Final BMW M5 30 Jahre M5 raises $700,000 at auction
The last BMW M5 30 Jahre M5, produced in a run of 300, fetched $700,000 at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale auction, with proceeds supporting driver safety programmes.
The final example of BMW’s limited-run M5 30 Jahre M5 was auctioned for $700,000 at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale sale in January 2015. The car, number 300 of 300 built worldwide, was offered to benefit the BMW Car Club of America Foundation, which supports driver safety initiatives and other charitable work.
A high price for a modern M car
At $700,000, the M5 30 Jahre M5 became one of the most expensive modern BMWs ever sold at auction. The result stands out, especially for a car that was new at the time and not yet considered a classic. The high figure reflects both the rarity of the model and the charitable context of the sale. Only 300 were produced globally, with just 30 allocated to the United States. The winning bidder, Rick Hendrick, is a well-known NASCAR team owner and BMW dealer, and the car will join his private collection rather than see road use.
What set the 30 Jahre M5 apart
The 30 Jahre M5 was built to commemorate three decades of the M5, BMW’s flagship performance saloon. Each car received BMW Individual Frozen Dark Silver paintwork, dark chrome exterior accents, and special badging. The most substantial change was under the bonnet: the 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 received an uprate to 600 hp (441 kW) and 700 Nm of torque, compared with the standard F10 M5’s 560 hp. BMW quoted a 0–100 km/h time of 3.9 seconds, with a top speed of 305 km/h when specified with the optional M Driver’s Package.
- BMW Individual Frozen Dark Silver paint
- Dark chrome trim
- 30 Jahre badging and interior details
- 4.4-litre V8: 600 hp, 700 Nm
- 0–100 km/h in 3.9 seconds
- 305 km/h top speed (with M Driver’s Package)
Charity and collector appeal
The entire auction price was donated to the BMW Car Club of America Foundation. The foundation’s work includes running ten driver safety programmes and other educational activities. For BMW, the sale generated publicity for both its M division and the brand’s support of road safety. For collectors, the car’s provenance as the final 30 Jahre M5 and its charity status add to its appeal, though it is unlikely to be driven.
