Non-visual differences between M5 and M5 Competition? Confusing car found.

miDrive · 03-07-2023, 12:38 AM

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Hi folks. I'm new to this forum. Would appreciate your expertise in trying to understand some things.

How can you tell the difference between an M5 and an M5 Competition? Take this car 2020 M5/Competition, for example:

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...ting=351167746
VIN: WBSJF0C02LCD11832

Is this car an M5 or an M5 Competition? Grill, real bumper, etc. would indicate it's an M5 Competition, but the rear M5 badge doesn't say "Competition." The VIN lookup, most of the time, says Competition, but not all the time.

Is there an identifier in the VIN that points to the Competition trim?

I'm stumped by this car. Thanks in advance for your help!

ResIpsaLoquitur · 03-07-2023, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miDrive

Hi folks. I'm new to this forum. Would appreciate your expertise in trying to understand some things.

How can you tell the difference between an M5 and an M5 Competition? Take this car 2020 M5/Competition, for example:

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...ting=351167746
VIN: WBSJF0C02LCD11832

Is this car an M5 or an M5 Competition? Grill, real bumper, etc. would indicate it's an M5 Competition, but the rear M5 badge doesn't say "Competition." The VIN lookup, most of the time, says Competition, but not all the time.

Is there an identifier in the VIN that points to the Competition trim?

I'm stumped by this car. Thanks in advance for your help!

I highly doubt this is a Competition. I think that a previous owner made various visual modifications (obviously, look at the CF pieces), but also including swapping to gloss black exterior components that do come with the Comp package. Base M5s do not come with gloss black badge from the factory. Prior to my current LCI, I had a base that had all the black Comp package parts (grilles, side gills, lower rear bumper surround, gloss black exhaust tips and black M5 badge). None of those generally come from the factory, though I have seen dealers special order cars that way here and there. I had all those things done myself.

EDIT — I stand corrected. It seems my M brethren below have determined it is a Comp.

mjr24 · 03-07-2023, 02:54 AM

Disagree, I think it's a Comp.....why would one go to all the trouble to buy the same wheels, exhaust tips, etc. etc. and not put the $40 Competition badge on?

Maybe the Competition emblem fell off or maybe the previous owner didn't like it (a lot of people think it's too much badging)......ask the dealer for the original window sticker sheet.....that will tell you for sure.

EDIT: It's a Comp....

https://www.mdecoder.com/decode/wbsjf0c02lcd11832

NoMods · 03-07-2023, 06:13 AM

unless i missed it, i don't see the lighted doorsills that say competition.

AGS · 03-07-2023, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armoredsaint

unless i missed it, i don't see the lighted doorsills that say competition.

That was added for the LCI. Wasn't on pre-LCI.

crypto · 03-07-2023, 09:30 AM

https://www.mdecoder.com/decode/wbsjf0c02lcd11832

Has comp package.. it's a comp..

windtendo · 03-07-2023, 11:03 AM

Telltale sign are the tricolor stitched seatbelts.

Danny D · 03-07-2023, 11:16 AM

.

calbears · 03-07-2023, 12:09 PM

M5 Comp

ResIpsaLoquitur · 03-07-2023, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjr24

Disagree, I think it's a Comp.....why would one go to all the trouble to buy the same wheels, exhaust tips, etc. etc. and not put the $40 Competition badge on?

Maybe the Competition emblem fell off or maybe the previous owner didn't like it (a lot of people think it's too much badging)......ask the dealer for the original window sticker sheet.....that will tell you for sure.

EDIT: It's a Comp....

https://www.mdecoder.com/decode/wbsjf0c02lcd11832

You are right! I stand corrected.

Sorry OP!

ResIpsaLoquitur · 03-07-2023, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjr24

Disagree, I think it's a Comp.....why would one go to all the trouble to buy the same wheels, exhaust tips, etc. etc. and not put the $40 Competition badge on?

Maybe the Competition emblem fell off or maybe the previous owner didn't like it (a lot of people think it's too much badging)......ask the dealer for the original window sticker sheet.....that will tell you for sure.

EDIT: It's a Comp....

https://www.mdecoder.com/decode/wbsjf0c02lcd11832

People frequently do the type of swap you describe. I have seen base models transformed into exactly this. People want the blacked out look but aren’t posers so they won’t upbadge and add the Competition part. That was exactly my situation on my previous M5. I swapped to all black Comp pieces and added a black (regular) M5 badge for around $1000. There’s a BHG one at my local dealer that is a lease turn in where the lessee did the exact same thing.

miDrive · 03-08-2023, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by windtendo

Telltale sign are the tricolor stitched seatbelts.

Only Competitions have these types of seatbelts? What do standard M5s have? Thank you!

ResIpsaLoquitur · 03-08-2023, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miDrive

Only Competitions have these types of seatbelts? What do standard M5s have? Thank you!

Good eye windtendo!

I missed the seatbelt in the one shot that showed it.

