Fake M5? - BMW Forum

Slvr e39 · 03-17-2004, 12:37 AM

I was walking in downtown by where I live and I saw a blue five series, probably a 2000-2003. At first glance it looked exactly like an M5. It had the full aero kit, the m5 rims and the quad exhaust, but the first thing I was sceptical about was the badges were removed. I looked a little closer and the side panel on the front doors didn't have the ///m5 emblem. Does this mean it isn't an M5 or did one year of the m5 not have the door emblem?

MrM3 · 03-17-2004, 12:54 AM

usually if i'm skeptical about a Mcar that could be fake i check for the rear view mirror. if its an ellipse then its most likely a M, if its just the standard trapezoid type then it isnt. though that just works for the newer Mseries.

Maz · 03-17-2004, 12:59 AM

I am not sure if the M5's have the door badges!! I know the M3 do but i personally thought it was just the M3's with them!! I have never looked at a M5's doors but I havent seen them in any pics being on the doors... just my 2 cents

BlkCofy · 03-17-2004, 11:59 AM

If you had a 2000-2003 M5...would you remove the badges? The interior or side mirrors should be a dead giveaway for a non-M5. But I again have to ask the question...what person would remove M5 badges from a true M-series car?

S54-MRoadster · 03-17-2004, 05:06 PM

I've removed all badges from all my old BMWs. Even on my M Roadster and my old E36 M3. I like the clean look without decals/badges.

E28boi · 03-17-2004, 05:39 PM

Some people remove them for steathier look. For the newer models I would look at the driving mirrors. They are not interchangeable like the older ones.

WiseguyDammit · 03-17-2004, 09:57 PM

Every M5 I have ever owned has been debadged. I usually pick up a "518" and a "d" badge when I'm in England.

Presto! 518d!

The easiest way to tell is to look at the VIn through the windsheild.. if it doesnt start with WBS then it is teh fake.

woobiee · 03-17-2004, 10:25 PM

there are M5 badges on the door

the rear view mirror is an excellent spot

-did it have the lip spoiler?
-were the gauges gray with a ///M emblem in it?
-did the gauges have the special ///M oil meter?
-did it have M5 tear drop side mirrors?
-M5s have special seats (seams are diff from standard 5s)
-hehe was it manual? did it have a ///M shift knob?
-did you check door sills? should say ///M5
-did it have gloss black window trim and B-pillars?

thats all i can think of out of my head

///M Power · 03-17-2004, 10:59 PM

Cmon guys, be resonable, he isn't goign to go shove his face up against the window just to check the ///M emblem in the spedomete area or anything

by the side emblem i believe he is refering to the thing i circled below

I doubt anyoen would ever take of that lil emblem cuz they would have to take off that whoel trim

prob fake

safetywork · 03-18-2004, 03:02 AM

The owner could have had the factory badge delete option. I know I prefer the stealthy look and therefore I would have gone with the delete option. Its funny for those that can't tell when can't over take during a freeway on ramp

Leicesterboy15 · 03-18-2004, 10:48 AM

I agree. My car doesn't have a badge on the back and people think its a 1.8 or 2.0 and they can't figure out why they just got wasted by an old car!

Also stops it getting eyed up by thieves

BlkCofy · 03-20-2004, 12:18 AM

I guess to each his own on the debadge option. My bias opinion was that most of this practice was done by owners with cars less than the M5 so others would not know they had a 528. I actually saw a 540 that was "clean of badges" and had M5 rims...but it was an automatic. I have a 540 and while I have the sport package w/ several M badges already on the car, and plan on putting 19s and an aftermarket body kit, it is clearly NOT an M5. I have too much repspect for those w/ M5s to hide my cars "DNA" for lack of a better word.
But choice and taste is to each his own...
I just wish someone would tell me what to do with this crappy sound system!!

Silver4evr · 03-20-2004, 02:32 AM

BlkCofy...add a quality subwoofer with a crossover to add some great low-end to your system. This takes the strain off of the lower quality speakers and will definitely improve the sound.

BlkCofy · 03-20-2004, 07:44 PM

Thanks Silver4evr...I actually was able to find some old advice in an archive that has made my system sing again. I posted the wonderfully detailed adjustments in the Audio forum.

But I appreciate your reply...Thanks.

fast 6 · 03-21-2004, 02:40 PM

well the quad exhaust pipes are a dead give away and my m5 has m5 on the door but on the back Iv'e put 550i