550isport

I know, the subject of comparing these two cars has been beaten to death and that an M5 and 911 are two completely different cars, but I have limited my question dramatically, Here goes:

How does an M5's around town, slow speed driving compare with a 997 Carrera for entertainment purposes? For that matter is it much more entertaining than a 550i?


IMHO you can putt around in a 911 and still completely enjoy the car, the engine's responsive snarl, the suspension's precise movement. 100% of the car's soul is on display at 25 mph. The opposite of say an AMG benz which needs to press your skull into the headrest before your heart rate increases. They are basically average cars with gobs of power.

On a scale from 1-10 (10 being the most entertaining low speed ride), the 911 is a 9 IMHO and my 550i is about a 5 (with a 530xi being a 2). So what I am curious about is the M5's rating on this scale. Is it any better than an LCI 550? I am sure that with traditional track tuned suspension that foregoes the electronic gimmicks of the 550's anti-roll system that the M5 offers at the limit handling that is preferred by enthusiasts, but does that translate into a more sensation filled experience tooling around town, say in 2nd gear? Any M motor should have much better initial throttle response and a more gratifying exhaust note than a modern BMW with a valvetronic V8. My friend's E90 M3 has a very entertaining engine at low speeds in that regard (a 7 on my scale). I have driven M5s before (all SMGs), but it was a while ago. I'd love to hear from people who can make a comparison.

Caveat: I know the transmission is relevant to my question. I'd love to hear from someone who has driven a six speed manual in all three cars...

DRP

Roleez

Here's my take ...

I stepped out of my Dinan550 and into an LCI M5 2 months ago. Entertaining ride at 25 mph? YOU BETCHA! On your scale: a 10! Why? Stay in first gear at 25 mph and you'll know what I'm talking about. Regardless of transmission, the sounds send chills up my spine and the ride is more stiffer/responsive than the setup in my Dinan550. So whether strolling around town, or cruising the freeway, the M5 excels in kick-starting your heart and your ears! The sounds of the 911 don't quite get my heart racing, but I'm sure the speed will.

flyingpuck

It's also nice to have the BMW warranty and maintenance, as a Porsche is EXPENSIVE to maintain!!

Ziering545I

I have my M5 now for 3 weeks love it. I also own a RUF RGT Kompressor and its a different car all together PORSCHE is mega expensive and very exclusive but not a good daily driver. I had some fun with a 997 C4S Cabrio the other day and killed the car the guy just couldnt keep up. In the M5 keep those RPM up and learn to hone ur skills you will be amazed.

mrfva

A modded red Porsche Carrera (with aero kit) owned me on the overpass this afternoon. For those who live in the DFW area, I was coming from Las Colinas on George Bush (161) tollway exiting to 35E North. I know that I'm only in a 545i, and that 911 took off like a rocket around the overpass. The sound was just simply amazing. It was lowered and was hugging the road with all it's might going around the curve. He was gone, and I only had 18 miles left in the gas tank.

JetBlack5OC

Its two different kinds of fun.

M5 - big beastly performer

997 - quick small toss-around car

DrLev99

M5 is a different beast all together that the 550i. I had an '07 335xi, '07 530xi, have driven an '08 550i and an '07 M6 and obviously have an M5 now. None of the other compare to the feel of it. It's a wolf in sheep's clothing, to the untrained eye at least. And from the engine to the suspension to the brakes, it's an entirely different animal that the non-M bimmers.

Just ask the ricer burner with the baffled muffler that I blew away tonight! As I watched his headlights getting smaller in my rearview mirror, I didn't realize how fast I was going....I looked down at the speedo and saw 152 mph! And this mutha was still pulling like the beast that it is, going up hill. Talk about adrenaline!

(disclaimer: at 1AM, no cars on highway except us 2).

mrfva

As long as it wasn't as wild as that Barbie race!

Leburpor

For city driving (ie. regular start stop, no more than 50kmh) enjoyment factor, I'd rate the 997 as a 7/10, the M5 5/10, the 550i a 8/10. The low end torque of the 550i and the smoother gear change just trumps the rest. The gear change on the M5 is a pain sometimes under this situation. I drive using the SMG cuz the auto mode just sucks. Even then, I take off from lights on 2nd gear, rev it to just over 4000rpm then jump to 4th..then it is quite smooth.

For some fun driving within a city when traffic is light and going through some tight turns or roundabout, the 997 a 7/10, the M5 a 6/10 and the 550i a 5.5/10. The M5 wins slightly over the 550i because of the suspension system of the M5 and you can start enjoying more of the mid range torque of the M5. The growl of the M5 starts becoming more apparent.

For real fun driving through the country and hills, where you get a mix of long straights, sweepers, tight turns up hill and down hill, then the 997 6/10, 550i 6/10, M5 9/10. In this situation you can get the M5 in its prime band of 3rd gear and higher. The 550i is still fun but you can feel how the tail feels bouncy and loose. The 997 is also fun but it runs out of steam against the M5 at higher speed. You'll need the 997S to match against the M5.

My previous 550i had Eibach Pro Kit springs and H&R sway bars which kept the car tight, but it still couldnt compare against the M5 through the turns, be it on the track or on the open roads.

swajames

That's where the 997 shines - throw any turns into the mix the 997 will be in its element. I know you own the M5 and I own the 997 so neither of us is free from the bias of ownership, but you seem to underestimating the 997 here. The 997S won't run out of steam against the M5 until 180 mph, irrelevant in all but the most limited circumstances, and being smaller and lighter it's a better handling car with great turn in, incredible steering and more grip. It's 800lbs lighter, and the handling differences are obvious. The M5 is absolutely a lot of fun in the same circumstances, but the country roads and hills is really where the 997 comes into its own. The car is built to track, so it has no issues whatsoever with the country roads and twisties - in fact, that's where it's most in its element.