sicko6

So I had it out with an M5 for about 15 miles on a two lane expressway after work yesterday and never really got a leg up on him. My mechanic buddy told me I don't have a snowball's chance in hell against an M5 which may be true when it comes to stock suspension and handling but off the line?

Pennstate57

was it the new M5 or the old model....well pretty much either way stock gt=owned in that situation

UrS4

The new BMW M5 has a 500 hp V10, 400hp if the guy doesn't press the M power button on the dash. Runs through a 7 spd autostick with launch control

The M5 before that had a 394 hp V8 with a 6spd

If my memory is correct the 394 hp version could run low 13s high 12s

The 500 hp version is in the low 12s

From a roll or from a dig the stock GT will lose, just depends by how much

Philostang

Well heck, for $85K - $90K, it should give you a lesson in minding your manners. A little respect for V10s is a healthy thing...at least until you supercharge your ride, address handling, and (oh yeah) pocket half that amount. Then it's a new game--you can match the 500 hp at a much lower RPM range (the M5 redlines at 8,250 rpm) and the 384 lbs-ft of torque its V10 produces. You'll also likely be under their 4,035 lb curb weight. Still, no doubt about it, the M5 is a mighty fine vehicle...just ugly I think.

Best,
-j

SpecterGT260

They look pretty much the same as M3s right? IMO, the M3 is one bad *** lookin car. Its got that BMW feel to it, but at the same time it looks mean as hell. Thats hard to pull off.

Getaway

You'll lose if the M5 can hook up without traction control (not by too much though). I drove my buddies M5 (394hp V8). With the traction control off, it can spin the tires like your sitting in a pool of oil in first or second gear standing or rolling...with a good driver to hook it up, it'll pull on you. In fourth, it loses that umph. Maybe because of the weight, but it had a hard time hitting 100+mph.
Traction control on, and it's a cruiser. If you try to launch it fast, it kills power like nothing I've ever driven before...like towing a heavy trailer plus throttle lag. For a four door though...that's an awsome car.
I raced a Sentra SE-R (V-spec?)...turbo with about 8-9psi boost. The Sentra held close, but was still reading the liscense plate.

Getaway

The M3 and M5 are pretty different beasts. I think they may have discontinued the M5 because the M3 was similar in performance (because of the weight savings...M3 is smaller). This may not be true, but that's what I was told.

OxSMSxO

They still make M5s, and M3s, two year waiting list to buy a new M5. My dad just ordered a Alpina B7 actually, Arizona is only supposed to get 2 of the 200 run they're making. He liked the M5, but the back seat was too small, B7 is the M5 engine in a 7 series. First day they took preorders was luckily the day we went car shopping, my dad likes HP and I told him about the M5, he just hated the tiny back seat.

Twister086

the 2006 m5 (e60) with 505hp is rated at a 12.5 in the 1/4
the 2003 m5 (e39) with 394hp is rated at a 13.1 in the 1/4

Twister086

i raced a 2006 m5 (v10) from a stoplight sunday afternoon. after launching at 4000 rpm's, i pulled 2 car lengths immediately on him and by the time i hit second almost three car lengths. after that he was keeping pace from 3 back, up about half way thru third(85mph) when we lifted to slow for the exit ramp. i have driven the old and new m5 and m3. and he most likely would have made up at least 1 or more of those lengths if we raced into 4th gear... if i didnt have my 275 mickey thompsons out back sunday i would have probably been really close side by side or straight lost. the only thing i dont have on my stang yet are my tokico's. everything else in the sig...


the reason there is a production gap is because bmw always waits a couple of years to introduce the motorsport versions of a car.
ex.
e46 3 series came out in 1999 as a four door only, and if you wanted a e46 m3 you had to wait until 2001
e39 5 series came out in 1997, but the e39 m5 wasnt avaiable until 2000

as not to confuse you guys... e39, e46 and e60 are engineering designations like our mustangs are S197's)