BMW will build a total of 200 “Competition Edition” M5 sedans, 100 black and 100 white, with a substantial power bump and a few tasteful decorative bits. Is it special enough to be a viable investment, or would you rather just take it out and just drive the tires off it?
Starting at €129,500, or about $142,000, the M5's 4.4 liter turbo V8 gets a 40 horsepower bump to an even 600, and torque goes up by 14.75 ft-lbs to about 516 (or an even 700 newton meters to the Germans.)
Update: There appears to also be another version of this, called the Pure Silver Metal Edition (in guess what color?) for $130,900 with all the same equipment.
According to BMW’s press release that power increase comes from turning up the boost pressure and an appropriately-adjusted fuel map. With the dual-clutch automatic transmission, the only gearbox option, the M5 Competition Edition is supposed to do 0 to 100 KPH (62 MPH) in 3.9 seconds, a little shave off the regular car’s 4.0 second 0-60 rating.
The Competition Edition also gets slightly firmer suspension with a 10 millimeter (0.39") drop and a unique setting on the differential. BMW says the user-adjustable steering and stability control systems are also refined for a what sounds like a slightly more aggressive driving experience, with optional M carbon-ceramic brakes to round out the setup.
Aesthetically the Competition Edition gets a carbon fiber spoiler and trim pieces along with, yes, “Competition Edition” badging inside and out. A little “x/200” plaque inside will remind your passengers just how special you are.
The power bump is significant, and it sounds like the handling characteristics might be appreciably better, and the visual cues are pretty tasteful. The price premium over the regular $100,000 M5 is also massive.
All that makes the Competition Edition seem pretty sweet. But worth the added cost of a nice used M3? By most objective measures, probably no, but if you get a special serial number you might have a collector’s item on your hands.
Then again, is a car worth owning if you have to keep it fresh for the auction block? I already know what some of you will say.