Have been on a bmw course at the ring for the last few days, closed circuit, full laps. Split the circuit into sections, and trained on each section for around 2 hours. At lunchtime on day 2 we were travelling back from the corner at Aremberg, and I swapped cars with our instructor (Andy Bovensiepen) - I drove his Alpina B5 (serial 003!) and he drove my 535d

Wow! The B5 is amazing!! All the torque of my diesel but revs up past 8000rpm!! Seriously considering one for my next car...

Didn't get too fast but fast enough to enjoy it

p.s. Andy Bovensiepen drove my 535d round the circuit on the public session Weds evening - what a driver!! Really showed me what the car can do in the hands of a pro!

 

Sweet!! Something very few few of us will ever get to do.

 

What did Alpina do to get that particular engine to rev past 8K? The article I read said it has a redline of 6K which is consistent with the Valvetroinc limitations, i.e. the valvetrain is too complex for more that 6K. Here's the link: http://www.autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=102576

 

Man, how come the U.S. doesn't get any of those? I thought the cold war was over. Nothing wrong with the new M5, but I would expect the weight savings of the B5 to be significant (supercharger vs. V10 block).

 

Not sure I'd wanna see Andy putting the hurt on my car. Kinda like seeing Ron Jeremey make a film with my wife.

 

LOL

 

I'm probably wrong - but I was convinced it was more than 6000. My diesel redlines at 5000! I distinctly remember it pulling like a train way past my redline and more.

 

Yeah, I'll bet the supercharger in that thing makes it feel like a rocket and the noise it makes seems like you are reving 8K.

 

Hi SG

Sounds fantastic! I'm going to the ring on 25th Sept for a blast round in my 535d.

Is it fairly safe and enjoyable or have you got crazy drivers all round you?

Is a std 535d still good to drive round? How does the auto box perform ? Do you use DS mode or Manual?

Lastly where did you stay?

Cheers

Merv

 

I've had both - some days where everyone is courteous, and other days where everyone is crazy and accidents are only avoided by you watching out for them!!

Best advice is to drive very carefully, and *always* keep an eye on your mirrors. Overtaking is on the left only, so if a faster vehicle comes up behind you quickly move over to the right. However watch what they're doing - I've had idiots overtake me on the right and if I'd moved over to the right there would have been an accident. Especially watch out for bikes - they can overtake either side (not supposed to!) and with slower bikes you've got to watch them - once they set themselves up for a corner its almost impossible to change their direction, so only overtake them once they have either indicated to the right, or waved you past with their hand or leg.

Watch out for blind crests - there are a few that you could be hitting at well over 100mph but there are sharp corners just over them - you need to know the track well before taking these with reasonable speed.

Definitely. One time on my last trip, after about 15 laps under my belt, a std 535d driver who obviously was much more experienced than myself overtook me. He knew the lines, and appropriately carried more speed through corners. You will certainly enjoy it, and will suprise other cars!

Auto is fine. I use Manual Mode, and feel it is quite often necessary to get the car settled into the right gear for a corner. However on your first few laps, stick with DS because you won't be going fast enough for it to matter.

Hotel Zurburg. Good prices and good food. Accomodation isn't 4 star, but comfortable

p.s. not sure if you can change your dates but we're having an e60 forum meet at the Nurburgring the weekend before (16/17/18 Sept). If you could come along then I'd happily take you out for some passenger laps, and also come along as a passenger in your car to help if you'd like.