545i not much difference over an e39 M5
05-17-2005, 07:15 PM
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Hmmm....I went to an M5 meet on Saturday with my E60 545i 6-speed. For years the M5 has been, in my opinion, the best sedan ever built by BMW. I tested my 545i and realized that in 1st gear acceleration, both cars are more or less equal, with the M5 beating out in 2nd gear (lousy shifting on my part doesnt help either). And from 80-120mph...it was the same, with the M5 pulling ahead after 120mph till 155mph. Of course the M5 is a beast and is a faster car but I am amazed that the 545 did not lag far behind. Wonder what'll happen once the new m5 comes out. 
05-17-2005, 07:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Jeffs' date='May 17 2005, 07:15 PM
For years the M5 has been, in my opinion, the best sedan ever built by BMW.
Wonder what'll happen once the new m5 comes out.?
Wonder what'll happen once the new m5 comes out.?
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Originally Posted by Jeffs' date='May 17 2005, 07:15 PM
Wonder what'll happen once the new m5 comes out.?
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It is out!
Oh... in the US... 
05-17-2005, 10:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Jeffs' date='May 18 2005, 11:15 AM
Hmmm....I went to an M5 meet on Saturday with my E60 545i 6-speed. For years the M5 has been, in my opinion, the best sedan ever built by BMW. I tested my 545i and realized that in 1st gear acceleration, both cars are more or less equal, with the M5 beating out in 2nd gear (lousy shifting on my part doesnt help either). And from 80-120mph...it was the same, with the M5 pulling ahead after 120mph till 155mph. Of course the M5 is a beast and is a faster car but I am amazed that the 545 did not lag far behind. Wonder what'll happen once the new m5 comes out.?
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10-08-2005, 05:26 AM
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The performance margin between E39 M5 and E60 550i Sport will be MUCH CLOSER.
Originally Posted by Jeffs' date='May 17 2005, 10:15 PM
Hmmm....I went to an M5 meet on Saturday with my E60 545i 6-speed. For years the M5 has been, in my opinion, the best sedan ever built by BMW. I tested my 545i and realized that in 1st gear acceleration, both cars are more or less equal, with the M5 beating out in 2nd gear (lousy shifting on my part doesnt help either). And from 80-120mph...it was the same, with the M5 pulling ahead after 120mph till 155mph. Of course the M5 is a beast and is a faster car but I am amazed that the 545 did not lag far behind. Wonder what'll happen once the new m5 comes out.?
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10-08-2005, 09:26 AM
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Originally Posted by SleepR' date='Oct 8 2005, 08:26 AM
The performance margin between E39 M5 and E60 550i Sport will be MUCH CLOSER.[quote name='Jeffs' date='May 17 2005, 10:15 PM']Hmmm....I went to an M5 meet on Saturday with my E60 545i 6-speed. For years the M5 has been, in my opinion, the best sedan ever built by BMW. I tested my 545i and realized that in 1st gear acceleration, both cars are more or less equal, with the M5 beating out in 2nd gear (lousy shifting on my part doesnt help either). And from 80-120mph...it was the same, with the M5 pulling ahead after 120mph till 155mph. Of course the M5 is a beast and is a faster car but I am amazed that the 545 did not lag far behind. Wonder what'll happen once the new m5 comes out.?
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[/quote]Yep! But i still consider the M a real M u know? I mean i don't think there is a fair compare nor do i think the 550i can put so many smiles on the face as the m5. I dunno maybe it has smth to do with the fact that bmw makes the Ms wrapped in some kind of mythical stuff, that you can't touch nor understand, you just have to drive it hard and have fun.
10-08-2005, 01:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Jeffs' date='May 17 2005, 08:15 PM
Hmmm....I went to an M5 meet on Saturday with my E60 545i 6-speed. For years the M5 has been, in my opinion, the best sedan ever built by BMW. I tested my 545i and realized that in 1st gear acceleration, both cars are more or less equal, with the M5 beating out in 2nd gear (lousy shifting on my part doesnt help either). And from 80-120mph...it was the same, with the M5 pulling ahead after 120mph till 155mph. Of course the M5 is a beast and is a faster car but I am amazed that the 545 did not lag far behind. Wonder what'll happen once the new m5 comes out.?
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I think a good part of the difference between a BMW M car like the E39 M5 and a "regular" 5er is handling, cornering, etc., which all goes beyond just the engine and drivetrain but takes into account things like chasis construction, suspension, etc.
10-08-2005, 02:35 PM
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speaking from experience, street and track, there is NO difference between the E39 M5 and E60 545i/6.....the E39 M5 is a much faster car in every aspect....
the 550i might close the gap, but don't kid yourself....the only place the E60 is superior is in features and it should be as it is a newer car!
biding my time till the E60 M5.....
the 550i might close the gap, but don't kid yourself....the only place the E60 is superior is in features and it should be as it is a newer car!
biding my time till the E60 M5.....
10-08-2005, 02:59 PM
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I've heard from a couple of sources that the e60 545 actually was faster than the e39M5 at Nurenberg (sp?). I've driven the E39 M5 and the E60 545, and I think that there are aspects to the e60 that exceed the M5. Neither is as nimble as the e46 M3 I am currently driving.
10-08-2005, 07:23 PM
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Originally Posted by BetterMakeWay' date='Oct 8 2005, 12:26 PM
Yep! But i still consider the M a real M u know? I mean i don't think there is a fair compare nor do i think the 550i can put so many smiles on the face as the m5. I dunno maybe it has smth to do with the fact that bmw makes the Ms wrapped in some kind of mythical stuff, that you can't touch nor understand, you just have to drive it hard and have fun.
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10-08-2005, 08:25 PM
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My Ride: BMW 1997 M3/4 Cosmos Black
Personally I don't care too much for M engines.
Except for the '96 to '99 E36 M3, the M engines are high-strung.
I have an E36 M3/4, and love the midrange torque the USA-market M3 has.
I drove an SMG E46 M3 once for demo laps (student's M3). At the time I wasn't impressed b/c to me the car seemed too heavy through the turns.
The E39 M5 is a great performance sedan that can carry passengers with reasonable comfort. The E60 M5 promises to raise the performance bar even higher.
With the cost of gas these days, and heavy traffic congestion, where do wealthy enthusiasts enjoy their E60 M5s, except at an opentrack event on a private road course?
And if you don't opentrack, do you really want to drive that much performance on a daily basis?
Except for the '96 to '99 E36 M3, the M engines are high-strung.
I have an E36 M3/4, and love the midrange torque the USA-market M3 has.
I drove an SMG E46 M3 once for demo laps (student's M3). At the time I wasn't impressed b/c to me the car seemed too heavy through the turns.
The E39 M5 is a great performance sedan that can carry passengers with reasonable comfort. The E60 M5 promises to raise the performance bar even higher.
With the cost of gas these days, and heavy traffic congestion, where do wealthy enthusiasts enjoy their E60 M5s, except at an opentrack event on a private road course?
And if you don't opentrack, do you really want to drive that much performance on a daily basis?