Merzbow

There's no other sedan that comes close to the handling and throttle response of a BMW. No Mercedes, not the Infiniti M45, nothing. That's why we put up with the atrocious electronics quality.

smcd

A friend of mine used to do the same. However, he went way to fast in a corner outside of Montreal and hit the wall in his e36 M3. It wasn't until afterwards that he realized that it was a 50 kmph (50 kilometers/hour = ~30 mph) sign. He had at first though it was a 50 mph sign so going 80mph into the corner in the wet wasn't a great idea. He was a good driver so had slowed down a lot before scraping the guard rail...

Don't forget to check for kmph signs!

Ray Hull

I have a near 20-year history of blastsing up to Mt. Desert Island, Maine at double the limit, routinely setting new trip records among neighboring friends. What is most curious about this latest 5 series is its eerily quiet cabin. Absent wind noise, there are NO clues to actual speed.

Cheers, and keep that Valentine humming.
Ray Hull

needforspeed

Merv - you are spot on

When I first got into my e60 it felt massive and unweildy compared to my last car - an e46 coupe.

However, the first time I chucked it round some 'b' roads I was HUGELY impressed.

My e46 coupe felt sharp and nimble whereas the e60 is just incredibly relaxed and composed. Where the e46 would start to feel skittish and close to the limit, the e60 just seems to 'squat down' into the bends and get on with the job.

The temptation is to push and push, but to be frank I think this is the first car I have owned where the limit's of the chassis can't safely be explored on the road.

For me the drive is more in the style of a 'grand tourer' than a sports car, but I am sure that the e60 can outhandle an e46.

I haven't gone much over a 100mph cause in the UK I just don't think it's worth risking your license, but I have enjoyed some twisty roads at 80mph. You just have to be responsible though and remember that their could be a broken down car / tractor / horse/ pedestrian / cyclist just round the corner

oyster

After the break-in period, I took my E60 on a Autobahn trip to Switzerland last weekend. Coming back Sunday night, there was quite some opportunity for high-speed passages and to go to Vmax.
Handling is really very good for a large sedan with this weight, I felt safe at any speed, although my 18" RFTs seem to have a traction problem in very fast Autobahn curves (ESP kicking in several times). One more reason to got to 19" non-RFTs, then...

But, I strongly disagree with those, who think they could follow a Porsche on any road, if they just had enough speed. I owned a 996 before, and it?s handling was from another planet. The P is a real sports car, with a real sport suspension, optimum weight ratio and better brakes, giving it lots of advantage over a 550, especially in a bended passage. On the other hand, with a 911 you cannot listen to the radio at 200+ km/h and coming from a 400+ km/h Autobahn trip, you feel like sushi.

Singh

not overly impressed with handling at high speed. when it's windy esp!!

done 153 in the 2.0d. slightly downhill tho.

dont know how to handle the car too well with traction off. had a few scary incidents. with it on it limits the cars ability.

oyster

@singh

153 mph = 247 km/h with a 2.0 litre diesel weighing 1600 kg???

Saying "slightly downhill", do You mean "freefalling"?

Singh

it wasnt that steep - but its a nice big strech of road. i wonder if 155 if poss? not going to try tho - dont wana do the car an injury.
+ used alot of fuel that day!!!

JWD

The 5er is the most stable car at top speed I experienced so far.
Driving 155mph (250kmh) feels the same as driving 75mph.
My 'old' X5 4.4 was preparing for take-off at 140mph+... very laggy steering and it really gave you the idea of flying above the road
Here's a little video I made on the Autobahn, also note the mpg meter going back when I hit the limiter, got to love Diesels .

Vid @ 250kmh

Merv the Derv

Many of you seem to like the high speed stability of the car and yes I agree it has great stability. Ok its not going to keep up with a porsche, afterall it's primarily a family saloon with some added sportiness to say the least! I was really trying to say how grippy it is round any bend you chuck it at and that "you could go faster feeling" that it gives.

On my last German trip I was amazed at how the car felt no different at an indicated 157mph with 4 people and luggage to what it does at 80mph