BMW M5 (E60)
Manufacturer
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BMW
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Production
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2005–2010
19,522 saloons produced
1,025 estates produced
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Assembly
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Dingolfing, Germany
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Body style
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4-door saloon/sedan,
5-door Touring (estate/wagon)
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Engine
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5.0 L V10 petrol BMW S85
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Transmission
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6-speed manual
7-speed SMG
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Wheelbase
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saloon: 2,889 mm (113.7 in),
Touring: 2,880 mm (113.4 in)
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Length
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4,855 mm (191.1 in)
2008–present: 191.5 in (4,864 mm)
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Width
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1,846 mm (72.7 in)
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Height
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saloon: 1,469 mm (57.8 in),
Touring: 1,512 mm (59.5 in)
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Curb weight
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saloon: 1,855 kg (4,090 lb),
Touring: 1,955 kg (4,310 lb)
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The E60 M5 was introduced in 2005, with a V10 engine intended to link the car with the BMW Sauber Formula One team. The E60 M5 was the world's first production sedan to feature a V10 petrol engine. As with some of its predecessors, the E60 variant of the M5 was both the quickest and fastest 4-door sedan in the world at the time of its release.
Other unique M5 features include a wider track, unique body panels, 7-speed SMG III sequential manual gearbox, also known as a single-clutch automated manual transmission, a color heads up display [HUD] featuring navigation, control messages, speed, rpm and gear selection information, automated seat side bolsters, heated/ventilated seats and power rear curtain. The larger, flared front guards on either side also featured cooling vents, reminiscent of the 1970s BMW CSL. The wheels were of a standard 19" diameter with quad exhaust pipes to the rear.
Other unique M5 features include a wider track, unique body panels, 7-speed SMG III sequential manual gearbox, also known as a single-clutch automated manual transmission, a color heads up display [HUD] featuring navigation, control messages, speed, rpm and gear selection information, automated seat side bolsters, heated/ventilated seats and power rear curtain. The larger, flared front guards on either side also featured cooling vents, reminiscent of the 1970s BMW CSL. The wheels were of a standard 19" diameter with quad exhaust pipes to the rear.
2007 BMW M5 interior |
Powertrain
The multiple award-winning S85 engine produces 373 kW (500 hp) and 520 Nm (380 lbft) of torque. The engine and transmission were designed from scratch for this particular model, they are not based off other models.
The BMW M5, along with the E63/64 BMW M6, were designed to use the new Getrag SMG III single-clutch seven speed semi-automatic transmission, that performs gear shift in 65 milliseconds. Gerd Richter, the head of BMW M, described the decision to use a single-clutch sequential manual gearbox as "True, the dual-clutch system has a smoother automatic mode, and it performs seamless upshifts. For a 7-series, this may be the way to go. But an M car should always combine efficiency with emotion. That's why there are six shift speeds to choose from, from velvet glove to iron fist. That's why we cut the torque into seven slices. That's why we added special features like a hill holder, a designated drive program for steep climbs and descents, and a downshift assistant, which briefly dips the clutch to avoid destabilizing wheel spin." However, many reviews have criticised the tranmission for jerky operation.
Based on North American demand, BMW announced in October 2006 that a 6-speed conventional manual transmission would be available in North America; this became the base transmission in these markets while SMG III is an option. The 6-speed manual M5 was marginally slower in certain tests, since the dynamic stability control could not be disengaged unlike the SMG version. The release of a Service Bulletin in November 2007 for a retrofit allowed DSC to be disabled as well as the function being implemented into the introduction of the 2008 model year M5 as well as the M6. The SMG III includes the "Launch Control" feature. However, the US spec vehicles have a reduced launch control RPM to 1500 from 4000.
The BMW M5, along with the E63/64 BMW M6, were designed to use the new Getrag SMG III single-clutch seven speed semi-automatic transmission, that performs gear shift in 65 milliseconds. Gerd Richter, the head of BMW M, described the decision to use a single-clutch sequential manual gearbox as "True, the dual-clutch system has a smoother automatic mode, and it performs seamless upshifts. For a 7-series, this may be the way to go. But an M car should always combine efficiency with emotion. That's why there are six shift speeds to choose from, from velvet glove to iron fist. That's why we cut the torque into seven slices. That's why we added special features like a hill holder, a designated drive program for steep climbs and descents, and a downshift assistant, which briefly dips the clutch to avoid destabilizing wheel spin." However, many reviews have criticised the tranmission for jerky operation.
Based on North American demand, BMW announced in October 2006 that a 6-speed conventional manual transmission would be available in North America; this became the base transmission in these markets while SMG III is an option. The 6-speed manual M5 was marginally slower in certain tests, since the dynamic stability control could not be disengaged unlike the SMG version. The release of a Service Bulletin in November 2007 for a retrofit allowed DSC to be disabled as well as the function being implemented into the introduction of the 2008 model year M5 as well as the M6. The SMG III includes the "Launch Control" feature. However, the US spec vehicles have a reduced launch control RPM to 1500 from 4000.
2007 BMW M5 tyre, rim and brake |
Performance
2007 BMW M5 E60 V10 engine |
BMW stated the car to reach 0-to-62-mph in a time of 4.7 seconds (though this has been bettered in several published road tests ranging from 4.1 to 4.5 seconds) and an absolute (de-limited) top speed of 205 mph Motor Trend's comparison test found that while the E55 AMG had recorded a faster 0–60 mph time of 4.2 seconds versus the (inhibited) US-launch control equipped M5's 4.5 seconds, the M5 had superior driving dynamics.
In the Australian publication Wheels magazine in July 2005 recorded a 0–100 km/h time of an early, 2004-built E60 M5 of 4.4 seconds. The E60 M5 Sedan shared its underpinnings with the E63 M6 Coupe, which is longer overall but has a shorter wheelbase, with the M6 also being lower to the ground and slightly lighter with a carbon fibre roof.
An E60 M5 that was de-limited, recorded a 7:52 lap time at the Nurburgring and recorded a Top Gear power lap of 1:26.2 List of Top Gear test track Power Lap Times
In the Australian publication Wheels magazine in July 2005 recorded a 0–100 km/h time of an early, 2004-built E60 M5 of 4.4 seconds. The E60 M5 Sedan shared its underpinnings with the E63 M6 Coupe, which is longer overall but has a shorter wheelbase, with the M6 also being lower to the ground and slightly lighter with a carbon fibre roof.
An E60 M5 that was de-limited, recorded a 7:52 lap time at the Nurburgring and recorded a Top Gear power lap of 1:26.2 List of Top Gear test track Power Lap Times
- 0-100 km/h (62 mph): (BMW official) 4.7s
- (0–100 mph: 10.00, Road & Track [2/06])
- (0–60 mph: 4.1s, Road & Track [2/06])
- Top speed: 330kmh (205 mph) delimited; 250 km/h (155 mph) with electronic speed limiter; 170 mph with electronic speed limiter on vehicles with the Dynamic Stability Control deactivation update; only on G.B. models German models not limited.
E61 M5 Touring (2007–2010)
The E61 M5 Touring was introduced in 2007, only the second M version of the 5-Series Touring after the E34. It shares the same drivetrain with its saloon sibling, and serves as a rival to the Audi RS6 Avant and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Estate. The Touring was never offered for sale in North America.
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Last updated on 16 August 2013 at 09:37.
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