Originally Posted by BMW RULES' date='Jan 21 2005, 06:13 PM

What material is the ruthium?How its look?you got an photo af that material?

Originally Posted by my530i' date='Jan 21 2005, 08:02 PM

Current gear shift lever and I-drive knob are plastic. Not ruthenium like you're dreaming.

Originally Posted by ISUK' date='Jan 22 2005, 12:24 PM

Ruthenium IS plastic. It's just a better quality surface paint finish that gives it a more realistic metal look. The sport steering wheel lower inserts (round airbag centre boss type wheel - not the US sport package wheel), i-drive controller and steptronic gear shift are all finished in ruthenium.

Originally Posted by WeeDee' date='Jan 21 2005, 11:21 AM

Does anybody know if there will be new colors introduced with the changes in week 9? I am about to order my new 5 but can't make up my mind on the color. If it would be possible to get Havanna (available on 1 and new 3 series), I definately would go for that. I most probably will take the truffle brown interior, so I'd have to go for a dark outside color as an alternative. I guess black is the only option here. The other configuration would be the silver grey exterior with black leather interior. Anybody want to give some recommendations?

Bye 4 now...

Originally Posted by David' date='Jan 19 2005, 09:34 PM

[quote name='BMW#4' date='Jan 19 2005, 07:32 PM'][quote name='David' date='Jan 19 2005, 08:58 PM']There are going to be spec changes to E60's from week 9 production onwards.

Major change is new engines for all petrol models (except 545i), improved functionality for Professional Satnav (hot key's on left side of screen) including Perspective View (3D),updated traction control (DSC+), better quality interior trim and storage in places, new 19" wheels available as an option with the Sport models(Uk/Europe).

New Options from Week 9 Production:

633 Bluetooth telephone preparation with telematics function
4MF Active seat back rest adjustment
541 Active Cruise Control will be released to Sport models and 535d

Options deleted from Week 9 Production

206 SMG gearbox for 525i SE/Sport
638 Professional Telephone

This information comes from an excellent UK based website www.bm3w.co.uk (there is much more detail on the site) which is primarily for M3's but now covers other BMW models fairly comprehensively as well.

Originally Posted by Guest' date='Jan 26 2005, 10:36 PM

Ruthenium kinda looks like a darker silver grey!

It is darker than the I drive knob and almost or about the same as the non-sport 545i steering wheel accents.