Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

BMW M5 production comes to an end [w/video]

The King is dead, long live the King. BMW dropped us a line to say that the V10-powered M5 supersedan is no more. Production has officially ended on the E60 version of one the world's best sports sedan after five years and 20,548 units. That's even greater than the production numbers of its predecessor, the V8-powered E39 models, even though those versions had an additional year of production.

When it was first released in 2005 as a 2006 model, the E60 was a fairly outrageous automotive offering, with an exotic 5.0-liter V10 and 507 horsepower on tap. This generation of M5 introduced the world to a whole new set of superlatives as automotive journalists reached for their Roget's to find a novel way to describe the acceleration, braking and handling. And now that the E60 is no more.

But BMW wants us to rejoice rather than lament the passing of the E60, for the new F10 BMW M5 is just around der Karussell. We've been seeing spy shots of the 2011 BMW M5 seemingly forever, and with its new twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 rumored to be producing 560 horsepower and 530 pound-feet of torque, performance should even be a step above the E60. That doesn't mean we won't miss the E60, however. The good news is that they should be getting even more affordable on the used car market. Follow the jump to read the release and check out a few of our favorite E60 M5 reviews from the blokes at Top Gear and their more sane siblings at Fifth Gear.

Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUXe6...layer_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRwR1...layer_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnZVk...layer_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zYWO...layer_embedded

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/07/b...mes-to-an-end/

rominl

iTrader: (4)

ah... long live....

i still can't say i like the styling (at least much better than the normal e60), but the performance is definitely there. not as nimble as the m3 on the track of course, but for its size and weight (carrying 5 people comfortably), personally i think the car is superb in delivering power and handling capability. i still remember tossing the car on the bmw m driving school, it really made me appreciate the car that much more.

what i love about this car is the v10 with 500hp, and the insane high redline. that sound is just sick.

i am sure the f10 m5 will be better in every aspect, and one car i am keeping an eye on for sure. but to some extend, i have to say it loses a bit of the bmw m badge "soul" with the tt v8

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

The one thing I can't get over about this next generation is that the new one is some 400lbs heavier than the one it replaces

bagwell

need to change title to "BMW M5 E60 production comes to an end" ....I thought they were going to stop making M5s.

LexFather

Agreed. Never warmed up to the looks. The engine though is something else. Amazing this car is in the 40k range now.

Done

rominl

iTrader: (4)

ah, good point. weight is such an issue in my eyes now on all these performance cars. they are all so heavy...

rominl

iTrader: (4)

oh yeah, as soon as the car is toward the end of its warranty period, price dumps fast. 40k on a 3-4 yr old m5 that was tagged at 100k, yummy

plex

iTrader: (11)

While the V10 will be missed I think people are lot more excited about the new TTV8 powerplant. Can't wait to see how far it will get pushed.

dsnowgs4

I know the performance of the new one will probably be better, but the sound of that V-10 was DIVINE...

So long to the E60 Beast...

Yeah at 40k its a heck of a bargain... assuming the electronics on the car hold up.

GS3Tek

iTrader: (8)

Exactly!!!

I love the sound the screaming V10. That got me to love the ugly side of it

hopefully the new one won't be too far off

rominl

iTrader: (4)

i wonder how fast it will take performance chips to come out for the new m5 when the car is here

indeed. if anything, i think e60 m5 is one of the very few cars i am willing to compromise on the look for its performance (and the intoxicating v10 sound )

CDNROCKIES

I don't understand the love for the E60 Bangle design. Ugly as sin, especially compared to the E39, which imo, isn't as attractive as the new F10.

Yes, the V10 is a monster and the sound and performance are amazing, but the new F10 M5 will be even better. Throw in the transmission issues with the E60 and the new version should trump it in just about every way.

LexFather

I still think its rather cool and just amazingly odd a sedan has a V-10 engine...might not happen again for a loooooooong time

Im with CDNRockies again that the styling, even modded, was tough to love.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

yup, the v10 was one of the big wow factors to me, together with the high rev. it's just not something you see often

bnizzle87

always liked the e60 m5. that v10 had such an intimidating sound, but the TT v8 should be no slouch either.