W202MAE

I got the chance to race my friend's M5 (with Super Sprint exhaust) tonight going home on the freeway (he lives only a couple blocks from my house). Here's the outcome (my 06 E55 is bone stock):

First Race - both of us started at about 65mph with him in 3rd gear ready and me turning off the a/c, esp, and downshifted to 3rd (I then realized I could have gone to 2nd gear since everytime I floor the computer downshifted for me again). Anyhow, this run I had the initial jump since we weren't really coordinated on the 3 horn race, so I got the jump in front, kept in the front to at about 140mph (with him slowly gaining on me) and we had to slow down for traffic.

2nd race - we let the traffic clear out, again we run at about 65mph with the same gears (him in 3rd, me in 3rd <- durh I should have done 2nd but oh well) this time we both jumped at exactly even pace, by the end of 4th the M5 started to 'slowly' gaining on me, and by the mid of 5th gear at about 135-140mph he was about half car ahead of me.

We then exited the freeway and decide to go around the corner for some low speed local run:

3rd race: We started at about 25mph with him in 2nd and me in 2nd (I should have gone first gear), we both took off about even pace, we are pretty much even at 3rd gear and going into 4th the M5 started to gain slowly, by mid to high 4th we had to slow down he was about 3/4 car ahead of me.

4th race: We decided to return to freeway on ramp and do a last high speed pull, same 65mph, him in 3rd and me in 3rd (again I didn't realize I could have gone to 2nd), we both took off about even, by end of 3rd he's started to gain on me about 1/2 car, and throughout 4th gear he's about 1 car ahead of me at around the same 140mph.

Conclusion:

M5 stock for stock (if you guys consider putting on those expensive catback on the M's as power upgrades) M5 is a "slightly" faster car, though my car lost I had no regrets owning the E55 because the E55 is a much overall daily driver compare to the M. For people that must have the fastest stock production car at about the same price range of E55 or M's, then go for the M power. For people that doesn't mind loosing alittle but enjoy the build quality and drivability of the E55, then E55 is a much overall car than the M Power hands down.

However, I just want to say despite the fact people on the M board states how many kill stories of the E55 and how much cars they gain, I have to say that's not true because the advantage of the M5 over the E55 is very very minimal. I have no doubt at even stage 1 upgrade will pretty much beat the M5 until up to 160-170mph when they can finally catch up and at most gain no more than 1 car length., but in reality racing at those speeds are just NOT PRACTICAL AND DANGEROUS.

I think the M5 is a very well built car and handeling that can prove itself on the circle tracks, and more a more sporty drive.

I would still take my E55 over any M5 anyday after today's race just for pure 'practical' reasons as a daily driver for myself.

I want to add after the first race, we perform the next 3 race back to back. It is 1am out and weather is at about 67 deg., but I have no doubt my aftercooler is heat soaked as the latter races I feel the power wasn't as strong as the first race which I had a good jump and all the way up to 140mph the M5 wasn't passing me.

I guess it's time to do some stage upgrades...and re-race my friend again.

ProjectC55

Nice runs! Get you stg 2 mods and you'll surprise the heck out of the M5.

E55 RUSS

Good runs...stock vs stock M5 is faster at higher speeds....

alroumi

Thank you for the very detailed informtion, at the end of the day it doesnt matter which car is faster than the other. Its about personal prefrance and as you said, you would still take the E55 over the current M5.

I personally like both cars and If I had the chance to take a 4 door sports saloon or "sedan" it would be the E63 AMG presently, due to being a /// /AMG fanatic.

ChicagoX

Nice write-up. Thanks for sharing.

Blue Arrow

"2nd race - we let the traffic clear out, again we run at about 65mph with the same gears (him in 3rd, me in 3rd <- durh I should have done 2nd but oh well) this time we both jumped at exactly even pace, by the end of 4th the M5 started to 'slowly' gaining on me, and by the mid of 5th gear at about 135-140mph he was about half car ahead of me."


I'm a bit confused on the gearing. I hit limiter toward end of 4th(around 155mph). Are you changing up too early? Cool your car and take him from a stand and i think you'll nail him.

W202MAE

It might have been 4th gear sorry, because I started 3rd and forgot computer downshifter to 2nd, so by end of 3rd he's gaining, and 4th he's pulling ahead.

305-E55

Good races.You should try it with him from a dig and see what happens

2K6E55

Nice runs... Thanks for the write up.

SL55 MKB

If your interested in E55 vs M5 races..here are some.Keep in mind that E55 is slightly modded as stated.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqnQupVF57o

another one :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYOOgGOdJes

The outcome is crystal clear...both great cars though. Enjoy

jimand7

even with the m5 gaining you will still be ahead at 140 from a dig....my friend has one as well. I was at least 1.5 cars ahead to 60 evertine an never lost to 140 on 2 runs, about 2 years ago. both stock.

Improviz

No, troll: as anyone who frequents these forum knows, the outcome is NOT crystal clear, your posting of gustav the net ****'s propaganda videos aside. A whopping twenty posts to your credit, all of which are basically typical BMW "the M5 will beat any Mercedes" trolling garbage...so wtf did you (supposedly ) spend $130K on an SL55 when you could've gotten your dream car, the M5, for about $30K less??

Methinks that the only form in which you own *any* of these cars is in the pages of car mags.

Improviz

I'm afraid that I must respectfully disagree with this conclusion. You stated that you started all of the races in the wrong gear, and this alone would have affected the outcome of all of these races. Benz transmissions take around a full second to react to a full stomp and downshift, meaning that you unintentionally gave your friend a pretty significant advantage in all of these races: a full second is h-u-g-e in a time to distance race, and this demonstrates that had you been in the proper gear to start with, you'd have been the one who was ahead at the end, not him, so take heart!

Scott in H-town

I owned an M5 for 9 months or so. I wouldn't trade my current E55 for my previous M5 (2006). I loved my M5, but the E55 wins for me because of the daily use of torque. Rarely do I miss the M5's handling. More often, I'm enjoying the torque of my E55 on a daily basis.

Nice write up. I have a buddy w/ an M5 and the 2 of us are planning on doing some runs as well. We'll likely video it too.

BTPower

Nice sig, bro

chiromikey

i agree. i spent a lot of time in the e60 m5 before going with an e55. i don't spend 1/100th the amount of time in the twisties as i do at stop lights and i'd bet most people aren't that far off. besides, if i want to hit the twisties i'd ride the duc which, for me, is twice the fun compared to any car.

Rock

Improviz, good call!!! After a quick check of SL55's history it is obvious that he is a troll and does not even own a SL55. For that matter, I doubt he owns any Mercedes. I suggest he change his screen name to....................... BMWSlut. At least then, we'd automatically know who we are dealing with.

I do love the impartial BMW homers on this board.

Scott in H-town

Need handling?

Vic55

You are talking about the Golf Cart right ?

Improviz

Thanks! She be a hottie, no doubt...

Improviz

Yeah, they're quite an insecure bunch, aren't they?

chiromikey

nice. i've spent a little time in those too and they do handle pretty damned good...perhaps a bit too much understeer out of the box and kinda slow unless you can keep it on the second cam. to me it was like driving a go cart with a radio and a pretend a/c! bike is still more fun though, but that's just me.

305-E55

abhatti55

W202MAE

I agree with you, the outcome might have been different. However, I can't predict the outcome nor wanting to give out any mis-information so I can only give what happened.

No worry though, the E is going on a pulley, ecu, header and cooler upgrade and after that I will reschedule another race with my friend to see what happens.