Nurburgring Report!!
05-29-2006, 01:57 AM
#1
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: North West England
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: (E60) 535D M-Sport (DMS)
Well, as promised i'm writing a brief report on how the M5 & myself faired at Nurburgring.
The bottom line is that the car was beyond belief & performed far better than expected & my expectations were high to start with.
Journey to Nurburg was fun with some very high speed sections through Germany & touching speeds of close to 180MPH. Had a small moment when one of our party (in a 996 GT3) decided to lose his front splitter at 176MPH & i was 4 car lengths behind him
. Luckily the splitter flew right & passed all of us with no damage but swerving at 176MPH makes for some missed heart beats.
We arrived at our hotel on Wednesday afternoon so decided to check in, freshen up & kill a couple of hours before the Ring opened at 5ish. We popped down to Manthey Racing to find a new splitter for the GT3 & sat in their reception were a Silver Carrera GT & a White GT3RS. Got the splitter then back to the hotel to fit it correctly.
Arrived at the track just before opening time & luckily it was quiet so managed 3 dry laps with the aim of better understanding the M5's abilities & dynamics. Kept the car in P400 & max DSC for pretty much all track time over the 4 days. She is plenty able to throw her ar$e out quite quickly even with max DSC, however it does become quite predictable & very easy to recover with a slight flick of the wheel. What was surprising is that the car did require driver input once the tail was more than a couple of feet out as the DSC did not appear to recover any drift larger than a few inches, although i'm sure the DSC actually made all recoveries somewhat easier. This dod give rise to plenty of giggles during track time.
Thursday & Fridays weather was not kind & almost all laps on these days were either damp, wet or pi$$ing down so i was really able to work on my lines round the track & get to grips with the M5's wet weather handling. Again she performed beautifully & the few slightly scary moments were easily recovered. The bad weather had given rise to almost carnage on the track with every lap i did witnessing between 2 & 4 crashes which is quite some crashing. I don't think their were any major injuries all week, however the low-loader & local body shop was kept busy all week & the track closed quite a few times for vehicle recovery. Most of the offs i'd guess were purely driver error in the bad weather (not listing what cars went off for obvious reasons).
On the Friday afternoon it started to dry up & i decided to try a few quicker laps (still only in P400 with DSC on) but as i'd had some tuition 1st thing on Friday i thought i'd try out what i'd learnt & take the racing lines i'd been shown & use the M5's dynamics to better use. The difference was almost night & day & given learning to drive my car & understanding her performance/handling characteristics were the sole aim of this trip, i acheived exactly what i set out to do. I once again had a few moments due to pushing harder but nothing to scare me & all was simple to recover. The most amusing was the entry to a fast sweeping right hander, coming off a sharp left then right which was damp, where i applied the power a fraction too early & too strongly & as i'd finished telling my passenger we were understeering slightly, the whole car went into a fast drift of about 45 degrees with all 4 wheels drifting but again i manged to flick her back & everything was once again composed (this was a huge giggle moment).
Ran into Steve (SG535D) during my time their & we met on the track once but I was not pushing too hard (i'm sometimes sensible like that) & Steve was obviously pushing on so i yielded & he came past at a rate of knots & taking good lines.
I can only state again that the car was simply awesome & it's no surprise they use M5's as the Ring Taxis & i was even lucky enough to get a passenger Ring Taxi lap which proved beyond doubt that i could only ever get to 50% of the M5's abilities if i'm lucky.
Only bothered to get a few photos as i was busy driving & i managed 24 laps this trip bringing mt Ring total to 36. I'll defo be going back & i'm hopeful i'll be their again within the next 8 weeks.
Still not taken photos of my car, but she's filthy right now & after her clean this afternoon if the rain stops, i'll try to upload a few.
The bottom line is that the car was beyond belief & performed far better than expected & my expectations were high to start with.
