Haha... well no one ever will tell me that because I already have glasses. But I was just joking about them re-using test mule wheels and brakes. I'm guessing this photoshoot was a half-ass one, hence the lack of uber attention to details like that.
Why is it called the Performance Edition if doesn't have any performance enhancements? I don't get it...
It's actually called the M Performance Edition...and that's also the answer to your question. Just remember, this is exclusive to BMW UK.
As Beemer has pointed out, it is the marketing performance, not the actual car's performance. I was half expecting these special editions to have full carbon fiber interior trim as standard, but it seems like you still have to pay for this from the M individual option list. Also, does anyone know if the paint is properly matt, or was it done by putting a matt clear coat over the base gloss color?
This is the M5. Carbon Fiber doesn't belong on the M5... they made that very clear by excluding the option for a CF roof even though the car is heavier and a better seller than the M6. Gosh I hate those wheels!
On the BMW UK website is says "BMWIndividualFrozenPaintwork(White,Blue& Red*)" * BMW Individual Frozen Red is a wrap. So it sounds like white and blue are properly matt but red is not. http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/index/M5-MP/0,,1156_2979__bs-TQ==@bb-RjEwTQ==@bm-TTVNUA==,00.html?requestSource=M5midpage But check this out, while I am at the BMW UK website getting the link for you... there is now a M3 M Performance edition too . Of course, there is nothing that affects performance on this M3 either, just a few extra options that could be had for less than the £20k premium. http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/index/M3-MP/0,,1156_2979__bs-TQ==@bb-TTNfQ1AwNw==@bm-TTVNUA==,00.html The exciting new BMW M3 M Performance Edition comes with a selection of exclusive individual equipment that is only available on thesemodelsincluding: BMW Individual Frozen Paintwork (White,Blue&Red*) ExtendedBlackNovilloleather Contraststitchingtoseatsanddoors BMW Individual Piano Black interior trim with inlay and laser engraving 'BMWMPerformanceEditionONEOF30' 19"lightalloyMY-spokewheelsinMattBlack JetBlackbonnetintakes Internet and Media package - BMWProfessional Seven-speedMDouble-ClutchTransmission(M DCT)
After the M3 GTS which sold despite them charging the earth and offer little extra in return why would we expect anything different with this M5. Do what Porsche and AMG do, offer proper performance enhancements instead of visual ones.
Well that SUCKS, because its costs a whopping £95,140. An extra £22k just for a paint finish that makes the car look old and shagged? WTF BMW?!
The M3 GTS had a specifically developed engine and loads of other real performance enhancing upgrades that were specifically developed for the M3 GTS (no doubt at significant expense to BMW) so I can understand why it had a significant price premium. These M Performance models are just standard M3s and M5s that have some optional extras included, you could order the exact same spec car from BMW UK for a LOT less. I bet these "M Performance" cars won't sell out at the asking price.
If one takes this M Performance Edition just as an equipment level edition then it's all normal. After all, the car is already an M. Personally, I don't care about this M Perf. Edition as it's all stuff I would order, if I was to buy an M5. Now, if it was a 520d with those extra and it was called M Performance Edition, without having a differentation engine-wise from the rest of the line-up, I would just ignore it.
In the UK at least it was more than just a significate price premium, it was more than double the price of a regular M3 but my point was that still people were willing to cough up the dosh for what was a very modest improvement it performance. Like it or not if there's mugs out there willing to pay stupid prices for purely visual enhancement that are called 'M Performance' then BMW will continue to milk that magical letter and in doing so will lessen its appeal IMO.
