[///M1]

Originally Posted by hinckley

I think that you're right on target here. The only area where I disagree is that the aura of the M5 has always been it's performance/luxury combination that doesn't compromise either (the E39 set the benchmark). For me, I want a luxurious daily driver that is also a beast. Admittedly, I want all the leather and a lot of the gadgets, but I want it in an sub-4000 pound car. To me, that should be the ultimate goal. And I think many of us would pay for it (just look at the cost of the Panamera).

Fully agree. I too share an ever lasting love with the E39 M5, as I had it for yrs until it became impractical to keep given its high maintenance costs. I agree at the 5-series level, there needs to be a balance between luxury and sportiness. New regulations (crash test/pedestrian/CAFE, etc.) are not helping a car in its weight loss efforts, in fact only adding to it. The development of alternate materials (CFRP, aluminum alloys, etc.) has either not kept pace, or still comes at a price that doesn't warrant its inclusion in the model (i.e. making it prohibitively expensive). With BMW's increased interest in a CFRP maker, I am hoping we get to see a lot of that roll into the ///M series.