Journey to Nurburg was fun with some very high speed sections through Germany & touching speeds of close to 180MPH. Had a small moment when one of our party (in a 996 GT3) decided to lose his front splitter at 176MPH & i was 4 car lengths behind him
. Luckily the splitter flew right & passed all of us with no damage but swerving at 176MPH makes for some missed heart beats. We arrived at our hotel on Wednesday afternoon so decided to check in, freshen up & kill a couple of hours before the Ring opened at 5ish. We popped down to Manthey Racing to find a new splitter for the GT3 & sat in their reception were a Silver Carrera GT & a White GT3RS. Got the splitter then back to the hotel to fit it correctly.
Arrived at the track just before opening time & luckily it was quiet so managed 3 dry laps with the aim of better understanding the M5's abilities & dynamics. Kept the car in P400 & max DSC for pretty much all track time over the 4 days. She is plenty able to throw her ar$e out quite quickly even with max DSC, however it does become quite predictable & very easy to recover with a slight flick of the wheel. What was surprising is that the car did require driver input once the tail was more than a couple of feet out as the DSC did not appear to recover any drift larger than a few inches, although i'm sure the DSC actually made all recoveries somewhat easier. This dod give rise to plenty of giggles during track time.
Thursday & Fridays weather was not kind & almost all laps on these days were either damp, wet or pi$$ing down so i was really able to work on my lines round the track & get to grips with the M5's wet weather handling. Again she performed beautifully & the few slightly scary moments were easily recovered. The bad weather had given rise to almost carnage on the track with every lap i did witnessing between 2 & 4 crashes which is quite some crashing. I don't think their were any major injuries all week, however the low-loader & local body shop was kept busy all week & the track closed quite a few times for vehicle recovery. Most of the offs i'd guess were purely driver error in the bad weather (not listing what cars went off for obvious reasons).
On the Friday afternoon it started to dry up & i decided to try a few quicker laps (still only in P400 with DSC on) but as i'd had some tuition 1st thing on Friday i thought i'd try out what i'd learnt & take the racing lines i'd been shown & use the M5's dynamics to better use. The difference was almost night & day & given learning to drive my car & understanding her performance/handling characteristics were the sole aim of this trip, i acheived exactly what i set out to do. I once again had a few moments due to pushing harder but nothing to scare me & all was simple to recover. The most amusing was the entry to a fast sweeping right hander, coming off a sharp left then right which was damp, where i applied the power a fraction too early & too strongly & as i'd finished telling my passenger we were understeering slightly, the whole car went into a fast drift of about 45 degrees with all 4 wheels drifting but again i manged to flick her back & everything was once again composed (this was a huge giggle moment).
Ran into Steve (SG535D) during my time their & we met on the track once but I was not pushing too hard (i'm sometimes sensible like that) & Steve was obviously pushing on so i yielded & he came past at a rate of knots & taking good lines.
I can only state again that the car was simply awesome & it's no surprise they use M5's as the Ring Taxis & i was even lucky enough to get a passenger Ring Taxi lap which proved beyond doubt that i could only ever get to 50% of the M5's abilities if i'm lucky.
Only bothered to get a few photos as i was busy driving & i managed 24 laps this trip bringing mt Ring total to 36. I'll defo be going back & i'm hopeful i'll be their again within the next 8 weeks.
Still not taken photos of my car, but she's filthy right now & after her clean this afternoon if the rain stops, i'll try to upload a few.
05-29-2006, 06:44 AM
#2
Contributors
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MIAMI B*CH
Posts: 6,959
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: MY RIDE is DA real .-) HAMANN 5 aka BLACK MAMBA born on 16/06/2005/delivered on 05/08/2005 as following:
530dA (steptronic), Black II (JET), leather Dakota auburn black, mapple trim, head-up display, dynamic drive, active steering, adaptive xenon headlights (auto levelling) with headlight washers, alarm, comfort seats with massage function, advanced A/C, big compartment armrest, aux-in, MP3, Logic 7, Radio PRO, CD in-dash+cd changer, power rear sunshades, rear airbags, park distance control, auto dimming folding mirrors, smoking package, shiny shadow line (individual), fold down rear seats, ski bag, sport suspension, run flats on �116-style� rims (Good Year NCT5+), cup holders, debadged, fire extinguishers, additional permanent power outlet, BMW coat hanger, trunk release button (installed by Hobi), GPS tracking device and a big thx 2 Iceman.
