Another day, another opportunity to discuss what we all think about the latest BMW M5. Not going anywhere anytime soon, is it? Too heavy, say most, too complex, say others, just for starters. Then we’re onto whether the styling is too much or not enough, if the interior is chintzy, if the Touring is actually worth it over an M3… it’s a multi-pack of worm cans, every single time.
This G90 BMW M5, as you’ve probably been able to surmise, isn’t a standard car. It’s the property of R44 Performance, the same tuning firm that’s developing that wild 1,500hp, xDrive M2 drag car. They’ve now got hold of an M5 ‘to see how we could improve the car with aftermarket upgrades.’
Certainly if the standard saloon is a tad subtle (which could be said in darker colours), R44 has some ways to address that. So there’s a full carbon bodykit from MHC LDN, most notably with an outrageous front splitter. You wouldn’t want to have to deal with many multi-storeys in it, though there’s no contesting the claim of making the front end ‘appear wider, lower and more aggressive’, especially when paired with the tinted headlights. The gloss pre-preg carbon ought to really pop against some of the other colours available, and it uses 10 of the factory mounting positions so a new M5 doesn’t have to be drilled. The splitter costs £1,249.
While there, you might also want the side skirts, carbon mirrors covers, rear spoiler and diffuser. All in the carbon kit is £4,949, which is clearly a lot, though in terms of visual impact and outlay it’s doing pretty well - an M Performance rear diffuser is £2,500 on its own. While this M5 still runs the standard wheels, the stance has been beefed up by R44 through AST lowering springs and Bimecc 15mm spacers (10mm and 12mm items are available, as R44 concedes the setup ‘is definitely on the more aggressive side’). The springs are prototype spec for the moment, dropping the M5 a substantial 38mm at the front and 28mm at the rear; works wonders for the arch gap, if not the vulnerability of that chin carbon. Perhaps the finished items will be a couple of millimetres higher.
This wouldn’t be a modified, turbocharged BMW without some extra power, either. Thanks to a RaceChip tuning module for the 4.4 V8 - long live the software wizards - power is now up to 863hp from 727hp, and torque is a monstrous 853lb ft, where it was 738lb ft before. Big gains on big stock figures; R44 says the M5 will do 62mph to 124mph 6.4 seconds as a result, taking almost a second out of the standard car. Handy on the M6 Toll.
An exhaust is in development as well, said to address the ‘extremely muted and rather disappointing’ standard sound. While it can be seen in the pics, there’s no sound for now as it remains in build. One to revisit, perhaps, because we all know the internet loves nothing more than talking about the new M5. While the full R44 kit and kaboodle might be a bit much for most, a more subtle overhaul of spacers, springs and rear spoiler might appeal. A standard one does look a little meek once you’ve seen the R44 M5. And imagine what they might be able to do with a Touring…
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