"dr861" (dr861)
09/05/2013 at 22:45 • Filed to: Classic Car Club Manhattan, BMW, M5, Review, Oppositelock
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"dr861" (dr861)
09/05/2013 at 22:45 • Filed to: Classic Car Club Manhattan, BMW, M5, Review, Oppositelock | 7
| 13 |
This image was lost some time after publication.
I've pretty much followed the CCC since they started. I didn't, don't, and never want to be the asshole that ruins one of their cars, or a clutch, or a wheel, or a tire even. Yes, my deductible is low, and the potential cost is somewhat manageable. But that's not the point. The point is I like cars. I know how much the guys who run the club like cars, and especially their cars. So it is my goal to treat every single car they hand me the keys to, with the respect and mechanical sympathy they deserve. So let's just say, for my first drive... I was a little nervous.
In my mind, there is a list of cars that are on the MUST DRIVE list that I am to complete before my elderly passing at the ripe old age of 123 years old. (Im adjusting for future age expectancies.) The e39 M5 has always been on my list, and always in the top 10. The day started out with me thinking I was going to be able to fit into a race prepped e30 m3 however, it was not to be. Even my somewhat normally sized friend would have been half steering with his thighs if he were to try. Hence, we wound up in the M5. Hardly a disappointing prospect.
As I stepped behind the wheel of one of my automotive idols, I suffered a moment of complete and utter loss of my supposed ability to drive a manual transmission. Basically, I tried to drive away without putting the car into gear. Surprisingly, this does not work, which I did not realize until about a half minute later. Being quite horrified at my inability and momentary loss of brain function, (especially since I had seriously planned on leaving the CCC in a way that would leave onlookers thinking, "Ah that car is in good hands, I need not worry.") I put the car into gear, and drove off.
First impressions of the car are good. Docile almost. The clutch takes a little getting used to, but it almost feels like it's helping you find the sweet spot for a smooth stop to go. The first time I really get on the gas, the car immediately changes personalities. Revs go up, the whole car purrs with excitement, and the fact that you are sitting in a 3500+ lb sedan immediately exits your mind. City driving is always packed and in close quarters, so I drive rationally and not dangerously. I decide that I'm going to drive the length of the saw mill pkwy, which is an incredibly fun road when empty, not to mention, most people who drive the saw mill rarely are able to actually drive as slow as the speed limit posted, the flow of traffic dictates the speed, which is much faster :)
The car handles beautifully. Honestly, I do not think the sport button does anything, but no matter. Bumps are barely felt, corners are easily navigated, and the car is very civilized. The only thing that would suggest that you are actually sitting in a civilized monster, are the m badges on the gauges, and the knowledge that 400 hp is under your foot. Its fast. Very fast. The only other car I'm used to driving stick in, is my Dad's 99 corvette, which only revs to about 6000 RPM's. The M5 revs to about 8,000 RPM's. I realize I haven't really been winding it out. When I do actually get close to 7000, the full gusto of the car becomes overly apparent, as the wail from the exhaust is awesome and thrust is at full.
The M5 is a great car. Easy to drive, comfortable, easy to see out of, and very fast. If I were a hoonigan with a family and a 9 to 5, it is a car I would seriously consider. Not to mention the fact that you can get a decent one these days for less than $20,000.
I, Daniel Raskin, am a real estate professional in NYC with a penchant for anything fast, or anything with 4 wheels for that matter. To use my services as an agent, have a real estate question you want answered, or if you just want to talk cars, please contact me at draskin@halstead.com. Happy Motoring!
davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> dr861
02/04/2014 at 13:47 |
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Look forward to the day I get to drive one!
Audi-os, amigos
> dr861
02/11/2014 at 15:33 |
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My dad's DD for 10 years now. The burbling rumble of that thing pulling into the garage always told me he was home.
I remember riding with him when I was about 15 years old, and some punk in a G4 V6 Mustang wanted to race. Well, we raced. And as the Mustang faded, and we continued to accelerate, I asked him, "Dad, what happened? Why'd he stop?"
"He ran out of gears," my dad said.
"Oh. What gear are you in?" I asked.
"Third."
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dr861
> Audi-os, amigos
02/11/2014 at 15:37 |
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Great story! Love sleepers.
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Audi-os, amigos
> dr861
02/11/2014 at 15:40 |
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Also, loved the "civilized monster" description you used! That's almost verbatim how I was going to describe it in my comment before even reading that part! It's just so. freaking. refined. while still being a growling, screaming beast when called upon.
Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura
> dr861
02/11/2014 at 16:32 |
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CCC, y u no Seattle, too? :c
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dr861
> Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura
02/11/2014 at 17:26 |
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There's a rumor that Dubai or Miami may be the next location. They are looking to expand. SF may be an option...
EtrnL_Frost
> dr861
02/11/2014 at 17:38 |
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The sport button increases throttle response. One of the nicest things I loved about the old m cars was that throttle response. If you've ever ridden a bike, the difference is night and day between a car and a bike in throttle response. The motorcycle is so much more immediate, so much more willing to rev.
And that's one of the neat things about that e36, e39, e46... and likely the e60 (never driven that one) and e90/92. The throttle response is just immediate . Compared to cars with similar horsepower (a 335i, for example), the e39 is just more willing to rev, and quicker to respond to taps at the gas.
Sport mode off, and it's a bit more tame, but sport mode on... to me, it's night and day. Just throttle response, though. I don't think it does anything else... at least, not the e39.
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dr861
> dr861
02/11/2014 at 18:28 |
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Trying to decide whether or not I should drive the e60, won't be able to re up points for a little while and most people have been saying the e39 is equally as fun.
After driving 9 of their cars (way more reviews to follow) I finally understand what throttle response actually is. I'd like to think I'm a better driver now and a little more perceptive to those sorts of things. Will definitely have another go in the e39 eventually, so I can properly understand what I'm driving.
WhatDaFunk
> dr861
02/12/2014 at 15:55 |
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Nice write up. I've lusted after the E39 M5 for awhile now, seems like it would be a nice upgrade from my E34 535i.
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dr861
> WhatDaFunk
02/12/2014 at 16:15 |
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Thanks buddy. Great car! I may like the look of the e34 m5 a little more though.
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WhatDaFunk
> dr861
02/12/2014 at 16:21 |
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In general, I prefer the styling of E34s over E39s, but it's flipped for the M versions. The cosmetic changes to the E39 M really make the car look great, and I like that it stands out from the non-M E39s.
The E34 M doesn't stand out enough from the non-M models to me, if I have an M I want it to stand out! But, this is really splitting hairs, they're all pretty great.
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dr861
> WhatDaFunk
02/13/2014 at 10:55 |
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agreed.
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EtrnL_Frost
> EtrnL_Frost
02/17/2014 at 12:16 |
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Correction: it also tightens up the steering. I will say, as an owner, I find the e39 to leave me wanting for more feedback through the steering wheel