mtrhed

First time I've really driven it hard for long periods and I'm impressed! Actually handles OK lowered and in S2. Not as well as my e39 M5 did but I find I can drive it faster, longer. 2 days up and down Nevada out in the desert, what a blast! Thank you V1!!! Next up a squared setup with 275 MSS and the mods to the sway bars and ball joints. Just thought I'd share. In Vegas now. Time for cocktails and a limo to the Rhino...

Backyard Buddy

Sounds like a great day!

RedBullJnky

Nice!

e500slr

How does an E39 M5 handle better than a W211 E63? I've driven both and it's not even close, the E63 handles way better. Sure, the V10 M5 is a sharper handling vehicle but let's not kid ourselves for the sake of sentiment or nostalgia. The E39 is a fine car but it's older technology and it sure feels that way back to back with even an W211 E55.

Also do you mean handling or cornering/grip because handling is subjective, it's a matter of personal opinion whereas grip and cornering speeds and ability is the car's ability. Kind of like people saying that the C6 Z06 is a "bad handling car" even though it has extreme grip. Their point I think is that it's less friendly at the limit which is what is referred to handling. It's a confusing word sometimes because handling is applied to grip/cornering sometimes and to feel and predictability at other times.

kponti

No chance the E55/63 W211 out handles the E39 M5. This chassis is sloppy and very indecisive in turns especially with transitions.
Straight line stability is awesome though

e500slr

I love when people who never drove one or either of the cars makes outlandish statements. You have an E55, have you ever had an E39 M5? I have owned an E39 M5, I loved the car and have great memories of it. It's fantastic and destroyed AMGs of the same era but there is no chance in hell an E39 M5 chassis is better than a W211 especially the E63 with it's better rack and better subframes. This myth of Mercs can't handle is just that, a myth. BMW guys say it because they've never driven a Merc and Merc guys say it because they've never driven a BMW but they "heard it somewhere". Yes the E60 M5 is a better cornering and handling car than the W211 AMG but the E39 M5 isn't. The E63 W211 is a fantastic handling car, not just for it's size but period.

m3j0n

details on the mods to the sway bars and ball joints? Im not familiar with this upgrade. Thanks

kponti

Lol@ I've never extensively driven the E39 M.... Hahaha I guess I'll continue to make outlandish statements. The w211 chassis with air suspension blows compared to the E39 chassis stock for stock.
Do coilovers for both and it gets closer but still I'll tip my hat to the E39.

W212 E63 is another story all together

BenzoBoi

Long live the 55K!

DVC

During all the arguing on handling, the OP was at the Spearmint Rhino. Therefore...he wins

http://spearmintrhinolv.com/entertainers/

mtrhed

What he said...Love this car but BMW wins in the handling/cornering /grip. I believe Mercedes may be catching up though. Never had a Mercedes come close in the twisties! They just don't transition well where as the M cars can dance. At least they used to be able to, I don't know about some of there newer offerings...

mtrhed

Heh heh heh... Great time at the Rhino! Hung out with a very cool chick(smokin hot!) and left with money in my pocket! Winning!

Hsg08

On this era....AMG is catching up or maybe even with M cars now when it comes to handling/ cornering performance. I think almost all M drivers thinks that they can outrun the new generation AMGs in the twisties, they all living off the past, Its like first impression lasts LOL.

mtrhed

Slotting the upper ball joints bolt holes to remove some caster and drilling new holes in the swaybar ends behind the original holes to make the endlink more vertical. This acts as a stiffer setting for the bar. Search "better handling" on this site, there's a few threads.

s_ager

Congrats man... I also just got mine and I am still smiling.

Maniaxxx

I have owned:

2002 BMW M3
2008 BMW M5
2005 MB E55
2008 MB E63

Never owned a E39 M5 or driven one.

This is how the handling went in those cars.

M3>M5>E63>E55 in that order.

m3j0n

thank you!

e500slr

By the way I wasn't talking about the 2008 M5, the E60, which absolutely handles better than any W211.

AgSilver

Or install KMAC's in the front and Shardul's toe-links and camber arms in the rear and you will go from excellent handling to exceptional.

eurogruppe

i owned a 2007 RS4 before my E55, handling isn't anywhere near as nice but the power difference more than makes up for it!