2001BMWM5BMW M52001 BMW M5SedanSedanRWDGermanyBMW's top performance sedan, the 394-horsepower M5, gets subtle exterior tweaks and a new head-protection airbag system for rear seat passengers.Stellar performance, attractive and luxurious interior, understated appearance.$70,000 price tag, small gauges, understated appearance might not be flashy enough for some.BMW went and did it. After constantly improving the current 5 Series platform until it was one of the best sport sedans on the planet, they've taken the segment to an entirely new level with the radical M5. If you're already a fan of the 540i, prepare to be mesmerized by Bavaria's top performance sedan. Starting with the 4.4-liter block from the 540i, BMW's M Division bumped displacement to 5.0 liters with a bore and stroke job. Compression is set at 11:1 (requiring the use of premium fuel, of course) and the cylinder heads are redesigned to offer greater crossflow cooling. Outfitted with the requisite double-VANOS variable valve-timing system, this engine is good for 394 horsepower. Even with the M5's 3,800-pound curb weight, zero-to-60 acceleration happens in a lightning-quick 5 seconds! But don't expect those times to happen with both hands on the wheel; the M5's only transmission is a six-speed manual. Along with Corvette-like acceleration, the sedan features a lower ride height than you'll see on a standard 540i, aluminum suspension pieces, stiffer spring and shock rates, and 18-inch wheels with Z-rated tires. A sport mode switch on the center console will recalibrate the variable-assist power steering for increased road feel and snappier throttle response. When things get too snappy, traction control and electronic stability control are waiting to intervene (unless you've switched them off). While paying 70 large for a performance toy might not sit well with the other half, don't forget to mention all the amenities that come standard on every M5 Sedan. Dual-zone climate control, heated leather seats with leather inserts and eight-way power adjustments, power headrests, a GPS navigation system, a 10-speaker sound system, one-touch power windows, rain-sensing wipers, etc., etc. Remember, you're not just buying a European hot rod, this car is meant for safe and secure family transportation…right? You can customize the interior look of your M5 with a slew of no-cost options. Prefer the Nappa Heritage leather to the Nappa Point leather or the bruyere Wood Trim to the burl Wood Trim? Just check the option boxes that appeal to you. You can even delete the rear spoiler to further hide your M5's true intentions. Park Distance Control, a rear sunshade and a rear-seat pass-thru are the only extra-cost factory options, though a BMW CD changer is pre-wired and can be dealer installed for a nominal fee. The M5 represents BMW's most capable performance car yet. It is an uncompromising sport sedan in terms of both ability and amenity. If your demands for horsepower, handling, hedonism and hip-room run to the extreme, the M5 has no peer. Audi S8Jaguar XJRLexus GSMercedes-Benz E55 AMG450,000450,000450,0006UnlimitedNANANA85 litersV8394 hp @ 6600 rpm368 ft-lbs. @ 3800 rpm188.4 in.70.9 in.56.7 in.3792 lbs.111.4 in.37.4 in.37.2 in.56.8 in.55.9 in.NANA41.7 in.34.2 in.11.1 cu.ft.StandardStandardStandardStandardNot AvailableStandardStandardRating = Not TestedRating = Not TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot Tested18.5 gal.13 mpg / 21 mpg241 mi. / 389 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$62,620$69,4007.35%$645$2,100No HoldbackBASE (6M): 5L V8 DOHC SMPI 32-valve engine with variable valve timing (requires premium unleaded fuel); 6-speed OD manual transmission; engine oil cooler; 120 amp alternator; rear-wheel drive, limited-slip differential, traction control, 2.81 axle ratio; dual stainless steel exhaust with tailpipe finisher; sport-ride suspension, electronic stability control, front independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, gas-pressurized front shocks, rear independent multi-link suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs, gas-pressurized rear shocks; recirculating-ball power steering, vehicle-speed-sensing assist; 4-wheel antilock disc brakes; 18.5 gal. capacity fuel tank; rear wing spoiler, side impact bars; front express open/close sliding and tilting glass sunroof with sunshade; front and rear body-colored bumpers with black rub strip, black bumper insert; black bodyside molding with black bodyside insert, rocker panel extensions; metallic monotone paint; projectorbeam high intensity headlamps with washer, daytime running lights, delay-off feature; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; driver's and passenger's body-colored heated power folding auto-dimming outside mirrors, driver's power remote outside mirror, passenger's power remote with tilt down outside mirror; front 18" x 8" rear 18" x 9.5" chrome alloy wheels; P245/40ZR18 BSW performance front tires; 275/35 rear tires; full-size alloy spare wheel; air conditioning with climate control, air filter, rear heat ducts, residual heat recirculation; premium AM/FM stereo radio, seek-scan feature, cassette player, trunk-mounted 6-disc CD changer, 14 speakers, theft deterrent, window grid diversity antenna, steering wheel radio controls; steering wheel cruise control controls; power heated door locks with 2-stage unlock, remote keyless entry, child-safety rear door locks, power remote trunk release; cell phone pre-wiring, 1 power accessory outlet, front lighter element,driver's foot rest, retained accessory power, garage door opener, smokers' package; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, volt gauge, in-dash clock, exterior temp, systems monitor, trip computer, trip odometer, navigation system; warning indicators include oil pressure, water temp, battery, low oil level, low coolant, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, low washer fluid, bulb failure, door ajar, trunk ajar, service interval, brake fluid, low tire pressure; driver's and passenger's front airbags, driver's and front passenger's door-mounted side airbags, overhead airbag; ignition disable, panic alarm, security system; tinted windows, power front and rear windows with front and rear 1-touch down function; variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers with heated washer fluid jets, rain-detecting wipers, sun visor strip, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front sports seats, heated-cushion driver's and passenger's seats, power adjustableheadrests, center armrest with storage, driver's and front passenger's seat includes 10-way power adjustment, power 4-way lumbar support; rear bench seat with adjustable headrests, with storage; height-adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners; leather seats, leather door trim insert, simulated suede headliner, full carpet floor covering, aluminum dashboard insert, leather/aluminum gearshift knob, aluminum door panel insert, aluminum console insert, chrome interior accents; driver's seat memory includes 3 settings for exterior mirrors, steering wheel, headrests; interior lights include dome light with fade, front and rear reading lights, illuminated entry; leather-wrapped sport steering wheel with power tilt and telescopic adjustment; dual illuminated vanity mirrors; auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, locking glove box with light, front cupholder, 2 seatback storage pockets, driver's and passenger's door bins, rear door bins; carpeted cargo floor, cargonet, cargo tie downs, cargo light, concealed cargo storage; chrome grille, black side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and body-colored door handles.