yeah - I think there usually is a couple of years without an M version when a new body style comes out. e.g. the E39 came out in 1997; I think the E39 M5 came out as a 2000 model. M3s seem to be quicker - the E46 coupe came out in 2000 - the M3 version for the most part started shiping in 2001. They shipped a 1999 E36 M3, had no M3 for 2000. So I'm guessing that there will be no 2004 M5 (when the E60 5ers come out); 2005 will be earliest, and that's only 1 year of no M5s - could be longer based on past history