Ageing Like Wonderful Wine. Few vehicles embody the phrase “getting older like fantastic wine” fairly just like the E60 BMW M5. Cherished by lovers and, at occasions, misunderstood by clients, this V10-powered beast was a radical departure from its predecessor when it launched in 2005. With a daring and really controversial, Bangle-era styling and cutting-edge expertise, the E60 M5 pushed boundaries in methods no M5 earlier than it had. It was really a leap from the much-loved E39 M5 technology.
Now, 20 years later, it has cemented itself as a contemporary traditional—a high-revving, naturally aspirated masterpiece that continues to be one in all BMW M’s most audacious creations. On this article, we’ll revisit what made the E60 M5 so particular, why it continues to captivate lovers, and the way its legacy has solely grown stronger with time. Let’s dive in.
First Manufacturing Sedan with a V10 Engine
The E60 BMW M5 was the primary M automobile to ever function a V10 engine. The legendary 5.0-liter S85 V10 is of course aspirated engine impressed by Method 1 expertise. The V10 engine motorblock got here from similar engine manufacturing facility as BMW Method 1 vehicles. It produced 507 hp (373 kW) and 520 Nm (384 lb-ft) of torque, delivering sprints from 0 to 60 mph in simply 4.1 seconds. If you concentrate on it, that’s a staggering achievement for a automobile that’s now 20 years outdated.
First M Automotive with a 7-Velocity SMG III Automated Guide Transmission
Subsequent on the listing of novelties is the 7-speed SMG III (Sequential Guide Gearbox). This was the world’s first electrohydraulically managed 7-speed gearbox in a manufacturing automobile. It supplied 11 totally different shift settings (six in handbook mode, 5 in automated) and enabled launch management. However as cool because the gearbox was, it wasn’t with out points. It used a single, automated clutch to swap cogs and shifted extremely rapidly.
Nevertheless, the BMW fanatic group largely despises it for being clunky, tough, and slower than what’s now thought of acceptable. Whereas the shifts themselves have been brutally fast, the transmission’s logic typically lagged, making gear adjustments really feel jerky and unrefined. Happily, choose markets have been supplied a six-speed handbook, remodeling the E60 M5 into a much more partaking and satisfying driving expertise.
First M with M Dynamic Mode (MDM)
The E60 M5 launched M Dynamic Mode (MDM), an intermediate traction management setting that allowed extra wheel slip than commonplace DSC, providing expert drivers a steadiness between stability and efficiency. Since, MDM discovered its method in different BMW M vehicles as nicely and it’s now synonymous with enjoyable driving with out moving into an excessive amount of hassle. There’s a caveat although: The E46 M3 CSL, offered in Europe between 2003 and 2004, got here with an M Observe Mode. The function was activated by way of a button on the steering wheel permitting the DSC to intervene solely when the automobile was pushed to the restrict. Subsequently, this may high quality as the primary MDM, with out truly carrying its title.
First BMW with an 8,250 RPM Redline
The S85 is a high-revving masterpiece, constructed with a singular goal—pure, unfiltered efficiency. With a 92 mm bore and 75.2 mm stroke, this S85 V10 delivers its 507 hp at 7,750 rpm, screaming all the way in which to an 8,250 rpm redline. It had the best rev of any M engine on the time. Peak torque of 520 Nm (384 lb-ft) is available in at 6,100 rpm, retaining the powerband alive and keen. To push previous 100 hp per liter, BMW engineers dialed up the compression to 12:1, squeezing out each ounce of naturally aspirated enjoyable.
First M5 to Function a Heads-Up Show (HUD) with M-Particular Content material
The E60 M5 was the primary BMW M automobile to supply a full-color HUD, displaying RPM, gear choice, and shift lights. In fact, the common E60 5 Collection additionally had a Head-Up Show, however with out all of the M goodies. We take the M Head-Up Shows without any consideration at the moment, but it surely’s spectacular to suppose that BMW engineers put this idea collectively over 20 years in the past.
First M5 with Adaptive Suspension
For the primary time, the E60 BMW M5 launched adaptive suspension expertise with Digital Damper Management (EDC), permitting drivers to tailor the experience between Consolation and Sport settings, even dialing it in for observe use. However BMW M didn’t cease there—it additionally took a significant step ahead in engine digitalization. On the coronary heart of the system was the M button on the steering wheel, linked to the iDrive menu, the place drivers may toggle between three distinct energy modes:
- P400: The default setting, limiting output to 400 hp for on a regular basis driving.
- P500: Unlocks the total 507 hp, delivering the M5’s true potential.
- P500 Sport: Additional sharpens throttle response and reduces shift occasions for an much more aggressive drive.
First M5 Touring (E61) with a V10
The E61 M5 Touring was the primary and solely M5 wagon to function a V10 engine, making it one of the vital highly effective and distinctive BMW wagons ever. In fact, essentially the most highly effective M5 Touring ever is now the G99 M5. The E61 M5 received’t have fun its twentieth birthday till 2027.
Let’s Discuss Design
The E60 BMW M5 ignited a wave of controversy with its daring and unconventional styling—a pointy departure from the extra conventional BMW designs that got here earlier than it. Crafted beneath the route of Chris Bangle, with Davide Arcangeli main the design effort, the E60 embodied a brand new, forward-thinking philosophy that challenged the model’s long-standing aesthetic norms. On the core of this transformation was “flame surfacing,” a radical design language that launched sculpted, flowing strains and dramatic concave surfaces. This method gave the E60 a dynamic, nearly fluid look, starkly contrasting with the cleaner, extra restrained look of its predecessors.
Reactions at launch have been divided. Whereas some appreciated its futuristic and aggressive styling, many BMW purists struggled to embrace it, particularly when evaluating it to the much-adored E39 M5. The sharp headlights, exaggerated rear design, and sophisticated bodywork made it a polarizing determine within the M5 lineage.
But, as time has handed, the E60’s design has aged in a method few anticipated. What was as soon as seen as controversial is now admired for its boldness and character. In an period the place many fashionable vehicles mix right into a sea of comparable designs, the E60 M5 stands out wherever it goes.
There may be a good deeper and extra emotional story to the design of the E60 M5. Arcangeli was not solely a really gifted designer however he was additionally beloved by the remainder of his workforce. Shortly after Arcangeli penned the E60 5 Collection, it was taken to the board and instantly authorized. Solely days after the E60 was green-lit, although, Arcangeli died of Leukemia. In a dialog with us in 2020, Bangle instructed us that the Arcangeli’s loss of life deeply affected your entire workforce but additionally galvanized them to push his design by means of to manufacturing with out altering a single factor, to honor their misplaced good friend.
Nevertheless, don’t assume that the workforce felt the design wanted altering. Bangle, in addition to the remainder of the design workforce at BMW, was impressed with the design and Arcangeli’s inventive downside fixing.
The E60 M5 will at all times show the BMW is just not afraid of taking possibilities and pushing the envelope relating to design and expertise, and this is the reason the upcoming Neue Klasse household could possibly be an thrilling milestone within the firm’s historical past.
