BMW M5 waiting list shock
2005-05-25 10:04
A total of 580 of the model will be available to the UK market this year and BMW GB expects demand to even-out to between 450 and 500 units a year.
Lee Connolly, product manager for the 5 and 6 series for BMW GB, told Autowiredhe expects to be able to negotiate with BMW's M Division to increase the allocation, but he said it would take around 18 months before they will know the full sales potential of the M5 and the soon to be launched M6.
"With advance orders for the M5 all sold until mid 2007, the challenge we have is to keep the customers interested."
He said some initial customers who have placed orders for the M5 might change their minds and opt for the new M6 Coupe which goes on sale in the UK in September.
With 378 kW of power, 520 Nm of torque, a top speed limited to 250 km/h and a 0-100 km/h time of 4.7 seconds, BMW says it has no authority over any customer wishing to have their car de-restricted to achieve the 326 km/h top speed, and confirmed that by de-restricting the car it would not invalidate the car's warranty.
Lee Connolly said: "In reality having a de-restricted car is all about customer talk, fashion and 'mine's a de-restricted' attitude' - it is an emotional thing to have it.
"If the car is being used for track days or motor sport that is a different issue".