The 606 sees 5000 rpm maybe once a week, but there is no point besides the racecar-like sound (seriously!) and black smoke.

The most powerful acceleration comes between 2500 and 4000 rpm, so there's no reason to wind the engine up to redline. The same is true on the TDI--power drops off after about 4000 rpm.

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99 E300 TD -- sold
01 540i 6 spd