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BMW E60 M5

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Published on Monday, 13 August 2012 13:08

The BMW E60 M5 was manufactured at the Dingolfing plant in Germany and was introduced in 2005 up untill its last year of production in 2010 of which 19522 saloons and 1025 estates produced. The E61 M5 Touring was introduced in 2007 and shares the same drivetrain with its saloon twin sibling the E60. The E60 and E61 have a 5.0 litre S85B50 V10 engine fitted which is capable of attaining 8250 RPM and developing a peak power output of 373 kW or 500 bhp and 520 N·m of torque. The engine is coupled to a 6 speed manual gearbox or a 7 speed SMG transmission. The dry kerb weight of the saloon model is 1855 kg and the Touring 1955 kg.

Previous BMW engines mostly utilise Valvetronic cylinder head setups to infinitely vary valve lift and to eliminate the throttle plate. The E60 engine has individual throttle bodies for each of its ten cylinders. Other features include a stiffened aluminum chassis and a 7 speed SMG III sequential manual gearbox.

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. BMW M made a decision to use a single clutch sequential manual gearbox rather than a twin clutch maintaining that the dual clutch system had a smoother automatic mode performs seamless upshifts and for that reason there are six shift speeds to choose from.

The SMG III transmission has proved to be very responsive at the track. BMW announced in late 2006 that a 6 speed conventional manual transmission would be available for the USA. The 6 speed manual M5 was marginally slower. The SMG III includes the "Launch Control" feature.

M5 features several Formula One inspired engine and transmission controls for the motorsport enthusiast like launch control which allows maximum performance off the mark. The Getrag MG III single-clutch semi auto transmission has the option of changing to either auto or manual with 11 shift programmes in total forming what BMW calls ‘Drivelogic’ as BMW technicians have dubbed it. Manual shifting can be done with either a console shifter or on the steering wheels shift paddles. The cars also features a "power" button labeled "M" which offers access to three modes: P400 which limits the engine to 294 kW or 395, P500 which unleashes the full 373 kW or 500 bhp and P500 S for full power "M Drive Settings".

The E60 M5 took the title of the most powerful midsize sport sedan when released over its direct competitors. Motor Trend's test found that while the Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG had a faster 0-100 km/h time of 4.2 seconds versus the M5's 4.5 seconds due to the E55's greater low-end torque, the M5 had better driving dynamics. The E60 M5 Sedan is slightly slower than the E63 M6 Coupe, which is longer overall but has a shorter wheelbase, with the M6 also being lower to the ground and a lighter vehicle giving it a slight edge on the Benz.

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  • 0-100 km/h : 4.7 sec BMW spec.
    • (0–160 km/h: 10.00 sec Road & Track)
    • (0–100 km/h: 4.1 sec Road & Track)
  • Top speed: 250 km/h with electronic speed limiter.
  • Power: 373 kW or 500 bhp at 7750 rpm
  • Torque: 520 N.m at 6100 RPM