Why is there no longer a BMW M5 RingTaxi?

Anyone who regularly visits the Nürburgring will remember:

For many years, the legendary BMW M5 Ring Taxi was one of the most famous highlights on the Nordschleife.

Drivers like Sabine Schmitz helped make the Concept famous worldwide. The Nürburgring race taxi became a symbol of a true motorsport experience — fast, emotional and unforgettable for many.

But today, you hardly ever see an M5 on the track anymore — especially not in professional race taxi service. Why is that?

The new BMW M5: More technology, less suitability for the Nordschleife

With the current generation of the BMW M5, the concept has changed fundamentally. For the first time, BMW is relying on a hybrid drive.

What offers advantages in everyday driving presents a clear disadvantage on the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

The main problem: weight

• Empty weight: approx. 2,510 kg
• With driver and up to 3 passengers: nearly 3,000 kg total weight

This weight is a significant disadvantage for sustained use on the Nordschleife — both in terms of performance and durability.

Hybrid Drive: Power not constantly available

Another crucial point is the hybrid system's behavior at the limits:

• The additional electric power is only available as long as the battery is charged
• Once the battery is discharged, this power component is completely lost
• However, the vehicle remains significantly heavier

This leads to a clear imbalance:
👉 less power combined with higher weight

Additionally, there is a practical operational issue:
The hybrid drive must be charged regularly, which is hardly possible in intensive tourist driving or race taxi operations.

Wear and tear: The decisive economic factor

The Nordschleife is known for its extreme demands. Weight has a direct impact on all wear parts here.

A heavy vehicle like the M5 leads to:

• Massively increased tire wear
• Extremely high stress on the braking system
• Rising temperatures in the suspension and drivetrain

In the continuous operation of a race taxi, this effect is significantly amplified. This makes the use of an M5 economically hardly practical and feasible.

Driving dynamics: Why the M3 Competition is the better choice

A look at the current vehicles at Nürburgring public driving sessions shows a clear picture:
The BMW M3 Competition is significantly more common than the new M5.

The reasons lie in driving dynamics:

• Lower weight
• Better balance
• Higher agility in fast corners
• More precise vehicle control

These characteristics are crucial for a safe yet intensive co-pilot experience.

Multiple passengers amplify the problem

Another important aspect in the race taxi sector is vehicle capacity. The GetSpeed RaceTaxi can carry up to three guests at a time.

That means:

• 1 driver + up to 3 passengers
• Several hundred kilograms of additional weight

With the M5 already being a heavy car, this results in a total weight close to the 3-ton mark — with corresponding effects on performance and wear and tear.

Performance standards at GetSpeed RaceTaxi

At GetSpeed RaceTaxi, the focus is clearly on maximum performance and the most authentic racetrack experience possible.

Even modern vehicles like a standard BMW M3 or an M3 CS are not sufficient in their basic configuration to fully meet these requirements.

For this reason, the vehicles used are specifically modified, including through:

• Chassis optimizations
• Adjustments to the braking and cooling systems
• specific adjustments for the Nordschleife

The goal is to create a vehicle that meets both the extreme demands of the track and the standards of a professional race taxi experience.

Historical significance of the BMW RingTaxi

The original BMW RingTaxi remains, nonetheless, a significant part of Nürburgring history.

Thanks to personalities like Sabine Schmitz, the concept became known worldwide and had a decisive influence on the race taxi scene at the Nürburgring.

However, the vehicles of that era were:

• lighter
• more purist
• more focused on driving dynamics

A concept that was a perfect fit for the Nordschleife.

Conclusion: Why there is no longer an M5 RingTaxi today

The reasons are clear and technically understandable:

• the hybrid system adds extra weight
• additional electrical power isn't available continuously
• increased wear on tires and brakes
• charging cycles require extra effort
• driving dynamics are lower compared to lighter vehicles

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