Updated 8.23.14 with real-life USA debut details.

We are trying out a new YouTube intro/branding clip ahead of all the videos — and have the current BMW M6 with M Performance exhaust as the audio overlay (for the time being…).

This is relevant to the BMW M5 Jahre 30 edition because it shows what this engine can really sound like with an aftermarket addition. It also shows that the Pebble Beach audio recording of the Jahre 30 is not nearly as vivid.

In fact, the Jahre 30 sounds really terrific in person, with much more engine rumble and hum than simple exhaust harmonics. This means the M5 Jahre 30 will be livelier and louder from up front when driving hard, versus just snorting loudly from out back.

The other upgrades include more power, harder suspension settings, new active rear differential, new steering programming, and most vividly — a dark and moody matte/satin grey paintwork.

The paint is very interesting because most matte-finish cars are not, in fact, painted. Matte paint is hard to do from an OEM stand-point. It must maintain its quality for years and years of weather and wash use/abuse — all without the traditional glossy clearcoat to protect it.

So this M5 Jahre 30 tells the future both in its 600-horsepower power output as well as its menacing style. It is sure to be very collectable — and all are sold-out already.

To match the Jahre 30 M5’s 3.7-second, launch-control sprint time — the new-to-USA Alpina B6 Gran Coupe is also on my short list with its standard xDrive and 540-horsepower.

This is just shy of the regular M5’s 550-plus count, and its pace will be more fool-proof on any surface…

Decision time!

2014 BMW M5 Jahre 30

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Well this is interesting!

The ’30 Jahre M5′ edition is actually a bit more than a run-out special ahead of an expected revamp and the long-rumored addition of xDrive to the next M5.

Adding power, a new steering setup and a new controller for the Active M Differential not only improves sprint times down to 3.7-seconds to 60MPH — it is also promised to improve the overall handling balance of the ultimate super saloon car.

Worth noting is that the current M5 is not exactly lacking in dynamic poise or power. But the game is moving forward on BMW’s M5 as it crosses its 30th anniversary. The Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG 4MATIC are both cleanly under 4.0-seconds to 60-mph, which is upping the pressure in the BMW M division.

The 29 copies that will be slld to US customers are a pretty slim portion of the 300 models sold as part of the 30 Jahre M5 program — meaning they will be snapped up in an instant.

The 800 number and pre-planned reservation time reminds me of the old Ticketmaster days!! But like Ticketmaster’s rigged lottery, we would act fast and explore all routes to ownership if you are serious about having your own 30th Anniversary M5.

Official Details below from BMW.

The 30th Anniversary Edition BMW M5

• Celebrating the first 30 Years of the legendary BMW M5.

• Most powerful production BMW ever

• Reservation phone number to be revealed on Instagram (@BMWUSA)

• Bonus – one-day M School at The Thermal Club in Palm Springs

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – 6:00pm EDT/3:00pm PDT May 6, 2014. . . BMW announced today a limited run of 30 copies of the new 30th Anniversary Edition BMW M5 for 2015. The BMW M5 “30 Jahre M5” will be produced in a limited run of 300 examples worldwide, and 30 of them will be imported to the United States. With an output of 600hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, it will not only be the most powerful M5 ever sold but also the most powerful BMW production model ever. Starting at $138,275, including destination and handling, the first 29 copies of the 30th Anniversary Edition BMW M5 will be offered to the first 29 customers who reserve it by dialing the dedicated BMW Customer Relations hotline at 1:00pm EDT (10:00am PDT), on Wednesday, May 21, 2014. The 30th copy of the Edition will be retained by BMW of North America, LLC, and may be sold at a later date.

Purchasers of a 30th Anniversary Edition BMW M5 will be invited to a one-day M Driving School at The Thermal Club, a private motorsports facility in Palm Springs, CA.

BMW of North America will engage social media as a platform to reveal the phone number for the reservation hotline for US customers to order one of the 30th Anniversary Edition BMW M5s. That number will be revealed on BMW of North America’s Instagram channel (@BMWUSA) over the five days leading up to May 21, beginning on Saturday, May 17. Each day, in addition to revealing portions of the call-in number, will offer fun facts about each of the successive five generations of BMW M5. 

BMW of North America’s Instagram channel provides exclusive Ultimate Driving Machine content to an active community of BMW super fans and automotive enthusiasts.  This audience of nearly 60,000 followers has a clear passion for the M-brand, with M-specific content consistently receiving over 30% more engagement than average.

30th Anniversary Edition BMW M5 offers increased performance

The 4.4 liter BMW M TwinPower Turbo V8 engine from the M5 with Competition Package receives an additional 25 horsepower thanks to increased turbocharger pressure and engine control module enhancements. Elsewhere, the addition of a dedicated control module allows the Active M Differential to react sooner and improve the traction when exiting corners.

Capable of 0 to 60 mph in an estimated 3.7 seconds, the 30th Anniversary Edition BMW M5 adds an improved M-specific Servotronic function as well as an improved M Dynamic mode, prepared to use the full potential of the increased power and traction.

30th Anniversary Edition BMW M5 includes unique styling and interior details

Featuring a Frozen Dark Silver Metallic  exterior, part of the BMW Individual palette of hues, the 30th Anniversary Edition BMW M5 is also identified with Black Chrome “30 Jahre M5” (German for 30 years of the M5) badges, appearing on the kidney grill surrounds, the front fenders, door handles and twin dual exhaust pipes. The exterior of the 30th Anniversary Edition M5 is further complemented by 20 inch, bi-color M light-alloy wheels.

“30 Jahre M5” badges are also featured in the interior, with a 1/300 identification number integrated into the Aluminum Trace trim strip on the front passenger side of the cockpit.

A black Alcantara/Leather combination graces the M multifunctional seats which also include embroidered “30 Jahre M5” badges. The center console and the door panels are also covered in black Alcantara, while the headliner features Alcantara Anthracite.

Invitation to Exclusive BMW M Driving School at The Thermal Club
In order to further enhance the M experience with this vehicle, buyers of the 30th Anniversary Edition BMW M5 will be invited to an exclusive one-day track event and M driving school at The Thermal Club in Palm Springs, CA.  The event will be held in the Fall of 2014 with more details to follow.

Celebrating five generations of M5.

30 years have passed since a group of engineers at BMW Motorsport GmbH proposed using the inline-6 cylinder engine originally developed for the BMW M1 and fitting it into the BMW 5 Series Sedan, essentially creating the segment defining high performance sedan and setting a foundation for the next four generations of the BMW M5.