A teen took his dad's 08 BMW M5 onto the private runway that John Travolta and others use in Florida. He was going so fast that even though he hit the brakes at the end of the runway, and we all know how big M5 brakes are, the car was still able to launch itself in the air for 200 feet hitting a tree 15 feet up from the roots

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=111545

The real tragedy here is he took 4 other kids with him to death

Such a needless tragedy.

At least they he didn't do this on a public road.

Do a google map search on Anthony FL airport with satelite view, and you can see Travolta's Boeing 707 park by his house.

Same thing happened some years ago with some HS kids who took the family Jaguar out (drunk) and were going 90mph in a 40mph neighborhood that I drove through twice a day they impaled themselves on a phone pole in part of the road that is kinked and none made it...

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1974 240D 3.0L 4(M) - 250K -OM617.910 + 300D FW + Rajay turbo power!
1977 6.9 3(A) - 84k

They were probably drunk, looking at how far the car went it must have been going 150+, it was a brutal accident.


At least they did it on a private runway and not a public road.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I just hope none of the other kids in the car were talked into the ride against their own better judgment. Peer pressure can really suck sometimes.

I hate hearing about kids loosing their lives via something that starts with: “Oh come on… it’ll be fun.”

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1980 300D - Veggie Burner !

This is why I provided my kids with 240ds to drive when they were driving my cars.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I'm sure you provided them a few other things that these kids parents probably left out, as well.

DJ

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1980 300D - Veggie Burner !

the purchase of this was written up by the owner on one of the BMW forums.
i didn't go back but heard that he's confirmed it was his car which was loaned
to his son.

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-- raymond~
47º 34'N 122º 18'W

Give a teenager a car that will do 150 he will find a hill to get it to 151, I don't care how great of a parent you think you are.

I will am looking forward to the technological innovations that will keep my son in the safety zone when I let him drive; which at the point is about 35 years from now.

Wave runners have those dual key setups that if you have the "slow" key the max speed is governed. They should have something like that for the car computer. My boss tried it with a rev limiter chip for his son but that does not work too well. It would need to govern max speed and acceleration.

Or do like the guy above, give them a 240D. Problem solved.

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MB-less

On pickup trucks they offer an option of a 70mph governer for fleet use.

Something like that would be a good idea on cars for drivers under 20.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I think those m5s have a slow setting. 'course, 155 may be the slow speed!

I test drove an 04 or so one day and accelerated briskly to well over the speed limit and never got above fourth gear.

Awesome car.....but not for a teenager, at least not a typical teenager.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

that they didn't do this in the sticks like DeKalb, Illinois, where you can ride for a dozen miles without any cross streets or traffic. Kind of defines outside of the envelope. Tragic.

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2009 E320 Bluetec 117,000
1995 E300D 306,000 Sold
1996 Ford Taurus LX 130,000 Sold
1985 300TD Still 225,000 Sold
2016 Ford Fusion 24,900

I hope to God I can do two things: (1) teach my boys not to have that kind of courage/stupidity behind the wheel, and (2) not to ride with others who have that courage/stupidity.

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600