E39 end of life... (archive)

Here are the BMW facts (based on their modus operandi for the last 20 years):
The E39 was introduced in the fall of 1995 as a MY 96 car.
BMW's have a 7 year body/design lifestyle
The E60 will start being built this summer and fall as a MY 03 car. 1996 + 7 = 2003
Europe gets new models before the US. The E39 M5 was available in Europe in the late summer of 1999. We didn't start getting them until late fall 1999
It typically takes 2-4 years for an M variant of a particular model. I hope with increased competitive pressure from M-B AMG, Jaguar, Audi S and RS, and the rest that a new M5 will hit these shores faster.

yeah you would think the 7 year lifespan would say MY2003 5er will be an E60, but I've been reading that it would be out 'till MY2004 so I guessed that the E60 was delayed a year for some reason...who knows?

BTW, since the E39 started shipping in Oct. 1999, doesn't that make it a MY2000? so it was 4 years after the first E39s in MY1996? I hope, as you say, due to competitive pressurs with AMG etc that they can't wait four years again w/o an M5...even two years seems like a long time these days...

Follow Ups:

[ Follow Ups ] [ M5 Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]

Questions, comments, or problems, please visit the Roadfly help desk.