I just got back from my Saturday drive date with my M5. I was very intregued by what this 530 owner did.. .
Frequently, I notice Hondas and Acura owners try to convert their base model car to higher one by replacing with stickers/wheels/engines/body kits/badges, whatever. Like my cousinewho bought an "New" Integra LS and trying to swap the LS engine with VTEC GS-R engine? WHY? just buy a GS-R and forget about it. When he done with upgrade, he spent just as much as would buy GS-R. Forgive me, he is 17 and I'm having a long talk with him soon...
Having say that, Here my story...
I saw a black M5 in my rear view mirror today. (Here in Jacksonville, I rarely see another M5 and according to my Dealership, only hand full of M5 are in town) So I was very excited when i saw M5 on my rearview mirror. As I slow down to let him pull next to me, (took him for ever to pull next to me) lI notice something different about his beast. First of all, he didn't look at me at all, he was looking straight forward like I wasn't there. Even i honked and gave him the friendly waves.
And then it hit me... As I check out his M5
1. M5 Front bumper with fog light. He had them on during sunny day. - I didn't get that? why?
2. side markers are yellow. (huh??? is this 2002 model??)
3. OMG, 530 badge with no quad-exhausts!!! OE 530 rear bumper.
4. But he did have clear rear lights.
5. Same size rear and front tires on M5 wheels
Maybe he was too embarrased to look at me?
He almost had me fooled. If I only saw the front, I will be easily mistaken as another m5. Maybe that's why he didnt' want to pass me..
Good lord, why? Maybe there is cost issue here. New M5 could easily cost over 80K with tax and whatever. New 530 + M5 wheels + M5 front bumper = $$$??? If this was on going project then, trying to conver 530 to M5 could add serious $$$$.
I know that's his car and he is title to do whatever to it but maybe I'm missing a point here. Why? If you want M5 that bad, why just buy a used one? I know I wouldn't buy 530 and dress it up to be M5. People would know it's fake.
Anyone can slap me silly with knowledge?
RareM5
__________________ RARE ///M5
2001 LMB DINAN ///M5 Gone but never forgotten!
2005 Honda S2000 (Silverstone/Black)
2005 Ducati 749S (Red)
well, it was all cosmetic anyways... a lot of 5 series owners love the way the M5 looks. They don't care about performance or whatever, but they love the rims and bodykit on it... so I don't see anything wrong with them putting those parts on, as long as they don't stick tons and tons of ///M5 badges all over their car.... Besides, what's that phrase? "imitation is the most sincere form of flattery"
__________________ US Spec 2001 E39 M5 - LHD AC Schnitzer
DFC suspension, anti-sway bars, pedals
front splitters, rear wing w/ carbon fiber
Look, at least he didn't slap on the M5 badges. If I could only afford a 530i, I'd still want the wheels and tires, as they really help the handling. Don't know that I'd spring for the bumper, though. The clear rear lenses I think are standard for all '01 5 series, as are the angel eyes headlights.
I have a moron in my town that has an Aspen Silver 528i with a M5 badge on the back. He is such a total loser I still haven't met up with him in the beast yet, but when I do...bye bye 528
I don't know why people do what they do -- the 530 looks great as it is, why change it?
-Chris
__________________
'00 M5 Anthracite - Imola Red/Black, bone stock, 11,000 miles (Yep she's a garage queen)
I agreed, I know people are envy about M5. I can see the value of put M5 wheels and tires for better handling. However, when you started to replace bumpers and so on (M5 Badges) to look like M5 is pure idiotic. Not to mention waisting money.
I would be embarassed to say No when people ask me if my car was a M5 when it's a 530. If I say Yes, that person know that I'm full of Sh*t. If I can have the "real" one, I rather not have it.
So, where do you draw the line?
__________________ RARE ///M5
2001 LMB DINAN ///M5 Gone but never forgotten!
2005 Honda S2000 (Silverstone/Black)
2005 Ducati 749S (Red)
I don't know, I think wheels are kind of pushing it as well. These wheels were specifically made for the M5, but I suppose you could say that about any BMW wheel...
-Chris
__________________
'00 M5 Anthracite - Imola Red/Black, bone stock, 11,000 miles (Yep she's a garage queen)
530 + (M5 front bumper * M5 wheels) = M530?
If I could only afford a 530i, I'd still want the wheels and tires, as they really help the handling. Don't know that I'd spring for the bumper, though. The clear rear lenses I think are standard for all '01 5 series, as are the angel eyes headlights.
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