2004 BMW M5 Review

Specifications

Previewing the Most Anticipated Performance Car in Years

Ask any true blue enthusiast what single car they would own if money was no object and the BMW M5 jumps to the top of the list more often than not. Its on top of mine without question, and for what its worth Ive driven just about every car currently sold in the U.S.

Its the ideal sports sedan, with dashing good looks, an accommodating well appointed cabin, NBA level moves and devastatingly quick acceleration. No matter what the competition seems to serve up, the M5 continues to end up highest on the desirability list.

But in recent years the competition has become fierce to say the least. The Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG has stepped up with no less than 469 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque at its disposal, the result of a supercharged 5.5-liter V8. Thats 75 horsepower and 48 lb-ft of torque more than the current M5, what happened?

Top rival Mercedes-Benz would be enough of a reason for BMWs M division to step up its game, but Volkswagens Audi subsidiary also anted up with a twin-turbocharged 4.2-liter V8 powered A6, dubbed the RS6. It puts out a decadent 450 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque, not as much as the Merc but still more than the M5. Jaguar has come to the table with a 400-hp S-Type R while even Cadillacs ultra-hot CTS-V sports slightly more power, also at 400 ponies, with the added benefit of a 6-speed manual pulled right from the Corvette Z06 that donates the cars engine.

Of course its not all about horsepower and torque but overall driving responsiveness. First and foremost the M5 is the only German to offer a manual gearbox. Its nothing less than a short-throw, precise shifting 6-speed unit. Its clutch is superbly weighted, easy to launch the car to 60 mph in an otherworldly 5.2 seconds. The pedal placement is perfect for a heal-toe driving style, with the immediacy of a drive-by-wire throttle optimized for ultra-quick input via a center-stack mounted sport mode button.

Such features will be part of the upcoming M5, shown recently in Geneva in concept form. Modeled after the recently updated 530i and 545i sedans (E60), reports from those on the inside say the M5 concept shown here is very close to reality.

It will be motivated by a naturally-aspirated 500 plus horsepower V10, precisely the performance level needed to annihilate its top-tier rivals when it comes to horsepower bragging rights. No doubt it will also be more engaging to drive, due to its manual transmission, active steering and dynamic drive suspension, to name only a few of BMWs exclusive technologies.

The 10-cylinder configuration not only separates the M5 from its V8 opponents, but ties the brands top sporting drivetrain in with its race-winning Williams-BMW Formula 1 effort. While no team on the grid will offer up specific engine output ratings, common knowledge in the paddock has BMWs V10 in the number one position. Its an amazingly high revving power unit that delivers enviable reliability as well.

While hardly capable of the F1 engines stratospheric 19,000 rpm, the future M5s Valvetronic engine will reportedly be capable of running to 9,000 rpm - amazing just the same. Only Hondas S2000 delivers such high revving excitement, made less significant being a small displacement 4-cylinder configuration normally associated with high rpm.

Expect the choice of two transmissions, a 6-speed manual once again with the option of a 6-speed SMG II sequential gearbox. Said to shift even quicker than the SMG equipped M3, the second generation sequential gearbox will also offer relatively smooth automatic mode optimal for driving in stop-and-go traffic.

Stylistically the M5 concept gets a revised front fascia with a gaping mesh covered center vent for cooling the engine. Rocker panel skirts are also part of the exterior package, visually tying into an aggressively lowered rear valance featuring cutouts to incorporate the cars trademark four circular tailpipes. The rear decklid will underpin an understated but nevertheless aerodynamically critical rear wing, while its aluminum rims will without doubt span at least 19-inches in diameter.

The M5s V10 will also get the nod for the brands upcoming M6, while a version of the 2003 model year M5s 394 horsepower V8 is expected to climb under the hood of a future M3. What will happen to the silky-smooth 333 horsepower inline-6 that M3 fans have become so fond of? Its expected to slip in front of the Z4 M Roadster firewall. There could also be an M version of the hot-selling X3 SUV or even an M1 - although some long-term Bimmer fans might have something to say about BMWs new compact model sporting the brands most coveted nameplate. More likely such a car would be a coupe or convertible, with M2 being the chosen moniker.

But as fun as it is to speculate, the only thing that is certain is the upcoming M5. Its expected to show up in European showrooms in the fall, with a North American specified model to follow shortly after. Along with the power increase, expect the window sticker to jump over last years base price. Whatever, itll sell out no matter what price BMW chooses.