An in-depth look at the iconic BMW M5 sedan in the back of the E60

Appearance

The BMW M5 E60 is based on the E60 platform, so its body is no different from the body of the 5-series production cars of the E60 model. The same strict and at the same time smooth contours of the body, branded “nostrils” and predatory front optics are the calling card of all cars in this body.

The sports car is not equipped with active aerodynamic systems – the only elements are a small air intake in the front spoiler and the same small rear diffuser, as well as a fin at the rear of the roof.

The curb weight of the car is 1855 kg in the sedan and 1955 kg in the station wagon. Such a high mass is due to the fact that the suspension partly uses cast iron elements, although its main part is made of aluminum alloy.

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Gearbox SMG III – a robot with intelligence

It is impossible to achieve high dynamics on one engine. An important component is the gearbox (gearbox). Sports car from BMW was equipped with a new seven-speed automatic. The transmission was named SMG III. It is able to work in manual mode and in automatic mode. The transition from one gear to another occurs in 65 milliseconds.

The SMG box supports 11 operation modes. Six of them are available in manual control. The engineers of the Bavarian concern have invested the makings of intelligence in this checkpoint. She is able to independently help the driver in non-standard traffic situations. For example, when a skid occurs on a slippery road, or when braking, the SMG III itself goes into a neutral position.

If the car is moving on a hilly road, then the checkpoint can make life easier for the driver. During the descent, the electronics engage a lower gear, making the most of the braking with the help of the engine, on the ascents it “stretches” the gears.

Engine

Although the M5 E60 – S85 engine is heavier than its predecessor, however, given that two additional cylinders were installed in the power unit, and the maximum power increased by 25% compared to the 8-cylinder engine, this weight increase can be considered insignificant.

The performance of the engine as a whole is amazing, it is already the character of not just a car, but the best racing sports car. Among other things, it was the first V10 gasoline engine developed by BMW, and the main highlight was that, unlike other engines with Valvetronic (which used countless valves to eliminate the throttle), this engine has individual throttles for each cylinder with electric drive.

A dual-flow exhaust system (made of stainless steel) was also installed, four oil pumps, the operation of which ensures effective lubrication even with maximum lateral overload.

Naturally, to ensure the normal operation of such a multifunctional complex system, it is necessary to use powerful computer technology. Thus, a computer was installed on board the car, which in one second could perform about 250 million operations and adjust the operation of the throttle valves 200 times. Since a conventional gearbox is not able to ensure the smooth execution of all operations, I had to work on it.

Despite the negative comments aside, the new chassis, complex interface and harshness of the transmission, the M5 E60 was a huge success.

The S85B50 engine also allows you to make a powerful jerk with smoke from under the wheels. But, for those who do not want to burn rubber in vain, the “Launch Control” system has been installed, with which you can perform the most effective start. To do this, you need to move the gear lever forward, add gas and at the moment of start – lower it down.

BMW M5 E60	Audi S6 5.2	Mercedes E63 AMG	Chrysler 300C SRT8
Working volume, cc	4999	5204	6208	6059
Power, hp	507	435	514	425
Torque, Nm	520	540	630	569

Engine and transmission

For its flagship sports car, BMW has developed a completely new naturally aspirated engine, the S85B50. This is a ten-cylinder V-shaped engine with a camber angle between the cylinders of 90 degrees. and a volume of 4999 cm3.

The engine housing is made of lightweight aluminum alloy, the cylinder head and pistons are also made from it. To eliminate the imbalance and balance the moment of inertia, the engineers used uneven flashes – this made it possible to get rid of the need to install a balance shaft.

The motor is equipped with a bi-VANOS double phase change system and individual throttle valves. For better cooling of pistons operating under high loads, a separate oil system is used with two additional oil pumps and separate electronic controls.

Also, the motor received a completely new three-processor Siemens MS S65 electronic control unit and new NGK spark plugs with ionization sensors. All these technical innovations allowed the engineers to squeeze 507 horsepower out of the engine. at 7750 rpm and maximum torque of 520 Nm at 6200 rpm.

Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 4.7 seconds, and the maximum speed reaches almost 330 km/h, but electronically limits it to 250 km/h – the restriction is removed in the salons of official dealers as an additional option.

In order to achieve such outstanding parameters, one motor is not enough – you need a suitable transmission. The BMW M5 E60 uses a SMG III sequential seven-speed transmission with dry single-plate clutch, designed specifically for this model.

This intelligent transmission has a shift speed of 65 ms (for example, supercar LaFerrari this indicator is 60 ms) and 11 different modes, designed not only for driving on the track or in the city, but also in winter, on hilly terrain and so on.

Switching is carried out by means of paddle shifters or in automatic mode.

Access to all the features of the M-series is carried out by pressing the Power button, which activates three modes: from the P400 with a power limit of 400 hp. up to the P500S, which allows you to get all the power from the engine down to the last horsepower.

For the North American market, a version with a 6-speed manual transmission is specially produced. In terms of its parameters, it is only slightly worse than the STG III, but unlike the “robot”, it does not have some additional functions.

Specifications

Engine	5 – liter V10
Power	507 l. With.
Maximum speed	250 km/h
Acceleration to 100	4.7 s
Transmission	7-st. robot
Drive unit	rear

Interior

The BMW M5 E60 has an E class interior. Its trim is made of genuine leather with aluminum inserts. The console, according to the tradition of the concern, is deployed to the driver. Here you can see a board computer with a 6.3-inch monitor. Under the display deflectors. They can manually adjust (reducing, increasing, changing the direction of air flow) the climate control of the cabin. Below it are regulators that allow you to adjust the on-board electronic systems. There are 43 of them (!) and some of them are controlled through the buttons of the multi-wheel with three spokes.

On the instrument panel you can see the speedometer / tachometer scales. The speedometer shows the speed in km/miles and the driver can control the fuel level on the same scale. The situation is similar with the tachometer. The temperature of the power unit is also displayed here. Some of the information may also be available on the windshield.

Tall passengers can comfortably sit in the back row of the car. Legroom is sufficient in both rows. But for the head there is more space in the 1st row. 994 mm is the distance from the chair to the ceiling, behind – 27 mm less.

Of the interior features until 2005, we note:

• The steering wheel, which has three spokes, trimmed with threads in three colors and has a diameter of 381 mm. There are SMG shift paddles;
• The dashboard of a sports car, with white backlight, red arrows and aluminum frame. The speedometer shows a speed limit of 330 km / h, and at the bottom of the tachometer is an engine oil temperature sensor;
• Head-up display in 6.3 inches on the windshield. Some of the information was also displayed on it, which increased the comfort for the driver;
• Merino upholstery. Armchairs received ventilation;
• Door sills adorned with the “M5” logo;
• 3 finishing options.

With the “M” button, the driver could activate 3 modes of operation of the power unit. The first, P400, was launched automatically for normal driving, when the power of the engine was limited to 400 “horses”. For full power, 500 “horses”, the P500 mode was used. To add sharp throttle response to it, the SP500 is chosen. The choice is made using the IDrive menu.

The sports car is also equipped with a footrest. Here is a photo of the BMW M5 E60 interior.

Luggage compartment capacity – 500 liters.

The difference between restyling and doreystyling

In 2007, the BMW M5 E60 was restyled. The changes were minor. The interior of the sports car has changed a bit, it received aft LED optics and its daytime running lights were updated.

Only one lightweight car, the M5 CSL E60, was also produced.

We also note that tuning the BMW M5 E60 will allow you to get the Hamann system. In addition, as a result of film experiments, you can create an original body color. It’s burgundy chrome. A car with such a coloring is popularly called the BMW M5 E60 shade.

In 2010, the M5 E60 rolled off the assembly line. The model was replaced by the M5 F10. However, in 2018 on the roads of the country you can meet the BMW M5 E60.

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