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From digest.v7.n1222 Mon Mar 2 12:59:04 1998
From: GFOConnor <GFOConnor_at_aol.com>
Date: Mon, 2 Mar 1998 02:01:48 EST
Subject: The E39 ///M5 Lives!
OK...somebody pinch me.
I just saw an ///M5. The new one. The E39 400 HP US version. For real.
I spotted a silver unbadged E39 with manufacturer's plates, four tailpipes
(each with its own muffler), and super w-i-d-e tires in Hermosa Beach, CA just
now (10 pm Sunday night), so I followed it. Eventually it parked, and the two
German-looking (whatever that means) guys hopped out. I pulled up and asked
them what that car they were driving was, and they first looked at each other,
as if to say 'what the hell', and subtly announced it to be a new ///M5. I
said "The 400 HP one?" and they said "Ahhh...you've heard."
I asked if they were from BMW AG, and they proudly said "No...BMW M Gmbh."
Turns out they were indeed two test engineers from Munich. They kindly opened
the hood for me, but the prototype underhood conditions and lack of light
didn't allow me to see much. They also seemed a bit anxious to get to the
watering hole they were headed for, and I knew better than to be much of an
interruption there. Those rear meats turned out to be 275/35-18 Michelin
Pilots; I didn't inspect the fronts.
Apparently there is a BMW NA office in nearby Marina Del Rey (a surprise to me
... anybody know specifically what is there?!?) out of which they are working
for a week or two, after which they and the ///M5 are headed to Alaska for a
few weeks of cold testing.
They said I should buy one...in September '99, when it will be available as a
MY2000 vehicle. I didn't argue.
Yeow...wonder if I'll sleep tonight.
Gerry O'Connor
Manhattan Beach, CA
'83 633 CSi / '72 2002 tii
BMW CCA / NMA / SAE
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