I wish it was possible to configure...

[visualguy]

I really wish BMW offered the following on the M5:

More choices for wheels. In particular, a nice forged 19". I don't particularly like either one of the current wheels. The 19" are darkish and they look like there's too much going on there. Also, they aren't forged. The 20" are pretty nice, but too big and too dominating of the car's look in my opinion. I wish they offered them as 19". More sidewall for the tire, and less overwhelming aesthetically.

More leather color choices without having to pay $5K to get a different color on the same leather.

Comfort access as a stand-alone option.

Music track browsing on the HUD.

[stealth.pilot]

The 19" wheels are forged. They are a little heavier than the 20s because of the multi spoke design, but they are lightweight forged wheels nonetheless.

Some people have swapped the M5 19s or M6 19s which are more sporty and less busy in design.

[visualguy]

The German BMW site lists the 20" 343M wheels as forged, but not the 19" 345M. Based on that, it seems that the 345M are cast.

[cmhsam]

I think the $1300 upgrade is well worth it. 20" tires alone are $1300. Upgrade to the 20's and sell them on the forum. Use that money from the sale to buy ones you like.

[visualguy]

Originally Posted by cmhsam

I think the $1300 upgrade is well worth it. 20" tires alone are $1300. Upgrade to the 20's and sell them on the forum. Use that money from the sale to buy ones you like.

I agree that it's worth the upgrade, at least in the US where it's relatively inexpensive. I don't dislike the 20" enough to want to go through the trouble of replacing and selling them, but I would have liked to have other options in 19" from BMW. Oh, well...

[truths2k05]

How about a sunroof delete option to an already obese car. If any car needed a carbon fiber roof for weight savings it is the M5. BMW is doing some project with Toyota, what they need is a collaboration with Jenny Craig. We don't need M power limousines. At this rate the 1 series will have maybach proportions within a decade.

[visualguy]

Agreed about the sunroof - I would choose sunroof delete if it was available.

The M5 is indeed pretty large and heavy, but BMW does offer the M3 if you want something smaller...

Maybe what we need is something with the interior quality of the M5, but the size of the M3.

[nybimmerfan]

Originally Posted by truths2k05

How about a sunroof delete option to an already obese car. If any car needed a carbon fiber roof for weight savings it is the M5. BMW is doing some project with Toyota, what they need is a collaboration with Jenny Craig. We don't need M power limousines. At this rate the 1 series will have maybach proportions within a decade.

The M5 does not have Carbon Fiber roof otherwise the sunroof/moonroof will compromise the structural integrity of the roof.

[nv6425]

No need for a sunroof in the M5, IMO...I would much prefer a carbon fiber roof...

[RPiM5]

Originally Posted by visualguy

Maybe what we need is something with the interior quality of the M5, but the size of the M3.

This is where I believe the next M3 (F80) will come in. It will be the car between the M3 and the M5 if you can understand that. It will be bigger than the E90, even slightly smaller than an E60, and most likely even lighter than the outgoing E90 M3 too!

Plus the new M3 will come with almost everything luxury that the M5's have traditionally had.

We already know it will come with options like a heads up display and Heated Steering Wheel.

Still don't know about these things:
- Full Leather Dash
- Soft Close Doors
- Heated Rear Seats
- Night Vision
- Ceramic Breaks
- Bang and Olufsen Sound System

Plus I'm sure that it will come with things that the M5 cannot have like a sunroof delete option.

I doubt the M3 will come with all of the luxury and performance options that the M5 has, otherwise why get an M5? Only to have more power would be the reason, luxury would be equal on both cars.

Just my thoughts.

[truths2k05]

In Europe at least they can delete the sunroof. They need to offer that in the U.S. as well.

[visualguy]

Indeed, the upcoming F80 M3 made it very hard for me the decide on ordering the M5. I would most likely prefer the F80 M3, but I didn't want to wait another year... A smaller, lighter car than the M5 would be appealing even if it had a somewhat less powerful engine. Anyway, I don't think it's a big deal - timing wasn't right for me for the F80 M3, and the M5 is a great car.

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by visualguy

The German BMW site lists the 20" 343M wheels as forged, but not the 19" 345M. Based on that, it seems that the 345M are cast.

Read the specs of the standard car here. It clearly says 19" forged alloy wheels.

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Vehicles/2013/M/M5Sedan/Features_and_Specs/M5SedanSpecifications.aspx

[visualguy]

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

Read the specs of the standard car here. It clearly says 19" forged alloy wheels.

Yes, I saw that before, but I believe it's a mistake. I use the German specifications as my trusted source, and based on those only the 20" are forged.

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by visualguy

Yes, I saw that before, but I believe it's a mistake. I use the German specifications as my trusted source, and based on those only the 20" are forged.

I don't think that's right though. Its not a mistake, Look up the wheel weights.

The 19s are 1lb heavier than the 20s. That would suggest they are forged. The 351m wheels (19" M Doublespokes) on my 550i are about 9 lbs heavier. That is the weight difference of a cast wheel.

[visualguy]

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

The 19s are 1lb heavier than the 20s. That would suggest they are forged. The 351m wheels (19" M Doublespokes) on my 550i are about 9 lbs heavier. That is the weight difference of a cast wheel.

No, I think that's the weight difference needed to make the wheel is strong enough to handle RFTs without bending

I don't know for sure. All I know is that only the US site lists the 19s as forged. In Germany, only the 20s are listed as forged (geschmiedet). The 19s are listed without the word forged. The UK site doesn't list the 19s as forged either. Also, the 20s are priced at twice the price of the 19s if you buy them separately from the car. I think that's the forged vs. cast price difference.

Regardless, I would pick the 20s with the assumption that BMW did their homework on making sure the small 3.5" tire sidewall won't cause trouble to the suspension, wheels or tires, and that the ride quality and grip are still what they should be.

[MJones3]

Originally Posted by visualguy

Agreed about the sunroof - I would choose sunroof delete if it was available.

The M5 is indeed pretty large and heavy, but BMW does offer the M3 if you want something smaller...

Maybe what we need is something with the interior quality of the M5, but the size of the M3.

This is maybe where the rumoured 4-series gran coupe fits in. (if they make it..) It will most likely only be a four seater though.