New Imperial Blue / Silverstone F10 M5

[neiluk]

So I've decided to join the fold... having collected my new IB / SS F10 M5 this afternoon.

You'll have to excuse the state of the car initially as pictured, as I insisted the dealership supplied the car untouched from the transporter - it's having a full Gtechniq Crystal Serum detail in a few weeks time so I have avoided any valeting whatsoever. I'll take proper photos when that happens.

First impressions - the heavens opened as I drove home (as is typical in the UK) - but even so it became abundantly clear that this is a monumentally capable car in terms of accelerative potential. It's been put to use as an overtaking weapon with barely 30 miles on the clock.

I thought I may have overdone the stealth look with IB (a common F10 520d colour round here), standard 19" wheels and the rear debadged, but in the flesh I have to say it looks absolutely superb.

Feeling Very Very pleased :-)

[mcvaughan]

Congrats! Beautiful color.

[steveM5-UK]

Stunning machine, not my choice of colour, to much 520d as you have said, but I can imagine the looks of disbelief as you thunder past in your 520d lol.

Enjoy.

[Bönz]

Congratulations. Enjoy.

[AT LAW]

The Imperial Blue is a very sharp color. Well done.
I also like the Silverstone Interior choice.

In the States, Imperial Blue is fairly rare on the M5. Actually it is fairly rare on any F/10.

If I were ordering a new one today, it would be a very difficult decision between Imperial Blue, Sapphire Black, or Singapore Gay.

[bruza]

Congrats on the new M5. Coming from a fellow Imperial Blue driver, the color suits the car well if you like the "sleeper look" (which it sounds like you do from your thread).

The color does jump out a bit (bluish/ purple) in the right light and can appear close to black at other times.

Looking forward to more pics (interior too please). Have you taken any of the back w/ the rear de-badged?

[RPiM5]

I love Imperial Blue.

Love the 19" wheels too!

More pictures please! Congrats!

[Igor_M5]

Sick, also love the 19" wheels. Congrats !

[M6-Coupe]

Those 19" rims are fantanstic

[POBA]

Congrats. Beautiful color combo. Enjoy it in good health. Interior pics please

[GB///M]

Awesome congrats!

[neiluk]

Thanks guys. Here's a pic of the debadged rear, proving that its filthy already!

Will follow up with some interior pics but the seats are still wrapped in polythene prior to detailing/sealing - I'm a bit OCD like that.

In terms of options, its standard UK spec with the following:

Adaptive LED lights
M Multifunction seats
Sun Protection glass
Harmon Kardon
Powered bootlid
Reversing/Top/Side view cams
Split through loading
Service Inclusive

[JOHNBMWM5]

Nice Car enjoy.

[AT LAW]

Originally Posted by M6-Coupe

Those 19" rims are fantanstic

I absolutely love the color combination chosen by the OP, but have never liked the 19" wheels.

The 20"s really make the M5 look athletic.

[steveM5-UK]

Have to disagree re the 20's.

For UK roads the 19's are way better. I've used both and always returned to 19's. Much better ride quality.

Thats said the stock 19's ain't the prettiest wheels, but there are a lot of options.

My suggestion is burn the hell out the stock ones and when due for a tyre change stick some winters on them and go for a new set of shiny 19's from somewhere and you have the best of both worlds

[bigfra]

Originally Posted by steveM5-UK

Have to disagree re the 20's.

For UK roads the 19's are way better. I've used both and always returned to 19's. Much better ride quality.

Thats said the stock 19's ain't the prettiest wheels, but there are a lot of options.

My suggestion is burn the hell out the stock ones and when due for a tyre change stick some winters on them and go for a new set of shiny 19's from somewhere and you have the best of both worlds

Your from lanark? Did I see you at Garrion bridge the other day?

[steveM5-UK]

Originally Posted by bigfra

Your from lanark? Did I see you at Garrion bridge the other day?

Possibly and yes from Lanark

[bimmer-boy]

Congrats on your new car, very smart!

I like the 19 "turbine" wheels too

[neiluk]

My desire for the 19's was based on exactly the point Steve made above - UK road surfaces are not great and the trend for ever-larger alloys has come at the expense of ride to a certain extent. I also like the fact that they are exceedingly rare on F10 M5's, a quick browse through AUC stock and it would appear that ~90% of cars are ordered with 20's. They also fit the subtle look I hoped to achieve with the car.

Lastly it appears that Michelin PSS can be in short supply in 20" and I hope that given the relative obscurity of the standard wheels, tyres might be more readily available in the future.

There was also the not completely insignificant cost saving - forgoing 20's more than paid for the adaptive LED option which I am already appreciating immeasurably over the xenons in previous BMWs.

[RPiM5]

Funny how the powered boot lid and split folding seats are an option for you guys over there.

I agree with your assessment on the 19" wheels. I for one, think they look great. However, I will say these 20" Style 343M wheels are really a cut above the rest when it comes to quality of 20" wheels. They are forged and I drive with them in the horrible streets of urban Washington DC where the potholes are like like landmines, just everywhere. I'd say that that having a thicker sidewall on the tire would make a nice little difference when driving on terrible urban streets, but it's not too detrimental for the 343M wheels. They are very strong wheels and yes my wheels are a tiny bit misshapen from the almost 50,000 miles I've put on them, but all in all they are still holding up very well. If I had the 601M wheels however, I think it would be a different story. I probably would've had to replace them already.

[steveM5-UK]

Originally Posted by RPiM5

Funny how the powered boot lid and split folding seats are an option for you guys over there.

I agree with your assessment on the 19" wheels. I for one, think they look great. However, I will say these 20" Style 343M wheels are really a cut above the rest when it comes to quality of 20" wheels. They are forged and I drive with them in the horrible streets of urban Washington DC where the potholes are like like landmines, just everywhere. I'd say that that having a thicker sidewall on the tire would make a nice little difference when driving on terrible urban streets, but it's not too detrimental for the 343M wheels. They are very strong wheels and yes my wheels are a tiny bit misshapen from the almost 50,000 miles I've put on them, but all in all they are still holding up very well. If I had the 601M wheels however, I think it would be a different story. I probably would've had to replace them already.

Everything other than 4 wheels, 4 doors and a steering wheel is optional over here.... at a cost lol.

[RPiM5]

Originally Posted by steveM5-UK

Everything other than 4 wheels, 4 doors and a steering wheel is optional over here.... at a cost lol.

Dude you are not kidding! I just took a look over at the BMWUK site and entered the M5 configurator. The list of stuff that you can get as an option is like a Porsche for the U.S. Market. I was shocked at what you can get as an option or not. For example, I had no idea that these things could be optioned on or off the vehicle:

- Individual Rear Seat Reading Lights
- Universal Remote Control
- A lower level sound system than the Harmon Kardon
- Internet
- Climate Comfort Windscreen (What the heck is this??)
- Sunblinds for side rear doors
- Driver and passenger seat memory function
- Ambient Lighting on the exterior door handles
- 12V Power Sockets
- TV Function
- Non-Alcantara Headliner
- Headlight washers
- Park Distance Control
- M Rear Spoiler
- Powered Boot Lid
- Split Folding Rear Seats

Makes me realize how much crap they give us as standard here for U.S. Spec M5's and also what we don't get, like Internet.

Crazy.