5Series.net Takes a Look Back at a Memorable 2019
You know what time of the year it is, so let’s rewind and highlight some amazing things from the amazing year that was 2019.
Did you have an excellent 2019? We sure did. BMW has given us new models to get our hearts warm and fuzzy, and took to the race track to defend their motorsport supremacy. BMW’s M5 still stands as one of the best super sedans you can buy with endless horsepower (and even more with a tune).
With 2019 pretty much in the books, we shift our attention to next year. But before we recycle our old calendar, we decided to take a look back. The list was long, but we picked out some of our favorite happenings throughout the year. Given how much happened, it was tough, so we want to hear your favorite parts of the year as well!
BMW New Comers in Heavy Testing at the Nurburgring
Spy shots and video of camouflaged cars at the Nurburgring always get us excited, even if those rides aren’t likely to come over to US shores. In April we reported seeing a few cars hustling around the German track, including the entry-level 1-series.
BMW M5 Edition 35 Years Limited is Elegant & Appropriately Savage
BMW arguably created the super sedan segment. To celebrate the M5’s 35th birthday, BMW decided to give 350 M5s a special treatment. You can tell the “M5 Edition 35 Years” versions apart from the rest by Frozen Dark Grey matte paint along with special wheels and other amenities from BMW’s Individual line.
YouTuber Declares M5 Competition the Ultimate Sleeper
In keeping with the M5 celebrations, the M5 Competition takes the F90 chassis and turns it into a genuine supercar competitor… with a back seat. The Competition pack adds even more suspension upgrades above and beyond the standard M5. Brakes are up to the task too, being carbon ceramic units. 2019 clearly was a year for speed demons, at least to BMW.
Why Wait for the M8? The M850i xDrive Convertible Is Already Here
One of BMW’s most anticipated models is the M8. The wait to get one might be too long for some, but that’s OK because the M850i X-Drive is here right now. With 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, performance is doesn’t fall short of sensational.
E39 M5 with 400,000 Miles: Is it 12-hour Road Trip Worthy?
While new cars get our attention, we’ll always love the classics. BMW’s E39 M5 is still the stuff of legends, but now that they all have a number of years on them, the mileage has ratcheted up. The mileage on this M5 is a bit significant though. It has an astonishing 400,000 miles.
Single family-owned BMW M1 Emerges After 40 Years of Hibernation
It seems like all the barn finds have already been spoken for, yet somehow, some gems keep popping up. This year, an immaculate M1 emerged from four decades hidden away from the public. This one was owned by just one family, who had decided it was time to let it go.
Secret M5 Touring Packs Heart of McLaren F1 Under the Hood
BMW’s hidden secret was revealed this year, and it’s quite a doozy. During the development of the McLaren F1, the BMW V12 from that supercar was tested in, of all things, an E34 M5 Touring. We suppose that if you’re going to hide a new supercar engine, a wagon is a great place to put it. BMW still apparently has it, too. C’mon BMW, bring it out for us to see!
Top 5 Quirks & Features of the M8 Competition
Getting close to the M8 Competition was a highlight of 2019. Doug DeMuro let us in on the various reasons why the M8 earns its flagship status. Configurable drive modes and buttons dedicated specifically to M performance functions means you can have a car suited for the track, or one tamed for a comfortable and luxurious ride.
2020 BMW Z4 M40i Faces Its Japanese Cousin, the Toyota Supra
Toyota’s Supra has enjoyed a lot of hype in 2019, but the unsung (and arguably better) hero is the car on which it is based. The Z4 M40i takes all the driving excitement and adds open-air enjoyment to the experience. But you still can’t get the darn thing with a manual transmission. BMW, please listen to your enthusiasts!
5Series.net Takes on BMW’s M Track Days
Speaking of enthusiasts, we dipped our toes into the BMW M track day events. Hosted at a number of circuits across the country, you can get behind the wheel of your favorite M car and really open it up. This is no ordinary test drive.
BMW Sales Up 10.2% in November, 4.5% Year-to-date
To wrap up the year, we can end with some really good news. For BMW, sales numbers are up, up, up! November closed out with a double-digit hike in numbers, and overall sales to that point in the year are up 4.5 %. BMW looks poised to carry that momentum into 2020.
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