Look at this site below . Most cars are lumping together near 10 seconds +/- 1 sec in the 100-200 kph flying acceleration ( 62-125 mph ) range , where the real world highway/ on ramp acceleration takes place for most of these cars , whether a 996 Turbo / Ferrari/ SL55 ( E55 and M5 in same ballpark as SL 55 ) . A few tenths or car lenghths mean nothing when rolling as a fraction of a second late on the throttle means a few car lenghths . Forget about standing start zero to whatever - these cars are not bought for the drag strip , at least not in my neck of the woods and outside of internet bench racing . As you can see, the proliferation of easy access HP ( add coming Mustang Cobra Shleby with 450-500 hp at $39K , etc.etc.) is actually equaliizing real world passing ability so much that other factors will be selling cars soon. Notice that the E55 / SL55/M5 would be ( at 9-9,5 secs ) near the very top of all these cars, below cars like Pgani Zonda but above all Porsches except GT2 and C-GT , so the internet sniping between M5 and E55 enthusiasts is just silly .
Bottom line - they are ALL " just as quick" in a straight line where and in the matter they are driven ( below 125 mph on public roads ) by their typical owner demographic . We are in a glorious era of outrageous cars and choices and yet so many people in the internet car nut world are so angry and pissed - go figure !

all the acceleration numbers out the wazoo ...

 

With the SMG on the E60 M5 there will be a lot less driver influenced numbers as they test the car. Certainly the E55/SL 55/etc. are stomp and go cars and in real world, non professional 0-60 times will be pretty consistant. I was more impressed with the SL55 than the E55 (both 2004/5) as it felt closer to a complete car, not just a powerful engine in the wrong chasis. JMO. Plenty of people like E55's and their existance has helped advance other brands. Too bad BMW/M-B/Audi have their super sedans on staggered releases so you are always trying to compare "new" vs. "old". As for getting extra HP out of the new V10, don't hold your breath. Look how long it took on the E39 and that engine wasn't nearly as complex as the new one. Lots of horror stories that started nicely and ended poorly. Besides not having a 6 speed initially, the only knock on the new M5 is lack of torque and that's the way it's going to be without a lot of displacement. If you drive it hard, it will respond.

 

Marcus,

I am trying to be civilized, but, as an entusiast, we often have polarized opinions. What I state is just my opinion, no more no less. My experience with the AMG cars is from real world experience. I have driven my friends E55 fifty times at least. Its fast in a straight line, but imo and in my experience, it is all over the place at high speed and when turning............great for some, just not my cup of tea. I have always found BMW's to be more of a driver's car. You like your AMG, that's wonderful and I am glad you are enjoying it. It is a great car, just not my kind of car. As I've said, I prefer the feel of BMW's thats all.

On another note, since we don't have any tests yet, there is nothing to go by except the real world tests I posted. All I can say is my Z8 keeps up with an SL55, becuase that is FACT. That is what happened. Hell when Shank gt2 and I raced from about 60-130, SL600 Renntech vs Z8, it wasn't as I expected. We were even until at least 95-100 then he started pulling away so that he ended up about 3 car lengths ahead. That car is 625HP and he said he walked an SL55.

Believe me, the Z8 has flaws, just for what it is and for me, I love it some may hate it. Anyway, just wnated to clarify and again, I am happy you are enjoying your car and in no way did I intentionally mean to bash it. Again, as us entusiats go, when you are passionate and very opinionated about something, it often comes out wrong. Enjoy

Lou

 

Group hug !


On another note , I'm sure there is some politician -to -be who is already planning his/her way to national spotlight : ban all gas wasting / people killing / antisocial cars over 200 hp , bring back the 85 mph speedometers like in the 70s , put black boxes speed recording in all cars with mandatory download once a year at the DMV , etc. It's gonna happen . What goes around comes around. It's starting to feel a little bit like the late 1960s/early 1970s during the last worldwide HP wars .

 

as said above, most BMW's ARE drivers cars. more so than MB. unfortunately, the new M5 is pretty ugly, but i still might buy one. that said, i really don't think my TT is that great looking either, unless it's from the rear. but when i drive the friggin thing, i just have to laugh out loud thinking about what a great car it is... the SL 55 is really a pretty nice ride with a great transmission. (course, i am a tip guy) but the car is more of a grand tourer... now, if you guys REALLY want to go fast, try a current stock sportbike that runs high nines in the quarter. nothing puts a bigger smile on my face than riding one of those babies, especially on the track. there is so much bench racing talk about E55's and M5's, but i can't tell you the last time i saw one at the track. (we bikers have the exact same discussions about whose ride is faster, and even more discussions about blowing off FAST cars) ... if you really want to go fast around a track, you buy a purpose built 1200 lb. race car with 250 to 300hp, that will EAT any street car..... now that is fun.. just for track days... isn't it all about what puts a smile on our faces.. like someone said, whatever floats your boat.......... now, offshore boating, that's another subject. nothing like jumping 4' waves on lake michigan at 80 mph with no police or traffic around.......

 

Not to mention, isn't the compression ratio of the new M5 engine like 12:1. That doesn't sound like there will be any FI for it in the near future unless they lower that compression, but that would add big $$$.

 

Lou,

Thanks for the response. I understand what you are saying and I think we just have fundamental differences in what we want in cars. Just like there are people who differ in opinion of the Z8, I think people differ in opinion on the 55 cars. You know Chicago isn't the greatest place to throw cars around twisty turns... my commute involves rain, potholes, snow, traffic, and a bunch of other crap. I drive my E55 year round and it just suits my need for a daily driver better than an M would. If I want a car to throw around turns and drive like a race car, I'm going to buy a real sports car, not a sedan

-m

 

Great point I completely understand. Also wanted to add, I am not even a big fan of sedans anyway. For me, I have a Turbo S and Z8, and want an M6. The needs of people definately also dictates big time what they want to drive. I am a younger guy, single, no family, and prefer coupes so, I want sportier cars. I drive like 2 miles to work and when I want to drive hard, its done late at night, so my needs obviously differ from others.

Lou

 

Lou,

let me know when you are selling any of your stuff.. i would be very interested... it all looks great and we're neighbors.. almost...