Guys, BMWNA is asking for opinions on the E39 M5 messageboard at the Roadfly site....

FAST 5 · 10th March 2004, 17:44

BMWNA also posed the same question on Roadfly's E39, E60 and E60 "new" M5 message board. Here's the message:

Author: BMW NA Customer Relations on 2004-03-09 at 10:42:34 (posted from: Host: system150.bmwna.com IP: 63.95.170.150)

Subject: Your Questions Concerning the BMW Concept M5 (829 views) (2197 thread views)

Message: I’m with BMW of North America, LLC. Here is an update for you on the new concept M5. We hope all of you have taken at look at the pictures of if being introduced in Geneva. What do you think? We are taking this opportunity to give you a heads up on what’s coming your way. As some of you may recall, it has been 20 years since the launch of the first generation BMW M5. After three generations and more than 35,000 M5 vehicles sold, the BMW M5 still maintains its success, delivering high performance and style.

The last generation M5, the E39, was the most successful ever, gathering awards from the most prestigious automotive magazines and kudos from its owners. Long before the end of production of the E39 M5, the engineers at M were working hard to develop its successor. The target was simple - to push the limits of performance and handling even further than the E39 M5.

Last week, the BMW Concept M5 was unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show. This concept car serves as a starting point for the production vehicle, hinting at design cues, technologies and features that could follow in the production model. Carrying on the tradition of the BMW M cars, the new BMW Concept M5 will offer exhilarating performance, driving fun and style wrapped in a discreet, distinctive body design based on the E60 5 Series.

This exciting concept car features:
o A 5.0-liter, V10 naturally aspirated engine producing around 500hp.
o A 7-speed SMG transmission.
o The best power-to-weight ratio in its segment.
o 19’’ wheels and high-performance tires.

We know that your next question will be: “When will the new M5 be on sale in the US?” There is still no confirmed date for the launch of the production E60 M5. Here is a hint, M models are typically introduced two years after the launch of the core model, and the E60 M5 can be expected around this time frame.

We are very excited for this new M5 and are happy to see the great anticipation for it from your side! We’ll keep you posted on new information as soon as it becomes available.

For more information on the BMW Concept M5 unveiling please ask your BMW Center or go to www.bmwusa.com.
END--------------------------------------------------------

Okay Guys, Now go to the Roadfly.com site and take a good look at the replies on their E39 M5 message baord.
All I can say is, "Oh my God" BMW has to be sweating!

link:
http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums...4778926-1.html

MEnthusiast · 10th March 2004, 18:18

They sure are getting an earfull!

FAST 5 · 10th March 2004, 18:24

BMW MUST know about this site, so why do you think they didn't do the same here with the E39 M5 board and the new E60 M5 message board?
Our guys would love t chime in!

rvacha · 10th March 2004, 18:26

That boilerplate letter is getting OLD fast. I personally HATE the regular E60 styling, but do very much like the Concept styling. Regardless, there is not much they can do to address the styling this late in the game. The other big negatives at Roadfly regarded SMG only - BMW could eventually address this, albeit probably not immediately, and iDrive. I recently played with the E60's iDrive II and it sucks big time. I'm all for the concept of iDrive, and in fact like it or not, a day will come when such a system will be mandatory - the complexity of modern cars will demand it. The problem is execution. It is totally non-intuitive. There is a great write up in the latest Roundel on a two week test of the E60 and the author spent a lot of time and energy bashing iDrive. He proposes something I find intriguing - why not have Apple design the user interface? They invented sorta (actually Xerox PARC invented it, but I digress...) the graphical user interface and have managed to run an entire OS with a single button mouse - why does iDrive have to be so **** hard to navigate by comparison? BMW needs to dump all the code and hardware in some outside firm's lap and pay them to overhaul the interface. BMW could get a nice polished product back in time for the official launch of the M5 and back fill to the regular E60. Just my opinion

Ray

mottati · 10th March 2004, 18:41

they also have posted at the 5 series board at bimmerfest.com. I suggested that they post over here too. I personally wouldn't put too much on the roadfly opinions, most serious M5 owners are on this board...
Mike

MEnthusiast · 10th March 2004, 18:56

I think part of the problem with iDrive is that it is a distraction.

I think there are certain things that truly need you to look at a screen- and other things that dont. Its no more distracting than the nav system in the E39, but what about phone and radio functions?

On the E39, when I use the steeringwheel buttons to change stations or CD tracks or phone numbers, they appear right below the speedo. On the new BMWs- with more screens than ever, they lose this intelligent feature. Why? To "prove" that idrive is a necessity. The screen location and binnacle are correct, the controller is in a natural location, but I dont know if I think its the best location. I agree- its mostly the software...

Digi · 10th March 2004, 19:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAST 5

BMW MUST know about this site, so why do you think they didn't do the same here with the E39 M5 board and the new E60 M5 message board?
Our guys would love t chime in!

So go and post a response. Jeeze, you guys think one board is enough?