Mods done:
� Authentic HAMANN FRONT APRON Including ellipsoid fog lights Item-No.: 10 060 110
� Authentic HAMANN REAR SPOILER Item-No.: 10 060 130,
� Authentic HAMANN HAMANN ALUMINIUM PEDALS For cars with manual gearbox Item-No.: 80 099 100 81,00 For cars with automatic transmission Item-No.: 80 099 120
� Authentic HAMANN FOOT REST In aluminium For left-hand drive vehicles Item No. : 80 099 122
� Authentic HAMANN HAND-BRAKE LEVER In aluminium For left- and right-hand drive cars Item No. : 80 099 216
� Authentic HAMANN Idrive of alu (sorry this is the only one in the World) but you can have it in carbon fiber ,
� Authentic HAMANN EXCLUSIVE FLOORMAT SET In black with HAMANN logo in silver For left-hand drive cars Item-No. : 80 060 120 For right-hand drive cars Item-No. : 80 060
� Authentic HAMANN COVER FOR OIL FILLER CAP In aluminium Item-No.: 80 099 117
� Authentic HAMANN SPORT REAR MUFFLER 4 TAILPIPES Sport rear muffler with four round stainless-steel tailpipes ( � 76mm ) Item-No.: 50 060 111
� Authentic HAMANN new add-on for M pack rear with diffusor for quad pipes -AVAILABLE NOW (http://forums.e60.net/index.php?act=ST&f=22&t=30630&st=0#entry332409)
� ///M steering wheel w Pegasus logo (this will be also changed to three spoke sports)
� ///M pack rear
� HAMANN ECU upgrade 265 HP 608 Nm.
most improtant:
�real and working like a charm forumsbuy real LED tails and PIAA 4700k fogs!!! for HAMANN full front apron you need H3
� CustomAngels, Angel Eyes Brighter than stocks 10X, WHITE & (REd for shows).
� Authentic HAMANN LIGHT-ALLOY WHEELS DESIGN EDITION RACE 20"
Ultra-light forged 3-pieced light-alloy wheel, Cross-spoke-design,Spider in black, titanium, screwing,polished flange
DIMENSIONS : 9.0 J x 20 FA Item No.: 91 207 315
10.5 J x 20 only RA Item No.: 91 207 625
Recommended 20" Complete Wheel Set DESIGN EDITION RACE I went with most aggressive Combination A.10 FA 9.0 J x 20 / RA 10.5 J x 20 with tires: FA 245/30 ZR 20 / RA 285/25 ZR 20
� Authentic HAMANN LOWERING KIT 4 progressive sport springs Lowering by approx. 40 mm FA, 20 mm RA Item-No.: 20 060 125
� Authentic HAMANN TIRE - PRESSURE CHECK SENSOR SYSTEM
� Authentic HAMANN SIDE SILLS Item-No.: 10 060 120
� Authentic HAMANN REAL CF ROOF SPOLIER Item-No.: 10 060 235
� Authentic HAMANN AIRBAG SPORT STEERING WHEEL 3-SPOKE Three-spoke design w their SMG paddles (For assembly O.E. airbag in exchange)
� Authentic HAMANN sports mirrors (all functions)
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and of course !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
E60.net Clings
Still to do list;-):
� Our Hobi's camera system from : ww.switchchange.com).
� Individual leather interior (auburn+auburn alcantara)... and drive with sheer drivin' pleasure ... until 2009/2010 F10 comes or E60 possibly a 540d V8 diesel early in 2009 badly juiced!
Congrats and glad you, w8pmc and your beast baby are ok!
Nice write up thx for that, was really nice and $hit I cud not be there, but maybe next time.
