One to Buy: Manual 13,000 mile Silverstone Metallic 2008 BMW E60 M5
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Although BMW’s Formula 1 programme of 2000 to 2009 did not deliver on championship-winning potential, it did pave the way for an F1-inspired V10 to find itself in the 2004-2010 M5 and the 2005-2010 M6.
Launched at the Paris Motor Show in September 2004 (for the 2005 model year), the E60 M5 became the first BMW Motorsport product not offered with a conventional manual gearbox. Instead, the new car came with BMW’s third generation Sequential M Gearbox (SMG III) - the first seven-speed sequential unit put into production by any manufacturer.
In September 2005 (for the 2006 model year), BMW introduced a North American version of the M5. Uniquely, customers from this region could specify their car with a traditional six-speed manual instead of the seven-speed SMG transmission. Those vehicles ordered in manual trim came with a ZF Type G ‘box as fitted to the 550i (to include the same gear ratios). However, the M5’s significantly shorter 3.62:1 final drive ratio was retained.
Production of the North American market M5 Saloon ran from September 2005 until December 2009. In total, 9491 were built. Just 1366 of these came with the six-speed manual gearbox.
Going under the hammer at RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale scheduled for August 14th is a six-speed manual North American M5 with just over 13,000 miles on the odometer.
Configured in Silverstone Metallic with Black Merino leather upholstery, chassis WBSNB93548CX09304 was delivered to its first owner in Albany, New York, with whom it resided until 2009. The second owner retained it until 2023, adding roughly 7000 miles to the odometer.
Most recently serviced in 2023, chassis ‘09304’ is currently running a lowered ride height. It heads to auction accompanied by the original book pack and an array of service invoices.
