"M5" Spotted today in Manhattan

[KRM]

I saw what seemed to be a beautiful jet black M5 today from afar while walking with my girlfriend in SOHO towards Spring Street. Luckily, I was armed with my camera today to capture some pics. At first, I was not 100% sure it was a real M5 with the M-technic grille. However, I remember that two of our fellow members, Atomic80 and Tfung, have that grille setup on their M5 so I quickly dismissed it as a strict poser identification part.

Upon a slightly closer inspection, all the M5 details can be seen; folded up M5 mirrors, M5 interior headrests, chrome shadow rims, rear lid spoiler, and side logos.

Getting even closer behind the car to see the quad exhausts, I was 100% sure this was the real thing at this point.

Before I decided to walk away satisfied that I caught a glimpse of one of the best sedans on earth today. I wanted to go back to see what interior trim this owner chose.

Here is where the real surprise comes This car not only has an automatic gearbox shifter (no streptronic shift either). It is also equipped with the 528i steering wheel and regular stereo setup (no nav).


Remember the special M5 interior headrests I saw earlier? This owner even went as far as to change his interior to resemble the luxury interior and wood trim on the real thing.


Another pic of the side moldings the owner chose to put on this car


This is the final shot of the car before I walked away


Remember the thread that was posted not long ago asking what features people would look for to see if it's the real thing? If this car was in motion, I would have never thought it was a poser given all the details of the exterior and the interior (seats and headrests). I understand this person probably enjoyed the design details of the M5 so to get the same on his/her car, but to put on an M5 badge on what seems to be a 528i is a different story. I can imagine if this car only had a manual transmission in the 528i the owner can go even further in getting the 6-speed shift knob, ///M steering wheel, and a navigation system to make it the perfect "M5."

[KRM]

Apart from the fake ///M5 sightings, I spotted an Avus Blue with plate frame "Power" and a Black Z8 parked on the street near 57th and Madison last week.

a Silver with red interior Z8 was spotted on 64th street and 2nd ave yesterday afternoon as well. Anyone from the board?

[Chris Foote]

What a loser! I can't believe the guy even went so far as to change the leather interior! Those covers are NOT cheap!

Too bad the owner wasn't around.....maybe you should have left a note on his windshield

-Chris

[polvoronn]

[to the car] BOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! posers SUCK!

You should've left a little note on his windshield. I did that to a fake E36 M3 sedan at my school. He had the padge, and the front spoiler, but that was about it. My note read:

"FAKE M3!
Where are the :
-side mirrors?
-red needles?
-manual transmission?
-extra exhaust pipe?"

hehe ... I haven't seen the car in the parking lot since

[atomic80]

Wow! This one is one of the most extensive "poseur" M5's that I've seen to date...did you however manage to check to see whether or not he changed the interior rearview mirrors? That usually is the final detail that "poseurs" forget to take care of.

[atomic80]

I just looked at the larger image...looks like he did change the rearview mirror!

Could be a fake...OR it could be a real M5 with an automatic tranny retrofitted? I doubt it though.

But then again...the steering wheel is not from the M5.

[KRM]

Unless the owner likes the 528i steering wheel better, I really doubt that he retrofitted the gearbox, let alone the first generation autobox on the E39.

[bay area kid]

Chump.

[M exotic]

That is really sad

That guy went to great lengths to make his car look like an M5. And its an auto...

[EBMCS03]

DUDE with all that money WASTED! why not just get a real M5?