Nice write up thx for that, was really nice and $hit I cud not be there, but maybe next time.
05-29-2006, 06:10 PM
#4
Contributors
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: So. Cal 626
Posts: 1,626
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2007 550i White/Black, SMG, Sports Pkg, Comfort Access, Nav, HUD, Satellite Radio, Anthracite Maple Trim
2006 X5 3.0, Black/Black, Sports Pkg, Premium Pkg, Xenon Adaptive Headlight, NAV, Rear Climate Pkg, Anthracite Trim
great write up
05-30-2006, 11:03 PM
#6
Contributors
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Scotland, UK
Posts: 600
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by w8pmc' post='289129' date='May 29 2006, 10:57 AM
Ran into Steve (SG535D) during my time their & we met on the track once but I was not pushing too hard (i'm sometimes sensible like that) & Steve was obviously pushing on so i yielded & he came past at a rate of knots & taking good lines.
I've got some video when I was behind you, once I get a chance I'll post it up. Apologies for not saying cheerio, I forgot you were leaving at lunchtime!
I was going to take you out for a lap, and blag a pax lap in yours 
05-31-2006, 01:31 AM
#7
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: North West England
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: (E60) 535D M-Sport (DMS)
Originally Posted by SG535d' post='290207' date='May 31 2006, 02:03 AM
Cheers Paul - As I recall your lines were pretty decent as well. I'm now on 200+ laps, 6 ring trips, and attended the BMW training course at the ring which helps with the lines tremendously.
I've got some video when I was behind you, once I get a chance I'll post it up. Apologies for not saying cheerio, I forgot you were leaving at lunchtime! I was going to take you out for a lap, and blag a pax lap in yours
I've got some video when I was behind you, once I get a chance I'll post it up. Apologies for not saying cheerio, I forgot you were leaving at lunchtime!
I was going to take you out for a lap, and blag a pax lap in yours One of our group broke through the 100 lap mark, taking his total up to 105. Over 200 laps is very impresive.
Looking forward to seeing that video.
05-31-2006, 01:50 AM
#8
Contributors
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MIAMI B*CH
Posts: 6,959
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: MY RIDE is DA real .-) HAMANN 5 aka BLACK MAMBA born on 16/06/2005/delivered on 05/08/2005 as following:
530dA (steptronic), Black II (JET), leather Dakota auburn black, mapple trim, head-up display, dynamic drive, active steering, adaptive xenon headlights (auto levelling) with headlight washers, alarm, comfort seats with massage function, advanced A/C, big compartment armrest, aux-in, MP3, Logic 7, Radio PRO, CD in-dash+cd changer, power rear sunshades, rear airbags, park distance control, auto dimming folding mirrors, smoking package, shiny shadow line (individual), fold down rear seats, ski bag, sport suspension, run flats on �116-style� rims (Good Year NCT5+), cup holders, debadged, fire extinguishers, additional permanent power outlet, BMW coat hanger, trunk release button (installed by Hobi), GPS tracking device and a big thx 2 Iceman.
Mods done:
� Authentic HAMANN FRONT APRON Including ellipsoid fog lights Item-No.: 10 060 110
� Authentic HAMANN REAR SPOILER Item-No.: 10 060 130,
� Authentic HAMANN HAMANN ALUMINIUM PEDALS For cars with manual gearbox Item-No.: 80 099 100 81,00 For cars with automatic transmission Item-No.: 80 099 120
� Authentic HAMANN FOOT REST In aluminium For left-hand drive vehicles Item No. : 80 099 122
� Authentic HAMANN HAND-BRAKE LEVER In aluminium For left- and right-hand drive cars Item No. : 80 099 216
� Authentic HAMANN Idrive of alu (sorry this is the only one in the World) but you can have it in carbon fiber ,
� Authentic HAMANN EXCLUSIVE FLOORMAT SET In black with HAMANN logo in silver For left-hand drive cars Item-No. : 80 060 120 For right-hand drive cars Item-No. : 80 060
� Authentic HAMANN COVER FOR OIL FILLER CAP In aluminium Item-No.: 80 099 117
� Authentic HAMANN SPORT REAR MUFFLER 4 TAILPIPES Sport rear muffler with four round stainless-steel tailpipes ( � 76mm ) Item-No.: 50 060 111
� Authentic HAMANN new add-on for M pack rear with diffusor for quad pipes -AVAILABLE NOW (http://forums.e60.net/index.php?act=ST&f=22&t=30630&st=0#entry332409)
� ///M steering wheel w Pegasus logo (this will be also changed to three spoke sports)
� ///M pack rear
� HAMANN ECU upgrade 265 HP 608 Nm.
