The LeMans Blue has always been described as dark with a "purplish" tinge to it. It doesn't look like Avus Blue either. This looks more like a color I have seen only a few times on 3 series cars called Estoral Blue. (The spelling may be completely off because I have only heard the name and not seen it in print.)
I don't believe this color is available on any BMWs as a standard item anymore.
I think Estoril blue is still available for the M roadster and Z3M, so it would still be available at extra cost for the M5. I have a 97 M3 in this colour, it's really nice but I wanted a change so in Jan a Le mans blue M5 should finally arrive.
The colour you are referring to is called Estoril Blue, it was available for E36 M3 and M Roadster and maybe, not sure, for Compact.
Basically 3 Series colour, which I don't think is available any longer.
I'd think that it was much lighter than LeMans Blue.
Does anyone know anything more about whether those are the actual (new) rims for the 2001 model or are they just one-offs for the display circuit? They look much better than the current ones.
Please help, I have just ordered a 2001 spec M5 and have been told that le mans blue is no different to avus blue, just a change in the name of the colour. I do not like avus but think the colour of the paris show m5 looks the business. Is this avus blue disguised by trick lighting at the show or is this a totally new colour by the name of le mans blue.
After reading some other posts, I'm baginning to wonder if this is Lemans blue. According to several people the official BMW color swatch shows Lemans to be much darker, with a purple-ish shade to it. Could it be that the M5 shown here is actually Topaz Blue, a standard 5er color for 2001? I just picked up the new 2001 brochure and it has a nice Topaz color swatch that looks very similar to this picture
------------------
143366
'00 E39 M5
'97 E39 540i six speed
The wheels in the photo look like they are painted silver instead of shadow chrome. I'm considering having mine painted also. I'm tired of the "always dirty look", especially with my Alpine white car.
M5Board is the best forum community for information on the BMW M5 E60 (V-10), E39 (V-8), E34 (straight 6), E28, F90 and F10. Discuss performance, specs, reviews and more!