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| Message: | I've run on several occasions with e39 M5s at Sears Point raceway as well as autocrosses. I've had several e39 M5 owners approach me afterward with statements that they considered the 8 when they purchased their M5, but decided it wouldn't perform well. Then they walk around the 8 a few times and say, geez, it did really well out there, I guess they do weigh the same and make similar power. Basically, on the track, I can stay with them without difficulty, and even walk away out of tight corner exits. In autocrosses, they have less low end torque so you can actually do a bit better on a tight course. Bear in mind... the cars are almost dead even in weight, and if you have a 6spd v12 850i with the added 3.15LS, you have exactly the same gearbox and final drive rates. The V12 is has more powerful torque under the power curve, particularly down at lower rpms. As a result, it can pull out of a tight turn and do a bit better (from experience at turn 11 at Sears with a Mugello?sp red M5). The M5 is much like the CSi in that it has more power in the upper rpm ranges and a longer powerband. Basically, that's where it'll start to pull on you. Suspension-wise, the e39 has less understeer in stock form, but is less stable at speed than the e31 chassis. With the e31 uprated to the K-Bars, you can walk circles around the e39 chassis in autocrosses or track work. Fair comparison? Consider that BMW's e31 suspension choices would likely have been uprated to K-Bar-like diameters, etc. in the late 90's as BMW did when they designed the e38 740 sport, e39, etc. There's a pretty clear point when somebody in suspension design simply switched to larger sway bars and gave up the old autobahn storming 175mph tuning designs. I've never compared the e34 M5 at the track but have run with e34 540 6spds in several autocross events. With a seasoned driver they're still about 3-4 10ths of a second slower. Bone stock, both cars would likely be about the same. At the track I'd be wary of the e34 M5 or even worse, the e28 M5. They're lighter cars with S38 engines. For reference, my 850 is a 91 6spd with the 3.15LS, K-Bar suspension, chip and exhaust. Greg K BMWe31.com | ||||
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