2013 M5 (US) Option Opinions

Set to order mine, have a few questions:

Anyone have firm date on delivery? I hear September. Has anyone done European Delivery, do you get car sooner (albeit in Germany, probably takes a few weeks longer to get to the States had it been shipped direct).

19" or 20" - i drive aggressively (live in the mountains). Are 20" superior in performance? (I know they are superior in harsher ride and better looks!) Tire prices look similar between 19 and 20's...

Ceramic Brakes - if i'm not doing track time, do i need them (need is a relative word here)? I'm guessing i can't put my 18" M6 winter tires on if i have ceramic brakes... anyone know?

Night Vision - anyone have experience in wooded areas? I care about people, but i care more about not hitting a deer.

Cohiba Brown w/ Singapore Grey and piano black trim - thoughts? (I like the sliverstone in my M6 - i like it, but don't know if i want two cars with it). Anybody know difference between "full leather marino" and "fine-grain Merino leather" besides $5k...

Cheers!

I think the 20" wheels are a good idea because they are forged wheels which means stronger and lighter than the 19s.

I would skip ceramic brakes. They are very expensive, and from what I was told by the M Engineer people the performance differential is intangible for most people. They said they only made them to keep the marketing people happy.

Piano Black team is very scratch prone. I am going for Anthracite which will hide finger prints and fine scratches better.

I got my date confirmed this morning. It is Sept 1. The car should be at my dealer about 5 weeks after I drop it off in Munich.

The biggest thing that annoys me about options is having to choose between full regular Merino, or only Extended Individual Merino leather.

I want Platinum or Champagne leather, but I also want a leather dash and upper door panels. I do not want a plastic dash. However Individual leather comes with plastic dash at $5000, while Full Merino comes with leather dash at only $3500 (but forces me to compromise and get Silverstone leather).

Stealth.Pilot - thanks for your feedback! I didn't know about the leather differences (my M6 has full leather dash - i like it, wouldn't want to give that up. Where did you hear the details on where the leather is? My dealer knows less than i do at this point).

I think i will do 20"s, forget ceramic and keep the rest. I may go with Platinum if someone can confirm that it is like a tan (vs. some other goofy color). Good to know on piano - i may change that. thanks!

Platinum is a cream white but very white.

Champagne is more the color you are looking for if you want a warmer tan/white.

Details of the leather options in this image.

Stealth.Pilot, if you don't mind me asking, did you pay more than MSRP? Are dealers going high on pricing since it's a new model? Thanks.

Originally Posted by HokieXDriver

Stealth.Pilot, if you don't mind me asking, did you pay more than MSRP? Are dealers going high on pricing since it's a new model? Thanks.

Mine is Euro Delivery. I am paying $1k above ED Invoice plus $200 doc fee.

ED Invoice can be found on BMWconfig.com