most improtant:
�real and working like a charm forumsbuy real LED tails and PIAA 4700k fogs!!! for HAMANN full front apron you need H3
� CustomAngels, Angel Eyes Brighter than stocks 10X, WHITE & (REd for shows).
� Authentic HAMANN LIGHT-ALLOY WHEELS DESIGN EDITION RACE 20"
Ultra-light forged 3-pieced light-alloy wheel, Cross-spoke-design,Spider in black, titanium, screwing,polished flange
DIMENSIONS : 9.0 J x 20 FA Item No.: 91 207 315
10.5 J x 20 only RA Item No.: 91 207 625
Recommended 20" Complete Wheel Set DESIGN EDITION RACE I went with most aggressive Combination A.10 FA 9.0 J x 20 / RA 10.5 J x 20 with tires: FA 245/30 ZR 20 / RA 285/25 ZR 20
� Authentic HAMANN LOWERING KIT 4 progressive sport springs Lowering by approx. 40 mm FA, 20 mm RA Item-No.: 20 060 125
� Authentic HAMANN TIRE - PRESSURE CHECK SENSOR SYSTEM
� Authentic HAMANN SIDE SILLS Item-No.: 10 060 120
� Authentic HAMANN REAL CF ROOF SPOLIER Item-No.: 10 060 235
� Authentic HAMANN AIRBAG SPORT STEERING WHEEL 3-SPOKE Three-spoke design w their SMG paddles (For assembly O.E. airbag in exchange)
� Authentic HAMANN sports mirrors (all functions)
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and of course !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
E60.net Clings
Still to do list;-):
� Our Hobi's camera system from : ww.switchchange.com).
� Individual leather interior (auburn+auburn alcantara)... and drive with sheer drivin' pleasure ... until 2009/2010 F10 comes or E60 possibly a 540d V8 diesel early in 2009 badly juiced!
Originally Posted by w8pmc' post='290232' date='May 31 2006, 11:31 AM
Cheers, it all got a bit crazy with the weather etc. & trying to grab laps wherever possible. I'm hoping to go back in about 8 weeks & will post details when a booking is confirmed. Let me know when you plan on returning & we'll try to sort some PAX laps out.
One of our group broke through the 100 lap mark, taking his total up to 105. Over 200 laps is very impresive.
Looking forward to seeing that video.
One of our group broke through the 100 lap mark, taking his total up to 105. Over 200 laps is very impresive.
Looking forward to seeing that video.
no, ok I know you are pros on the track
, so Paul finally pics are in the gallery of your beauty blue beast! Congrats and take care. cheers 
But Steve, you know you have to show him what a diesel can do
05-31-2006, 03:23 AM
#10
Contributors
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MIAMI B*CH
Posts: 6,959
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: MY RIDE is DA real .-) HAMANN 5 aka BLACK MAMBA born on 16/06/2005/delivered on 05/08/2005 as following:
530dA (steptronic), Black II (JET), leather Dakota auburn black, mapple trim, head-up display, dynamic drive, active steering, adaptive xenon headlights (auto levelling) with headlight washers, alarm, comfort seats with massage function, advanced A/C, big compartment armrest, aux-in, MP3, Logic 7, Radio PRO, CD in-dash+cd changer, power rear sunshades, rear airbags, park distance control, auto dimming folding mirrors, smoking package, shiny shadow line (individual), fold down rear seats, ski bag, sport suspension, run flats on �116-style� rims (Good Year NCT5+), cup holders, debadged, fire extinguishers, additional permanent power outlet, BMW coat hanger, trunk release button (installed by Hobi), GPS tracking device and a big thx 2 Iceman.
