is to keep the customers interested. Part of this process will be the Rockingham Driving experience where customers and potential buyers will undergo driver-training programmes and these are being organised directly with the clients by BMW’s UK dealers. We have been training our dealers to handle customer expectations knowing that demand has outstripped supply. Our dealers are also filtering out speculative customers. I would like to think this is non-existent but to some people dealing in rare cars is a business”
He added, “We might also find some initial customers who have placed orders for the M5 might change their minds and opt for the new equally sophisticated and fast M6 Coupe which goes on sale in the UK in September but it is £18,000 more expensive at £79,995. This model has the same engine, transmission but with a lightweight bodyshell, which includes a Kevlar roof, it’s more sports car that sports saloon ands it looks more aggressive than the M5. With the M6 we are starting to see more interest from female buyers.”
The UK is the third largest BMW M product market in the world behind the US and Germany. Connelly said, “Customers for the M5 are made up of existing owners of the previous model who have kept their cars longer waiting for the new model, some have bought the 5-Series Sport models and are now changing up and there are a fair number of conquest customers from Mercedes, Audi, Porsche and Jaguar. Predominately these customers are male aged between 40 and 55 years of age, run two to three cars in the family and predominately it is company money buying the car. Forty-five per cent of customers to date are specifying the full interior leather option for the car, it’s the first time we’ve offered a leather dashboard on any 5-Series. Because the new M5 is so fully equipped there is not much customers can add to the specification so over and above the leather facia upgrade customers are ordering heated rear seats, rear headphones for passengers and not forgetting the bullet proof glass”.
With 507bhp of power, 520Nm of torque, a top speed limited to 155mph and a 0-62mph time of 4.7 seconds, much of the media talk has been about the option to de-restrict the top speed of the M5. BMW say their top management in Germany has taken the responsible ‘high ground’ and stuck to the general industry agreement that 155mph should be the top speed available. However other manufacturers have broken away from this agreement and BMW say they have no power over any customer wishing to have their car de-restricted to achieve the 204mph of which it is capable. BMW confirmed that by de-restricting the car it would not invalidate the car’s warranty. Lee Connolly said, “In reality having a de-restricted car is all about customer talk, fashion and a ‘mine’s de-restricted’ attitude – it is an emotional thing to have it. If the car is being used for track days or motorsport that is a different issue but outside Germany where can you use a car at that speed”
The new BMW M5 is the first volume production car to offer a high revving V10 engine and a seven speed sequential gearbox
The 5.0-litre, aluminium engine produces its maximum power at 7,750rom but it is redlined at 8,250rpm. Power output is 25 per cent more than its predecessor. Although the new engine shares the same V10 configuration with the BMW F1 engine it is not directly related. The F1 engine is of 3.0-litres, not 5.0-litre. However BMW say the inspiration for the electronics and engine design was drawn from their F1 experience. The engine management system derived from F1 can perform more than 200 million individual calculations per second. Continuing with the FI heritage the lightweight block and cylinder heads are cast at the same BMW foundry as the F1 engine.
The new engine delivers two levels of power output. Each time it is started it is in power 400 mode delivering 400bhp. This is to suit normal; urban traffic conditions when 507bhp is of no use and not required. By operating the MDrive button on the steering wheel the power is increased to 507bhp. Eleven bespoke gearchange programmes, throttle response times and suspension settings are all features included in the MDrive Manager programme. A head-up display with information, including the navigation system, is shown in the lower edge of the windscreen.
05-30-2005, 11:17 AM
#857
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The new engine delivers two levels of power output. Each time it is started it is in power 400 mode delivering 400bhp. This is to suit normal; urban traffic conditions when 507bhp is of no use and not required.
05-30-2005, 12:26 PM
#858
I'm the Firestarter
I also want to like the exterior but the sloping front and rear lights just don't do it for me. The car looks like it's being viewed through a distorted glass. The front and rear overhangs look uncharacteristically long for a BMW.
This thing really needs a mid-life restyling like the 2006 7-series, which finally looks good.
x 10000000000
agreed!
05-31-2005, 05:04 PM
#861
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Originally Posted by Belzebutt
Those climate controls remind me of the settings on my Whirlpool washer/dryer. There is very little in this interior that I like, other than maybe the shifter and the materials used.
I also want to like the exterior but the sloping front and rear lights just don't do it for me. The car looks like it's being viewed through a distorted glass. The front and rear overhangs look uncharacteristically long for a BMW.
This thing really needs a mid-life restyling like the 2006 7-series, which finally looks good.
