Last night I had the rare opportunity to drive up to an M5 on the 101 loop in east Phoenix. It was about 11 PM, highway very empty - perfect crusing conditions. I was left lane - M5 in next lane to me. I was crusing about 80 mph and I noticed that he sped up to pass me back - and, as some of you can relate, this sudden communication between the M5 driver and I said we were going to nail it at that moment. I drop the shifter to 3rd (and other 500E owners we know that sweet spot! - and outside temp was 48) and my baby jumped on her cams, and the V8 growled happily, as my head snapped back into the headrest. I dropped the M5 rather quickly - I figure it was in 6 gear and driver probably only downshifted to 5th - that at first I thought the M5 was only teasing me - until I backed off and it caught up at about 110 and passed me as I flashed my lights at him. The M5 pulled back and it seemed the driver wanted another go at it - and my exit to another highway was coming up. I exited and he continued on south.

I believe the 500E "sleeper" took the M5 by surprise, and further evidence that a stick driver has to really know the car to get the best performance. I doubt there are many really good stick drivers that can get the best out of their M5s.

This makes a great Christmas bed-time story... "....as visions of 500E's wasting M5's danced through my head...".

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good drive.

__________________
Mark Herzig
1995 E300D 153K
1985 300D 142K (sold)
1979 450SL 122 miles (sold)
1992 500E 127K (sold)
1987 300SDL 132K (sold)
1986 300E 161K (sold)

Its good to have a lesson in humility every now and then.

Unfortunately, many buyers of these fine automobiles do not know how to extract 100% out of the car. Doing this takes practice on the track at high speed.

Love it!

I'm sure the M5 driver went back to the magazine he/she looked at when buying cars to double check that indeed the M5 had more HP and faster 0-60 times. "The number say it must be so, but why can't I beat the Mercedes????" HaHa

Torque? What's that?

Grin.

__________________
1988 Mercedes-Benz 260E

wait, you were never clear on what year M5 it was. Was it a new E39 or the older inline-6 E34? I don't know, I have a hard time swallowing a story like this. Mosy likly (assuming it was an E39) the guy just bought it assuming he was automatically fast - not realizing that the person behind the wheel is 50% of that 4.7 sec 0-60.

I find it amusing that everybody here is so anti-BMW. I like them both equally (well maybe 48/52, favoring BMW) but I haven't driven a 500E. In the end I'd take a 2001 M5 over a 500e, even over an E55 or CLK55-(maybe). I don't know. While my showroom '92 300CE is cool (and fun), the interior of my 735i is infinitly better for example. But the 735 is larger, thus not as nible. Personally its hard for me to choose so I try not to trash either...and buy 1 of each, simple!

just my .02

peace

I never heard of a M-5 having a o-60 of 4.7. Also the e55 has in every magazine proved to withing 1/100 of a second off the M-5. The M5 is a great car, indeed one of my favorites. The CLK 55 can blow the M-5 away easily. I love Bimmers and they are my second favorite car I love all German cars And as stated above its 50% the driver.

__________________
"Damn the torpedos, four bells full speed ahead"
-Admiral Farragut




-1987 300E Smoke Silver
-1997 S320 Black on Black
-Soon To be E55 AMG
-27 foot Grady White Offshore Sportfish.

Hi guys...

From what I have heard, seen, and read, The M5's 0-60 time is really close to 4.7 secs, but that's on a well broken-in M5(E39). Both BMW and MB seem to be very conservative when releasing performance figures. Most of the car magazines state that the M5 is about 0.1 or 0.2 secs faster (0-60)than the E55, but that is not a significant difference. And also the CLK55 will not "blow away" an M5 easily, it will be a very close race. I must admit, the BMW's of today are much more improved than the earlier BMW's, but I personally prefer MB. Merry Christmas and a happy new year everyone!!

Chuck

My View on 500E Vs M5, they are both great cars, but the 500E is a collectors car. It will always be a well sought after benz, and I love MB Myself. Sure I'd have no problems driving a new M5, but for the roughly 60k pricetag difference, I'd drive the Used 500e.

Alon

__________________
'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

A 500E is a tough car to beat if you jump on it at 85...it pops into 3rd, is just on cam, and you're off! It even hits 4th (at 110 mph ) pretty aggressively, so if you're not the initiator the 500E's likely gonna whomp you.

However, a new M5 picking the fight? I think I'd see taillights, but I'd keep his license plate in focus! And I'd consider a 500E shod with big rubber to be up to any M5 handling challenge short of a racetrack.

Surprise is the thing-no one sees it coming. Hehe.

Happy New Year All!

__________________
"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo

I agree with Ashman with the 500E E500 respect. That car is a rare hybride of Mercedes and Porsche. No other car can claim such a pedigree. As for the CLK 55, the stats that Mercedes releases is that it will do 0-60 in 4.8 seconds. Those stats are conservative on a not well broken in car. Once the clk's are broken in and their true times are recorded then we'll see whats up. Personally I prefer the CLK 55 over the M-5, ewen though the M-5 is a great machine.

__________________
"Damn the torpedos, four bells full speed ahead"
-Admiral Farragut




-1987 300E Smoke Silver
-1997 S320 Black on Black
-Soon To be E55 AMG
-27 foot Grady White Offshore Sportfish.

I was on vacation for a week - the M5 was an E39. The E34 does not hold up well to the 500E. My experience just adds fuel to the debate of an automatic versus a manual transmission. I prefer a manual transmission, and I feel I am pretty good at shifting through the gears (personal experience with M3 and E34 M5) and I know I can not get within a second of the times C&D, R&T or others post. If one prefers the "thrill" of shifting through the gears, go for it! I get tired of hearing how MBs don't match up with a BMW becasue of the manual trans. PLEASE! Ever compare a an auto BMW to a MB - no compare. I don't think BMW has a manual tran for the 7 series. I wonder why?

I just get a kick out of seeing BMW drivers believing their cars are fast becasue the magazines say so - and the drivers can't match the performance. Also, echoing Michael, at 85 in the kickdown to third, the M119 is where is was designed to thrive - those double cams with the variable timing hit with unbelievable power!