Can you 'track an M5?
Discussion
I have tracked my E34 M5 once...a lot of roll (stock suspension) but the oversteer is so easy to catch (sort of slow motion oversteer) that it makes it a lot of fun (as people commented on in the pits). It's not an ideal track car, too heavy and too expensive to sort when broken or parts wear out, but it's worth a crack on the track at least once. I now have a track dedicated M3 to play with instead but the M5 may venture out again.
7SS said:
ASBO said:
Right I'm in a pickle.
You're as bad as me chap!! I reckon you're just going to have to get yourself a two car fleet!My own M5 shaped itch is getting worse.
I've conviced a buddy to take me for a blast in his when I'm back. I just don't know if it would be entertaining enough that I'd actualy want to use it over the Caterham on occasions when I don't need the space / weather protection????
hmmmm, decisions, decisions
From experience, I do think that the way to go is to have two cars as long as you have the space and can afford it. A lightweight track orientated car and a daily driver. If you can stretch to a M car as the daily driver, then great.
I'll certainly be taking my E36 M3 Evo on the track, but only once or twice as I've flogged my Elise and currently have Hobsons Choice!
M5Player said:
Considering an e34 m5 won the khumo bmw championship they aren't bad on track!! It beat e30m3's, e36m3's etc etc.
That was partly due to the way the classes work - i.e. he could have a lot more power than the others as he was heavier (i.e. he had the grunt), but he also had the weight penalty on cornering.Saw it up close when I was marshalling at Oulton and it looked stunning - not that you could use it as a daily driver though!
There's a race-prepped one for sale as well - http://www.racecarsdirect.com/listing/8499/BMW_E34...
as a relative newbie to track days (only this year) i would add that weight is the killer to performance V running costs. (i'm sure bookatrack.com run a fleet of caterfields not only because they are very quick but also they are not too heavy on brakes/suspension etc)
i took my E36 evo round a track, found it too fast for my ability - whilst you don't get out of shape often, i quite enjoy going a bit slower and more sideways
so bought a track prepared BMW E30 325 for buttons money. yes it means two car fleet, (x2 tax, ins, MOT etc) but comnsumables are soooo cheap (eg.new rear disc £15 at GSF etc)
it does not eat the brakes/suspension/tyres because it is so light, it is great for lots of sideways action and what is nice is that most people wander over for a chat because in their dim and distant past they all had one and like seeing them out on the track!
once i have learnt to drive a bit better i would like to graduate up to a track dedicated E36 M3. But make no mistake, whilst buying one is relatively cheap (sub £4k easily) getting it up to decent track spec is the same again and more - running costs go up too.
why not buy something a bit cheaper, learn the car (and running costs!) improve your driving skills and then make the step up to something more substantial.
i took my E36 evo round a track, found it too fast for my ability - whilst you don't get out of shape often, i quite enjoy going a bit slower and more sideways
so bought a track prepared BMW E30 325 for buttons money. yes it means two car fleet, (x2 tax, ins, MOT etc) but comnsumables are soooo cheap (eg.new rear disc £15 at GSF etc)
it does not eat the brakes/suspension/tyres because it is so light, it is great for lots of sideways action and what is nice is that most people wander over for a chat because in their dim and distant past they all had one and like seeing them out on the track!
once i have learnt to drive a bit better i would like to graduate up to a track dedicated E36 M3. But make no mistake, whilst buying one is relatively cheap (sub £4k easily) getting it up to decent track spec is the same again and more - running costs go up too.
why not buy something a bit cheaper, learn the car (and running costs!) improve your driving skills and then make the step up to something more substantial.
Posh git - totally agree.
However Id go further with saying that after a few years using the lower powered cars then if your serious about it buy a trak prepared E30 M3 or x racing E30M3 or similar it will be far cheaper than you buying one and gradually modifying it.
When I raced a 996TT round Thruxton is was hugely fast however you couldnt get near to its limitations then I went in a 1.6ltr zetec single seater (about £2-6k) and have never had so much fun yes the speed was lower but cornering braking and a lower COG made the experiance better than the 996TT.
Id go even further to say that a 4 speed go kart (outdoor endurance style) is the best fun you can have on a track and given say 2-4 of you buy together and share the costs of tyres brakes & other bits which fail it will not cost you much more than buying a PS3 to run it for a year [ mind you you will have to allow for the beer money for those 12 hr stints and camping out over weekends at tracks with your mates....]
However Id go further with saying that after a few years using the lower powered cars then if your serious about it buy a trak prepared E30 M3 or x racing E30M3 or similar it will be far cheaper than you buying one and gradually modifying it.
When I raced a 996TT round Thruxton is was hugely fast however you couldnt get near to its limitations then I went in a 1.6ltr zetec single seater (about £2-6k) and have never had so much fun yes the speed was lower but cornering braking and a lower COG made the experiance better than the 996TT.
Id go even further to say that a 4 speed go kart (outdoor endurance style) is the best fun you can have on a track and given say 2-4 of you buy together and share the costs of tyres brakes & other bits which fail it will not cost you much more than buying a PS3 to run it for a year [ mind you you will have to allow for the beer money for those 12 hr stints and camping out over weekends at tracks with your mates....]
ASBO said:
Have the school holidays started already?
Put simply the OP has stated that when they ran an M5 on the track it cost an absolute fortune and the OP was unable to reach the cars limitations on the track - due to skill/balls etc. Given that cost &/or skill are an issue why not buy a far lower powered car to start with.
Your retort is similar to saying "oh if I were a racing driver I'd not be interested in Formula Fords/Formula Parmer Audi / Clio Cup / Seat Copa Cupra / even the BTCC as its not F1, its F1 or nothing for me who cares if I can or cannot afford it and my skill rather than build it up I'll just go out in the fastest car I can get and just see what happens" (while watching much lower powered cars pass you on the track due to lackof track driving skill/education.
Is the person who wants to track an M5 going to sit the Racing car licence? Or is it more like a track day event run what you bring scenario. Id assume that its the former as he's talking about stripping weight fromt he car and making it into a racing track car - which is a very odd thing to do buy the track car already converted its far cheaper and all the work is done.
I am the OP
Sorry, didn't mean to be rude. However, why answer a question I didn't ask?
If I wanted a cheap track slag, I'd buy one
I'm genuinely quite interested to know wheter the M5 makes a decent stab at the track or whether it's best suited to the autobahn. Fortunately, others have answered my question.
THanks for your help anyway.
ASBO said:
I am the OP
Sorry, didn't mean to be rude. However, why answer a question I didn't ask?
If I wanted a cheap track slag, I'd buy one
I'm genuinely quite interested to know wheter the M5 makes a decent stab at the track or whether it's best suited to the autobahn. Fortunately, others have answered my question.
THanks for your help anyway.
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