The Manhart MH5 900 Limited is the company’s most powerful M5 conversion yet, and is all the car you would ever need.
Even without modifications, the G30-generation BMW M5 Competition is certainly one of the beefiest sedans you can buy today. From the factory, its 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 churns out 625hp, which – thanks to xDrive AWD – is enough to propel the car to 62mph in just 3.3 seconds. Electronic restrictors limit it to a top speed of 155mph, but if you’re feeling daring and have a clear stretch of Autobahn to hand, there’s no reason why a de-restricted M5 Comp couldn’t crack supercar territory. Truth be told, the G30 M5 is quicker and faster than any sedan would ever rightfully need to be on public roads, but that hasn’t stopped Manhart from extracting much, much, more potential from it.
Powertrain Mods
The headline alterations made to this car all come from within the engine bay. Manhart has swapped out BMW’s turbo system for one of their own, which works together with a new intercooler and carbon intake. At the other end of the block, Manhart has also added some performance-focused downpipes leading to a revised stainless steel exhaust. The result is an extra 303hp and 362 lb ft of torque, elevating the MH5 900 Limited’s total output figures to a whopping 928hp and 915lb ft!
Naturally, to keep all that power in check, Manhart has strengthened the S63 engine’s internals quite considerably. The engine runs pistons and conrods supplied by Carillo, and are supposedly rated for up to 1200hp! So, if you’re serious about doubling the M5’s stock power, this set-up could be the starting point for a build that is genuinely capable of that. Finally, the ECU has also received some attention so that the car’s onboard brain can make the best use of its newfound power.
Handling Mods
Weight reduction and improving the car’s aerodynamic efficiency doesn’t seem to be have been on Manhart’s to-do-list this time. However, the German tuning house hasn’t completely ignored the car’s chassis. Peer underneath the arches and you’ll find a set of KW V4 coilovers tucked behind Manhart’s bespoke alloy rims. As for braking power, the M5 Comp’s optional ceramic discs suffice.
Interior and Aesthetics
Manhart’s approach to styling can be a bit of a hit or a miss, depending on the color combinations you go for. As per usual for the brand, the MH5 900 Limited can be specified with a range of decals. This includes window strip branding, stripes down the sides and spine of the car, and intricate accents (around the air ducts, for instance). To my eye, this blue and bronze combo just doesn’t quite sit right, especially alongside the black rims. However, art is subjective, and being a bespoke car, I’m sure you’ll be able to specify whichever hues you fancy.
On the inside, the MH5 900 Limited’s party piece is its Rolls-Royce-esque starlight headlining, but there’s not much else to report beyond that.
Availability
So, how much does a Manhart MH5 900 Limited cost? And how many do they plan to make? Well, the answer to that first question is kept on a need-to-know basis, but I’d imagine it’s a rather considerable amount of money. Bear in mind, that’s on top of the cost of buying an M5 Competition donor car. This is a conversion kit after all.
Even if you do have bags full of cash lying around that you’re willing to blow, you still might find it difficult to get your hands on one of these pumped-up executive shuttles. Manhart intends to convert just five – yes, *5* – M5 Competitions into this specification. If it’s exclusivity that you’re after, you could certainly do worse.
Anyway, if this sort of motor isn’t your cup of tea, you might prefer some of Manhart’s other projects instead. They aren’t all maniacal mile-munchers, y’know. In fact, Manhart has been dabbling with a few tasteful restomods recently, including reworked BMW 2002s and Lancia Delta Integrales.
