Drove Alpina B5 at the Ring
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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!
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!
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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
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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).
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Originally Posted by SG535d' date='Aug 12 2005, 12:25 AM
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!
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!
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Originally Posted by Fullspeed' date='Aug 12 2005, 12:13 PM
Not sure I'd wanna see Andy putting the hurt on my car.? Kinda like seeing Ron Jeremey make a film with my wife.
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Originally Posted by gwf545' date='Aug 12 2005, 07:04 PM
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
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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
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
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Originally Posted by Merv the Derv' date='Aug 16 2005, 12:07 AM
Is it fairly safe and enjoyable or have you got crazy drivers all round you?
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.
Originally Posted by Merv the Derv' date='Aug 16 2005, 12:07 AM
Is a std 535d still good to drive round?
Originally Posted by Merv the Derv' date='Aug 16 2005, 12:07 AM
How does the auto box perform ? Do you use DS mode or Manual?
Originally Posted by Merv the Derv' date='Aug 16 2005, 12:07 AM
Lastly where did you stay?
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.