BMW M5 (E60) VS F430

one is a sportscar and one is a porky sedan. the later will not measure up from a performance perspective.

 

the M5, even though it has good hp, it is not really built to go around a track like a ferrari is. on the other hand, a ferrari is not really built (although that doesn't stop some ppl) to shuttle kids, carry luggage and be used in the snow like a BMW is.

however, in a drag race, i have no idea, i have a feeling that the 430 would proably win, but ya never know

 

Do you have any idea how embarrassing it would be for Ferrari to get beaten even in the straight line by an M5. I mean M5's are fast but aren't sports cars like Ferraris.

 

One thing that will make a difference is the superior gearing that the 7spd tranny allows, and the BMW I believe shifts faster, make no mistake, this one is alleged to be FASTER than an E55, and they are just lightning on a straightaway. I bet they are nearly equal.

 

The new M5 looks HEAVY! That will be a huge factor if they go head to head. It also has two more holes in its engine, but its not built to go around tracks and such like the Ferrari is. I would still take both though.

 

Is the new M5 actually out yet? I was in Chicago 2 days ago and I was next to/1 lane over from a new 5 series. I have been behind numerous E60's and the exhaust is on the driver's side and this one had one on the passenger's side. I was at an odd angle so I could not see the other side of the bumper or to see if there was a "M" tag.

The car had some serious rims on there (really filled the well nicely) and had a great stance to it. I have seen countless 525,530,545i E60's around and none have looked this nice!

 

The new M5 weighs 3800 lbs.... about what the old one weighed. They used a lot of aluminum in this one (more so than on the regular 5 series). The 430 will weigh 3200 lbs (3200 "Ferrari" pounds, which probably means about 3275 ACTUAL lbs)

 

If it's like their last high revving M motor effort, it will have two more holes as well - just before oil goes spewing all over the road as it siezes. After 8 attempts to figure out why M3 motors were blowing (after spending the better part of the first year blaming it on owners of the car as "abuse"), the latest "fix" reduces redline. At least they're learning from their mistakes by making the new M5 default to 400 hp UNLESS the sport button is pushed. This M5 motor needs a lot of proving before I'd ever consider getting one - given how cruddy the service and attitude of BMW dealers.

 

Automobile magazine says...

0-62 in 4.7 seconds.

So in the 1/4 mile, no it won't be a 430. It will probably be a tough opponent on the freeway though.

Some interesting things, peak power is at 500 horsepower at 7,750. Red line is 8,250

Crazy.

 

The car is alleged to do a lap of the Ring near 8 minutes, but a CS does it around 8:03 and a GT3RSR does it about 7:54. That' doesn't make a lot of sense, because being 1000lbs lighter makes more of a difference than the 75hp difference.

 

I wonder if the blown E55 still has it beat?

 

I'm not so sure, if the F430 really is designed for track use. Looks more like an allround sports car to me. For the track we will see a 430CS.

 

I think the 430 will be a good bit faster considering equal power, because the M5 is a good bit heavier. Gaining 600lbs is like loosing 50-60 hp. But my M3 wieghs alot more than my 355 and my 355 has 50 more hp and guess whos fatser. Neither, its a dead heat when I race them in a straight line. Not so in the curves though. The 355 wins every time.

 

Yeah it will be interesting to see just how fast the M5 is. My M3 should not be as fast as it is. It runs like a car with about 50 more hp than it has. It's a convertible and it nearly runs with vettes. They are alot lighter and they have more hp. They should just walk away but they dont. And the E55 has alot more torque than the M5 but it walks away from the benz. BMW just knows how to make the most of what they have I guess. Minimize drive train loss and pick the right gear ratios and your there I guess.

 

350 Modena ?!

 

Low budget version of the Modena.

 

Interesting to see this Thread as I just placed my order on the new M5. I don't know if it will beat the F430 but I do know it is probably the best carry-four-comfortably car in the world in terms of performance and all the electronic stuff it offers. Over 500bp at such a price level is certainly a bargain compared to Lambo, Porsche and Ferrari. Having said that, nothing beats a Fcar emotionally.

 

I have been driving my 2000 e39 M5 for over 4 years now as a daily driver and have almost 90k miles on her so far. It is a wonderful car. I have outrun a many of sports cars both on the street and at Road Atlanta track events over the years. I want one of the new M5s but will wait until the 2nd year of production to see how that new v10 holds up.

 

No comparison. The 430 is a thoroughbred sports car, the M5 is a thoroughbred sedan.


Forza,


Cavallini