Haman I dont get it, U own the m5 but u think its ugly???? Or do u own the old m5 and u think the new one coming out (05 model) is ugly? Either way, why would u own a car that u refer to as bm trouble u?

 

I agree, recent BMW designs suck!!!

 

Yes I own an E39 M5 that is quite modified and I like the way it looks. The new E60 is very ugly.

I own my M5 because I can't find anything to really replace it, but it is a BM Trouble U any way you dice it up. Drive it hard and to the limit, and there will be much more consequences than if you push a Porsche. With the extended warranty and maintenance programs on my car, however, it will remain as a beater so I can amortize the cost of all the stupid mods I put on it. The Cayenne Turbo would be a decent replacement, but it doesn't quite have the handling of my modified M5. But I am close to getting one anyway.

As for ben... what is the significance of your stat? You are talking about flexibility... so what... does this say anything about the way a car handles or its overall balance around any kind of road course? If you think an M5 is in the same category as a GT2/GT3 and use 100-200km/h numbers to prove your point, there isn't much for us to discuss.

Oh and by the way, I still won't sleep over the new M5, even stoplight to stoplight... GT2 or GT3 will still spank that piece of **** any way you look at it.

 

Nearly 30 seconds slower round the 'ring than a GT2 is an eternity.

The acceleration figures are great, but I wonder whether people will really use the launch-control program and the ultra-quick-shift program that are required to do this.

 

While nobody can deny the car´s performance (for a sedan), the fact remains that it´s not exactly a design masterpiece. Furthermore, a sedan is supposed to be a daily-usable car. I don´t really see the M5 doing well in the snow at all. The new RS6 will have the M5 for lunch, in both the performance and the commuting department. AWD will still remain to induce a bigger drivetrain loss, but the Tiptronic will move in favor of the DSG. There goes the SMG´s only advantage

 

Does a 3800 sedan out "sport" Porsche's #2 3100 lb performance car? I should sure the hell not think so! That said, "POS" etc as a description of this sedans performance is silly. I'll grant you though, it is ugly as hell and is produced by a company not known for it's quality or service.

 

You put snows on any BMW and it'll go through anything, without sacraficing dry weather weight, performance, etc. trust me I've been doing it for years. As far as the comparison to Porsche, there is no comparison. I don't think for one minute it is a Porsche competitor, it does mean to be that. Its a sedan and as a sedan, there is nothing better imo or even close to on par with it for the perfect mix of performance/handling/and carry luggage and passengers.

Lou

 

Hey, Hamann how is going.....Awesome Buttonwillow track day a while back!!!!

To the point though. Considering the cost of a slightly used E-39 M5, it is hard to see the logic in paying over 90k for a car with marginally better performance, and fairly ugly styling.....Not to mention "I-Drive"

If I am to have another M5, I'll be checking the Roundel classifieds for a sweet 01, or 02......

 

I think you a lot of you are missing the point. The M5 will keep pace with our 996 Turbos which cost a lot less than the P car. It is a sedan that can also handle. My E55 is quick as stink in a straight line, but handles like a freaking boat. I drove the new 645 recently and I can tell you that the feel of the car reminds me much more of my 996 than it does my E55. It has tight handling and is as quiet as the MB. The M6 wil be the ultimate car IMO. The performance will be in line (or possibly better) than the current 996TT with all of the comfort and quietness of my E55. I think the look of the 6 series is gorgeous as well. I see the M6 as a quiet and comfy version of the 996TT. The 6 series is also a few hundred pounds lighter than the 5 series...the performance should be stellar.

 

Having driven a 645Ci, I can say that the handling is smooth and ok for a car of its weight, but it's certainly not a Porsche.

There is no substitute.

JP, good to see you on this board... I had a great time at BW a couple of months ago... too bad people kept calling me on the phone. Next time I'm not picking up calls from the office.

 

I stand corrected. It may be that I read somewhere regarding the M cars that the 6 would be lighter...

 

The 645 and 545 weigh close to the same, however, the 645 has better performance numbers both I felt the same as JK996TT, it handles much closer to a turbo than an E55 and to be honest, for a novice as myself, it was much more confidence inspiring around turns than the Turbo

Lou

 

To be honest with you guys i like the 2005 E55 AMG alot more than i like this new M5. my bro ownes a full NOWACK E39 M5 and that baby is crazy fast some of you might know him on the www.m5board.com as Mattar. His younger bro who's also Mattar yet on the www.mbworld.org just purchased the E55 and that baby is fine.

 

As Lou stated, the 6 is confidence inspiring. It has better balance than a 996 due to the closer to 50/50 weight distribution. Surprisingly, it felt very tossable for a car of its mass. I have reached a stage in my life where I place a high value on comfort and quiet. I guess I'm getting old....
If the E55 had a nimble feel, I might be able to live with a single car. I still love my 996 and I guess I'm keeping it for the foreseeable future. Everytime I think I'm ready to sell it, I end up driving it and fall in love again.

I still think the M6 will be the ultimate car for me. With a nice set of Radenergie wheels and the right touches of course. Only time will tell...

 

KSA Turbo,
If the Mattar you are talking about is MO, do say hi for me. I knew your brother from my old M5 days. If so, say hi to him for me. He should know my car very well. It's the car BeastPower bought.