I also want to like the exterior but the sloping front and rear lights just don't do it for me. The car looks like it's being viewed through a distorted glass. The front and rear overhangs look uncharacteristically long for a BMW.
This thing really needs a mid-life restyling like the 2006 7-series, which finally looks good.
newer bmws have ugly interiors to match their exterior looks. and knobs for the climate control?
06-23-2005, 05:18 PM
#864
_____ like a rabbit
BMW M5 Touring Spy Photos
Having launched the M5 to critical acclaim BMW looks to expand M division sales further with the return of the M5 Touring. Purists may cry that the M brand will lose its exclusivity because of its expanded product plan. However, BMW is confident that they can be successful if they stay true to their current philosophy.
An M5 Touring will eclipse losing market share for BMW, albeit a very small percentage. All too aware that customers wanting a high performance wagon wander over to the competition, BMW who have the ultimate performance sedan cannot provide for their customers. As if to say "enough is enough" BMW can no longer stand by and watch the loss of customers when the solution is relatively "easy" to achieve.
BMW reckon that they have the ultimate product in the M5 sedan and the Touring is a very logical step. Also contributing to the decision is the fact that there are a couple of Audi Avants (RS4, RS6) and Mercedes-Benz is thinking of counter attacking with E65 AMG E-Klasse to regain some sort of power control of the high performance luxury sedan and wagon market.
The M5 wagon will have a significant weight increase because of its purpose but BMW is working to make this a benefit to the overall handling of the Touring. Distributing more weight towards the rear of the car will allow the driving dynamics to be tuned for sharper handling than its competitors. Just because you want the practicality of the Touring doesn't mean that you need to sacrifice the sedan's abilities.
Look for public debut at Frankfurt Motor Show this September.
An M5 Touring will eclipse losing market share for BMW, albeit a very small percentage. All too aware that customers wanting a high performance wagon wander over to the competition, BMW who have the ultimate performance sedan cannot provide for their customers. As if to say "enough is enough" BMW can no longer stand by and watch the loss of customers when the solution is relatively "easy" to achieve.
BMW reckon that they have the ultimate product in the M5 sedan and the Touring is a very logical step. Also contributing to the decision is the fact that there are a couple of Audi Avants (RS4, RS6) and Mercedes-Benz is thinking of counter attacking with E65 AMG E-Klasse to regain some sort of power control of the high performance luxury sedan and wagon market.
The M5 wagon will have a significant weight increase because of its purpose but BMW is working to make this a benefit to the overall handling of the Touring. Distributing more weight towards the rear of the car will allow the driving dynamics to be tuned for sharper handling than its competitors. Just because you want the practicality of the Touring doesn't mean that you need to sacrifice the sedan's abilities.
Look for public debut at Frankfurt Motor Show this September.
06-23-2005, 06:32 PM
#866
Senior Moderator
06-23-2005, 09:58 PM
#867
Engineer
looks good for a shaggin wagon
06-24-2005, 12:12 PM
#873
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by Jaydef03
the older 540 6 psd wagon (although very rare) are so hot.
my friends mom has one in red, (auto). shit is smoking
my friends mom has one in red, (auto). shit is smoking
we talked about it here:
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=310001
no h8
07-09-2005, 12:47 PM
#876
Race Director
Comfort access (START button) is the only real change (besides the drivetrains) for 06. Maybe another upgrade of iDrive software - but those come like every few months.
07-12-2005, 04:14 PM
#877
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520d (163HP / 340Nm)
530d (231HP / 500Nm)
530xd (xDrive AWD)
540i (306HP / 390Nm)
550i (367HP / 490Nm) replacing 545i
Start / Stop engine button standard, optional comfort access, M sport package, new colors and rims available.
LightAssistant (automaticly switches the "long" beam light on/off depending on conditions on street) available for 5, 6 and 7-series.
New generation of DSC+ standard on all DSC equipped models.
3D Navigation display with Bird-View standard on NAV Pro system.
Particle filter standard for all diesel engines .
530d (231HP / 500Nm)
530xd (xDrive AWD)
540i (306HP / 390Nm)
550i (367HP / 490Nm) replacing 545i
Start / Stop engine button standard, optional comfort access, M sport package, new colors and rims available.
LightAssistant (automaticly switches the "long" beam light on/off depending on conditions on street) available for 5, 6 and 7-series.
New generation of DSC+ standard on all DSC equipped models.
3D Navigation display with Bird-View standard on NAV Pro system.
Particle filter standard for all diesel engines .
