2020 BMW M5 Edition 35 Years First Look

Limited edition based on the M5 Competition
Only 35 examples coming to the U.S., 350 worldwide
617 horsepower, 553 lb-ft of torque
3.1-second zero-to-60 time, 189 mph top speed
Priced at $128,995 (including destination and gas-guzzler tax)

Introduced last year, the BMW M5 Competition already stands as the extra-special version of the M5 supersedan. Now BMW is making an extra-extra-special version, in the form of the limited-edition 2020 BMW M5 Edition 35 Years. Mechanically identical to the Competition model, the M5 Edition 35 Years celebrates the 35^thanniversary to the big M sedan (which debuted in Europe in 1985) with unique visuals and extra standard equipment.

How much does the 2020 BMW M5 Edition 35 Years cost?

At $128,999 (including destination charge and gas-guzzler tax), this limited edition is $17k more than the M5 Competition. But the extra dollars aren’t just for exclusive visuals. The full Merino leather is ordinarily a $2,500 upcharge, as is the M Driver’s Package. And BMW also throws in the $4,000 Executive Package (soft-close doors, audible parking aid, wireless device charging, automated parking, front and rear heated seats, ventilated and massaging front seats, four-zone automatic climate control, and surround view with 3D view). So that’s $9,000 worth of extras included, meaning the price of exclusivity with this BMW is $8,000.

M5 Competition mechanicals

The hardware mirrors that of the M5 Competition but it’s special enough that it’s worth recapping the highlights.

A 4.4-liter turbo V8 cranks out 617 horsepower at 6,000 rpm (versus 600 ponies for the standard M5) and 553 lb-ft of torque from 1,800 to 5,860 rpm. The V8 rests on stiffened engine mounts and sends its output through an 8-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels. The M-specific xDrive all-wheel-drive system (which is standard on all M5 models) allows the driver to alter the torque distribution and even includes a rear-wheel-drive mode. The factory-stated zero-to-60 time of 3.1 seconds is unchanged from that of the Competition model, and with the M Driver’s Package standard here, top speed is 189 mph—same as in the Competition car with that option box checked.

The Edition 35 Years model shares the Competition’s chassis tweaks, meaning it sits 0.3 inch lower than a standard M5, has greater negative front-wheel camber and a firmer rear antiroll bar, and rides on stiffer springs and dampers. The 6-piston front calipers and single-piston rears squeeze M compound rotors. Rolling stock is sized 275/35 front and 285/35 at the rear.

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What’s unique about the BMW M5 Edition 35 Years?

The Graphite Grey finish on the 20” Y-spoke wheels is exclusive to this model, as is the gloss-black paint on the brake calipers visible behind them. Like the original E28 M5, which came exclusively in black, the M5 Edition 35 Year is offered in a single hue: Frozen Dark Grey II, a BMW Individual color that’s designed to emulate a matte finish. There’s no special badging outside—in fact, there’s no badging at all on the trunk lid beyond the BMW roundel.

Inside, the special edition’s most striking feature is its gold-colored carbon structure trim, but there’s also black full Merino leather with beige contrast stitching. Door sill plates announce the model name. Only 35 of the 350-unit production run are destined for the U.S. market.