Originally Posted by Znod' post='297944' date='Jun 15 2006, 12:09 PM

Hi Friends:

I've been mulling over our next change of cars--in two years--maybe a bit prematurely, but probably not since enough facts probably are known now. Currently, we have my 545i, my Z06, and my wife's X5. We probably will move to having only two cars the next time around, and I want to have one very fast sedan. I might keep the Z06 (modding it a bit--a good less expensive alternative since it has only 10k miles and is paid for), get a new one, or replace it with some other sporty car, perhaps the Z4 M roadster or coupe or the SLK AMG. I am leaning toward keeping the Z06 in modded form as we are rapidly approaching full-time retirement.

Since the Alpina B5, which I'd buy in a second unless unreasonably priced, is not available in the US, it looks to me like the only somewhat reasonably priced fast-sedan contenders are the M5, the CLS AMG, and the E55 AMG. Unfortunately, while the M5 is an exceptional car, I don't want one for several reasons.

First, I am not sold on the SMG, in general, and especially not as a replacement for a true automatic--which we would want. In this regard, the Mercs have excellent 7-speed automatics--that allow rapid sifting and true manual control--like no automatic shifting in M mode before hitting the rev limiter. Second, the M5 gas mileage is atrocious, while he Mercs get very good mileage. Third, the low "torqueness" of the M5 is unsatisfactory for an around-town car, while the Mercs are torque monsters (love a supercharged V-8). And, last, the handling of the M5, although not its feel, is somewhat wasted on me because I seldomly do any sort of truly fast twisty taking. It's hard enough to find a place to go straight fast in the city. It's too bad for me, but, IMO, the M5 is a great bargain--but only if one wants to drive a quasi-track car around town (wasting the experience of its engineering), drive mostly on the open road, or wants to track the car. In this regard, the Mercs are better engineered for around town at least from the ride comfort perspective--not that the M5 rides badly.

I would like to stay in the BMW family, but it looks like BMW won't have a car for me. I keep trying to talk myself into an M5, but I know that I will not succeed.

I have though also of having an M3 and a 550i, but the M3 won't equal the performance level of even my unmodded Z06--which is paid for. The "paid for ness" of the Z06 also argues against getting any of the "sporty" cars mentioned above. And, even with the minimal mods I would do, the Z06 would approach the acceleration ability of the new Z06. I'd simply increase the rear-end ratio to 3.73 or 3.9, get an intake, keep running my drag radials, and have a dyno tune. I'd pick up the equivalent of, say, 70 FWHP.

What to do? What to do?

Originally Posted by grogan545' post='300981' date='Jun 21 2006, 11:13 AM

,but somehow I can't warm up to superchargers.I look at them the same as athletes on steroids,Its cheating. I prefer to get my horsepower the old fashion way,normally asperated.

Originally Posted by grogan545' post='300981' date='Jun 21 2006, 01:13 PM

Tell me it isn't so Zman.You are not considering a Merc are you?I don't think you will be as satisfied with the overall experience as with a new 550.I agree with you on straight line performance,but somehow I can't warm up to superchargers.I look at them the same as athletes on steroids,Its cheating. I prefer to get my horsepower the old fashion way,normally asperated.I owned a 1997 E420 which was a nice car but it had no soul.It was quick,got good mileage,and rode nice but it was uninspiring.I know the AMG's are much sportier but they still don't feel or drive like a BMW.

Originally Posted by Znod' post='301125' date='Jun 21 2006, 05:12 PM

Eric says the SC's are gone on the x 63's, but that wasn't my impression. If so, then even better.

Originally Posted by heezy545i' post='301188' date='Jun 21 2006, 07:54 PM

Since you have previous experience with japanese sports cars, maybe consider the Infiniti/Nissan GTR, which should have ~450bhp, awd and be a future competitor to the m3 for around $70K. Or perhaps the future supra, although I don't have any specs on it.