M5 Imposter Spotted in New York CIty

NYC_M5 · 4th September 2002, 23:16

I noticed a silver 5 series headed south on Park Avenue in the 50's last night while walking home. I did my ususal check of the side mirrors first, and after seeing that they were rectangular, I lost all interest ( your car is the exception Young

). As I was passing I saw a very prominent M5 badge in the back along with proper M5 logos on the sides. All of this combined with distinctive 540i 17" wheels and a single exhaust could mean only one thing : Fake ! I actually ran about a block to catch up with this guy in hope of letting him know that I for one was not fooled, but when I caight up to the car, the driver was on the phone and did not seem interested in talking to me. Hopefully, we'll meet again.....

M5manny · 4th September 2002, 23:41

Don't sweat it! It's going to get worse! For 2003 BMW will include with every 540i 6-speed and automatic sport package cars, an M body styling kit,(Front and Rear bumpers with single exhaust).
So you see, IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER!!!!!

XrayMD · 4th September 2002, 23:47

There should be a law against faking an M5!

But it would be even funnier (or more sad) if he didn't know much about Bimmers and doesn't realize it's fake!

khiroshima · 4th September 2002, 23:54

Manny, it is going to get tougher and tougher to identify fellow M5'ers if the bumpers change. Sure there are other indicators, but it's nice to be able to discount from a distance rather than having to rely on subtle details . . . like the shap of a side view mirror . . . Kevin

M5manny · 5th September 2002, 00:14

Kevin, Immitation is the sincerist form of flattery!

But you're rite, it's going to get tougher to identify true M5's from a distance. It just makes our cars more valuable!

Philip · 5th September 2002, 01:37

Quote:

Originally posted by m5manny
It just makes our cars more valuable!

It dilutes the value of our cars, both resale and perceived performance.

M5manny · 5th September 2002, 01:46

Phil, Does the E55 sell for the same as an E430 sport? Obviously not, I would be more upset owning an E55 knowing the E430 sport looked more like my car than having a 540i 6-speed look like my M5. I understand your point of view as I also own a real M5,but I don't think it'll hurt resale.

woolston · 5th September 2002, 05:05

Before I purchased my M5, I did not pay that much attention to the subtle styling features that distinguish them. But once I became a proud owner, I was infected by the "Is it really an M5 syndrome?" . . . a disease that causes its victims to obsessively seek out and verify the authenticity of other M5's.

This disease infected me when I spotted my first fake M5. It was a 540i automatic with an M5 trunk badge. I was certain that this sighting was an anomaly. However, the more I looked, the more fakes I spotted. Some fakes were well done, others were pathetic. I once spotted a 5 series that had the original 540i badge on the right side and an ///M badge glued on the left side, somewhat crooked, I might add. Each new sighting progressed the disease.

At first, I was very irritated by these wanna-bees. I saw them as dilutors of the M5 book-value. I would often go out of my way to embarass the driver by pulling along side of him/her and then giving them the "what the #&@$" look.

However, recently I have realized that impersonation is a form of flattery. More importantly, I have realized how fortunate most of us are to drive an M5. I am now in full remission.

Has this afflicted anyone else? . . . no need to answer NYC_M5, you're terminal.

young-nyc · 5th September 2002, 07:34

Quote:

Originally posted by NYC_M5
I noticed a silver 5 series headed south on Park Avenue in the 50's last night while walking home. I did my ususal check of the side mirrors first, and after seeing that they were rectangular, I lost all interest ( your car is the exception Young ).

hey Bill thanks for the heads up

i try to make my car as less "poser" looking as possible..
by the way..
i think i ran across this guy once in Queens and i believe Harry ran across him as well.
http://www.bmwm5.com/vbulletin/showt...threadid=19887

and check out

http://www.bmwm5.com/vbulletin/showt...threadid=19492

let me know..maybe we'll give this guy a well deserved spanking

de Witt · 5th September 2002, 08:26

It really bothers you that much? You ran to try to tell him that you knew his car was a fake? What if it was not a fake, but an M5 that has been reduced into making people think it was not an M5? It has happened. They are more common in Germany than here, but you still have to be aware.

The "M Police" are the biggest bunch of goofs ever. Dont become one.