Mods done:
� Authentic HAMANN FRONT APRON Including ellipsoid fog lights Item-No.: 10 060 110
� Authentic HAMANN REAR SPOILER Item-No.: 10 060 130,
� Authentic HAMANN HAMANN ALUMINIUM PEDALS For cars with manual gearbox Item-No.: 80 099 100 81,00 For cars with automatic transmission Item-No.: 80 099 120
� Authentic HAMANN FOOT REST In aluminium For left-hand drive vehicles Item No. : 80 099 122
� Authentic HAMANN HAND-BRAKE LEVER In aluminium For left- and right-hand drive cars Item No. : 80 099 216
� Authentic HAMANN Idrive of alu (sorry this is the only one in the World) but you can have it in carbon fiber ,
� Authentic HAMANN EXCLUSIVE FLOORMAT SET In black with HAMANN logo in silver For left-hand drive cars Item-No. : 80 060 120 For right-hand drive cars Item-No. : 80 060
� Authentic HAMANN COVER FOR OIL FILLER CAP In aluminium Item-No.: 80 099 117
� Authentic HAMANN SPORT REAR MUFFLER 4 TAILPIPES Sport rear muffler with four round stainless-steel tailpipes ( � 76mm ) Item-No.: 50 060 111
� Authentic HAMANN new add-on for M pack rear with diffusor for quad pipes -AVAILABLE NOW (http://forums.e60.net/index.php?act=ST&f=22&t=30630&st=0#entry332409)
� ///M steering wheel w Pegasus logo (this will be also changed to three spoke sports)
� ///M pack rear
� HAMANN ECU upgrade 265 HP 608 Nm.
most improtant:
�real and working like a charm forumsbuy real LED tails and PIAA 4700k fogs!!! for HAMANN full front apron you need H3
� CustomAngels, Angel Eyes Brighter than stocks 10X, WHITE & (REd for shows).
� Authentic HAMANN LIGHT-ALLOY WHEELS DESIGN EDITION RACE 20"
Ultra-light forged 3-pieced light-alloy wheel, Cross-spoke-design,Spider in black, titanium, screwing,polished flange
DIMENSIONS : 9.0 J x 20 FA Item No.: 91 207 315
10.5 J x 20 only RA Item No.: 91 207 625
Recommended 20" Complete Wheel Set DESIGN EDITION RACE I went with most aggressive Combination A.10 FA 9.0 J x 20 / RA 10.5 J x 20 with tires: FA 245/30 ZR 20 / RA 285/25 ZR 20
� Authentic HAMANN LOWERING KIT 4 progressive sport springs Lowering by approx. 40 mm FA, 20 mm RA Item-No.: 20 060 125
� Authentic HAMANN TIRE - PRESSURE CHECK SENSOR SYSTEM
� Authentic HAMANN SIDE SILLS Item-No.: 10 060 120
� Authentic HAMANN REAL CF ROOF SPOLIER Item-No.: 10 060 235
� Authentic HAMANN AIRBAG SPORT STEERING WHEEL 3-SPOKE Three-spoke design w their SMG paddles (For assembly O.E. airbag in exchange)
� Authentic HAMANN sports mirrors (all functions)
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and of course !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
E60.net Clings
Still to do list;-):
� Our Hobi's camera system from : ww.switchchange.com).
� Individual leather interior (auburn+auburn alcantara)... and drive with sheer drivin' pleasure ... until 2009/2010 F10 comes or E60 possibly a 540d V8 diesel early in 2009 badly juiced!
Originally Posted by BetterMakeWay' post='290262' date='May 31 2006, 01:08 PM
Not even once DSC off? And even with it fully on still P400? Hmmm...
did you try the Ring yet, you must.