Best Month in BMW's History: March 2011

BMW worldwide has a big lead over Audi ( 60,000 ) & Mercedes (90,000) for the first quarter already. The X3 is just getting momentum and with the New 5-series out. Should be a huge year for BMW

I hear what you're saying, and I agree about the halo car thing (though I firmly believe the M version of the i8/Vision Dynamics Concept will make a very suitable halo vehicle). As for the rest of what you said, sorry, but at the end of the day what matters to any company is sales and money. The old school "you have to be true to your heritage" purists out there -- they're a vocal group, and certainly worth listening to, but they're a very SMALL vocal group, and they don't buy enough cars for BMW to not adapt to the times.

The FWD thing means nothing to me. First, it's only going to be on their cheapest vehicles, and second, it's not like BMW hasn't been able to make FWD vehicles handle well (see: Mini Cooper). They need a car in that class to compete with the Audi A1 and Mercedes A-class, period. It's a numbers game. Unless BMW is going to start charging Porsche prices, and thus not care about volume, they need the numbers just as much as Audi and Benz do.

And as for the forced induction stuff, the fact of the matter is these new turbo models (M's included) outperform and get better gas mileage than the old ones. They have SUV M's now and AWD M sedans are probably coming, too, and guess what? It's going to lead to increased sales, and increased marketshare. Look at the performance figures for the Panamera Turbo and how successful that car has been (or the performance figures for the X6 M) and tell me a 580hp 7-speed dual clutch xDrive M5 (that weighs 1000lb less than that X6 M) wouldn't be a regodamndiculous monster of a car. Hell, I would LOVE that car. Look how well received the new CTS-V has been, or the new supercharged Jag's, or the Audi S4 (or really any new Audi, since most of them are going FI, just like BMW). Mercedes is doing it too with all their 550 and AMG models.

My point is forced induction isn't going away. And hanging on to the past is just a recipe for future failure. The competition is too fierce not to make sure you're appealing to more than just that small, very vocal group of old school purists. I'd say those folks could go get a Porsche, but then Porsche has been using turbo's and AWD for awhile now too, at least on their top models.

No official spec on the M5 have been released yet. Only thing people know for sure is ttV8, 7speed DTC, and a trick differential.

The weight gain I agree with you on, BMW has poured zillions of dollars into Efficient Dynamics and improving performance and fuel economy, when weight savings would accomplish much the same thing without all the expensive techno wizardry trying to rewrite the laws of physics. Though I will say I had an E60 535 and the new 5 feels about two classes more upscale than mine was. I do wish it was lighter though. Hopefully BMW starts utilizing more aluminum and CFRP in the new models.

Fine with me. Remember I am one of the guys who had the 2002tii and Bavaria. BMW's were unique and inspired.
The gawdy road pigs that they insist on selling to the shallow image conscience idiots who run the mall parking lots today----I now pronounce you man and wife.
We said it was the beginning of the end in the late '70's/early '80's, and we were right.

The standard M3 coupe already has a CF roof...and a CF roof will be an option on the M5 along with ceramic brakes which has already been confirmed... Autocar recently interviewed BMW's M boss this "Despite the increase in size, the new M5 is expected to hit the scales at close to the old car’s 1830kg, due to a series of weight-saving measures, including aluminium and carbonfibre in the body-shell."

BMW has a huge budget for the M5 thats why they have been track testing it for over 3 years much longer than any other company would, b/c BMW knows its customers expect the M5 to be the benchmark. You should set your expectations a little higher, but there is no point going back and forth the new specs will be released soon enough. : )

"And what's with the lack of proper M side mirrors? "

http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=511118

Here is a pic of the f10 next to the e60. They have the same side mirrors. Which would be the proper side mirrors for an M5.

"how about carbon seats front and back, a full titanium exhaust, carbon bumbers/mounts, magnesium wheels, less sound deadening, thinner glass"

That's not what the M5 is about that stuff would be fitting for a M3 CSL. The car is intentionally understated its a real, and usable business sedan, that drives like a sports car at the push of a button.

If you go to extremes as some do in effect it becomes a parody of the intended car.

M5 customers like the usability and accessible performance but they do not like the car to be in your face dramatic with application of ludicrous aerodynamics to make a statement.

not a huge surprise. bmw has rolled out a tremendous amount of great new product lately. the new 5 and x3 are big drivers. not to mention continued strong sales of the many versions of the 3, x5 and 7.

great product sells. and at a premium.