The base M5 has the exact same seatbelt, without the M stripes.

Maverik259 · 03-08-2023, 12:20 PM

looks like a great deal for an M5C and that mileage. Test drive it first. Many are not fans of the pre-LCI comp suspension harshness, especially as a daily, and then again some are.

Who's on first · 03-10-2023, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calbears

M5 Comp

What are you using that shows original MSRP??

calbears · 03-10-2023, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Who's on first

What are you using that shows original MSRP??

vehicle history with the BMW internal system

03-07-2023, 12:38 AM	#1
miDrive New Member 10 Rep 8 Posts Drives: BMW M5, BMW X5 Join Date: Mar 2023 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (0)	Non-visual differences between M5 and M5 Competition? Confusing car found. Featured on BIMMERPOST.com Hi folks. I'm new to this forum. Would appreciate your expertise in trying to understand some things. How can you tell the difference between an M5 and an M5 Competition? Take this car 2020 M5/Competition, for example: https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...ting=351167746 VIN: WBSJF0C02LCD11832 Is this car an M5 or an M5 Competition? Grill, real bumper, etc. would indicate it's an M5 Competition, but the rear M5 badge doesn't say "Competition." The VIN lookup, most of the time, says Competition, but not all the time. Is there an identifier in the VIN that points to the Competition trim? I'm stumped by this car. Thanks in advance for your help!
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03-07-2023, 02:54 AM	#3
mjr24 Colonel 1644 Rep 2,402 Posts Drives: M8 Comp GC, X7, AMG GT53 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (0)	Disagree, I think it's a Comp.....why would one go to all the trouble to buy the same wheels, exhaust tips, etc. etc. and not put the $40 Competition badge on? Maybe the Competition emblem fell off or maybe the previous owner didn't like it (a lot of people think it's too much badging)......ask the dealer for the original window sticker sheet.....that will tell you for sure. EDIT: It's a Comp.... https://www.mdecoder.com/decode/wbsjf0c02lcd11832 __________________ 2022 M8 Comp GC, 2021 AMG GT53, 2022 X5M Competition, 2021 X7 40i, 2019 M5, 2018 M550I, 2017 Audi Q7, 2014 M6 GC, 2013 Mercedes CLS550, 2011 750LI, 2008 M6 Cabrio, 2008 Porsche Cayenne S, 2004 Mercedes SL55 AMG, 2003 Mercedes SL500, 2000 Mercedes CL500, 1993 Lexus SC400, 1989 525i, 1985 318i
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03-07-2023, 06:13 AM	#4
NoMods Colonel 1090 Rep 2,317 Posts Drives: 2022 M5 Join Date: May 2006 Location: USA iTrader: (10) Garage List 2022 M5 [10.00]	unless i missed it, i don't see the lighted doorsills that say competition.
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03-07-2023, 09:30 AM	#6
crypto ... 1466 Rep 1,303 Posts Drives: 2022 M5 CS Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Northern Virginia iTrader: (1)	https://www.mdecoder.com/decode/wbsjf0c02lcd11832 Has comp package.. it's a comp.. __________________ Current: 2022 M5 CS Past: 2021 M550i (BSM) Past: 2010 535 xDrive (Alpine White)
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03-07-2023, 11:03 AM	#7
windtendo Lieutenant Colonel 1716 Rep 1,909 Posts Drives: 2023 M5C Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Houston iTrader: (1) Garage List 2023 BMW M5C [0.00] 1989 BMW M3 [0.00]	Telltale sign are the tricolor stitched seatbelts. __________________ IG @windtendo_m5
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03-07-2023, 11:16 AM	#8
Danny D Second Lieutenant 228 Rep 298 Posts Drives: M5 Join Date: May 2021 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	.
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03-07-2023, 12:09 PM	#9
calbears Colonel 4222 Rep 2,476 Posts Drives: 2018 F80 M3 CS,2017 F87 LBB M2 Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 M3 [10.00] 2017 M2 [10.00] 2018 M3 CS [10.00]	M5 Comp Attached Images __________________ 2018 F80 M3 CS 2017 M2, LBB, DCT, exec, car play, MPE, diffuser 2011 E90 M3 ZCP Past: E90 328i, F10 535i, F80 M3 (murdered)
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03-08-2023, 12:20 PM	#14
Maverik259 Major General 4138 Rep 7,158 Posts Drives: F90 M5 / F15 50i Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Virginia iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 BMW M5 [10.00] 2014 X5 50i [0.00]	looks like a great deal for an M5C and that mileage. Test drive it first. Many are not fans of the pre-LCI comp suspension harshness, especially as a daily, and then again some are. __________________ '07 Yamaha R1 (sold) '06 C55 AMG (sold) ‘?20 M5, MP Carbon Pro Spoiler, MP Carbon Diffuser, MP Black grille and gills, MP Carbon Mirrors, CF side sills, 789M w/ Ti studs, eventuri, Dinan X pipe '14 X5 50i (wife’s now)
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