BMW Technical Information

The very best source for technical information about BMW cars is the BMW TIS (Technical Information System).

https://www.bmwtis.com

You only really need a single day's access for $30, and that allows you to go into the training section and download literally any of the pdf documents that are in there (about 180 or so). It's wise to cast a broader net, as a document about your car may refer to other documents.

This is what I downloaded that day for my $30:

But don't worry, if you're interested in the BMW F90 LSI M5 Competition, I'm doing all the reading for you and will present my synthesis on this blog. The previous generation F10 M5 was similar in many ways to the current generation F90, so if you're interested in the F90, best to go back to the start of this blog and read through it to catch up to me. Also, all the history and basic car engineering principles are the same, so good to read that as well.

As I go through the new car, I will explicitly refer back to earlier blog entries and then carry on with the differences, so nothing lost if you want to prepare yourself.

New Car Ordered

 I just ordered a new M5 and so... I'm back!

This will be my third BMW. I started with the 2005 E60 BMW 545i:

2005 E60 545i. RWD V8, 3748lbs, 330lb-ft@3600rpm, 0-100 in 5.8s; 325 HP

I was considering an M5 at the time, but it was a big naturally aspirated  V10 engine with an SMG transmission that I did not like, so I went with the much more practical and drivable 545i. It was a great car and did not give me a lick of trouble the whole time.

In the 2011 model year BMW launched the F10 M5. It corrected all the flaws with the previous M5 and so I stepped up to a 2013 model year M5.

2013 F10 M5. RWD turbo V8, 4387lbs, 501ft-lbs@1500rpm, 0-100 in 3.9s, 560 HP

I stuck with the blue because I really liked the blue. It was the first turbo-charged V8 from BMW and had a paddle-shifted Dual-Clutch Transmission which was absolutely brilliant. The torque was magnificent and available at from low RPM right up to screeching RPM. It has also been very trouble-free over the years (except it used a lot of engine oil, by design). Only recently they noticed the engine leaking oil in a way it ought not to be, which necessitated a gasket job, which was pricey and off warranty. I thought maybe this was the beginning of the end for me for this car, going onto 9 years, and there had been a new generation of M5 introduced in 2017 that I was wanting to get into, so I recently pulled the trigger and put in my order.

2022 F90 LCI M5 Competition. 4WD turbo V8, 4370lbs, 553ft-lbs@1800rpm, 0-100 in 3.2s, 617 HP

The M5 now comes in three variants, the base M5 (not available in Canada), the M5 Competition, and the M5 CS. The CS raises horsepower (though not torque) and lightens the car with more carbon fiber, especially the seats. It also has a considerably rougher ride and is much more expensive as a "limited edition". So the M5 Competition was my variant of choice.

The "LCI" stands for "Lifecycle Impulse" and is BMW's new word for a midcycle refresh. That was done for the 2021 model year, and there are some important upgrades which I will get into later, which made it more attractive.

I went with the "Ultimate Package" which has most of the bells and whistles. The colour is "Aventurine Red Metallic" and the interior is "Tartufo Brown Full Merion Leather".

It should arrive before March, so I'm looking forward to that!