jcjmw

I encountered an M5 when I was returning to the office after lunch. I see this very nice looking metallic blue m5 coming up behind me on the left lane. I am in the middle. He passes me. I had to make a left turn, too much traffic in front, so I slow down and get in the left lane, after the M5 passes me. To my surprise, he makes the left turn and floors it!!! I can see the exhaust from his car. Yeh, baby its on!!! I make my left turn, quickly turn off the ESP, put the car in 4th gear, all of this while I am making my left turn, and floored it. He was a good 6-7 car lengths ahead of me by the time I made my left turn and floored my car. To my surprise, I was gaining on him. There is no one on this three lane road that we made the left turn on. It was about 4 1/2 to 5 car lenghts before I saw him brake heavy for the upcoming red light. The owner of the M5 was a really nice guy. We both complimented each other on our cars. We both agreed that we had "good taste." I then asked him if he would race me, since I never raced an M5. He was a little hesitant but then eagerly sd "yes, let's pretend we're teenagers." No one in front of us, no one on this road with us, and no one anywhere around. It was perfect. I could tell he lived around the area, b/c we were both worried about cops - who are always lurking around this area. We both looked around. I looked in my right and the rear view mirror for cops and then my buddy, who was in the front passenger seat, said, hi are you going to race since the light just turned green!!! Stupid me!!! Not paying attention to the light!!! Arrrgghh!!! I then floored it, but it was too late, the M5 was already about 3 1/2 car lenghts ahead before I floored my car. Again, to my surprise, I gained on him and cut his lead to 2 car lenghts. At this time, I stopped gaining on him at around 70-80 mph, at which time, I could see the m5 slowly extending the 2 car length lead.

My office was coming up, so I slowed down, flashed my lights, I could see the M5 owner giving me the thumbs up, and I then turned into my office parking lot. Now, that is how every lunch should be spent!!!

I think my car accelerates faster then a stock M5 from 0 mph or in lower gears but the M5 would beat me in higher speeds and higher gears. I wish that I didn't screw up the race at the light. Otherwise, I would truly know how my E55 compared to the M5. Instead, stupid me was looking around for cops, not paying attention to the light, and playing catch up. Oh well!!!

To the owner of the metallic blue M5 (in Las Vegas), if you ever visit this site, let me know. Thanks for a fun race. I would love another opportunity to compare my car to yours!

Vic55

Great story!! I believe the 210 E55 to be faster than the M5 from 0-40 in a straight line- so you definitely could have given him a run if you caught the light right.

Shine

Nice story !
and You're the one asking about the Kleemannized E55K, wow !

Distinctive

Very nice race you had going there between two machines that were meant to square off against one another. But I would figure that you would be a little more confident about your car overtaking the M5 at any speeds since you do have some modifications.

jcjmw

I feel good about my car. But, my modifications to date have been minor and I never raced a M5 before. I am goiing to the track on the 25th. Also, I am still trying to find the best way to launch my car and not many opportunities for me to go to the track. There is suppose to be 01 M3 Cab that wants to race. I tell you guys what happened afterwards.

Vic55

The M3 cab wont stand a chance- its just too heavy.

MrMan

The M5 really shines after 100 mph.

pocholin

Nice story, but arrgg!!! how did you miss your chance?!?!?! Ohh well, there's always next time

jcjmw

Pohcolin

I know, I know

av2

If you guys want to see how your E55 stack up against an M5, visit
http://www.bmwm5.com/vbulletin/index.php?

Most of these guys are very cool. Just set up a friendly race. I've heard stories where E55 killed M5 and vice versa. Just be safe!

dNA3D

On a straight line/drag strip, would be hard to pick a winner. However, put both cars on a race track and it's clear who will win. But both vehicles are amazing works of engineering technology.

av2

Both cars are not really made for racing on road courses. But yes, the M5 should perform a bit better than the E55. Put an FD, 911, Supra, M3, EVO 7, STI ( I can go on and on) will all rape the M5 on the tracks.

Distinctive

I hate to split any hairs but the M5 is more of a track car than you think. It whistles around the Nuburgring as if it lives there and the 'Ring isnt just any track.

Improviz

Link below has ring times for many cars. The ones for comarison are those with Horst von Saurma driving: he does the track testing for Auto Motor und Sport, and has driven many of the popular cars around the Nurburgring for them (the ones with "sport auto super test" in the notes). By using the same driver, you eliminate the driver variable as much as possible.

Here's a link with Ring times.

Another good one is the track-challenge website: you can compare von Saurma's times at Nurburgring and Hockenheim for numerous production cars:

Track-challenge.com