BMW M – Automotivetry.com – Motor Sports, Exotic Cars, and Everything In Between

BMW M Rumored To Be Readying Special M4 For 50th Ann. With Manual Gearbox

Next year is gearing up to be a special one for BMW’s M division. BMW M GmbH will mark its 50th anniversary in May, 2022, and new rumors suggest that there’s a special, limited production M4 on the horizon.

The lead comes from an alleged BMW insider on g80.bimmerpost. The user, who apparently has a good track record for new car info, suggests that the unnamed M4 special will be “configured like the CSL, but with a manual transmission.”

The forum member goes on to say that several options will be deleted, including comfort access, parking sensors, and electric seats. The absence of such would result in an M4 that’s even lighter than the already lightweight CSL, provided this special model is based on the upcoming CSL in the first place.

Although the production M4 CSL hasn’t yet been revealed to the public, our spies have spotted prototypes undergoing testing. These cars feature revised air intakes and grilles, as well as lightweight wheels, a more prominent lip spoiler, and a new diffuser.

Read: BMW Teases Next-Generation M4 GT4 Customer Race Car

A BMW M4 CSL prototype caught testing at the Nurburgring

As yet, powertrain details for the CSL have not been confirmed, although there have been reports that BMW may not offer a manual transmission. If that were the case, a limited, manual-equipped take on the CSL could prove to be the holy grail of BMW’s M4 line-up. The source also remarks that the new variant will be only produced for a few months, starting in November 2022, implying that production numbers will be kept low.

We already know that BMW M GmbH has big plans on the horizon for the upcoming year. Their 750hp plug-in hybrid SUV, the XM, is set to be in production before the end of 2022, and from January, customers will be able to order their cars with a roundel that harks back to the Motorsport division’s classic logo. If that weren’t enough, the new BMW M3 Touring would finally fulfill our M wagon dreams, and a series of 50 new M paint finishes will be made available. A special, ultra-limited edition of the M4 could just be the icing on the cake.

The BMW M2 CS And Jaguar F-Type Are More Evenly Matched Than You May Think

<!––>

Both BMW and Jaguar have long and proud histories of producing some of the industry’s finest sports cars, and the M2 CS and F-Type are among the best.

In the most recent review from Lovecars starring Tiff Needell, the M2 CS and the facelifted F-Type go toe-to-toe on a tight and twisty track before heading out onto the open road. While the M2 CS and F-Type are not direct rivals, they offer similar performance and, in the UK at least, carry similar price tags.

The F-Type featured in this clip is a new variant dubbed the P450. This model uses Jaguar’s 5.0-liter supercharged V8 but has been detuned to 444 hp and 428 lb-ft (580 Nm) of torque. This engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear- or, optionally, all-wheel. The example tested had the all-wheel drive system and can hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.4 seconds while reaching a 177 mph (285 km/h) top speed.

By comparison, the M2 CS features a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged six-cylinder that is good for 444 hp and 406 lb-ft (550 Nm) of torque. Unlike the F-Type, the M2 CS tested came with a six-speed manual gearbox. It’s rear-wheel drive but, because it weighs less, it is quicker off the line than the Jaguar, hitting 60 mph in 4.0 seconds and maxing out at 174 mph (280 km/h).

During the track tests, the Jaguar was 0.8 seconds slower than the M2 CS. Considering its added weight, that’s not too bad.

[embedded content]

Would You Buy An E39-Gen BMW M5 With 134K Miles On The Odo?

The latest-generation BMW M5 complete with over 600 hp is a very special thing, but in reality, you can hardly ever use that much power on the street. That’s where an older generation M5 like this E39 comes into its own.

Rather than using an almighty V8 with two turbochargers, the E39 M5 is powered by a naturally aspirated 4.9-liter S62 V8 that delivered 394 hp and 368 lb-ft (499 Nm) of torque. Those are perhaps the perfect figures for a vehicle of this sort and adding to the desirability of the car is the fact that it has a six-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential.

Watch Also: Yes, This Is An E39 BMW 530d Pickup Truck Conversion

This particular 2003 M5 is currently available through Bring A Trailer and has 134,000 miles (~215,000 km) on the clock. That’s a lot and maintaining the car could be quite expensive. However, if you have a good relationship with a local mechanic that can help you out or better yet, have some repair skills of your own, maintaining an M5 like this doesn’t have to break the bank.

The listing reveals the car was first registered in Illinois and acquired by the selling dealer in March 2020 having previously spent time in Texas, Arkansas, and Utah. It is being sold without a reserve, with a Carfax report and with a clean Georgia title.

Inside, things look to have been well maintained. Sure, the black leather seats have some cracks in them but that is to be expected. Among the nice touches include an Alcantara headliner, power-adjustable and heated front seats with a memory function, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a navigation system.

PHOTO GALLERY

more photos…

For GREAT deals on a new or used Harley check out Orange County Harley Davidson TODAY!