swajames

The only point Scott was making, and it is a perfectly reasonable one when taken in context, is that the S85 doesn't produce maximum torque until it's spinning at over 6000 RPM. That's one of the things we love about the S85, and these things are, of course relative, but it is inevitable that this will have some impact on launch.

designo

I have no idea where you got that from!!! Honestly!

I hope you've been in an M5 before, If not... then please do. See what the V10 does from 2000RPM

swajames

My post was absolutely right - the S85 produces its maximum torque, 383 lb/ft, at 6100 RPM.

At just 2000 RPM, it's actually got little to no torque advantage over a 550 running at the same RPM - which was essentially the point others had made in the thread. The 550 at 360 lb/ft has only 23 lb/ft less maximum torque than the S85, but it records its torque peak at just 3400 RPM.

Where the N62B loses out, and where the M5 shines, is its ability to rev to 8250 RPM - and it is the ability to rev much higher that is the primary reason for the S85's 140 hp power advantage (because, as I am sure you know, HP is directly calculated as a product of torque and RPM).

As you your question on whether I I have driven one? Yes. A lot. In fact, I nearly bought an E60 M5 the last two times I changed my car, but each time went with a 997.

BMWPower06

Horsepower is the instantaneous measure of tq.

If increasing revs would give the 550i more power, then why does it reach max power at 6300? If you kept revving it you'd continue to lose power, just as you do when you rev the M5 past 7750rpm (where peak power is made)

BMWPower06

The major reason the 550i has less power than an M5 is it's compression ratio of "only" 10.5:1 vs the M5's 12.0:1

If i'm not mistaken that is the highest compression ratio of any mass production engine beating out the E46 M3's 11.5:1 ratio

designo

Hp's and Torques are ruling the world!!

Can someone please just translate those numbers into performacne figures after drive loss due to gearbox etc etc???

Can someone please post a geniune video of a run between an E60 M5 and an E60 550 from 2000rpm?? Please?

I have not seen a single 550 here, otherwise I would be all over it's assss!

v_therussian

I would love to participate in the making of such video... Joe, Scott...

sdg1871

Fine by me but I can describe what's happened when Joe's M5 has launched vs my 550. Off the line for a few seconds until 20-30 mph, 550 jumps out in front due to more low end torque. Then M5 shoots ahead of 550 and leaves it in the dust like it was standing still.

Above 20-30 mph, the M5 and the 550 are not close at all. Above 20-30 mph, the M5 eats the 550 like a hungry wolf eats small animal. No way that 360 bhp and compete against 500.

Aartsy19

Im pretty sure the words " off the line, the m5 is gutless" were used.. and IMO that is 100% "dissing" the M5. Off the line if I mat it, the car goes into a whole new state, the revs pound up and with traction off will let loose until i let off... Nothing gutless about the car at 2000RPMs like designo sais.

You can't compare the preformance of a 550i to the M5.. even if you mean for the first 10 feet because the m5 out preforms in every way.

I've done up an e39 from a standstill and it wasnt even a race ( that could be because SMG is flawless and he was manual)

Aartsy

swajames

You are indeed mistaken. The Porsche DFI engines run 12.5:1.