[chonkoa]

Originally Posted by BeeMer Boi

You make a good point there chonkoa. I can understand that BMW kept the car looking fresh to keep the BMW and M5 name fresh in the mind of consumers.

But my question was more related to the scale of the facelift. Is this the traditional 'mid-life' facelift that all BMW's go through, or will that major mid-life facelift come around when BMW and ///M decide to increase the power of the M5 (due to the upcoming RS6) ?
I ask this because the facelift of the E39 M5 involved only headlight and tail-light cluster changes (exterior wise that is).
So I'm just wondering whether this will be the final facelift for the M5.. or whether it is going to receive another one in maybe 2-3 years time ?

Considering that the F10 is around the corner, I will doubt if there will another facelift before the F10 chasis that is due to be released as MY 2009 5 series( of course that might change).
What we might see is the engine upgrade in power either with this current E60 chasis or the next one.
My bet is on the F10 chasis, to counter the RS6.
My bet is also on the F10 550i to have the 4.4 litre Bi-turbo V8 to counter the Audi V-10 S6.
With all been said, I might be wrong.

[Beemer B773ER]

Originally Posted by Deutsch

BMW never does major face lifts on any of it's cars, only mild makeovers to keep the cars fresh in the minds of consumers, as was mentioned. Beyond that, sure BMW may increase the S52's hp (I believe that's the internal denotation for the 5.0 V10) to stay competitive with cars such as the C6 RS6, but I wouldn't expect anything more, otherwise would simply be out of character for BMW.

Good point.

OK.. let me re-word my question again, this time short and direct.

Will there be another facelift (be it mild or major) for the E60 M5 in its lifetime?

Rumour-mill says that BMW will increase the power of the M5 once the RS6 hits the streets.. so will BMW simply increase horsepower and that's it.. or will BMW and ///M take this opportunity to also give the M5 a little touch-up in design to once again keep it fresh ??

[Beemer B773ER]

Considering that the F10 is around the corner, I will doubt if there will another facelift before the F10 chasis that is due to be released as MY 2009 5 series( of course that might change).

My oh my how the years fly by!

Only about 2 years till the new 5er comes out. Well if that's the case then we'll have to wait at least 3 years for the new M5. Hmm... interesting timing.

[Tycoon]

Originally Posted by BeeMer Boi

or will BMW and ///M take this opportunity to also give the M5 a little touch-up in design to once again keep it fresh ??

For some reason i don't think it'll happen... And i don't remember that they already did it with some previous M5 models....

[shonguiz]

Originally Posted by Alwing

NEW

OLD

Interior is better but i prefer old style dor the doors wich was more sensual, futuristic and coherent.

[vabboud]

i believe none, M has rarely followed the regualr cycles for BMW models, the E39 M5 was kept at 400hp whilst all compeition got level closer to 450, but it still was competitive per weight and handling, and just for the fact it was an M5, the grandady of them all, constantly refresing an M has a hint of sacrilege, but you never know
plus 500hp is more than enough, what would that leave for the F10 M5? 570hp, 600hp? that would be too much

[EnI]

Originally Posted by vabboud

but there have been rpecedents Eni, the E43 M3 never got facelifted as oposed to the regular coupe

More an exception.

It was due M3 CSL version. Have no idea why, but can find out in the next days.




PS: according to my info M5 "CS" is in the works. But it will be a limited edition. It will include performance enhancements: eg. uptuned engine, some re-tuned SMGIII settings, better brakes etc.
Perhaps there will be some exterior feature to differ M5 from "CS" version.

There will be no additional M5 facelift - only getting some new options / features (mostly entertainment, communication & navigation) like a regular 5er.

[Beemer B773ER]

Originally Posted by vabboud

i believe none, M has rarely followed the regualr cycles for BMW models, the E39 M5 was kept at 400hp whilst all compeition got level closer to 450, but it still was competitive per weight and handling, and just for the fact it was an M5, the grandady of them all, constantly refresing an M has a hint of sacrilege, but you never know
plus 500hp is more than enough, what would that leave for the F10 M5? 570hp, 600hp? that would be too much

Yeh that's true... but here's for hoping. (not implying that the M5 actually needs a facelift).

Since chonkoa and vabboud have mentioned the F10 M5, I must ask a question (yes i know.. another one from me).

We "know" that the S85 V10 engine in the M5/M6 is capable of being tuned up to around 550hp with a bit of computer re-programming (I remember reading an interview with some ///M official who said the S85 is capable of more than 500hp) ... so will the F10 M5 get a completely new engine, or will ///M simply put the S85 in there and increase power to ~550hp ??

(I know it's a little premature to be talking about the F10 M5 when the standard 5er hasn't even been unveiled)

[vabboud]

my guess is an update of S85, like some enw heads, or the addition of DI, or soemthing, to up power, and lower consumption, and maybe the introduction fo some alloys to raise rpm by 250 or something, but that's a very wild guess

[SCOTT27]

The main reason why we do not give our cars complete overhauls is simply because in several countries BMW have the best residual market for it's products. And in respect the customer achieves the outcome a car that can hold it's value and the return they keep coming back to BMW.

It was due M3 CSL version. Have no idea why, but can find out in the next days.

They tried the facelift on the M3 but it did not gel as much simply because the flared wheel arches on the wings did not respond to the new headlight shape and looked awkward. Besides not overhauling the M3 did save some engineering costs
It was mainly to protect the residual value of the M3 .