So, you have probably read that BMW has unveiled the most powerful M5, the “30 Jahre M5” (30 years of the M5), to mark the 30-year anniversary of the BMW M5. But with only 300 examples offered worldwide, the “30 Jahre M5” is just about a rare find as an honest man in Congress, oh, well, maybe not that rare, but you can’t argue that 300 is not a lot to go around. At least, BMW didn’t try to pull off a 30 number, which should be more fitting for the 30 years. Anywho, fortunately for BMW lovers, there are additional 200 units, though not exactly the 30 Jahre M5, to fill the demand. For around 129,500 Euros or more (or about US$142K+), you could get your hands on a similarly spec-ed M5, dubbed BMW M5 “Competition Edition.”
Billed as the “ultimate version of the fifth model generation of the BMW high-performance business sedan,” the Competition Edition shares the same 4.4L V8 unit with TwinPower Turbo technology found on the 30 Jahre M5 that kicks out 600 horses and turns 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque. The increased power and torque, together with the M dual clutch transmission, which comes as a standard in all Competition Edition, enables this luxury stallion to rocket from naught to 100 km/h in mere 3.9 seconds. That’s seriously fast for a business sedan, imho.
As expected, the Competition Edition is configured with Competition Package which comprises of 10mm lower ride height, firmer spring and damper systems and stabilizers, specific control setting for Active M differential, more precise steering response, as well as DSC tuned for sporty handling. The Competition Edition also gets a boost in the look department with two exclusive colors – carbon black metallic and mineral white metallic (100 unit each color), along with massive 20 inch forged M light alloy wheels in jet black finish and wrapped in 265/35 ZR20 and 295/30 ZR20 tires. Some M Performance parts are also thrown in for good measures and it includes rear diffuser, gurney on the boot lid, and mirror caps – all in carbon, of course.
The interior also received its fair share of sprucing up with carbon interior trim tips, full leather trim Merino Black with Opal Wrote stitching, Anthracite with leather Merino Opal White bordering floor mats, M multifunctional seats (front only), and finally, rounding off with a 1,200W Bang & Olufsen “high end surround sound system” and BMW head-up display. And ladies and gentlemen, those are what you get for 130K Euros. Whether it is worth the dough, we will leave it up to you to decide. Then again, with limited numbers, the sticker is probably least of your concern.
All images courtesy of BMW.
